LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



DDDDli4flHb43 % 



HISTORY 

'i 



HOCKING VALLEY, 



OHIO, 



TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, 

KDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL 

HISTORY, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND 

BH GRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 



CHICAGO: 

[NTER-STATE PUBLISHING CO. 
1883. 




PREFACE. 



In presenting to the ctizens of the Lower Hocking Valley this History.it 
is with the full knowledge that there may be found within its pages errors, both 
of omission and commission. It would be strange, indeed, if in recording 
the many incidents which may have transpired since the Hocking Valley was 
transformed from the wilderness home of the Indian to the civilization of the 
white man, that mistakes have not been made and much left unrecorded; yet, 
notwithstanding this, we feel confident that, by careful research, much has been 
f< uud, not generally known, worthy of a place in the annals of a local history 
which, but for this compilation, would have forever remained buried in the dark 
oblivion of the forgotten past. 

To gather these daily incidents of the long ago has been a work of infinite 
care and attention to detail, and a dependence, in a great measure, upon the 
memory of early settlers now living, and to the imperfect records of historical 
events, which in many instances time has effaced, with facts but partially re- 
corded. Of the living pioneers, they have told us of their trials and troubles ot 
by-gone years with all that wonderful simplicity and aptness of illustration for 
which the "old pioneers'' and their first descendants were noted. 

Tis true that their memories at times have sadly faltered, and that they have 
forgotten much of value and incidents of a thrilling nature, yet enough has 
been given worthy of a place among the archives of the Lower Hocking Val- 
ley's progress to warrant their narration upon the pages of history. 

The county, township and city records and the flits of old newspapers have 
been carefully conned, and many facts and figures have been culled by midnight 
toil. Every available source of information has been explored, and every avenue 
of investigation exhausted, that only such incidents as were trustworthy might 
And a place within the pages of this work, making it not only a compendium 
o( acknowledged facts but a useful and valuable book of reference. Intelligent 
readers may judge of how this labor has been performed and make all due al- 
lowance for such errors in names and dates as may be found therein. Perfection 
in man is not of this world, therefore to say that this work approached that high 
degree of excellence would savor too much of vanity; but let us say that an hon- 
est endeavor has been made to make the History of the Lower Hocking 
VALLEY worthy, iu all respects, the careful perusal, if not approval, of the 
reader. 



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CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF HOCK1XO VAI^EY 



CHAPTEK I. 

INTRODUCTORY, BUT STILL HISTORY. 

Indians and the White Man's Advent— 1 he 
Owners of the Territory— The Government 
Secured It -Ordinance of ITS"— The Dun- 
more War— Locating on Indian Lands— Dun- 
more's March up the Hocking Valley— 1 he 
Indian ^ame and Why 17-26 

CHAPTER II. 

E akly Settlement and Material Progress . 
The Ohio Company— The Valley of Hocking 
— Washington County —Generals Wash- 
ington and Futnam — Organization— Pur- 
chase of Land— Athens and Hocking Coun- 
tj eB _ First Settlers— Adelpl.ia— Marietta- 
Indian War— Generals Harmer and St. Clair 
Defeated- Mad ALthony Victory— F.rst Set- 
tlers of College Lands, or Athens County- 
Making Salt— Pioneer Modes and Pioneer 
Progress 27-4b 

CHAPTER III. 

The Trials and Tribulations, Cabins and 
Comforts of Early Days. . 
Pioneer Life— The Log Cabin — Cooking— 
Dress— Family Worship-Hospitality-Trade 
and Barter— Hog Killing— Native Animals- 
Wolf Hunts— Education— Spelling and Sing- 
ing Schools— On Their Guard— The Bright 
Side— A Touch of Pioneer Life— How the 
Pioneers Advanced Civilization — Women 
Pioneers iJ ~ m 

CHAPTER IV. 

Scientific View of Hooking Valley, Pre- 
liminary Thoughts. 

Topography — Drainage or River System— 
Geology— Stratigraphies! Formation— Arch- 
ffi ology— Fauna— Flora— Meteorology— Sum- 
mary — Conclusion 85-127 

CHAPTER V. 

Statistics of the Hocking Valley, besides 
Railroads and Canals, Senators and Rep- 
resentatives. , 
Lands and Valuation— County Buildings and 
Valuation— Miles of Railway— Area ofVal- 
li v— Population and Wheat Growing— Cities 
and Villages and Population— Boundary of 
the Mir era'. Field— Coal Production— Hock- 
ing Valley— State Senators of the Hocking 
Valley and Representatives .. 128-145 

CHAPTER VI. 

Athens County History — From the Wil- 
derness to Advanced Civilization. 
Organic— Act of the Legislature— Organized 
Feti 20. 1805— Area— First Session of Court 



—First Jail and Court-House— Taxation and 
License— New Couit-House, 1818 — School 
Districts and School Moneys— 1840 to 1850— 
Rise and Progress, 1850 to I860— War and 
Peace— County Officials — Floods— Devasta- 
tion and Ruin by the Rushing Waters — 
Floods of 1847, 1858, and 1873— Destruction 
ol Thirteen Miles of the Hocking Canal — 
The Swelling Waters of 1875 146-165 

CHAPTER VII. 

Military History — War of 1812, Mexican 
War, and the War Between the States. 
Early Patriotism— War with Mexico— The 
Rebellion— Firing on Fort Sumter— News- 
papers Firingthe Hear's of the People— Ath- 
ens County Meets All Demands— Camp Jew- 
ett— Mustering In— Camp Denison— Sanitary 
and Relief— Work— Morgan's Raid— Nelson- 
ville Captured— Ladies Once More to the 
Front— Grand Encampment— 'N ar Ended—- 
President Lincoln's Assassination— The Ath- 
ens Soldiers by TowLships-The Regiments • 
in which they served 166-178 

CHAPTER VIIL 

Statistics of Athens County— Population, 
Agricultural, Political. 
Population bv Townships and by Decades— 
The Value of Real and Personal Property in 
1870, 1880, 1881, and 1882— Assessed \ aluation 
in 1846, 1853, and 1859— Record of Marriages 
and Deaths— Pauperism— Land Sales— Mort- 
gages-Dog and Sheep Statistics— Railroad 
andTelegraph— Political— Preeidentianote, 
1836 to 1880— Governor's Vote, 1836 to 1880 
-Vote for Secretary of State— The County 

Vote by Townships 1.9-1* 

CHAPTER IX. 

Melange— A Series of Articles Worthy op 
Attention. 

Perusal — Educational— Normal Institute- 
statistical - Agricultural Society — Annual 
Fairs— Constitution and By-Laws— Pioneer 
Association— The Death Roll- Officers-Let- 
ter of General Thomas Ewing— Future Pros- 
pects— New Court-House-The Old Log 
Oourt-House of 1807 -The Ancient Brick 
Court- House of 1818-The Pride of Athens 
County, 1880- Its Cost-Jail-Chi dren a 
Home— Infirmary— Defalcation 197-324 

CHAPTER X. 

Township and City of Athens Linked To- 
gether— One and Inseparable. 
Interwoven-Metes and Bounds-lH5, and 
1851 to 1883— Items-First Post Route-Pro- 
gressing Slowly-Popnlation and Compan- 
ion of Growth-Township Officers, 1806 to 
1883 — Trustees - Treasurers - <- lerks-d us- 
ticesof the Peace —' »« 






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CONTENTS. 



Bounds— Some of the Early Settlers— Min- 
eral Deposits—Transportation Only Needed 
--Churches— Cemeteries -- Schools, and Ma- 
terial Prosperity— Biographical . . 701-713 

CHAPTER XXVI. 
Carthage Township — The Beauty of Its 
Landscape. 

The Act which organized It— Taken from 
Troy Township in November, 1819— Area- 
Lost Records— Officeholders—The Pioneers 
—First Mill — First Postmaster — Population 
by Decades — Growth Slow but Substantial 

— Churches and Schools— Biographical 

714-730 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

Dover and Trimble Townsuips. 

Outline— Early Settlers— Township Officials 

—Sunday Creek Valley— Mineral Resources 

—Social Periods— Biographical 731-789 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 
Lodi Township — An Agricultural Town- 
ship Mixed with Petrifactions and In- 
dian Traditions. 

Organization and Bounds — Population — 
Topography— Petrifactions— First Election, 
Fourteen Votes— The Pioneers— Schools and 
Srnie Few Remarks — Churches, Villages, 
Business — Towns- hip Officers from 1827 to 
i ^-3— Biographical 790-812 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Hi- Tory of Hocking County — The Hocking 
Valley— The White Man's Advent and 
Fed Man's Exit. 

Those Who Led the Van of Civilization— 
The First Pioneers— The County Organiza- 
tion Act —Early Records— Eagle and Salt 
Creek — County Commissioners' First Meet- 
ing— First Grand Jury— Green and Laurel — 
Townt-hlps Organized and Numbered — Items 
— Falls -G ore and Jackson — Marion — Benton 
— Jail and Court- House —Mineral Talk- 
Progress— Population, 1840 — Taxation— Ex- 
tracts from Sentinel, 1842 — Something of 
Early Days — Something about a Name — To- 
pography—Metes aud Bounds 813-834 

CHAPTER XXX. 

Agricultural and Mineral — Local Events. 
Iron Manufacturers— Progress and Flood — 
Yield of 1859— Local History— Valuation and 
Taxation— 1807 to 1875— Jail— Births and 
Deaths', 1873 — County Infirmary — Its Cost 
and Officers— Assessment Returns, 1874 and 
187(3— Agricultural Products and Stocks for 
1870, 1875, and 1880— Hocking County As- 
sei-sment, 1882 — Coal Output — Two Items- 
Hocking County Agricultural Soricty— From 
1853 to 1882— The Record of a Crime— Mur- 
der ot the Weldon Family — Patrons of Hus- 
bandry—Oil Well— Postal Routes and Tally 
Ho— Normal Institute— From 1868 to 1882... 
835-851 

CHAPTER XXXI. 

Political History. 
Governors oi Ohio and Hocking County's Vote 
— County Officials — Commissioners — Other 
County Officers — The Vote of Hocking Coun- 
ty. 1818 to 1882— Population from 1820 to 18S0 
— Seventh Judicial District — Sub-Districts 1, 
2, and 3— Judges from 1818 to 1883— Counties 
Comprising the Districts and Sub-Divisions 
—Ten Judicial Districts in the State. .852-8B1 

CHAPTER XXXII. 
War History of Hocking County— The Glo- 
rious Rlcord of the Gallant Sons of 
Ho.cking. 

They Were Born So — Michigan and Ohio 
boundary Troubles— Mexican War and Lit- 



tle Hocking— What Ohio Did— The Gallant 
Seventeenth— A Series of Mbrches — New < r- 
ganization— The Slain— The Glorious Thitty- 
first — Ordeied to Trave:— The Gallant Dead 
—The Noble Fifty-eighth— The Sixty-third, 
Seventy fifth, and the I ne Hundred and 
Fifty-first— The End 862-S83 

CHAPTER XXXIII. 
Falls Township — The Pioneer Township 
and Its Steady Growth. 
From 1798 — Something of Its Important 
Changes of Territory— Railroad, Canal, and 
River—Timber, Coal, and Iron Ore— Assessed 
Valuation— Schools— Streams— The Falls of 
the Great Hockhockicg— Under the Surface— 
Churches — When Located — Cemeteries- 
Population— Falls-Gore— Railroad and Fur- 
naces—Church—Schools—Societies—Towns 

— Industries — Business — Land — Water — 
Boundary— Name 881-893 

CHAPTER XXXIV. 
The City of Logan— The Pride of the Val- 
ley and of the Hockuocking. 
To the Memory of the Mingo Chief, Logan— 
The Beauty of its Location and Surroundings 
—From 1825 to 1830— Incorporation of Logan 
—What She Was— Bridges— the Culver Prop- 
erty— Purchase and Price- Logan Postoffice 
—Mayors of Logan-- Logan Graded School — 
Business Interests in 1859 and .8&3 -Pro- 
fessional 891-902 

CHAPTER XXXV. 
Referring to Religions, Morals, Political 
and Business Interests. 
Presbyterian Church — Methodist Episcopal 
Church-Catholic Church-Luthei an Churches 
—People's Bank— First Na'ional Bank— The 
Logan Press — Manufactories— Iron and Steel 

— Furnture — Woolens— Sash, Doors, and 
Blinds— Fire Brick— Foundry and Machine 
Shop- Lodges and Societies 903-917 

CHAPTER XXXVI. 
Biographical Sketches < f Falls Township, 
Including Falls-Gore and City of Logan 
918-1011 

CHAPTER XXXVII. 
Ward and Green Townships— Ward Town- 
ship, the Seat of Wealth, of Coal and 
Iron. 

Mineral but not Agricultural — About Ninety 
Per Cent— Shawnee Ore— Gardner's Trace- 
Interesting Situation— Dew Farm Organiza- 
tion—Carbon Hill— Orbiston— Murray City- 
Population and Area--School, etc. —Holocaust 
—Biographical— Green Township— Organi- 
zation and Area— Topography— Its Wealth 
of Waters — Coal and Iron — Craft's Furnace, 
Saw and Grist Mills— Early Settlement — 
Haydensville — Churches— Greenland Lodge 
—Assessed Valuation— Schools — Population 

—Its Relative Progress -Biographical 

1012-1035 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
Starr Township — A Township That Has a 
History. 

Boundary— Name— Water Courses— Timber 
—Pioneers— Who They Were — Starr Post- 
office — New Cadiz -Haydensville— Schools 
—Mills — Societies— Political — God's Acre- 
Religious— Churches — Township Officers- 
Biographical 1036-1070 

CHAPTER XXXIX. 
Washington and Benton Townships — A 
Combination of Hills and Valleys, Caves 
and Ravines. 

Washington — Its Name, Topographically 
Speaking— Soil and Production-Old Settlers 









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CONTENTS . 



PORTRAITS 



Page. 

Alderman, W. N 437 

Anderson, George S 335 

Armstrong, William.. 1036 

Belt, Raymond 903 

Blackstone, William 233 

Bowlby, W. R 550 

Bowen, Cap:. W. M £62 

Brawley, Henry B 284 

Brown, John Frouti-pieee. 

Buerhaus, Carl H. II 688 

Carpenter, Abel 1071 

Culver, L. A 27 

D ivis, Levi 640 

Defebaugh, D. K 1098 

Friesner, John S 887 

Grogan, James R 6 1 1 

Grosvenor. C. H 146 

Hansen, John 985 

Hart, U.C 85 

Henry, Charles 715 

lies, Jeremiah 713 

Jones, H. C 1185 



Page. 

Mansfield, W. D mi 

Mat bias, Isaac 782 

McBroom, J. C 1130 

McBroom, Mrs. J. C 1131 

McCarthy, T.F 060 

McCormick, I. II 1311 

Patterson John . . 362 

Poston, A 412 

Primrose, I. P 1256 

Rempel, Col. F. F 813 

Shaw, J. A 60 

Shepard, W. P 175 

Spencer, Smith 485 

Stewart, D. B 259 

Stiers, Wilfred 1284 

Stiers, Elizabeth 1285 

Welch, John F 515 

White, C. L 12(8 

Wolf, Andrew 1158 

Wolf, Joseph 200 

Youne, W. R . 590 



. 






BIOWKAPIHCAL SKETCHES. 



Page. 

Acker, James N 918 

Acker, Win. T 918 

Ackley, John 308 

Addleman, B. T 309 

Akin, G. E 

Albin Samuel 1310 

Albin, Wm 1311 

Albin, Wm.S 1110 

Alderman, W.N 4 57 

Allbaugh, Morris 1292 

Allen, B. II 1093 

Allen, David £54 

Allen, J. B 308 

Allen, John, Jr 1093 

Allen, Josiah 770 

Ailender, B. G 1030 

Allison, T.J 693 

Ames, Bishop E. R 514 

Amerine, George 1094 

Ambrose, M. H 919 

Anderson, Geo. S 516 

Andrews, M 437 

Angell, R 796 

Angell, T G 797 

Ankram, J. A 1299 

Arbaugh, M 1367 

Armstrong, C. P 920 

Armstrong, Elmer 554 

Armstrong, E. B 554 

Armstrong, f. C 437 

Armstrong. Milton 1110 

Armstrong, Wm 962 

Armstrong, Wm. H 1044 

Armstrong, Wm 1111 

Arnold, Archibald 1830 

AtkinsoD, G. E 1291 

Atkison.S. L 1044 

A ton, Llnza 797 

Austin, J. O 1045 

Austin, J. S 1U45 

Bailey, Seth G61 

Bailor, Samuel 1112 

Baird, J, W 631 

Baker, Geo. W 31 i9 

Baker, S. C 797 

Baker, T. E 920 

Barker.F.M 311 

Barker, Isaac, Jr 311 

Barnes, James 1356 

Barnes, M.R 1231 

Barnes, W 43S 

Bamhill, John 7!7 

Barrows, G. H 138 

Bartlett, Sylvanus 1299 

Bartlett, W. L 1299 



Page. 
. 711 
. 1371 
. 797 
. 555 



Bason, C 

Bay, T. M 

Beam James 

Bean, Bisco 

Bean, E . M 555 

Bean, Edmund 579 

Bean, Harrison 632 

Bean, Mrs. Lorana ... 579 

Beasley, David 556 

Beasley, George 516 

Beasley, J. J 516 

Beattie, Alex 439 

Beebe, W. p 579 

Beery, A. W 921 

Beery, H. P 1311 

Beli'ord, W. W 1342 

Bell, Wm 743 

Belt, Raymond 921 

Bennett, Dariu- • .. 1016 

Bennett, E. H 1338 

Bennett, J. W 440 

Benson, J. A 312 

Berry, James 1134 

Berry, Thomas ... 44n 

Bestow, M. L 662 

Bethel, A. S 441 

Bethel, L. T 1046 

Biduison,T 7'0 

Biddison, W 770 

Bingham, H 743 

Bingman, Wm 662 

Birge, O. R 744 

Bishop, H II 1357 

Bishop, Harry 1331 

Bishop. J 79. 

Biaci<, Rev. D. P 1134 

Black, John S 612 

Black, T.N 441 

Blackstone, James 1076 

Blackstone, W 811 

lia-kwood,W 798 

Blake, J. R 442 

1 Blake. S. B 556 

blakeky, G. W rso 

Blazer, Ceorge 718 

Blore, John 1368 

j Blum, Andrew 923 

Boden, John 694 

Booth, J 1368 

I Bort, L. S 923 

, Bothwell, E. P 1231 

Bots.S. M : 

Boudinot, T... 744 

Bowen, C. E . 924 

Bowen, David 1030 



Bowen, Wm. M 925 

Bowen, J. C 313 

Bowlbv, Wm. L 928 

Bowsher, Nelson 1101 

Boyd, Daniel 314 

Boyd. Wm. G 663 

Braddock, W. II 771 

Brandeburg, John 580 

Brawley, E. H 519 

Brawley, II. B 517 

Brawley, J. P 519 

Brawley, J. W 714 

Bray, John 1312 

Brehm, G. W T 929 

Brehm, John 1135 

Brewer, I. V 1*92 

Brewster, Sherman 663 

Briggs, James 1300 

Bright, J. G 929 

Bright, J. L 929 

Bright, S. II 930 

Brooke, A. H 931 

Brooke, Oliver 931 

Brown, A. G 315 

Brown, A. M 1150 

Brown, AW 612 

Brown, CD 932 

Brown, C. H . . . 316 

Brown, E. F 519 

Brown, G. C ■ 317 

Brown.H. T . 317 

Brown, J. D 3:8 

Biown, J. E 932 

Brown, Gei; .John 316 

Brown, John 318 

Brown, M. B 

IS: own, Thomas 1150 

Brown, T.J 933 

Bryson, Archibald 520 

Buck, A. T 581 

Buckingham, W T m. D 1047 

Buckley. A 413 

Buerhaus, CD. n.,Jr ... '.-31 

Buerhaus, C. H. H 934 

Burge, O. G 745 

Burge, W\ W 745 

Burgess, A. J 935 

Burgess, H. T 936 

Bumgardner, H.F 665 

Bandy, 11. S 1232 

Burberry, J 444 

Burrell.J.0 444 

Burroughs, Jeremiah 633 

Burson, J 799 

Bur-,'), W. N 799 



CONTENTS. 



:. Perrin 

Phom&s 525 

Geiger, John 

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Goddam, W. R 

W. D $ ■ 

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GoodV. 
Goodspeea. J. Mel. 

S. M 

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Gaard. J .* 

ri'e, J. F 

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Ham. ! - .. 6ST 

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Ham ': I 
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Haider. Even... 

Harce-d. J W J 53 

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ndsr, 

B 

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Rev. 

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Hawk . . 1246 

Hawk, F 

Hawt - 1 
Hawk P 

Hawt. J. H R 

Haw... 3jt) 

Hawk 

Haws. 



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Hawkins, James 

a, W. J 459 



11 1 

11 1 

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Hames. J. S. 
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P - 

Hedjes, Amos 

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Huston, I.E.... 

T. S 

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L. R 

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Johnson. J. W 

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Latimer, P. D ... 

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D 

Id ward 

7~>2 

72-} 

Learned, A.J 

Lean 

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Lee, h 






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.on, Hev. R. J ... til* 

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Lot t ridge, I. N 

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J. M 1253 

P 

I. hi/., Mm. Minerva 1121 

1011) 

mas 

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leld, L. E 

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Marshal, i P 

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i , A 

Martin. T. A 

M 

Martii > S 

r F 

M irl ndl .1 \ 1844 

Mm-,-- l.jll 

M MOD ■ I 

Mason, John .... 

M I80n, .Miry . . . 1057 

ii, John 
Mastei 

.ii 

we, S. L 

lac 

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1138 

McBroom, M. \ U88 

M Bi i Robert 1184 

. 

. hran, J. A .... 
McClai 

McClannahan, W. S 
I 



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Abraham. 
. S 
H. F 

W. W 

am 

M Cune. A 1155 

ji no 

ne, J. B 

.:_■■ 

McDaniel, Joeeph 

McDaLiel. Zara llii 

M.i Don d, •'• W . !<72 

454 

. . 470 

.'.h, A. E 1264 

c.J. A 

. 
McKim. Mrs M L 

Ml K: trick. J 

tam 

D 

McLean, C 

McM tniga 

Mi Manigal, R. D 

Mi Manigal, W. J 1080 

J. II 

McVey, J. M 1^54 

Miller, David 115i 

Miller, D. A 

, II. McC 

Minear, A. I) 6in 

Minear, A. W. ?> 

Minor, J. K 

Mintuu, T. L 

Mlrick, II. D 

Mlli hell, John t\~", 

1, Lafayette 

Moler, E.C 

lan, 8. W 

Montgomery, Wm. McA 

l. H 

J 11 

M. D 

. 

Morris, Hon. C 

M in!-, J 

yiorns, J. W 

Morrison, A 

I 

Morrison, Joeeph 

Morris.. i,. Moutgomei \ 

Mosare, A. W... 

Motoei well, Robert. , . 078 

i 7i(i 

Mowrey, II. i' 

Murphy, A. C 

Murphy, L. C 

. , J 

man, John, 
Jacob 

W 

Newman, D. J 

Newton, A. P 

nan 

N lion, 8llae 

William 



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Mattel 

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Natter S 979 

II A 

.. 711 



at 

1189 

• 

. . David W.. .. 
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Owen, Horace C 

ameeG 535 

N B 

Pfffc:. 

Paine, B. P. 

Paine, G 

Paine, J. B 

Painter, AC 

Palmer, Augustus 

781 

Parker, J. C 47j 

Parker, J . M 

Parker, J. M 

Parrieh, Solomon 

Patri. .: V 

:iiO- 

Patterson, James 

jhn 

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Patteri-on, R M 

Patters 

Paltou. F. B 

Payne, P. M... 

Pavne, George 1322 

Pavue, II ...... 

A 

1. II 

Perry, Jefferson 

Pettit, C. JI 



Phelps. Parley.... 

is, Ezra, Jr 

Phillip-. L. D 

Phillips i 

»v 
ii 
Pickering, J. L . 
Pickei: 

3 w 

Pierce, .J 

Pierce, M 

Pilcher, C. B 

r T. M D 

Plenkhai p, Wm E 

Poling. Noah ..... . 1156 



- 
. > . w 

I Q 

. D 

Postou, Samuel 

Poston, William 

w s 

W.V 174 

i li 

(3 

A II 



! 

L P 

\ . A 

W. II 

Primrose, IP... 

Prnden, 

Pugh, KB 

- 

. 1294 



CONTENT-:. 



Raine. John 

Rannells, C. S .. 
Rannells. D. V.. 
Rannells, J. W.. 

Rannells, T 

Raune - 



. ■ 

.. 1323 
.. 13*4 



Batcliff. William 

Rathburn, Lewis 

Raucfc, J. £ 

Raucb, Peter 

Ream, Isaac 

Reasoner, Catherine 

Reasoner, P. M 

Riber, B. C 

Reber, M. B 



- 
621 

1304 
: - 1 



. 1326 
. 1205 

. 995 

. 384 
. 3*4 

coy, Jasper 565 Stiles, S. D... 

Selby.W. W 71- StimsoD, Mrs^ Emma M 

Shafe'r, G. Van S 479 

Sbaner. J 

Shaner. E ;»3 

shaner, Seth ' 



Schlotterback, John 
Schmidt, Co. 
Schwenkt.-. C. W. . . . 

Scott. A. B 

Scott, W. F 

Scott. Rev. W. H... 
Scott, Winfifcld 



■ 
999 



:.c-r. W 
I .v . J . A . 



Reddick, w.f.-.::'.".::... a ; w.^n 



\v, J. S. 



1033 

995 

. - 



-on, T. M 

Stewart. D. B 
Stewart, L>. is., Jr . 

Stiere, Isaac 

Stiers. J. A 

- B 

Stiers, W.iiord 

54 4 
. 
Stimsoni H. S 
Stivison, Samuel. . . 

Stoddard, Grove 

ttone, L'-mu. 

stout, Aaron, Sr 

Aaron, Jr 

Stou , C 3 

Stout, Cyrenue 

rge 



■ 
999 

1125 

72; 



Redttrn, JB.. V »J™» Sheffield B B 480 Stout. George 

geevesEhphaz 564 bheffie Id B »••■• ^ Stout j. M . g 

Reid, CnarksP «S fiSn C B 382 Stout, S. C -" 

Reid, James 140 Sheldon, C. B . . . . . • *m Stou: w (J • 

U- 5it Sheoard WP 481 Strahl, J. L 

Rempel.F.J *» ^?P* r °' d j ain e" B " ' '"..'... 482 Strausbaugh, J 

Sral*"; v eDry ^Thomas:: 482 Straiisbaugb, M 

Rhn^'PM rard,'D.C 

Rhoads, F . -U »»* Sle-wood S W .... K J. W. 

RhnHris. Jacob 991 Ofe.woou, o. y» t ,„„i„ i„„j. 



Rhoads, Jacob... 

Rice, Jason — j^'J 

Richardson. A. B 

Richardson, Thomas... 

Rickev. D. T 

Ricke'v, G. W 

Rickey, John 

Riggs, Samutl 

Rineheart, George *. 

Ring, John 

, D. M 

Roach. A. I 

Roads, J. B 

Robb, J. I 



>hn 

v, J.J 

nett, Bzekiel 

ett. Levi... 



378 

. 

I - 
379 

1376 

12 4 

: 295 



1365 

: : 

. Leander 

s FraLk 

- ron^, J 

Strous, Allen 

Stump, J. II '■ 

J. M 

ton, Thoma 

Shrade^ Mrs. Amy 622 Taylor, J....... 

Mrs. Marv 

■\ Noah 

ii 

B22 Thacker, B. W 

I harp. M. W 

•; j 



Shockey. G. W 
Shockey, Jacob — 

Shockey, J. J 

Shoemaker, 
Shoop, James B. . . 
Shott. Wind, 
hrader, A. J 



Shry, Is&ac 
Shurtz, Andrew.. 

Shurtz, G. W 

Sickels, Jan 

. W. . . 

■ 

G. »V 

. Robert.... 

slater, J . 



1124 
542 



!:8::::::::::: b\ Si! ! 

r. W 782. Smith, H. J.... 

Rochester, J. W - Smith, John.. 

■ ..V. T. J. J 

, J. M 

Ho--, Charles 





Rose, J B J77 

- . K 622 

B 

Rowt-11, Wm. M 

Runn ion, Elijah 725 

Runnion, M. M 

m, Adam 1062 

Rush, Peter 

C. W 4 



rhoiuas, J. M 13. s 

72 • 

- 
- 



1269 Tnomas, W. A. . 

1296 ThompsoD, J. W 

. Samuel.. . 

ED; Sranc's 

an 

ker, C. S 

ker, K 

543 • ■'- 

roseph 49} -- E 

Smith V • 727 lownsei.u, Hon. L 

Smith) W.'a.' 623 Towsley, F. T. 

Smiiii.W ■•• Towsley, G.W.... 

am. 



<j44 Trimmer, Anthony.. 



■ 



k, William... 



j rimmer, S. II 



Suowdcn, G 48 T«tsch, B. K 

Sn 3 der. H. R ■ ■ '•»>■' l rlt6C , h v J ' L ' ' 

..Rachel 1«70 Troxel, Henry 

Sonders, Israel 1086 Tfue,Auttin 

Soule, Almond 1364 Tru 

Southerton, C. W 762 Tucker. A 

Southerton, J. P 762 Tu( .rohne. 

ling, J 762 Tucker, C. G 



David. 



580 Spaulding, J. M. 



598 Tuckei 
1340 Tucker. 



1001 

114'. 



tfa: nA...:. 





7^6 spencer Snath. 

. Bpicer, J. J 



129o 



■ am 541 

im 1264 Stalder Nicholas 645 



Stalder. 8 



Sar^H J! T 783 I Stanley, John van vornes, uon. «. a 

I"&t l 758 Stanton, W 1378 Varley, John. 39 



Peter 

Untie. David 

A. P 

Vale, J. <>. A 

ta, R. 8 

Van Vorhes, Hon. N. II 



9 i. f.:::::::::::.:: 1296 |j^«'wm.w::.:".:; 

S;¥ama;i:::::::::iS 




Schaff,I.M 479 S'.euart, D. G 



Vickers. Elijah 
. Albert 
Vorhes, John 
irbes, W. H 
Vorhes, W. H 
Voris, A. W.. 

rortb, W. B 
J . ' 

A. B 

Walk' r, Daniel 





... 69S 




. 








- 






... 1157 


.B... 


" 












... ;.• 



M 

■ 
M 

II 

■ 

v 

I 
I 
w 

■ 
I 



CONTENTS. 



Page, 

liable, John 477 

Rannells, C.S ' g ' 

.... I 258 

.... 1323 

. .. 1324 

.... 1*59 



Rannells, D. V 
Rannells, J. W. 
Rannells, T.... 
Rannells, W. J. 

Katcliff, William 13-10 

.540 

983 

1083 

0-21 

1304 

1304 

990 

990 

1083 

1096 

561 



Kathburu, Lewis 

Raiich, J. K 

Rauch, Peter 

Ream, Isaac 

Reasoner, Catherine 

Reasoner, I'. M 

Rtber, B. (! 

Reber, M. B 

Reddick.W. F 

Redfenr, E. F 

Reeves, Eliphaz.... 

Koicl, Charles P «8o 

1140 



Tage 

Schlotterback, John 1326 

Schmidt, Conrad 1265 

Schwenke, <_'. \V. 

Scott, A. B 

Scott, W. F 

Scott, Rev. W. 11. 
Scott, Winfield 
ecoy, Jasper 



Selby, W.W 712 



Shafer, G. Van S.. 



47 9 



Shafler, J • 382 

Shinier, E ;59 

Shauer, Seth i84 



Reid, James 

Reismgcr, J. II 

Rempel, F. F 

Reynold^, Henry 

Rhode?, J. M 

Rhoade, P. M 

Rhoads, Jacob 

Rico, Jason 

Richardson, A. B 

Richardson, Thomas. 

Rickey, D. T 

Rickey, G. W 

Rickey, John. 



1364 
938 

1262 
596 
991 
991 
540 
378 
680 
56 1 

1825 
564 



Shaner, \V 
Shaw, J. A — 
Shaw, John... 
Shaw, J. s. . . . 
Mn Held, B. li 
Sheik, John 



si 

1038 

995 

1H21 
4S0 
1140 



Page. 

. 1:504 

. 1389 

. 599 

. 997 

. 998 

. 999 

. 1003 



Riggs, Samui 1 1081 



Rineheart, George. 

Ring, John 

hisley, D. M 

Roach, A. I 

Roads, J.B 

Robb, J. L 

Robbius, E 

Robbins, John 

Robey, J. J 

Robintstt, Bzeklel... 

Robinett, Levi 

Robinson, Mien — 



lo32 
379 
991 
379 
992 
1-. 63 
1376 
1377 
L033 
12 I 
-.295 
1295 



Sheldon, C. R 382 

Shepard, J. S 481 

Shepard, W. P 481 

Sheppard, James 482 

Sheppard, Thomas 482 

Sheirard, D. C 1034 

Slerwood, S. W 1265 

Shockev, G. W 1266 

Shockey, J acob 1265 

Shockey, J.J 1*68 

Shoemaker, Salem 1124 

snoop, James B 542 

Shott, Windell «08 

Shrader, A. J 4 «3 

Shrader, Mrs. Amy 622 

Shry, l8t.ac 

shnrtz, Andrew 

Shnrtz, G. W 

Sickels, James 

Silvey, W. U 

Simms, G. B 681 

... 1002 
... 1269 
... 1296 
. . . 483 



Stevenson, T. M 

Stewart, D. B 

Stewart, 1>. B., Jr - 

Stiers, Isaac 

Stiers, J. A 

Stiers, J. B 

Stiers, WUIord 

Stiles, S. D 511 

Stimson, Mrs. Emma ML.. 62:j 

Stimson, II. S 38 

Stivison, Samuel 99 ' 

Stoddard, Grove 1034 

ttone, Lemuel 1 

Stout, Aaron, Sr — 
Stout, Aaron, Jr.... 

Stou , Chiuies .. 

Stoul , Cyrenus 

Stout, George 

Si out, J. M 

Stout, S. C <28 

Stoul, W. O '. 729 

Strahl, J.L 383 

Strausbaugh, J 1305 

Strausbau'gb, M 1365 

Strausbaugh, r 1303 



727 
727 

7*8 

728 
728 



Strentz, J. w. 
Stnght, Leandcr. 

Strong, Frank 

Strong, J. 



998 



1271 
1366 



Strous, Allen 11*5 



Stump, J. II. 

»w aim, J. si 



1126 
698 



Swepston, Thomas 1< S! > 

m . . . . .. i' van 



Robinson, P. C 541 



1269 

1327 
1328 
622 

7. v.! 



Taylor, J. 

Tedrow, Mrs. Mary.. 



785 
599 



Robinson, J. C 
Robinson, J. W. 
Rochester, J. W 
Rodeheaver, J. J 

Romel, J. M 

Rose, Charles — 

Rose, C. P 

Rose, *'v r.us 

Rose, J IS 

Rossetter, T. K. 

Roll., F 

Rowi 11. Wm. M 59< 

Runnion, Elijah 725 

Runnion, M. M 725 

Runyon, Adam 1062 

Rush, Peter 

Russell, C. W 

Russell, David 

Russell, G. A 

Russell, James ...... 

Russell, John 

Russell, Washington. 

Russell, William 

Suits, A. W 

Sums, Nathan 

Sunders, 11. T — 

Sunders, J 

Sands, J. F 

Sands, J. W 

Sargent, Isaac 808 

Saunders, Amasa 726 

Saunders. A.N 726 

Searlott, William 

Schaal. Daniel.. 



Simms, M.. F 
Sisson, G. w — 
Skelly, Robert... 
slater, J.... 

Smith, C.R 760 

Smith, David 761 

Smith, Henry 097 

Smith, II. J... 598 

993 Smith, John - r '43 

993 Smith, Joseph 481 

i [28 Smith, V ,| ~" 

Smith, W. A 6*3 

Smith, W <61 



994 
380 
381 
177 

022 

381 



758 

i. i 
680 
7S2 
725 
726 
:>:•; 

7 20 
1204 
011 

788 



644 
1270 

isi 

990 

1*70 
1086 



Smith, William. 
Snook, William.. 

Snowden, G 

Snyder, U. R .... 
Snydi r, Rachel .. 
Bonders, Israel . . . 

Soule, Almond 1364 

Southerton, C. W 762 

Southerton, J. I' 

Spaulding, J 

Spaulding, J. M — 

Speakman, J. 3 

Spenci r. Charles . . . 

Spencer, Smith 

Spicer, J. E 

Stalder, Fred 

Stalder, Nl< holas. . .. 

Stalder, Samuel 

Stanley, John 



758 Stanton, W. 



1*96 
381 



1085 



Schoeffer, w. T 478 

Schaff, C. E 178 

Si haff, I M 479 



Siaikey Wm. W.... 
Starr, N. W 

St. Clair, Samuel 

Steadman, K. C 

Steel, James S — 

Steel, Johu S 

Steel, M. A 

St( el, T. A 

Stephenson, J. A... 
Steuart, D. G 



598 
1 140 
1103 

48.". 
1295 

544 

645 

M'.S 

1270 

1378 

645 

996 

1156 

388 

.1124 

1124 

1364 

1124 

763 

809 



Tedrow, Noah 

Ten ell, I. U K-00 

Thacker. B. W 1342 

Tharp, M. W 785 

'lharp, T. J 7t6 

Thomas, J. M 1378 

Thomas, VV. A 886 

Thompson, J. W 1064 

Thompson, Samuel 1 |! 61 

Tibbies, Prancis 7*9 

Tibbies, John 729 

Tinker, C. S 786 

Tinker, K 486 

Tobin,J.A 186 

Tompkins, E 386 

Townser.d, lion. C 

Towsley, F. T 3-8 

Towsley, G. W 389 

Trimmer, Anthony 1272 

Trimmer, S. 11 1272 

Tritsch, B. K 1001 

Tritsch, J. E 1001 

Troxel, Henry 1140 

True, Aui-tiu 78 1 

True. J 78' 

Tucker, Aaron 64 

Tui Iter, Mrs. Caroline. . , 1 ' : 

Tucker, C. G 600 

Tinker, Josephus 681 

i ucker, w . s 



Tullis, John A 484 

I'lm.-r, Peter 391 

Unble, l)a\id 1140 

Vale, A. P 1370 

\ ale, J. Q, A 1371 

Van Alta, R. S 100* 

Van \ orhes, Hon. N. 11 

Varley. John 39* 

Vickers, Elijah 



\ .nli.-, Albert 624 

\ oi lie.-, John 

Vorhes, W. II 

Vorhes, W. H 

Voris, A. W 

w . dswortb, W. B. .. 

w agner, J. li 

Walker, A. B 

Walker, Daniel 



624 
186 
699 
1157 
1087 
1127 
393 
7 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Walker, G. K 394 

Walker, J. H 394 

Walker, T. C 682 

Walker, William 395 

Wallace, J. S 4*7 

Wallace, J. W 1:179 

Wallar, E. H 1329 

Walsh, Thomas 396 

Warden, T. B 396 

Warehime, J 787 

Warren, J. W 1388 

Warren, N. O 600 

Warrener, W. J 545 

Watkins, Elieha 1021 

Walking, J. K 809 

Watkins, j. g 1021 

Watson, A 488 

Waxier, G. W 1273 

Weatherby, William 682 

Weaver, Jacob 1002 

Weaver, Levi 1127 

Webb, Ralph 1003 

Webb, Thomas 1004 

Webster, C. D. B 646 

Wedge, F. W 683 

Weed, S. T 1305 

Weethee, J. P 764 

Weethee, L 769 

Weitzell.R. S 1004 

Welch, Hon. J 397 

Welch, J. F 488 

Welch, J. M 397 

Wellman, John 1005 

-^Wells A. H 489 

Wells, R. E 1367 

—Wells, W. J 7?8 

Weltner, John 1147 

Wescoat, N. B 1273 

Wheeler, Edmund 546 

Whipple, J. O 400 

Whitcraft, D. B 1141 



Page. 

Whitcraft, G. W 1141 

White, Alexander 1006 

White, C. L 1274 

White, Darius 1007 

White, Harlow 1007 

White, Jacob 1305 

White, J. F 1008 

White, J. W 490 

White, Lewis 1065 

White, S. C 683 

White, T. R 788 

Whitlatch, J. P 1276 

Whitlatch, William 1276 

Wickham. H. H 647 

Wiggins, G. W 1103 

Wilder, Jay 547 

Wilkins, C. B... 1128 

Wilkins, J. M 1128 

Wilkins, John 1129 

Wilkins, J. R 1129 

Will. Daniel lv!77 

W T illiams, A. M 809 

Williams, B. F 1367 

Williams, Richason 1065 

Williams, W. M 810 

Willis, S. H 1329 

Willmarth, A. J 769 

Wilson, A. J 490 

Wilson, Mrs. Dorcas t>84 

Wilson, E 490 

Wilson, J. « 491 

Wilson, J 491 

Winget, M. C 1297 

Winn. JohnT 634 

Withers, H. G Hio 

Witherspoon. J. S 1330 

Wolf, Andrew 1279 

Wolf, Joseph 491 

Wolf. J. D 1066 

Wolf, L. H 1035 

Wolf, L. W 1006 



Page. 

Wolf, M. D 10b7 

Wolf, S. J 1129 

Wolf, T. B 1130 

Wolf, William, Jr 1007 

Wolfe.EzraH 712 

Wolfe, Frederick 1097 

Wolfe, Joseph II 712 

Wollett, W. S 492 

Wood, J. M 401 

Wood, J P 401 

Wood, R. M 565 

Woodard, Ichibod, Sr. . .. 1008 

Woodard, Ichabod 1069 

Woodard, L. C 493 

Woodard, N. B 1069 

Woodard, W. N 493 

Woodruff, M 402 

Woods, T. D 1141 

Woodyard, J. C 402 

Work, J. W 1008 

Work, R. R 100ft 

Wright, Harvey 601 

Wright, H. K.. 1087 

Wright, O. W 109ft 

Wright, Robert 1010 

Wright, W. A 1035 

Wyatt, F. C 648 

Wyatt, George 713 

Wyatt, J. L 789 

Wyatt, John 547 

Wvatt, Joshua 64- 

Zeigler, David 1142 

Ziller, David 1147 

Zeller, Jacob 114; 

Z'jller, J. N 1011 

Zimmerman, Joseph 789 

Zinn, Wi.liam 810 

Yaple, W. R 1341 

Young, S 403 

Young, Wm. R 1180 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



CHAPTER [. 



INTRODUCTORY, BUT iSTILL HISTORY. 



Indians, and the White Man's Advent — The Owners of the 
Territory — The Government Secured it — Ordinance of 
1787 — Who was its Author — The Dunmore War — Battle 
of Point Pleasant — Locating on the Indian Lands — Dun- 
more's March up the Hocking Valley — The Indian Name 
and Why. 

When the early explorers and missionaries first visited the 
country afterward described as the " Northwest Territory," they 
found it under the rule of that famous and powerful tribe of 
Indians, the "Six Nations." Later, however, their prestige dimin- 
ished, and during the eighteenth century this region was occupied 
and owned by several Indian tribes entirely independent of each 
other. Those in what is now Ohio were the Delawares, the Shaw- 
nees, the Wyandots (called the Hurons by the French), the 
Mingoes (an offshoot of the Iroquois), the Chippewas and the 
Tawas (more commonly called the Ottavvas). The Delawares occu- 
pied the valleys of the Muskingum and the Tuscarawas; the 
Shawnees, the Scioto Valley; the Miamis, the valleys of the two 
rivers upon which they left their name; the Wyandots occupied 
the country about the Sandusky River; the Ottawas had their head- 
quarters in the valleys of the Maumee and Sandusky; the Chippe- 
was were confined principally to the south shore of Lake Erie; and 
the Mingoes were in greatest strength upon the Ohio, below the 
site of Steubenville. All of the tribes, however, frequented more 
or less lands outside of their prescribed territory, and at different 
periods, from the time when the first definite knowledge concerning 
them was obtained down to the era of white settlement, they 
2 (17) 



IS HISTORY OF HOOKING v ai.i.i \ . 

oooupied different locations. Thus the Delawares, whom Boquet 
found in !7<>l in greatesl aumbers in the valley oi the Tuscarawas, 
had, thirty years later, the majority of their population in the 

regi f the county which now bears their name; and the Slmw- 

nees, who were originally strongest upon the Scioto, al the time of 
St. ('lair's and Wayne's wars had concentrated upon the little 
Miami. The several tribes commingled to some extenl as their 
animosities toward each other were supplanted by the common 
fear of the enemy of their race. They gradually grew Btronger in 

sympathy and e compact in union as the settlements of the 

whites encroached upon their loved domain. Hence the divisions, 
which had in L750 been quite plainly marked, became, by the 
time the Ohio was fringed with the cabins and villages of the pale 
face, in a large measure, obliterated. In Eastern Ohio, where the 
Delawares had held almost, undisputed sway, there were now to !»»' 

found also Wyandols, Shawnees, Ming06S, and even Miamis from 
the western border from the Wahasli, Miami and Mad rivers. 

The Delawares, as has been indicated, had their densest popu 
lation upon the CJpper Muskingum and Tuscarawas, ami they 
really were in possession of what is now the eastern half of the 

State, from the Ohio fo Lake Erie. This tribe, which claimed !<> 

be the elder bran oh of the Lenni Lenape, has by tradition and in 
history and in fiction been accorded a high rank among the savages 

<d' North America. Schoolcraft, Loskiel, Alherf (Jallatin, Drake, 

Zeisberger, Heckewelder and many other writers have home testi 
inouv to the superiority of the Delawares, and dames Fennimore 
Cooper, iu his attractive romances, has added luster to the tame 
of the tribe. According to the tradition preserved by them the 
Delawares, many centuries before they knew the white man, lived 

in the western part, of the emit .incut, and separating I hcinsclves 

from the rest of the Lenni Lenape migrated slowlj eastward. 
Reaching the Allegheny River they, with the Iroquois, waged war 
successfully with a raoe of giants, the Allege wi, and still continuing 
their migration, settled on the Delaware River, and spread their 
population eventually to the Hudson, the Susqehanna and the 

Potomac. Mere they lived, menaced and often attacked hy the 
[roqUOis, and finally, as some writers claim, they were Subjugated 

hy the [roquois through stratagem. 'The Atlantic ooasl beoame 
settled by Europeans, and the Delawares being also embittered 
against the Iroquois, whom they accused of treachery, they turned 
westward and concentrated upon the Allegheny. Disturbed here 



uisioKY OF HOOKING \ All I'Y. 15) 

again by the white settlers, a portion of the tribe obtained permis- 
sion from the Wyandots, whom they called their ancles, thus 
confessing their superiority and reputation of greater antiquity, to 
occupy the lands along the Muskingum. The forerunners of the 
nation entered this region in all probability as early as I 7 r>, and 
in less than a score of years their entire population had become 
resident in this eountry. They became here a more flourishing 
and powerful tribe than they had ever been before. Their war- 
riors numbered not less than 600 in L764. 

OWNERSHIP OF DUE NOW I'liw EST. 

Though the actual occupants, and as most will say the righl 
owners of this region were these native tribes of Indians, there 
were other claimants to the soil, who, though tor a long time they 
made little pretense of actual possession, were eventually to dis- 
possess the Indians of their hunting grounds. France, resting her 
claim upon the discovery and explorations oi Robert Cavelier de La 
Salle and Marquette, upon a sort oi nominal occupation of the 
country by means of forts and missions, and later, upon the provis- 
ions of several European treaties (those of Utrecht, Ryswick and 
Ai\ '.a Chapelle), was the first nation to formally lay claim to the 
soil of the territory now included within the boundaries of the S 
of Ohio, as an integral portion of the valley of the Mississippi and 
of the Northwest. Ohio was thus a part oi New France. After 
the treaty oi Ltreeht in 1713, it was a part of the French province 
of Louisiana, which extended from the gulf to the northern lakes. 
'The English claims were based on the priority ot their occupation 
of the Atlantic coast, in latitude corresponding to the territory 
claimed; upon an opposite construction of the same treaties a 
named; and last, but not least, upon the alleged cession 
rights of the Indians. England's charters to ail of the orig 
colonies expressly extended their grants from sea to sea. 
principal ground of claim by the English was by t 
purchase from the Six Nations, who, claiming to 
the whole country and therefore its posse-- - 
to dispose ot' it. France successfully resisted the claims 
land, and maintained control oi arritory b the Ohi 

and the lakes by force of arms until the f Paris 

summated in 1768. L\ the provisions oi 
came into the possession vu 1 * the dispul until 



20 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ownership was vested in the United States by the treaty of peace 
made just twenty years later. 

Virginia had asserted her claims to the whole of the territory 
northwest of the Ohio, and New York had claimed titles to por- 
tions of the same. These claims had been for the most part held 
in abeyance during the period when the general ownership was 
vested in Great Britain, but were afterward the cause of much em- 
barrassment to the United States. Virginia, however, had not only 
claimed ownership of the soil, but attempted the exercise of civil 
authority in the disputed territory as early as 1769. In that year 
the colonial House of Burgesses passed an act establishing the 
county of Botetourt, including a large part of what is now West 
Virginia, and the whole territory northwest of the Ohio, and hav- 
ing, of course, as its western boundary the Mississippi River. It 
was more in name than in fact, however, that Virginia had juris- 
diction over this great county of Botetourt through the act of 1769. 
In 1778, after the splendid achievements of General George Rogers 
Clarke, — his subjugation of the British posts in the far West, and 
conquest of the whole country from the Ohio to the Mississippi, — 
this territory was organized by the Virginia Legislature as the 
County of Illinois. John Todd was appointed as County Lieuten- 
ant and Civil Commandant of Illinois Count} 7 ', and served until his 
death (he was killed in the battle of Blue Licks, Aug. J.8, 1782). 
He was succeeded by Timothy de Montburn. 

New York was the first of the several States claiming right and 
title in Western lands to withdraw the same in favor of the United 
States. Her charter, obtained March 2, 1661, from Charles II., 
embraced territory which had formerly been granted to Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut. The cession of claim was made by 
James Huane, Wm. Floyd and Alexander McDougall, on behalf 
of the State, March 1, 1781. Virginia, with a far more valid claim 
than New York, was the next State to follow New York's example. 
Her claim was founded upon certain charters granted to the colony 
by James I., and bearing date respectively, April 10, 1806, May 
23, 1609, and March 12, 1611; upon the conquest of the country 
by General George Rogers Clarke; and upon the fact that she had also 
exercised civil authority over the territory. The act was consum- 
mated March 17, 1784. Massachusetts ceded her claims, without 
reservation, the same year that Virginia did hers (1784), though 
the action was not formally consummated until the 18th of April, 
1785. The right of her title had been rested upon her charter, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 21 

granted less than a quarter of a century from the arrival of the 
Mayflower, and embracing territory extending from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific. Connecticut made what has been called " the last 
tardy and reluctant sacrifice of State pretension to the common 
good, "Sept. 14, 1786. 

THE GOVERNMENT OWNED IT. 

The United States Government was the only one now claiming 
authority over the Northwest, and there remained only the task of 
extinguishing the Indian title before the question of ownership 
could be finally settled. This was no easy matter, however, as the 
Six Nations and other tribes were allies of the English, and hostile 
to the Americans, and they did not relish the idea of giving up 
their homes without a struggle. The result was a series of hostile 
movements, and numerous acts of revenge. The Government 
prosecuted almost a continuous war against them, without bring- 
ing about a satisfactory peace, until in 1786, a conciliatory policy- 
was adopted, which proved far more effectual. By a series of pur- 
chases and treaties made at various dates, the title of the Indians 
was peaceably extinguished. It is a fact worthy of note, and one 
of which we may well be proud, that the title to every foot of 
Ohio soil was honorably acquired from the Indians. 

ORDINANCE OF 1787. 

In 1784 a committee, of which Thomas Jefferson was chairman, 
reported to Congress an ordinance providing for the establish- 
ment and maintenance of government in the Northwest Terri- 
tory. This measure of 1784, although it remained nominally 
in force until repealed by the ordinance of 1787, was really 
inoperative — a dead letter. May 20, 1785, an ordinance was 
passed for the survey of Western lands. A surveyor was 
chosen from each State, to act under the direction of the 
Geographer of the United States, in laying off the land into 
townships of six miles square. The Geographer was instructed to 
designate the townships by numbers, beginning at the south; and 
the ranges by numbers, beginning at the east and going westward. 
It is this simple system of describing land that has been adopted 
by the Government in the survey of all its lands since that time. 

The famous ordinance of 1787, passed July 13, and from its most 
important provision often termed the u Ordinance of Freedom," 
was the last gift of the Congress of the old confederation to the 



22 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

country, and it was a fit consummation of their glorious labors. It 
was the product of what we may call inspired statesmanship, the 
foundation upon which rive great commonwealths were to be built 
up, the fundamental law, the constitution of the Northwest Terri- 
tory, and a sacred compact between the old colonies and the yet 
uncreated States to come into being under its benign influence. 
"It forever proscribed slavery upon the soil of the great territory 
that it organized." The Congress of 1787 "builded wiser than it 
knew, 1 ' and more grandly. Let us pass the broader significance 
and vaster value of the ordinance, and look upon it simply as the 
act of legislation providing for the opening, development and 
government of the territory; we find it alike admirable and 
effective. It provided for successive forms of territorial govern- 
ment, and upon it were based all of the territorial enactments and 
much of the subsequent State legislation. It was so constructed 
as to give the utmost encouragement to immigration, and it 
offered the utmost protection to those who became settlers, for 
" when they came into the wilderness," says Chief Justice Chase, 
4 ' they found the law already there. It was impresged upon the 
soil, while as yet it bore up nothing but the forest." 

The authorship of the ordinance of 1787 has been variously as- 
cribed to Nathan Dane, a Congressman from Massachusetts, to 
Rufus King of the same State, and to Thomas Jefferson; and ar- 
guments more or less weighty have from time to time been ad- 
vanced to support their claims or those of their friends. Thomas 
Jefferson went to France as Minister three years before the passage 
of the ordinance of 1787, and did not return until eighteen months 
after. He was, however, identified with the inoperative ordinance 
of 1784, which introduced the clause prohibiting slavery after the 
year 1800, which did not pass. Mr. King was undoubtedly the 
author of the anti-slavery clause in an ordinance which secured 
some attention in 1785, but he was not even a member of the Con- 
gress of 1787. Mr. Dane's claim is combated chiefly on the 
ground that it was never made while any of the other men who, 
from their position, were supposed to know about the formation of 
the ordinance were alive, and on the ground that he had none of 
those graces of composition which are exhibited in the ordinance. 
Of later years investigation has convinced almost all prominent 
writers on the subject that Dr. Manasseh Cutler was the real au- 
thor. The evidence is too lengthy to introduce here, but it has 
not been refuted, and the supposition accords very well with the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 23 

well-known facts of history. Dr. Cutler had come before Congress 
to purchase for a company composed chiefly of Massachusetts men, 
a large body of public lands. The purchase would have been 
almost entirely valueless in the opinion of most of the Ohio Com- 
pany associates if they could not have the land to which they pro- 
posed to emigrate covered with the law to which they had been 
accustomed. The ordinance of freedom was as an act of legislation, 
the natural predecessor of the sale to the Ohio Company. It was 
considered by Congress, after the plan had been fully examined, 
very desirable that the public domain should be advantageously 
disposed of, and that a colony should be established in the Federal 
Territory. Such a colony would form a barrier against the British 
and Indians, it was argued, and this initiative step would be fol- 
lowed speedily by other purchases in which additional settlements 
would be founded. The South had a greater interest in the West 
than had New England; and Virginia, especially, from her past 
protection, future prospect and geographical location, was inter- 
ested in and eager for the development of the country beyond the 
Ohio. Virginia, and the South in general, may have justly re- 
garded the planting in the West of a colony of men whose patri- 
otism was well known, a measure calculated to bind together the 
old and new parts of the nation, and promote union. It is pre- 
sumable that much was said by Dr. Cutler upon these advantages 
and that it was their importance in the eyes of Southern members 
which led them to permit the creation and enactment of such an 
ordinance. 

dunmore's war. 

Probably but few of the present inhabitants of the Hocking 
Valley are aware that a fort was established within its limits and 
an army marched across its borders, led by an English earl, before 
the Revolutionary War. The building of Fort Gower at the 
mouth of the Hocking River, in what is now Troy Township, 
Athens County, and the march of Lord Dunmore's arm) 7 across 
the country many years before its first settlement, forms an inter- 
esting passage in our remote history. 

"Dunmore's War" was the designation applied to a series of 
bloody hostilities between the whites and Indians during the year 
1T74. It was the culmination of the bitter warfare that had been 
waged with varying success between the frontier population of 
Pennsylvania and Virginia, and the Delawares, Iroquois, Wyan- 



24 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

dots and other tribes of Indians. One of the most noted of the 
many massacres of that period was that of Logan's family by the 
whites, and in retaliation the swift vengeance of the Mingo chief 
upon the white settlements on the Monongahela, where, in the 
language of his celebrated speech, he "fully glutted his ven- 
geance." 

In August, 1774, Lord Dunmore, then Governor of Virginia, de- 
termined to raise a large force and carry the war into the enemy's 
country. The plan of the campaign was simple. Three regiments 
were to be raised west of the Blue Ridge, to be commanded by 
General Andrew Lewis, while two other regiments from the interior 
were to be commanded by Dunmore himself. The forces were to 
form a junction at the month of the Great Kanawha and proceed, 
under the command of Lord Dunmore, to attack the Indian towns 
n Ohio. The force under Lewis, amounting to 1,100 men, 
rendezvoused at Camp Union, now Lewisburg, Greenbrier Co., 
~W. Va., whence they marched early in September, and reached 
Point Pleasant on the 6th of October. Three days later Lewis 
received dispatches from Dunmore informing him that he had 
changed his plan of operations ; that he (Dunmore) would march 
across the country against the Shawanese towns on the Scioto, 
situated within the present limits of Pickaway County, and 
Lewis was ordered to cross the Ohio River at once and join Dun- 
more before these towns. 

This movement was to have been made on the 10th of October. 
On that day, however, before the march had begun, two men of 
Lewis's command were tired upon while hunting a mile or so from 
camp. One was killed and the other came rushing into camp with the 
alarm that Indians were at hand. General Lewis had barely time 
to make some hasty dispositions when there began one of the most 
desperate Indian battles recorded in border warfare — the battle of 
Point Pleasant. The Indians were in great force, infuriated by 
past wrong and by the hope of wiping-out their enemy by this day's 
fight, and were led on by their ablest and most daring chiefs. 
Pre-eminent among the savage leaders were Logan and "Corn- 
planter" (or "Cornstalk"), whose voices rang above the din, and 
whose tremendous feats performed in this day's action have passed 
into history. The contest lasted all day. and was not yet decided. 
Toward evening General Lewis ordered a body of men to gain the 
enemy's flank, on seeing which movement about to be successfully 
executed the Indians drew off and effected a safe retreat. The 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 25 

force on both sides in this battle was nearly equal — about 1, 100. 
The whites lost half their officers and fifty-two men killed. The 
loss of the Indians, killed and wounded, was estimated at 233. 
Soon after the battle Lewis crossed the river and pursued the In- 
dians with great vigor, but did not again come in conflict with them. 
Meanwhile Lord Dnnmore, in whose movements we are more 
interested, had, with about 1,200 men, crossed the mountains at 
Potomac Gap, reviewed his force at Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg, and 
descended the Ohio River as far as the mouth of the Hocking. 
Here he landed, formed a camp, and built a fortification which he 
called Fort Gower. It was from here that he sent word to Gen- 
eral Lewis of the change in his plan of campaign, and he remained 
here until after the battle of Point Pleasant. Leaving a sufficient 
force at Fort Gower to protect the stores and secure it as a base, 
Lord Dnnmore marched up the Hocking toward the Indian country . 
There is a tradition that his little army encamped at night success- 
ively at Federal Creek, and at Sunday Creek in Athens County. 
He marched up the Hocking as far as where Logan now stands, 
and from there westward to a point seven miles from Circleville, 
where a grand parley was held with the Indians. It was at this 
council that the famous speech of the Mingo chief was made, be- 
ginning, "I appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered 
Logan's cabin hungry and he gave him not meat,' 1 etc. After the 
execution of a treaty with the Indians, Lord Dnnmore returned to 
Fort Gower by nearly the same route he had pursued in his ad- 
vance, across the country and down the valley of the Hocking to 
its mouth. It is probable that his army was disbanded at this 
point, and returned in small parties to their homes. 

ORIGIN OF THE NAME " HOCKING." 

" Ilockhocking " is a Delaware (Indian) name, and meant in 
their language, iw Bottle River." In the spring of 1765 George 
Croghan, a sub-commissioner of the British Government, embarked 
at Pittsburg with some friendly Indians, intending to visit the 
"Wabash and Illinois country, and conclude a treaty with the In- 
dians. Five days from Pittsburg, he notes in his journal that ''we 
passed the mouth of Hochocen, or Bottle River." This translation 
of the word Hochocen or Hockhoeki ng. is also given by Ilecke- 
welder and Johnson, and is undoubtedly correct. The Shawanese 
called the river Weathak-agh-qua, which meant, in their dialect, 
the same as Hockhocking; and one of the other tribes called it by 



26 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



a name signifying Bow Eiver. All of these names had reference 
to the winding, crooked course of the stream. The origin of the 
name Hockhocking — Bottle River — is thus explained by a writer 
in an old number of the American Pioneer, who says: " About six 
or seven miles northwest of Lancaster there is a fall in the Hock- 
hocking of about twenty feet ; above the falls, for a short distance, 
the stream is very narrow and straight, forming a neck, while at 
the falls it suddenly widens on each side, and swells into the ap- 
pearance of the body of a bottle. The whole, when seen from 
above, appears exactly in the shape of a bottle, and from this fact 
arose the Indian name of Hockhocking." The original name has 
been corrupted or shortened to ''Hocking," and this shortened 
form has become so universal in its use, that it may now be con- 
sidered the correct form of the word. 










^ ^y^u,^ 





4AsL 



CHAPTER II. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT AND MATERIAL PROGRESS. 

The Ohio Company — The Yalley of Hocking — Washington 
County — Generals Washington and Putnam — Organization — 
Purchase of Land, 9(54,285 Acres — Athens and Hocking 
Counties — The Arrivals — Names of the First Settlers — 
The ^ity of Adelphia — -Marietta— Indian War — Generals 
Harmer and St. Clair Defeated— Mad Anthony's Victory — 
First Settlers of the College Lands, or in Athens Cou nty 
— Making Salt — Pioneer Modes and Pioneer Progress. 

the first settlement. 

The first settlement of the Hocking Yalley, or northwest of the 
Ohio River, was in 1774. Then quite a number settled within the 
limits of what is now Ohio. There were small villages at Hocking 
Falls, at the Muskingum, the Scioto, Miami, and along the north 
banks of the Ohio. The largest appeared to have been Hocking, 
and there was quite a town on the Mingo bottoms, opposite what is 
now Wheeling. 

In January, 1785, the commissioners to treat with the Indians in 
possession of the territory, Messrs. George Rogers, Richard Butler 
and Arthur Lee, were compelled to cease negotiations until the.lands 
west of the Ohio River were dispossessed of the white settlers or 
pioneers. Ensign John Armstrong was sent by Colonel Harmer to 
drive these white invaders from Indian soil. Some failed to leave. 
The Delaware and Wyandot Indians were in possession. This 
was in March, 1785. It is very probable that these primitive settle- 
ments were formed by soldiers from Lord Dnnmore's army which, 
after a short campaign against the Indians in Ohio, was disbanded 
at the mouth of the Hocking River in the fall of 1774. The fact 
of the disbandonment of the army, about 1,200 men, at the time and 
place above named, has been accepted as conclusive, and as no facts 
to the contrary have ever been presented, nothing seems more plau- 
sible than that parties of these soldiers, on discovering the fertility 
of these valleys, tarried long enough to test their fruitfulness, and 

afterward sent for their families or friends. 

(27) 



28 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

It is fully evident from the foregoing that the whites had fastened 
themselves upon the country as early as 177-f, but there is no evi- 
dence at hand to prove that any fixed settlement was founded for 
the active development of the country until the advent of the Ohio 
Company. The close of the Revolutionary war, which proclaimed 
to the world a nation born and liberty triumphant, found the coun- 
try in an exhausted condition, and the people had little means, ei- 
ther for home comforts or to travel to unknown and far off lands. 
However, the recuperation of the population from the devastations 
of a seven-years' war was remarkable for its rapidity, and the desire 
to explore the then great unknown West became a consuming one. A 
government of peace, however, had to be founded, laws made, and 
all the machinery of law, order and the inalienable right of a few 
people was to be inaugurated that would secure a continuation ot 
that peace which had cost so much, and for a prosperity which was 
absolutely necessary to the welfare of* an impoverished people. 
This was the labor of years, yet the year 1787 saw the fruition of 
the work, and a glorious structure was reared which has stood the 
test of time, the assaults of a foreign foe and a civil strife unpar- 
alleled in the history of nations. 

Under the gegis of this law the pioneer left his New England 
home and planted the banner of civilization upon the boundary 
line of the great Northwest, and from there took up his line of 
march into the interior, blazing a pathway for others to follow, 
and, at times, leaving his body as a bloody offering upon the 
shrine of freedom, and the burning of his cabin a torch to light 
the footsteps of those who came after. All was not peace in the 
West when freedom sat enthroned on the Atlantic Coast. ' The 
Indians were not willing to give up their hunting grounds without 
a struggle, and bravely they repelled the pale faces. But destiny 
had decreed their doom, and the white man was master of the 
country. 

THE CONTROLLING SPIRITS. 

A few leading spirits, highly endowed with wisdom, endurance, 
and a spirit in which, through all the trials and troubles of a 
pioneer life, remained undaunted, organized for the purpose of 
settling this country, and took the form of an incorporated body 
by the name of the " Ohio Company." How they secured this 
land is a matter of record a few pages further along in this work. 
The purchase of the land, the contract, the confirmation of the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 29 

same by Congress, with a copy of the first patent issued by George 
Washington, completes the entry of that company for the land, and 
it only became necessary to secure settlers to put themselves into 
possession of their landed estate. This estate was in part com- 
posed of Athens County and a part of Hocking and Yin ton coun- 
ties. The first settlement was at Marietta, on the river, while but 
a few weeks later Athens seems to have secured both a habitation 
and a name. Thus it was that Marietta and Washington County 
became the site of the first white settlement made in the territory 
of the Northwest, while Athens secured the right to be called the 
first inland town. 

GENERAL PUTNAM'S LETTER. 

In the summer of 1783 some 250 officers petitioned Congress for 
a grant of land in the Western country. General Putnam, who 
was himself personally interested in the measure, addressed a letter 
to Washington on the subject, setting forth the plan in detail, 
and requesting the latter to use his influence with Congress in 
favor of the grant. 

One of the most important suggestions in this letter of General 
Putnam's was the formation of townships six miles square, and the 
donation of 3,040 acres of land for the support of churches, schools, 
and the improvement of the highway. His suggestions were ap- 
proved, and he thus has the honor of being the father of these be- 
neficent measures. The townships of six miles square were decided 
upon, and in many of the States, the school sections of 640 acres, 
set apart in each township for school purposes, is this suggestion of 
General Putnam practically carried out. 

Not long after this a warm friend of General Putnam, General 
Benjamin Tupper, was appointed by Congress to survey the public 
lands in the West. This was the first step in the object of secur- 
ing the grant in which General Putnam and others were suc- 
cessful. 

THE INITIATORY STEPS. 

In the autumn of 1785 General Tupper started for the Northwest, 
intending to prosecute the land surveys of that region, but owing 
to Indian troubles, did not proceed further than the present site of 
Pittsburg. 

After the Indians had been temporarily quieted by treat}', Jan- 
uary, 1786, General Tupper made a second journey to the West in 



nisroKY OF HOCKING v \i 1 i v . 

the summer ol that year and completed, during the season, a Bur\ ej 
of most of the territory In this Beotion. 

At'u-r his^/S ^ \ isil i* 1 the Northwest, during the winter of 1 f8 i 
Y», General Tupper's mind was filled with the idea of removing to 
the Ohio country. Ho soon became thoroughly in earnest, and 
believing that liis friend General Putnam would approve his plans, 
visited him :it his residence in Rutland; and thus were brought 
ther again the two men who originated the idea of the famous 
Ohio Company. They discussed the subject of Western land and 
emigration thoroughly, and the result was a rail which was pub 
lished in the newspapers ofthe State, on the 25th of January, 1 786, 

It read: "The subscribers take this method to inform all officers 
and soldiers who have served in the late war, and who are, by a 
Late ordinanoe ofthe honorable Congress, to receh e certain tra< 
Land in the Ohio country, and also all other good citi ens who wish 
to become adventurers in that delightful region, that from personal 
inspection, together with other incontestable evidences, they are 
fully satisfied that the lands in thai quarter are of a much better 
quality than any other known to Now England people; that the 
climate, [seasons, products, etc., are, in fact, equal to t ho most (latter 
ing accounts that have ever been published of them; that being 
determined to become purchasers and to prosecute a sett ement in 
this country, and desirous ot forming a general association with 
those who entertain the same ideas, they hoc leave to propose the 
following plan, vis.: That an association by the name ot' .'" 
( ■ ho formed of all such as wish to become purchase 

in that country who reside in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
onk. or to extend to the inhabitants ot' other States as shall bo 
agreed on. In order to bring such a company into es . the 

subscribers propose that all persons who wish to promote the 
Bclieme should meet in their respective counties at LO oVjIook i h 
on Wednesday the 1 5th da) of February next, and that each county 
meeting then assembledfchoose a delegate or delegates, to meet at 
the Bunch ot' Q-rapes Tavern in Boston on Wednesday, the first 
day ot' March next, at LO o'clock \. m.. then and then sider 

ami determine on a general plan ot' association tor said company; 
which plan, covenant, or agreement being published, any pe 
(under condition therein to ho provided) may, bj ribing his 

name, become a member ot' the company. 

••lu ii s I Y r\ w." 

1' x 111 \ \\ ITIK." 



msiVKY OF HOOKING V Ai i BY. 

The result of this call was a meeting of delegates, appointed by 
several oouut ■ Massachusetts, in Boston on March i. L7S0, 
These delegates wore Winthrop Sargent and John Miles, from Suf- 
folk County; Manasseh Cutler, from Essex; John Brooks and 
Thomas Cashing, from Middlesex; Benjamin Tuppor, from Hamp- 
shire; Crocker Sampson, from Plymouth; Rufus Putnam, from 
Worcester; John Patterson and Johvliel Woodbridge, from Berk- 
shire; ami Abraham Williams, from Barnstable. General Rnfus 
Putnam was of tlie meeting, and Major W n 

throp S it, Secretary Be mrnment of this meeting, 

wh i v\ \ followed ov a series of others, a commits 

Putnam, Cutler, Brooks, Sargent and Cnshing, was 
afl a plan \ nex n ee • .,. M 

Irafl was presented, ■. poi ion oi whicli read is ows : 
■• Che design of this assoeiati a fund of continental 

ed to tlu 
-■■'.; lands e TVes 

to the United States apanyandto] 

tlement in tl r\\" CI e amount - '■■.-■ 

J ,000*000, - \ asive • ■. \ . 
\ 5 interest 

. - 

seb 

scpos 

•"■--» •-.- s of Congres s 

tan I was juuk 

I 
Samuel Parsons* . 

Steps ken until 

- 



32 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

committee from Congress, then sitting at New York, was appointed 
to confer with him, and he, transcending his instructions, proposed 
a purchase of the Scioto Valley. The proprietors being dissatisfied 
with this procedure, appointed in his stead Major Sargent and 
Dr. Cutler to complete the purchase on the Muskingum. This 
was done, though the contract was not concluded until the follow- 
ing autumn. 

The contract is as follows: 

" Contract of the Ohio Company with the Board of Treasury. 

" The contract of the Ohio Company with the Honorable Board 
of Treasury of the United States of America made by the Rev. 
Mr. Manasseh Cutler and Mayor Winthrop Sargent, as agents for 
the directors of said company, at New York, Oct. 27, 1787: 

"This Indenture, made the 27th day of October, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, between 
Samuel Osgood, Walter Livingston and Arthur Lee, Esquires, 
(the Board of Treasury for the United States of America), acting 
by and under the authority of the Honorable, the Congress of the 
said States of the one part, and Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop 
Sargent* both of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as agents 
for the directors of the Ohio Company ot Associates, so called, of 
the other part: "Whereas, the Congress of the United States afore- 
said, in and by their several resolutions and votes of the twenty- 
third and twenty- seventh days of July last past, did authorize and 
empower the Board of Treasury aforesaid to contract with any per- 
son or persons for a grant of the tract of land in the said resolutions 
mentioned, upon such terms and conditions, for such considera- 
tions and under such reservations, as in the said resolutions is ex- 
pressed. And, whereas, by virtue and in consequence of the said 
resolutions and votes, the said parties of the first part have con- 
tracted and agreed with the parties of the second part, agents as 
aforesaid, for a grant of the tract of land hereinafter mentioned. 

"JVbw, therefore this indenture witnesseth, That the said parties 
of the first part, in order to carry their said agreement, as far as 
possible, into effect, and for and in consideration of the sum of 
five hundred thousand dollars well and truly paid into the Treas- 
ury of the said United States by the said parties of the second 
part, before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt 
whereof the said Board of Treasury do hereby acknowledge, and 
do hereby, on the behalf of the said United States, acquit, release, 
exhonerate and forever discharge the said parties of the sec- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 33 

ond part, and the said Ohio Company of Associates and every 
of them, their and every of their heirs, executors, administra- 
tors and assigns forever,' by these presents; and also in con- 
sideration of the further sum of live hundred thousand dol- 
lars, secured tobepaidas hereinafter is mentioned, have, in behalf of 
the said United States and the Congress thereof, covenanted and 
agreed, and do hereby covenantand agree, to and with the said parties 
of the second part, their heirs and assigns, that within one month 
of the payment of the said last mentioned sum of five hundred 
thousand dollars, in the manner hereinafter prescribed, a full and 
ample grant and conveyance shall be executed, in due form of law, 
under the seal of the said United States, whereby the people of 
the s^iid United States or the Congress thereof, or such officer or 
officers as shall be duly authorized for that purpose, shall grant, 
convey and assure to the said parties of the second parr, their 
heirs and assigns forever (as agents to 'he directors of, and in trust 
for the persons composing the said Oho C unpany of Associates, ac- 
cording to their several rights an ! interests under the said associa- 
tion), and to their heirs and assigns forever, as tenants in common, in 
fee simple, all that certain tract or parcel ofland, Beginning at the 
place where the western boundary line of the seventh range of town- 
ships, laid out by the authority of Congress, intersects the ( )hio, and 
extending thence along that river southwestwardly, to the place 
where the western line of the seventeenth range of townships, to he 
laid out according to the land ordinance of the 20th .May, 1785, 
would intersect the said river, and extending thence northerly on 
the western boundary line of the said seventeenth range of town- 
ships, so far that a line drawn due east to the western bound- 
ary line of the said seventh range of townships will, with 
the other lines of this tract, include one million and a half 
acres of land, besides the several townships, lots and parcels of 
land hereinafter mentioned, to he reserved or appropriated to spe- 
cific purposes; thence running east to the western bounds of the 
said seventh range of townships, and thence southerly along 
those bounds to the place of beginning ; with the rights, members 
and appurtenances thereof; which said tract of land shall he sur- 
veyed by the Geographer or some other officer of the said United 
States, to be authorized for that purpose, who shall plainly mark 
the said east and west line, and shall render one complete map or 
plat of the said tract to the Board of Treasury of the United States, 
for the time being, or such other parson as Congress may appoint. 
3 



34 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and another plat or map thereof to the said parties of the second 
part, their heirs and assigns: Provided always, and it is hereby 
expressly stipulated, That in the said grant, so to be executed as 
aforesaid, a proper clause or clauses shall or may be inserted for the 
purpose of reserving in each township, or fractional part of a town- 
ship, which, upon such surveys as hereinafter are mentioned, shall 
fall within the bounds of the tract, so to be granted as aforesaid, lot 
number sixteen, for the purposes mentioned in the said ordinance 
of the 20th of May, 1785 ; lot number twenty-nine to be appropri- 
ated to the purposes of religion ; and lots numbers eight, eleven 
and twenty-six for the use, and subject to the disposition of the 
Congress of theJUnited States ; and also reserving out of the said 
tract so to be granted, two complete townships to be given perpet- 
ually for the purposes of an university, to be laid off by the parties 
of the second part, their heirs or assigns, as near the center as may 
be, s<> that the same shall be of good land, to be applied to the in- 
tended object in such manner as the Legislature of the State wherein 
the said township shall fall, or may be situated, shall or may think 
proper to direct. And the said partiesof the second part do hereby 
for themselves, and the directors, and Ohio Company of Asso- 
ciates aforesaid, and every of them, and their and every of their 
heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenant and grant to 
and with the said parties of the first part, their heirs, executors and 
administrators (acting, as aforesaid, for and on behalf of the United 
States by virtue of the authority so as aforesaid to them delegated 
and assigned), that within the space of seven years, from and after 
the outlines of the said tract shall have been so, as aforesaid, run 
out by the Geographer, or other officer of the United States to be 
for that purpose appointed, and the plat thereof given as afore- 
said (if they are not prevented by incursions or opposition from 
the savages, or if they are so prevented then as soon as the same 
can be conveniently thereafter accomplished), the said directors 
and Ohio Company of Associates, or some of them, their or some 
of their heirs or assigns shall aud will cause the said tract of land 
to be surveyed, laid out and divided into townships, and fractional 
parts of townships, and also subdivide'! into lots, according to the 
directions and provisions of the land ordinance of the 20th of May, 
1785, issued by Congress, and shall and will make, or cause to be 
made, complete returns of divisions and subdivisions to the Treasury 
Board of the United States, for the time being, or such other person 
or persons as Congress shall or may appoint. And, also, shall and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 35 

will, within one month after the outlines of the said tract shall 
have been so, as aforesaid, surveyed, well and truly pay, or cause 
to be paid, into the Treasury of the said United States, the sum of 
$500,000 in gold or silver, or in securities of the said United States 
without fraud or farther delay. And, inasmuch as it was the true 
intent and meaning of the said parties to these presents, and of the 
Congress of the United States, that the said Ohio Company of 
Associates should immediately cultivate, if they thought proper, a 
part of the said tract of land, proportionable to the payment which 
they have so, as aforesaid, already made; and should have full 
security for the undisturbed enjoyment of the same. JVow, this 
indenture further witaesseth, That the said parties of the first 
part, by virtue of the power and authority to them given by Con- 
gress, as aforesaid, have covenanted, promised and agreed, and do 
hereby covenant, promise and agree, to and with the said parties 
of the second part, their heirs and assigns, that it shall and may 
be lawful for the said Ohio Company of Associates, so called, their 
heirs and assigns, to enter upon, take possession of, cultivate and 
improve, at their pleasure, all that certain tract or parcel of land, 
part of the tract hereinbefore described: Beginning at the place 
where the western boundary line of the seventh range of townships 
intersects the Ohio; thence extending along that river south- 
westerly to the place where the western boundary line of the fif- 
teenth range of townships, when laid out agreeable to the ordinance 
aforesaid, would touch the said river; thence running northerly on 
the western bounds of the said fifteenth range of townships, till a 
line drawn due east, the western boundary line of the said seventh 
range of townships, will comprehend, with the other boundary lines 
of this tract, 750,000 acres of land, besides the several lots and 
parcels of lands hereinafter mentioned to be reserved or appropria- 
ted to particular purposes; thence running east to the western 
boundary line of the said seventh range of townships, ami thence 
along the said line to the place of beginning; with the rights, 
members and appurtenances thereof, according to the terms of the 
said association. Reserving, always, and excepting out of the said 
tract last mentioned, and the permission to cultivate the same in 
eacli township and fractional part of a township which shall fall 
within the same, according to the land ordinance hereinbefore 
mentioned, lot number sixteen, for the purposes specified in the 
said ordinance; lot number twenty-nine for the purposes of relig- 
ion; lots numbers eight, eleven and twenty-six subject to the dis- 



36 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

position of the Congress of the United States, and also reserving 
and excepting two complete townships for the purposes of an 
university, to be laid off in the manner hereinbefore mentioned, 
and to be applied in such manner to that object as the Legislature 
of the State wherein the said townships shall fall, or be situated, 
shall or may think proper or direct. And the said parties of the 
first part do hereby, for and on behalf of the said United States, 
promise and agree to and with the said parties of the second part, 
their heirs and assigns, that the said Ohio Company of Associates, 
their heirs and assigns, shall and may, from time to time, and at 
all times hereafter, freely and peaceably hold and enjoy the said 
last-mentioned tract of land, except the said lots and parcels of 
land and townships so, as aforesaid, excepted: Provided, That the 
covenants and agreements hereinbefore contained on the part of 
the said parties of the second part are observed, performed and 
fulfilled. And the said parties of the first part do hereby pledge 
the faith of the United States to the said parties of the second 
part, their heirs and assigns, and to the said Ohio Company of 
Associates, so-called, for the performance of all the grants, promises 
and agreements hereinbefore contained, which, on the part of the 
said parties of the first part, or of the said States, are or ought to 
be kept and performed. 

In witness whereof, the parties to these presents have inter- 
changeably set their hands and seals, and the said parties of the 
first part have caused their seal of office to be hereunto affixed, the 
day and year first hereinbefore mentioned. 

SAMUEL OSGOOD, [l. s.] 

MANASSEH CUTLEK, [l. s.] 
ARTHUR LEE, [l s.] 

WINTHROP SARGENT, [l. s.J 

There is also given here the act of Congress authorizing the dis- 
position of the land to the Ohio Company, and confirms its sale, 
and also the first patent to the company signed by Geo. Washing- 
ton and Thos. Jefferson. There were other patents granted, but 
not necessary to place here in full. 

AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE GRANT AND CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN LANDS 
TO Till: OHIO COMPANY OF ASSOCIATKS. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a cer- 
tain contract expressed in an indenture executed on the 27th day 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 37 

of October, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
seven, between the then Board of Treasury for the United States 
of America, of the one part, and Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop 
Sargent, as agents for the directors of the Ohio Company of 
Associates, of the other part, so far as the same respects the follow- 
ing described tract of land, that is to say: "Beginning at a sta- 
tion where the western boundary line of the seventh range of town- 
ships, laid out by the authority of the United States in Congress 
assembled, intersects the river Ohio; thence, extending along that 
river, southwesterly, to a place where the western boundary line 
of the fifteenth range of townships, when laid out agreeably to the 
land ordinance passed the twentieth of May, one thousand 
seven hundred and eighty-five, would touch the said river; thence 
running northerly on the said western bound of the said fifteenth 
range of townships, till a line drawn due east to the western 
boundary line of the said seventh range of townships will compre- 
hend with the other lines of this tract 750,000 acres of land, 
besides the several lots and parcels of land in the said contract 
reserved or appropriated to particular purposes; thence, running 
east, to the western boundary line of the said seventh range of 
townships, and thence along the said line to the place of begin- 
ning," be, and the same is hereby, confirmed: And that the Pres- 
ident of the United States be, and he hereby is, authorized and 
empowered to issue letters patent, in the name and under the seal 
of the United States, hereby granting and conveying to Rufus 
Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green, and 
to their heirs and assigns, in fee simple, the said described tract of 
land, with the reservation in the said indenture expressed, in trust 
for the persons composing the said Ohio Company of Associates, 
according to their several rights and interests, and for their heirs 
and assigns, as tenants in common. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the President be, and 
he hereby is, further authorized and empowered, by letters patent 
as aforesaid, to grant and convey to the said Rufus Putnam, 
Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver and Griffin Green, and to their 
heirs and assigns, in trust, for the uses above expressed, one other 
tract of 214,285 acres of land: Provided, That Rufus Putnam, 
Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver and Griffin Green, or either of 
them, shall deliver to the Secretary of the Treasury, within six 
months, warrants which issued for army bounty rights sufficient 
for that purpose, according to the provision of a resolve of Con- 



38 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

gress of the twenty- third day of July, one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty seven. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President be, and 
he hereby is, further authorized and empowered, by letters patent 
as aforesaid, to grant and convey to the said Rufus Putnam, Ma- 
nasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver and Griffin Green, and to their heirs 
and assigns, in tee simple, in trust for the uses above expressed, 
a further quantity of one hundred thousand acres of land: Pro- 
vided always nevertheless, That the said grant of one hundred 
thousand acres shall be made on the express condition of becom- 
ing void, for such part thereof as the said company shall not have, 
within five years from the passing of this act, conveyed in fee sim- 
ple, as a bounty, and free of expense, in tracts of one hundred 
acres to each male person, not less than eighteen years of age, be- 
ing an actual settler at the time of such conveyance. 

Sec 4. And be it further enacted, That the said quantities of 
two hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and eighty-five 
acres, and of one hundred thousand acres, shall be located within 
the limits of the tract of one million five hundred thousand acres 
of land, described in the indenture aforesaid, and adjoining to the 
tract of land described in the first section of this act, and in such 
form as the President, in the letters patent, shall prescribe for 
that purpose. 

Approved, April 21, 1792. 

Patent for 750,000 acres. 

In the name of the United States. 

To all lohom these presents may come. 

Know ye, that in pursuance of the act entitled "An Act au- 
thorizing the grant and conveyance of certain lands to the Ohio 
Company of Associates," I do hereby grant and convey to Rufus 
Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver and Griffin Green, and 
to their heirs and assigns forever, the following described tract of 
land; that is to say, beginning at a station or point where the 
western boundary line of the seventh range of townships laid out 
by the authority of the United States in Congress assembled in- 
tersects the river Ohio; thence extending along that river south- 
westerly to a place where the western boundary line of the 
fifteenth range of townships when laid out agreeably to the land 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 39 

ordinance passed the twentieth day of May, one thousand seven 
hundred and eighty-five, would touch the said river; thence run- 
ning northerly on the said western boundary of the said fifteenth 
range of townships till a line drawn due east to the western 
boundary line of the said seventh range of townships will compre- 
hend with the other lines of this tract herein specified and 
described, seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of land beside 
the several lots and parcels of land in a certain contract executed 
on the twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty-seven, between the then Board of Treasury for the United 
States of America of the one part, and Manasseh Cutler and Win- 
throp Sargent as agents for the directors of the Ohio Company 
of Associates of the other part, reserved or appropriated to partic- 
ular purposes; thence running east to the western boundary 
line of the said seventh range of townships, and thence along the 
said line to the place of beginning, which said tract contains as 
computed nine hundred and thirteen thousand eight hundred and 
eighty-three acres, subject, however, to the reservations expressed, 
in an indenture, executed on the twenty-seventh day of October 
in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, between 
the then Board of Treasury for the United States of America of the 
one part, and Manasseh Cutler, and Winthrop Sargent, agents for 
the directors of the Ohio Company of Associates, of the other part: 

To have and hold the said described tract of land with the res- 
ervations aforesaid in the said indenture so expressed as aforesaid, 
to the said Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver and 
Griffin Green, and to their heirs and assigns forerer, in trust for 
the persons composing the said Ohio Company of Associates, ac- 
cording to their several rights and interests, and for their heirs 
and assigns as tenants in common, hereby willing and directing 
these letters to be made patent. 

Given under my hand and the seal of the United States at the 
city of Philadelphia this tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, and of Independence 
the sixteenth. 

Go. WASHINGTON. 

[ L. S. ] 

By the President : 
Th. Jefferson. 



40 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

WISDOM AND HUMANITY. 

The selection of this section of country by the Ohio Company 
did not seem to some people of that'day to have been controlled 
by either reason or judgment, for the mineral wealth of the region 
was not known or even thought of. Yet reason guided them, and 
posterity blesses them for the wisdom of their choice. The lives ot 
the settlers were of the highest consideration to the Ohio Company, 
and while there might be more inviting fields, from an agricultural 
point of view, than the hills and valley of the great Hockhocking, 
there were none that combined so much safety from Indian raids 
and gave prospects of peace in the future. Then again Virginia 
had quite a number of settlements on its western border, and 
these, though some distance away, seemed like near neighbors, 
and, in case of disaster, a sure refuge. The valley, also, was but 
the continuation of others which led all the way from Lake Erie to 
the Ohio River, with but one or two dividing ridges. The valleys 
ot the Cuyahoga and the Muskingum rivers were but extensions of 
a natural line of communication between the great lakes and the 
Ohio, which some day would become a great highway of trade, and 
thus it has proved; and if the Ohio Company did not know of the 
inexhaustible mineral wealth of this valley or even as a future great 
highway of traffic and commerce, yet there was wisdom in their 
choice in what they did know, because humanity guided them and 
that humanity has received its reward in the productive capacity 
of the purchase a thousand fold, for Ohio has few, if any, more 
productive fields than the Hocking Valley. So humanity, the 
guide of honest and honorable men, has been added to by an abun- 
dance of wealth, and posterity blesses the men who preferred what 
many thought a barren land, rather than to sacrifice to their cupid- 
ity, or the merciless tribes of Indians, ever ready to carry out the 
hellish and cruel work, the men who became purchasers of their 
estate. 

And so to-day these barren hills are turning out large supplies 
of mineral products, and the rich valleys are teeming with stock and 
grain, and the then wilderness is now a land fair to look upon, and 
the home of a joyous, happy and contented people. They meant 
well, did these humane managers of the Ohio Company, but even 
they, in all their integrity and wisdom, built wiser than they knew. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 41 

THE START. 

A meeting of the directors of the company at Brackett's 
Tavern, in Boston, Nov. 21. 1787, was held to consummate arrange- 
ments for forming a settlement, and an advanced expedition was 
decided upon, with General Putnam as its leader. The trades 
were represented in the company, for they proposed to bnild 
boats to aid in transportation down the Ohio River, the party 
of mechanics led under the charge of Major Hatfield White in 
December following, while the surveying party and some settlers, 
under General Putnam and Colonel Ebenezer Sproat, started in 
January, 17SS. They arrived at Sumrill's ferry in February. 
Having built their boats the party started down the river, April 
2, with their baggage. 

ON TO ADELl'HIA. 

The flotilla was composed of one large boat, forty-five feet long 
and twelve wide, which was roofed over, and had an estimated 
capacity of fifty tons, a flat boat and three canoes. Laden 
with the emigrants, their baggage, surveying instruments, 
weapons, and effects, the little flotilla glided down the Youghiog- 
heny into the Monongahela, and finally out upon the broad bosom 
of the Ohio, which stream was to bear them to their new home. 
For several days and nights they pursued their solitary way, urged 
along only by the current of the beautiful river, whose banks gave 
no signs of civilized life, nor of welcome to the pioneers. Occa- 
sionally a flock of wild turkeys in the underbrush, or a startled 
deer, drinking at the water's edge, would draw the lire of the rifle- 
men from the boats; and now and then the dusky form of an 
Indian would be seen darting into the forest. But the emigrants 
met with no interruption, and on the fifth day reached their 
destination. 

On the 7th day of April, 1788, the company of adventurers 
landed at Fort Harmer, on the right bank of the Muskingum 
River, and near its month. These were the founders of Marietta, 
and t'r >m the day of their arrival, as above noted, may be said that 
Ohio dates her existence. The following were their names: 

General Rufus Putnam, Superintendent; Colonel Ebenezer 
Sproat, Colonel R. J. Meigs, Major Anselra Tupper, and Mr. 
John Matthews, Surveyors; Major Hatfield White, Steward and 
Quartermaster; Captain Jonathan Devol, Captain Josiah Munroe, 



42 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Captain Daniel Davis, Peregrine Foster, Captain Jethro Putnam, 
Captain William Gray, Joseph Wells, Gilbert Devol, Jr., Israel 
Danton, Jonas Davis, Theophilus Leonard, Joseph Lincoln, Will- 
iam Miller, Earl Sproat, Josiah White, Allen Devol, Henry 
Maxon, William Maxon, William Moulton, Edmund Moulton, 
Simeon Martin, Benjamin Shaw, Peletiah White, Josiah Whit- 
ridge, John Gardiner, Benjamin Griswold, Elizur Kirkiand, Sam- 
uel Cushing, Oliver Dodge, Isaac Dodge, Jabez Barlow, Daniel 
Bushnell, Ebenezer Corry, Phineas Coburn, Allen Putnam, David 
Wallace, Captain Ezekiel Cooper, Jervis Cutler, Samuel Felshaw, 
Hezekiah Flint, Hezekiah Flint, Jr., and Amos Porter. 

The party at once commenced a settlement, and a town was 
laid out. The embryo city at the mouth of the Muskingum was 
named Adelphia; the "college bred " members of the little com- 
munity coming to the front got in their work. They followed 
this up by calling the largest public square a Quadranaon, and 
the smaller one the Capltolium. The wide road, leading up from 
the river landing to the square, was named Sacra via, and the 
fort, with its inclosure of block-houses, etc., was called Campus 
Martius. At a meeting of the directors held July 2, 1788, which 
was the first convened west of the mountains, the name of the city 
was changed to Marietta, in honor Marie Antoinette, Queen of 
France. Thus by a fortunate change of name, the city of Mari- 
etta managed to live and prosper, but it was a narrow escape. 
Washington County was organized in 1788, and it had something 
of a territory, comprising, as it did, nearly half of the present 
commonwealth. 

A TERRIBLE AWAKENING. 

For a while peace and prosperity had been the lot of the white 
settlers, and they had been spreading their cabins into the interior, 
until at last they aroused the red man to a sense of his danger in 
being dispossessed of his hunting grounds. Then again tin; fron- 
tiersmen, those who in a measure made hunting their occupation, 
had the impression that an Indian, like a wild beast, was game, 
and he was generally killed on sight. The Indians were by no 
means backward in retaliation, and the scalp of a hunter was 
something they considered a legitimate trophy, and a great one if 
the hunter was a good fighter. Of course this state of affairs was 
bound to breed trouble, and when in addition to this the pale faces 
overran their lands or hunting grounds, they determined upon 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 43 

driving them out of the country. The result was a general rising, in 
which the shriek of their victims and the light of their burning 
cabins called upon the Government for immediate action. 

THE INDIAN WAR. 

Peace overtures having failed and the Indians aggressive to a mur- 
derous degree, General Harmer was directed to attack their towns. 
In September, 1790, with 1,300 men, he marched from Cincinnati 
through the wilderness to the Indian villages on the Miami, which 
he burned. On his homeward inarch he was attacked by a superior 
force of savages, and, after a desperate battle, was totally defeated. 
General Harmer was barely able to make good his retreat to Cin- 
cinnati. His expedition was a failure and gave the Iudians re- 
newed courage and hope. 

From this time there were four years of uninterrupted war with 
the Indians, and sad indeed was the condition of the settlers. 
Wherever the settlements extended, the whole frontier was lighted 
by the names of burning cabins and destruction of improvements. 
An attack was made on the settlement at Big Bottom, in Washing- 
ton County, on the Muskingum River, Jan. 2, 1791, characterized 
by the usual horrible features of stealth and sudden surprise by 
the savages, of quick massacre and scalping of the victims, and of 
hasty retreat into the wilderness. In tiiis attack twelve persons 
were killed and five carried into captivity. 

st. clalr's defeat. 

Governor St. Clair was placed in command of a second expedi- 
tion against the Indians on a larger scale than the first one. He 
marched against the Indians who were prepared to meet him, and 
attacked his force with great fury on the morning of the 4th of No- 
vember, 1791, and totally defeated it. This called for another 
change of commanders, and General Anthony Wayne was ap- 
pointed to the command. He arrived at Cincinnati in the spring 
of 1793, and the work of organizing a third army was commenced. 
In July, 1794, with a force of about 3,500 men, he marched against 
the Indians. They had collected their whole force, amounting to 
about 2,000 men, at the Maumee rapids. Wayne encountered the 
Indians on the 20th of August. The battle which ensued resulted 
in the utter defeat of the Indians, and was their downfall in the 
Northwestern Territory. Wayne followed up his victory, and gath- 
ered all its fruits. He burned their villages, destroyed their grow- 



44 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ing crops, and laid waste their whole country. Forte were erected 
in the heart of their territory, and they were made to feel, as they 
had never felt before, the energy and power of the Government. 
Convinced, at last, of their inability to maintain the contest, or 
resolved, perhaps, to accept their inevitable doom, they sued for 
peace. A general council was convened at Greenville (now in Darke 
County), at which General Wayne represented the United States, 
and the following tribes were represented by their chiefs, viz.: the 
Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanese, Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawat- 
omies, Miamis, Eel-Rivers, Kickapoos, Weeas, Pinkashaws and 
Kaskaskias. By the treaty here made, Aug. 3, 1795, it was de- 
clared that " henceforth all hostilities shall cease ; peace is hereby 
established and shall be perpetual ; and a friendly intercourse shall 
take place between the said United States and Indian tribes." 
The tomahawk was buried, the Indians gave up their ancient hunt- 
ing grounds and the graves of their fathers, and the white man's 
title to the lands of Ohio was never again seriously contested. 

THE TWO SURVEYS. 

The committee appointed by the Ohio Company to examine the 
Hocking Valley made the following report Dec. 8, 1795: 

"We, the subscribers, being appointed a committee by a resolve 
of the agents of the Ohio Company of the 9th of Nov. 1790, and 
for the purpose expressed in said resolve, but being prevented 
from attending to that business by the Indian war until a treaty 
took place, since which (in company with Jeftery Matthewson, a 
surveyor appointed by the superintendent of surveys) having 
measured and very minutely examined the lands up the Ilock- 
hocking, report that in range XIV., township 10, the following 
lots or mile squares, viz : Nos. 13, 19, 20, 25, 31 and 32;— range 
15, township 12, lots 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 17, 23, 24, 30, 35 and 36; — 
range 16, township 13, Nos. 13, 14, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 33 and 
34, we find are suitable to be laid out into fifth division lots. Hav- 
ing also examined and surveyed the land at the mouth of the 
Great Hockhocking we find it very suitable for house lots accord- 
ing to map, etc." 

i Jno. Devol, 
Signed, < Rob't Oliver, 

( Haffield White, 

Committee. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 45 

The above sections covered most of the river bottom and adja- 
cent upland in Dover and York townships of Athens County, and 
Green Township of Hocking County. 

The two townships, Nos. 8 and 9, — Athens and Alexander, — 
appropriated by the Ohio Company for the benefit of a university, 
were located about the same time the above report was made, but 
by another party. The survey of these lands was made under the 
personal supervision of General Putnam in 1796 and was, said 
Ephraim Cutler, "one of the favorite portions of the hunting 
grounds of the Indians" and upon their surrender to the whites after 
the disastrous defeat of " Mad Anthony" Wayne, was closed to 
them forever. 

In the early part of 1797 a considerable number of emigrants 
had arrived at Marietta,eager to obtain lands on the most favorable 
conditions, and were induced by General Putnam to come to these 
college lands. Among these were Alvan Bingham, Silas Bingham, 
Isaac Barker, William Harper, John Wilkins, Robert Linzee, 
Edmund, William and Barak Dorr, John Chandler and Jonathan 
Watkins. They made their way down the Ohio and up the Hock- 
hocking in large canoes early in the year 1797. Having ascended 
as far as the attractive bluff where the town of Athens now stands, 
they landed and sought their various locations. A few of them 
fixed on the site of the present town, but most of them scattered 
up and down the adjacent bottoms. The surrounding country was 
then covered with dense forests. The bluff and bottoms were 
heavily timbered with hickory, walnut, ash, poplar, and other 
trees, indicative of good soil; while the course of the tortuous 
Hockhocking was marked as far as the view extended by the 
gigantic sycamores that grew thick set and lofty along its edge. 

Hunting parties continued to traverse these hills and valleys, 
embracing the land watered by Raccoon, Monda}% Sunday and the 
heads of Federal Creek. According to Mr. Cutler the buffalo and 
the elk were exterminated about the year 1780. A young buffalo, 
believed to be the last seen in this part of the country, was capt- 
ured a few miles west of Athens, on a branch of Raccoon, in the 
spring of 1799, brought to the settlement, and reared by a domes- 
tic cow. 

The bears continued in considerable abundance until the last 
great hunt of the Indians in the winter of lSlO-'ll. That winter 
was a favorable season for them to effect the object they seemed to 
have in view, which was to destroy the game, the weather being 



^ 



46 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

cold, with several falls of snow. The carcasses of many deer were 
found in the woods bordering on the settlements in Washington 
and Athens counties, which appeared to be wantonly destroyed by 
the savages. 

The pioneers soon opened up several clearings about Athens, 
and the echo of their axes was the first sound of civilized industry 
heard in all this region. The clearings, however, were irregular 
and scattered, and no effort was made, as yet, to lay out a town. 
Early in 1798 a number of emigrants arrived, among whom were 
Solomon Tuttle, Christopher Stevens, John and Moses Hewitt, 
Cornelius Moore, Joseph Snowden, John Simonton, Robert Ross, 
the Brookses and the Hanings. Some of these had families. Some 
settled in Athens and some in Alexander Township. Mrs. Mar- 
garet Snowden, wife of Joseph Suowden, was honored by having 
"Margaret's Creek" named, after her, she being the first white 
woman who reached this central point in the county. 

For the enforcement of laws and preservation of order, Alvan 
Bingham had been commissioned a Magistrate, and his brother, 
Silas, a Deputy Sheriff. One of their most difficult duties was to 
prevent illegal entries and occupations of land by new comers; 
but this, and their other duties, sometimes delicate and accompanied 
with danger, they discharged with firmness and general acceptance. 
Ephraim Cutler, who came in a little later than the Binghams, 
and settled in Ames Township, was also a Magistrate, and in a cer- 
tain class of land cases, which required two magistrates and a jury, 
he and Judge Bingham held court together. In those early times. 
notwithstanding the primitive state of society, the judges had proper 
ideas of the sanctity of law and the dignity of a court. It is re- 
lated that at one of these trials of forcible entry, the leaders of the 
disorderly class came forward and threatened violence ; the magis- 
trates ordered them to leave the room, which they did, but utter- 
ing threats to put a stop to such courts. The judges, determined 
to vindicate their judicial dignity, instantly issued warrants, and 
ordered the sheriff to arrest the parties immediately, and take them 
to Marietta. They were arrested accordingly, and it is not easy to 
conceive of men more frightened ; the idea of being taken to .Ma- 
rietta, to be tried by a court that had established a reputation 
throughout the territory for rirmness and strict justice, filled them 
with terror. Silas Bingham (who, to great shrewdness and dispatch 
in business, united an unconquerable humor) did nothing to allay 
their fears, but told them the better wav would be to come into 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. -±7 

court, and, on their knees , ask forgiveness and promise amend- 
ment. The ringleader of the offending party replied that "it was 
too bad to be compelled to kneel down and ask forgiveness of two 
Buckeye justices ;" but he concluded to submit, rather than be 
taken to Marietta, and the penitential ceremony was accordingly 
performed. During the first year of the county, the court was 
held in a private house, obtained for the occasion. In Decem- 
ber. 1806, Silas Bingham was allowed $12 for the use of a room 
occupied by the courts during that ye;ir, and an allowance of 
$6 was made by the county commissioners to " Edmund Dorr 
and Barak Dorr, for guarding and victualing John Farmer 
one month." The two Binghams, Judge Alvan and his brother 
Silas, were natives of Litchtield County, Conn., and had both served 
in the Revolutionary army. The former was a man of strong com- 
mon sense, and his judicial mind and well-trained conscience ad- 
mirably qualified him for the position of judge, which he filled for 
many years. He is said to have been a person of quiet and dig- 
nified manners, stern and uncompromising in his sense of right. 
Silas was " full of anecdote and humor, social and kind in his feel- 
ings, a man of excellent sense, and a terror to evil doers." The 
promptness with which these men acted in enforcing the laws had 
the effect to rid the settlement of nearly all disorderly persons. 
Alvan Bingham was the first Treasurer of Athens County, and Silas 
was for several years a Constable. 

One of the greatest troubles that the pioneers had to contend 
with was the extreme scarcity of salt, and the high price of that 
essential article often caused severe privation. At the time of 
the first settlement of Athens and Ames, it was sold for $6 a 
bushel, and had to be packed on horseback a great distance. As 
early as* 1788, when the first colony arrived at Marietta, it had been 
rumored that salt springs existed on a stream, since called Salt 
Creek, which flows into the Muskingum River, near Duncan's 
Falls, Muskingum County, and even during the Indian War a 
party was sent up the river from Marietta to search for them. The 
exploration was made at great risk, but the springs were not found. 
White men, held as prisoners by the Indians, had seen them make 
salt at these springs, and had noted their locality. An accurate 
description of the country having been gained from these persons, 
another exploring party of hunters and experienced woodsmen 
was sent out, a year or two later, to find the springs. This tim£ 
they were successful, and brought back with them a small supply 



48 HISTORY OF HOCKINO VALLET. 

of the precious article. In 1796 a joint stock company was 
formed of fifty shareholders, at $1.50 each, making a capital 
of $75, with the object of buying castings, erecting a furnace, 
and manufacturing salt. Twenty-four kettles were bought at 
Pittsburg, and transported by water to Duncan's Falls, and thence, 
on pack-horses, to the salt springs, seven miles further. A. well 
was dug. near the edge of the stream, about fifteen feet deep, 
to the bed rock, through the crevices of which the salt water 
oozed and rose, though not very abundantly. The trunk of a 
hollow sycamore tree was fixed in the well to exclude the fresh 
water. A furnace was built, of two ranges with twelve kettles 
each. The water was raised from the well by a sweep and pole. 
The company was divided into ten sections of five men each, who 
worked in turns for two weeks at a time, and the works were thus 
kept in operation day and night, the men standing regular watches. 
They were thus able to make about 100 pounds of salt in twenty- 
four hours, using about 1,600 gallons of water. This was the 
first attempt t> manufacture salt in Ohio, and the product was. 
a very inferior and costly article. For several years all of the salt 
used by the pioneers of the Hocking Valley was brought from 
these works, and afterward from the Scioto salt licks, in Jackson 
County, on pack-horses. Yet time changes all things, and the 
primitive modes of early days gave way to the inventive genius of 
the people, but the pioneer days were full of incidents in the strug- 
gle of life, and the progress of civilization at the hands of the pio- 
neers are here recorded. 




CHAPTER III. 

THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS, CABINS AND COMFORTS OF 

EARLY DATS. 

Pioneer Life — The Log Cabin — Cooking — Dress, etc — Family 
Worship — Hospitality — Trade and Barter — Hog Killing — 
Native Animals — "Wolf Hunts — Education — Rather Long- 
drawn-out Spelling and Singing Schools— On Their Guard— 
The Bright Side — A Touch of Pioneer Life Given — How the 
Pioneers Advanced Civilization — Women Pioneers. 

pioneer life. 

The pioneers of Ohio, especially those who settled in the Ohio, 
Valley and its tributary streams, like the Scioto, Muskingum- 
Hocking, came generally from the older States which were upon the 
border, like Pennsylvania and Kentucky, but not a few found their 
way from the Eastern, or North Atlantic, States. There is little 
difference in pioneer life even at this day. It is the poor and hard- 
working element that seek a home in a new country as a general 
thing, and at this day especially, very few who enjoy the comforts 
of civilization, of churches, schools, railroads and telegraph, and 
are able to remain will leave for a residence in the wilds of the 
West. The exceptions to these are those who may be in fair cir_ 
cumstances, but have large families, who are willing to give up 
their comforts for the better providing for the future of their 
children. Thus we find the pioneer generally poor but robust, 
with an energy which labor increases, and with an endurance that 
seems to baffle all opposing forces. Poor in purse, but rich in 
faith, he tackles the wilderness, and it blossoms like the rose. 

He has reached his location in the West and he at once com- 
mences the erection of his 

LOG CABIN, 

a description of which may not be uninteresting to the present 
readers while it will be of profound interest to the generations yet 
to come, who will be so far removed from pioneer life as to wonder 
over the primitive styles and habits of long ago. Very few of these 
old-time structures are now to be seen, but here is their mode 
of building. 

4 49 



50 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Trees of uniform size were chosen and cut into logs of the de- 
sired length, generally twelve to fifteen feet, and hauled to the spot 
selected for the future dwelling. On an appointed day the few 
neighbors who were available would assemble and have a " house- 
raising." Each end of every log was saddled and notched so that 
they would lie as close down as possible; the next day the pro- 
prietor would proceed to " chink and daub " the cabin, to keep out 
the rain, wind and cold. The house had to be re-daubed every fall, 
as the rains of the intervening time would wash out a great part 
of the mortar. The usual height of the housa was seven or eight 
feet. The gables were formed by shortening the logs gradually at 
each end of the building near the top. The roof was made by 
laying very straight small logs or stout poles suitable distances 
apart, generally about two and a half feet, from gable to gable, and 
on these poles were laid the " clapboards " after the manner of 
shingling, showing about two and a half feet to the weather. These 
clapboards were fastened to their place by " weight poles," cor- 
responding in place with the joists just described, and these again 
were held in their place by "runs" or "knees," which were 
chunks of wood about eighteen or twenty inches long fitted be- 
tween them near the ends. Clapboards were made from the nicest 
oaks in the vicinity, by chopping or sawing them into four-foot 
blocks and riving these with a frow, which was a simple blade 
fixed at right angles to its handle. This was driven into the 
blocks of wood by a mallet. As the frow was wrenched down 
through the wood, the latter was turned alternately over from side 
to side, one end being held by a forked piece of timber. 

The chimney to the Western pioneer's cabin was made by leaving 
in the original building a large open place in one wall, or by cut- 
ting one after the structure was up, and by building on the out 
side from the ground up, a stone column, or a column of sticks 
and mud, the sticks being laid up cob-house fashion. The fire- 
place thus made was often large enough to receive fire-wood six to 
eight feet long. Sometimes this wood, especially the " back-log," 
would be nearly as large as a saw-log. The more rapidly the 
pioneer could burn up the wood in his vicinity the sooner he had 
his little farm cleared and ready for cultivation. For a window, a 
piece about two feet long was cut out of one of the wall logs, and 
the hole closed sometimes by glass, but generally with greased 
paper. Even greased deer-hide was sometimes used. A doorway 
was cut through one of the walls if a saw was to be had; otherwise 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 51 

the door would be left by shortened logs in the original building. 
The door was made by pinning clapboards to two or three wood 
bars, and was hung upon wooden hinges. A wooden latch, with 
catch, then finished the door, and the latch was raised by any one 
on the outside by pulling a leather string. For security at night 
this latch-string was drawn in; but for friends and neighbors, and 
even strangers, the " latch-string was always hanging out," as a 
welcome. In the interior, over the fire-place would be a shelf, 
called " the mantel," on which stood the candle-stick or lamp, some 
cooking and table ware, possibly an old clock, and other articles; in 
the fire-place would be the crane, sometimes of iron, sometimes of 
wood; on it the pots were hung for cooking; over the door, in 
forked cleats, hung the ever trustful rifle and powder horn ;in one cor- 
ner stood the larger bed for the " old folks " and under it the trun- 
dle-bed for the children; in another stood the old-fashioned 
spinning-wheel, with a smaller one by its side; in another the heavy 
table, the only table, of course, there was in the house; in the 
remaining corner was a rude cupboard holding the table-ware, 
which consisted of a few cups and saucers and blue-edged plates, 
standing singly on their edges against the back, to make the dis- 
play of table furniture more conspicuous; while around the room 
were scattered a few splint-bottomed or Windsor chairs and two or 
three stools. 

These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted 
people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler, 
seeking lodgings for the night, or desirous of spending a few days 
in the community,if willing to accept the rude oftering,was always 
welcome, although how thej r were disposed of at night the reader 
might not easily imagine; for, as described, a single room was 
made to answer for kitchen, dining-room, sitting-room, bed-room 
and parlor, and many families consisted of six or eight members. 

SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS. 

The bed was very often made by fixing a post in the floor about 
six feet from one wall and four feet from the adjoining wall, and 
fastening a stick to this post about two feet above the floor, on 
each of two sides, so that the other end of each of the two sticks 
could be fastened in the opposite wall; clapboards were laid across 
these, and thus the bed was made complete. G-uests were given 
this bed, while the family disposed of themselves in another corner 



52 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of the room, or in the " loft." When several guests were on hand 
many ingenious ways were resorted to for the accommodation of 
the weary traveler. 

COOKING. 

The pioneer women had very few conveniences which now adorn 
the kitchens of to-day. The range or stove was then unknown, 
but the large fire-place was fitted with a crane and a supply of 
hooks of different lengths, and from one to four pots could be hung 
over the fire at once. Then the long-handled frying-pan, the bake- 
pan, the Dutch-oven, and along about 1830 came the tin bake- 
oven. With these the pioneer women did their hot, laborious 
work. But they knew how to cook. The bread and the biscuit 
of those days have not been improved upon. 

A better article for baking batter-cakes was the cast-iron spider 
or Dutch skillet. The best thing for baking bread those days, and 
possibly even yet in these latter days, was the flat-bottomed bake 
kettle, of greater depth, with closely fitting cast-iron cover, and 
commonly known as the "Dutch-oven." With coals over and 
under it, bread and biscuit would quickly and nicely bake. Turkey 
and spare-ribs were sometimes roasted before the fire, suspended 
by a string, a dish being placed underneath to catch the drippings. 

Hominy and samp were very much used. The hominy, how- 
ever, was generally hulled corn — boiled corn from which the hull, 
or bran, had been taken by hot lye; hence sometimes called "lye 
hominy." True hominy and samp were made of pounded corn. 
A popular method of making this, as well as real meal for bread, 
was to cut out or burn a large hole in the top of a huge stump, in 
the shape of a mortar, and pounding the corn in this by a maul or 
beetle suspended on the end of a swing pole, like a well-sweep. 
This and the well-sweep consisted of a pole twenty to thirty feet 
long fixed in an upright fork so that it could be worked " teeter " 
fashion. It was a rapid and simple way of drawiug water. When 
the samp was sufficiently pounded it was taken out, the bran floated 
off, and the delicious grain boiled like rice. 

The chief articles of diet in early day were corn bread, hominy 
or samp, venison, pork, honey, beans, pumpkin (dried pumpkin 
for more than half the year), turkey, prairie chicken, squirrel and 
some other game, with a few additional vegetables a portion of 
the year. Wheat bread, tea, coffee and fruit were luxuries not 
to be indulged in except on special occasions, as when visitors were 
present. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 53 



WOMEN'S WORK. 



Besides cooking in the manner described, the women bad many 
otber arduous duties to perform, one of the chief of which was 
spinning. The "big wheel ? ' was used for spinning, yarn, and the 
"'little wheel" for spinning flax. These stringed instruments 
furnished the principal music of the family, and were operated by 
our mothers and grandmothers with great skill, attained without 
pecuniary expense and with far less -practice than is necessary for 
the girls of our period to acquire a skillful use of their costly and 
elegant instruments. But those wheels, indispensable a few years 
ago, are all now superseded by the mighty factories which over- 
spread the country, furnishing cloth of all kinds at an expense ten 
times less than would be incurred now by the old system. 

The loom was not less necessary than the wheel, though they 
were not needed in so great numbers. Not every house had a loom ; 
one loom had a capacity for the needs of several families. Settlers, 
having succeeded in spite of the wolves in raising sheep, com- 
menced the manufacture of woolen cloth; wool was carded and 
made into rolls by hand-cards, and the rolls were spun on the " big 
wheel." We still occasionally find in the houses of old settlers 
a wheel of this kind, sometimes used for spinning and twisting 
stocking yarn. They are turned with the hand, and with such 
velocity that it will run itself, while the nimble worker, by her 
backward step, draws out and twists her thread nearly the whole 
length of the cabin. A common article woven on the loom was 
linsey, or linsey-woolsey, the chain being linen and the filling 
woolen. This cloth was used for dresses for the women and girls. 
Nearly all the clothes worn b} 7 the men were also home-made; 
rarely was a farmer or his son seen in a coat made of any other. 
If, occasionally, a young man appeared in a suit of " boughten " 
clothes, he was suspected of having gotten it for a particular occa- 
sion, which occurs in the life of nearly every young man. 



DRESS AND MANNERS. 



The dress, habits, etc., of a people throw so much light upon 
their conditions and limitations that in order better to show the 
circumstances surrounding the people of the State, a short exposi- 
tion of the manner of life at different epochs is here given. The 
Indians themselves are credited by Charlevoix with being "very 
laborious ,, — raising poultry, spinning the wool of the buffalo, and 



54 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

manufacturing garments therefrom. These must have been, how- 
ever, more than usually favorable representatives of their race. 

Dressed deer-skins and blue cloth were worn commonly in the 
winter for pantaloons. The blue handkerchief and the deer-skin 
mocassins covered the head and feet generally. In 1800 scarcely 
a man thought himself clothed unless he had a belt tied round his 
blanket coat, and on one side was hung the dressed skin of a pole- 
cat filled with tobacco, pipe, flint and steel. On the other side 
was fastened, under the belt, the butcher knife. 

Among the Americans home-made wool hats were the common 
wear. Fur hats were not common, and scarcely a boot was seen. 
The covering of the feet in winter was chiefly mocassins made of 
deer-skins and shoe-packs of tanned leather. Some wore shoes, 
but not common in very early times. In the summer the greater 
portion of the young people, male and female, and many of the 
old, went barefoot. The substantial and universal outside wear 
was the blue linsey hunting shirt. This was an excellent garment. 
It was made of wide sleeves, open before, with ample size so as to 
envelop the body almost twice around. Sometimes it had a large 
cape, which answered well to save the shoulders from the rain. A 
belt was mostly used to keep the garment close around the person, 
and, nevertheless, there was nothing tight about it to hamper the 
body. It was often fringed, and at times the fringe was composed 
of red and other gay colors. The belt, frequently, was sewed to 
the hunting shirt. The vest was mostly made of striped linsey. The 
colors were often made with alum, copperas and madder, boiled 
with the bark of trees, in snch a manner and proportions as the 
old ladies prescribed. The pantaloons of the masses were gener- 
ally made of deer-skin and linsey. 

Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed generally 
the outside garments of the females as well as the males. The 
ladies had linsey colored and woven to suit their fancy. A bonnet, 
composed of calico or some gay goods, was worn on the head when 
they were in the open air. Jewelry on the pioneer ladies was un- 
common ; a gold ring was an ornament not often seen. 

In 1820 a change of dress began to take place, and before 1830, 
according to Ford, most of the pioneer costume had disappeared. 
" The blue linsey hunting shirt, with red or white fringe, had given 
place to the cloth coat. [Jeans would be more like the fact.] The 
raccoon cap, with the tail of the animal dangling down behind, had 
been thrown aside for hats of wool or fur. Boots and shoes had 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 55 

superseded the deer-skin mocassins ; and the leather breeches, strap- 
ped tight around the ankle, had disappeared before unmentionables 
of a more modern material. The female sex had made still greater 
progress in dress. The old sort of cotton or woolen frocks, spun, 
woven and made with their own fair hands, and striped and cross- 
barred with blue dye and Turkey red, had given place to gowns of 
silk and calico. The feet, before in a state of nudity, now charmed 
in shoes of calf-skin or slippers of kid ; and the head, formerly un- 
bonneted,but covered with a cotton handkerchief, now displayed the 
charms of the female face under many forms of bonnets of straw, 
silk and Leghorn. The young ladies, instead of walking a mile or 
two to church on Sunday, carrying their shoes and stockings in their 
hands until within a hundred yards of the place of worship, as 
formerly, now come forth arrayed complete in all the pride of dress, 
mounted on fine horses and attended by their male admirers. " 

The chronicler of to-day, looking back to the golden days of 1830 
to 1840, and comparing them with the present, must be struck 
with the tendency of an almost monotonous uniformity in dress 
and manners that comes from the easy inter-communication afforded 
by steamer, railway, telegraph and newspaper. Home manu- 
facturers have been driven from the household by lower-priced 
fabrics of distant mills. The Kentucky jeans and the copperas- 
colored clothing of home manufacture, so familiar a few years ago, 
have given place to the cassimeres and cloths of noted factories. 
The ready-made clothing stores, like a touch of nature, made the 
whole world kin, and may drape the charcoal man in a dress- 
coat and a stove-pipe hat. The dress goods of England and France 
give a variety of choice and assortment of colors and shades such 
as the pioneer woman could hardly have dreamed of. Godey and 
Demorest and Harper's Bazar are found in our modern farm-houses, 
and the latest fashions of Paris are not uncommon. 

FAMILY WORSHIP. 

The ministers in pioneer settlements at that early day seemed 
more demonstrative in their devotions than at the present time. 
In those days, too, pulpit oratory was generally more eloquent and 
effective, while the grammatical dress and other "worldly" accom- 
plishments were not so assiduously cultivated as at present. But 
in the manner of conducting public worship there has probably not 
been so much change as in that of family worship, or " family 
prayers, " as it was often called. We had then most emphatically 



56 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

an American edition of that pious old Scotch practice so eloquently 
described in Bnrns's "Cotter's Saturday Night: " 

The cheerful' supper done, wi' serious face 
They round the ingle formed a circle wide ; 

The sire turns o'er, wi' patriarchal grace, 
The big ha' Bible, ance his father's pride; 

His bonnet rev'rently is laid aside, 
His lyart haffets wearing thin and bare ; 

Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide; 
He wales a portion with judicious care, 
And " let us worship God, " he says with solemn air. 

They chant their artless notes in simple guise ; 

They tune their hearts, — by far the noblest aim ; 
Perhaps " Dundee's" wild warbling measures rise, 

Or plaintive " Mart} r rs, " worthy of the name ; 
Or noble " Elgin " beats the heavenward flame, — 

The sweetest far of Scotia's hallowed lays. 
Compared with these, Italian trills are tame ; 

The tickled ear no heart-felt raptures raise : 

Nae unison hae they with our Creator's praise. 

The priest-like father reads the sacred page, — 
How Abraham was the friend of God on high, 

H: * * * * * 

Then kneeling down to heaven's Eternal King 
The saint, the father and the husband prays ; 

Hope "springs exulting on triumphant wing," 
That thus they all shall meet in future days ; 

There ever bisk in uncreated rays, 

No more to sigh or shed the bitter tear. 

Together hymning their Creator's praise, 
In such society, yet still more dear, 
While circling time moves round in an eternal sphere. 

Once or twice a day, in the morning, just before breakfast, or in 
the evening, just before retiring to rest, the head of the family 
would call those around him to order, read a chapter in the Bible, 
announce the hymn and tune by commencing to sing it, when all 
would join ; then he would deliver a most fervent prayer. If a pious 
guest was present he would be called on to take the lead in all the 
exercises of the evening; and if in those days a person who prayed 
in the family or in public did not pray as if it were his very last on 
earth, his piety was thought to be defective. 

The familiar tunes of that day are remembered by the surviving 
old settlers as being to them more spiritual and inspiring than those 
of the present day, such as. Bourbon, Consolation, China, Canaan, 
Conquering Soldier, Devotion, Davis, Fiducia, Funeral Thought, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 57 

Florida, Golden Hill, Greenfields, Ganges, Kentucky, Lenox, Mear, 
New Orleans, Northfield, New Salem, Olney, Primrose, Pisgah, 
Pleyel's Hymn, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Reflection, SuDplica- 
tion, Salvation, St. Thomas, Salem, Windham. Greenville, etc., etc. 

HOSPITALITY. 

The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin. It 
was never full. Although there might be already a guest for every 
puncheon, there was still "room for one more," and a wider circle 
would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the stranger 
was in search of land, he was doubly welcome, and his host would 
volunteer to show him all the " first-rate claims in this neck of 
woods," going with him for days, showing the corners and advan- 
tages of every " Congress tract" within a dozen miles of his cabin. 

To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal. If a deer was 
killed, the choicest bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a half- 
dozen miles away, perhaps. When a "shoat" was butchered, the 
same custom prevailed. If a newcomer came in too late for " crop- 
ping," the neighbors would supply his table with just the same 
luxuries they themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity, until 
a crop could be raised. When a new-comer had located his claim, 
the neighbors for miles around would assemble at the site of his 
proposed cabin and aid him in " gittin'" it up. One party with 
axes would cut down the trees and hew the logs ; another with 
teams would haul the logs to the ground ; another party would 
"raise" the cabin ; while several of the old men would " rive the 
clapboards " for the roof. By night the little forest domicile would 
be up and ready for a "house-warming," which was the dedicatory 
occupation of the house, when music and dancing and festivity 
would be enjoyed at full height. The next day the new arrival 
would be as well situated as his neighbors. 

An instance of primitive hospitable manners will be in place 
here. A traveling preacher arrived in a distant neighborhood to 
fill an appointment. The house where services were to be held did 
not belong to a church member, but no matter for that. Boards 
were raked up from all quarters with which to make temporary 
seats,' one of the neighbors volunteering to lead off in the work, 
while the man of the house, with the faithful rifle on his shoulder, 
sallied forth in quest of meat, for this truly was a "ground-hog" 
case, the preacher coming and no meat in the house. The host 
ceased not the chase until he found the meat, in the shape of a 



58 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

deer; returning, he sent a boy out after it, with directions on what 
" pint " to find it. After services, which had been listened to with 
rapt attention by all the audience, mine host said to his wife: " Old 
woman, I reckon this 'ere preacher in pretty hungry and you must 
git him a bite to eat." " What shall I git him ? " asked the wife, 
who had not seen the deer; " thar's nuthin' in the house to eat. " 
" Why, look thar," returned he; " thar's a deer, thar's plenty 
of corn in the field; you git some corn and grate it while I skin the 
deer, and we'll have a good supper for him." It is needless to 
add that venison and corn bread made a supper fit for any pioneer 
preacher, and was thankfully eaten. 

TRADE. 

In pioneer times the transactions of commerce were generally 
carried on by neighborhood exchanges. Now and then a farmer 
would load a flat-boat with beeswax, honey, tallow and peltries, 
with perhaps a few bushels of wheat or corn or a few hundred clap- 
boards, and float down the rivers into the Ohio and thence to New 
Orleans, where he would exchange his produce for substantials in 
the shape of groceries and a little ready mone}\ with which he 
would return by some one of the two or three steamboats then run- 
ning. Betimes there appeared at the best steamboat landings a 
number of "middle men" engaged in the "commission and for- 
warding " business, buying up the farmers' produce and the tro- 
phies of the chase and the trap, and sending them to the various 
distant markets. Their winter's accumulations would be shipped 
in the spring, and the manufactured goods of the far East or dis- 
tant South would come back in return; and in all these transac- 
tions scarcely any money was seen or used. Goods were sold on a 
year's time to the farmers, and payment made from the proceeds ot 
the ensuing crops. When the crops were sold and the merchant 
satisfied, the surplus was paid out in orders on the store to labor- 
ing men and to satisfy other creditors. When a day's work was 
done by a working man, his employer would ask, "Well, what 
store do you want your order on? " The answer being given, the 
order was written and always cheerfully accepted. 

MONEY. 

Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the 
earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as they could 
transact all their business about as well without it, on the " barter " 
system, wherein great ingenuity was sometimes displayed. When 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 59 

it failed in any instance, long credits contributed to the conven- 
ience of the citizens. But for taxes and postage neither the barter 
nor the credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered 
to remain a long time in the postoffice for the want of the twenty- 
five cents demanded by the Government. With all this high price 
on postage, by the way, the letter had not been brought 500 miles 
in a day or two, as is the case nowadays, but had probably been 
weeks on the route, and the mail was delivered at the pioneer's 
postoffice, several miles distant from his residence, only once in a 
week or two. All the mail would be carried by a lone horseman. 

Peltries came nearer being money than anything else, as it came 
to be custom to estimate the value of everything in peltries. Such 
an article was worth so many peltries. Even some tax collectors 
and postmasters were known to take peltries and exchange them 
for the money required by the Government. 

When the settlers first came into the wilderness, some supposed 
that their hard struggle would be principally over after the first 
year; but alas ! they often looked for ''easier times next year " for 
many years before realizing them, and then they came in so slily as 
to be almost imperceptible. The sturdy pioneer thus learned to bear 
hardships, privation and hard living, as good soldiers do. As the 
facilities for making money were not great, they lived pretty well 
satisfied in an atmosphere of good, social, friendly feeling. But 
among the early settlers who came to this State were many who, 
accustomed to the advantages of an older civilization, to churches, 
schools and society, became speedily home-sick and dissatisfied. 
They would remain perhaps one summer, or at most two, then, 
selling whatever claim with its improvements they had made, 
would return to the older States, spreading reports of the hard- 
ships endured by the settlers here and the disadvantages which 
they had found, or imagined they had found, in the country. 
These weaklings were not an unmitigated curse. The slight 
improvements they had made were sold to men of sterner stuff, 
who were the sooner able to surround themselves with the neces- 
sities of life, while their unfavorable report deterred other weak- 
lings from coming. The men who stayed and were willing to 
endure privations belonged to a different guild; they were heroes 
every one — men to whom hardships were things to be overcome, 
and privations endured for the sake of posterity, and they never 
shrank from this duty. It is to those hardy pioneers who could 
endure that the people of to-day owe the wonderful improvements 



60 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

made, and the developments, almost miraculous, that have brought 
this commonwealth in the past eighty years from a wilderness to 
the front rank among the States of this great nation. 

MILLING. 

Not the least of the hardships of the pioneers was the procuring 
of bread. The first settlers must be supplied at least one year from 
other sources than their own lands; but the first crops, however 
abundant, gave only partial relief, there being no mills to grind the 
grain. Hence the necessity of grinding by hand-power, and many 
families' were poorly provided with means for doing this. Another 
way was to grate the corn. A grater was made from a piece of 
tin, sometimes taken from an old, worn-out tin bucket or other 
vessel. It was thickly perforated, bent into a semicircular form, 
and nailed, rough side upward, on a board. The corn was taken 
in the ear, and grated before it got dry and hard. Corn, however, 
was eaten in various ways. Then followed the horse or band mill 
as it was called. 

Soon after the country became more generally settled, enterpris- 
ing men were ready to embark in the milling business. Sites along 
the streams were selected for water-power. A person looking for 
a mill-site would follow up and down the stream for a desired loca- 
tion, and when found he would go before the authorities and secure 
a writ of ad quod damnum. This would enable the miller to have 
the adjoining land officially examined, and the amount of damage 
by making a dam was named. Mills being so great a public neces- 
sity, they were permitted to be located upon any person's land 
where the miller thought the site desirable. 

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 

The agricultural implements used by the first farmers in this 
State would in this age of improvement be great curiosities. The 
plow used was called the "bar-share" plow; the iron point con- 
sisted of a bar of iron about two feet long, and a broad share of 
iron welded to it. At the extreme point was a coulter that passed 
through a beam six or seven feet long, to which were attached 
handles of corresponding length. The mold-board was a wooden 
one split out of winding timber, or hewed into a winding shape, in 
order to turn the soil over. Sown seed was brushed in by drag- 
ging over the ground a sapling with a bushy top. In harvesting 
the change is most striking. Instead of the reapers and mowers 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 61 

of to-day, the sickle and cradle were used. The grain was threshed 
with a flail, or trodden out by horses or oxen. 

HOG KILLING. 

Hogs were always dressed before they were taken to market. 
The farmer, if forehanded, would call in his neighbors some bright 
fall or winter morning to help "kill hogs." Immense kettles of 
water were heated; a sled or two, covered with loose boards or 
plank, constituted the platform on which the hog was cleaned, and 
was placed near an inclined hogshead in which the scalding was 
done; a quilt was thrown over the top of the latter to retain the 
heat; from the crotch of some convenient tree a projecting pole 
was rigged, to hold the animals for disemboweling and thorough 
cleaning. When everything was arranged, the best shot of the 
neighborhood loaded his rifle, and the work of killing was com- 
menced. It was considered a disgrace to make a hog "squeal" 
by bad shooting or by a "shoulder-stick," that is, running the 
point of the butcher-knife into the shoulder instead of the cavity 
of the breast. As each hog fell, the " sticker " mounted him and 
plunged the butcher-knife into his throat ; two persons would then 
catch him by the hind legs, draw him up to the scalding tub, which 
had just been filled with boiling-hot water with a shovelful of good 
green-wood ashes thrown in ; in this the carcass was plunged and 
moved around a minute or so until the hair would slip off easily, 
then placed on the platform where the cleaner would take hold of 
him and clean him as quickly as possible, with knives and other 
sharp-edged implements ; then two stouf men would take him up 
between them, and a third man to manage thegambrel (which was 
a stout stick about two feet long, sharpened at both ends, to be in- 
serted between the muscles of the hind legs at or near the hock 
joint), the animal would be elevated to the pole, where the work of 
cleaning was finished. 

After the slaughter was over and the hogs had had time to cool, 
such as were intended for domestic use were cut up, the lard 
" tried" out by the women of the household, and the surplus hogs 
taken to market, while the weather was cold, if possible. In those 
days almost every merchant had, at the rear end of his place of 
business or at same convenient building, a "pork-house," and 
would buy the pork of his customers and of such others as would 
sell to him, and cut it for the market. This gave employment to a 
large number of hands in every village, who would cut and pack 



62 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

pork all winter. The hauling of all this to the river would also 
give employment to a large number of teams, and the manufacture 
of pork barrels would keep many coopers employed. 

There was one feature in this method of marketing pork that 
made the country a paradise for the poor man in the winter time. 
Spare-ribs, tenderloins, pigs' heads and pigs' feet were not con- 
sidered of any value, and were freely given to all who could use 
them. If a barrel was taken to any pork-house and salt furnished, 
the barrel would be filled and salted down with tenderloins and 
spare-ribs gratuitously. So great in many cases was the quantity 
of spare-ribs, etc., to be disposed of, that they would be hauled 
away in wagon-loads and dumped in the woods out of town. 

In those early times much wheat was marketed at twenty-five to 
fifty cents a bushel, oats the same or less, and corn ten cents a 
bushel. A good young milch-cow could be bought for $5 to $10, 
and that payable in work. 

Those might truly be called "close times," yet the citizens of 
the country were accommodating, and but very little suffering for 
the actual necessities of life was ever known to exist. 

NATIVE ANIMALS. 

The principal wild animals found in the State by the early set- 
tler were the deer, wolf, bear, wild-cat, fox, otter, raccoon, generally 
called "coon," woodchuck, or ground-hog, skunk, mink, weasel, 
muskrat, opossum, rabbit and squirrel; and the principal feathered 
game were the quail, prairie chicken and wild turkey. Hawks, 
turkey buzzards, crows, blackbirds, were also very abundant. Sev- 
eral of these animals furnished meat for the settlers ; but their 
principal meat did not long consist of game ; pork and poultry 
were raised in abundance. The wolf was the most troublesome 
animal, it being the common enemy of the sheep, and sometimes 
attacking other domestic animals, and even human beings. But 
their hideous bowlings at night were so constant and terrifying 
that they almost seemed to do more mischief by that annoyance 
than by direct attack. They would keep everybody and every ani- 
mal about the farm-house awake and frightened, and set all the dogs 
in the neighborhood to barking. As one man described it: " Sup- 
pose six boys, having six dogs tied, whipped them all at the same 
time, and you would hear such music as two wolves would make." 

To effect the destruction of these animals the county authorities 
offered a bounty for their scalps ; and, besides, big hunts were 
common. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 63 

WOLF HUNTS. 

In early days more mischief was done by wolves than by any 
other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief consisted in 
their almost constant barking at night, which always seemed so 
menacing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitoes, the noise 
they made appeared to be about as dreadful as the real depredations 
they committed. The most effectual, as well as the most exciting, 
method of ridding the country of these hateful pests, was that 
known as the " circular wolf hunt," by which all the men and boys 
would turn out on an appointed day, in a kind of circle, comprising 
many square miles of territory, with horses and dogs, and then 
close up toward the center of their field of operation, gathering not 
only wolves, but also deer and many smaller "varmint." Five, 
ten, or more wolves by this means would sometimes be killed in a 
single day. The men would be organized with as much system as 
a little army, every one being well posted in the meaning of 
every signal and the application of every rule. Guns were scarcely 
ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their use would 
be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended upon for the 
final slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check 
by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the final signal was 
given to let them loose, when away they would all go to the center 
of battle, and a more exciting scene would follow than can be easily 
described. 

BEE HUNTING. 

This wild recreation was a peculiar one, and many sturdy back- 
woodsmen gloried in excelling in this art. He would carefully 
watch a bee as it filled itself with the sweet product of some flower 
or leaf-bud, and notice particularly the direction taken by it as it 
struck a " bee-line" for its home, which, when found, would be gen- 
erally high up in the hollow of a tree. The tree would be marked, 
and in September a party would go and cut down the tree and capt- 
ure the honey as quickly as they c >uld before it wasted away 
through the broken walls in which it had been so carefully stored 
away by the little busy bee. Several gallons would often be thus 
taken from a single tree, and by a very little work, and pleas- 
ant at that, the early settlers could keep themselves in honey the 
year round. By the time the honey was a year old, or before, it 
would turn white and granulate, yet be as good and healthful as 
when fresh. This was by some called "candid honey." 



64 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

In some districts the resorts of bees would be so plentiful that 
all the available hollow trees would be occupied and many colonies 
of bees would be found at work in crevices in the rock and holes 
in the ground. A considerable quantity of honey has even been 
taken from such places. 

SNAKES. 

,' In pioneer times snakes were numerous, such as the rattlesnake, 
adder, blood snake and many varieties of large blue and green 
snakes, milk snake, garter and water snakes, black snakes, etc., etc. 
If, on meeting one of these, you would retreat, they would chase 
you very fiercely ; but if you would turn and give them battle, they 
would immediately crawl away with all possible speed, hide in the 
grass and weeds, and wait for a ''greener" customer. These really 
harmless snakes served to put people on their guard against the 
more dangerous and venomous kinds. 

It was the practice in some sections of the country to turn out in 
companies, with spades, mattocks and crow-bars, attack the princi- 
pal snake dens and slay large numbers of them. In early spring 
the snakes were somewhat torpid and easily captured . Scores of rat- 
tlesnakes were sometimes frightened out of a single den, which, 
as soon as they showed their heads through the crevices of the 
rocks, were dispatched, and left to be devoured by the numerous 
wild hogs of that day. Some of the fattest of these snakes were 
taken to the house and oil extracted from them, and their glittering 
skins were saved as specifics for rheumatism. 

Another method was to so fix a heavy stick over the door of their 
dens, with a long grape-vine attached, that one at a distance could 
plug the entrance to the den when the snakes were all out sunning 
themselves. Then a large company of citizens, on hand by ap- 
pointment, could kill scores of the reptiles in a few minutes. 

EDUCATION. 

Though struggling through the pressure of poverty and priva- 
tion, the early settlers planted among them the school-house at the 
earliest practical period. So important an object as the education 
of their children they did not defer until they could build more 
comely and convenient houses. They were for a time content with 
such as corresponded with their rude dwellings, but soon better 
buildings and accommodations were provided. As may readily be 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 65 

supposed, the accommodations of the earliest schools were not good. 
Sometimes school was taught in a room of a large or double log 
cabin, but oftener in a log house built for the purpose. A mud- 
and-stick chimney in one end of the building, with earthen hearth 
and a fire-place wide and deep enough to receive a four to six foot 
back-log, and smaller wood to match, served for warming purposes 
in winter and a kind of conservatory in summer. For windows, 
part of a log was cut out in two sides of the building, and may be 
a few lights of eight by ten glass set in, or the aperture might be 
covered over with greased paper. Writing desks consisted of 
heavy oak plank or a hewed slab laid upon wooden pins driven into 
the wall. The four-legged slab benches were in front of these, and 
the pupils when not writing would sit with their backs against the 
front, sharp edge of the writing-desks. The floor was also made 
out of these slabs or " puncheons," laid upon log sleepers. Every, 
thing was rude and plain ; but many of America's greatest men 
have gone out from just such school-houses to grapple with the 
world, and make names for themselves and reflect honor upon 
their country. So with many of the most eloquent and efficient 
preachers. 

Imagine such a house with the children seated around, and the 
teacher seated on one end of a bench, with no more desk at his 
hand than any of the pupils have, and you have in view the whole 
scene. The " schoolmaster " has called "Books! books!" at the 
door, and the "scholars" have just run in almost out of breath 
from vigorous play, have taken their seats, and are for the moment 
"paying over their lessons" to themselves with all their might, 
that is, in as loud a whisper as possible. While they are thus en- 
gaged, the teacher is perhaps sharpening a few quill pens for the 
pupils, for no other kind of writing pen had been thought of as 
yet. In a few minutes he calls up an urchin to say his a b c's; 
the little boy stands beside the teacher, perhaps partially leaning 
upon his lap ; the teacher with his pen-knife points to the letter 
and asks what it is ; the little fellow remains silent, for he does not 
know what to say ; "A," says the teacher; the boy echoes ; ' A:" 
the teacher points to the next and asks what it is; the boy is silent 
again; k ' B," says the teacher; "B," echoes the little urchin; and 
so it goes through the exercise, at the conclusion of which the 
teacher tells the little ,; Major" to go back to his seat and study his 
letters, and when he conies to a letter he doesn't know, to come to 
him and he will tell him. He obediently goes to his seat, looks 
5 



66 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

on his book a little while, and then goes trudging across the pun- 
cheon floor again in his bare feet, to the teacher, and points to a 
letter, probably outside of his lesson, and asks what it is. The 
teacher kindly tells him that that is not in his lesson, that he need 
not study that or look at it now; he will come to that some other 
day, and then he will learn what it is. The simple-minded little 
fellow then trudges, smilingly, as he catches the eye of some one, 
back to his seat again. But why he smiled he has no definite 
idea. 

The a-b-ab scholars through with, perhaps the second or third 
reader class would be called, who would stand in a row in front of 
the teacher, " toeing the mark," which was actually a chalk or char- 
coal mark drawn on the floor, and, commencing at one end of the 
class, one would read the first " verse," the next the second, and so 
on around, taking the paragraphs in the order as they occur in the 
book. Whenever a pupil hesitated at a word, the teacher would 
pronounce it for him. And this was all there was of the reading 
exercise. 

Those studying arithmetic were but little classified, and they were 
therefore generally called forward singly and interviewed, or the 
teacher simply visited them at their seats. A lesson containing sev- 
eral "sums" would be given for the next day. Whenever the learner 
came to a sum he couldn't do, he would go to the teacher with it, 
who would willingly and patiently, if he had time, do it for him. 

In geography, no wall maps were used, no drawing required, 
and the studying and recitation comprised only the committing 
to memory, or "getting by heart." as it was called, the names and 
locality of places. The recitation proceeded like this: Teacher— 
" Where is Norfolk?" Pupil — " In the southeastern part of Vir- 
ginia." Teacher — " What bay between Maryland and Virginia?" 
Pupil — " Chesapeake." 

When the hour for writing arrived, the time was announced by 
the master, and every pupil practicing this art would turn his feet 
over to the back of his seat, thus throwing them under the writing 
desk, already described, and proceed to " follow copy," which was 
invariably set by the teacher, not by rule, but by as nice a stroke 
of the pen as he could make. The first copies for each pupil would 
be letters, and the second kind and last consisted of maxims. 

About half past ten o'clock the master would announce, " School 
may go out;" which meant, " Little play time," in the children's 
parlance, called nowadays recess or intermission. Often the prac- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 67 

tice was to have the boys and girls go out separately, in which case 
the teacher would first say, "The girls may go out," and after they 
had been out about ten minutes the boys were allowed a similar 
privilege in the same way. Between play-times the request, 
u Teacher, may I go out?"was often iterated to the annoyance of the 
teacher and the disturbance of the school. 

At about half past eleven o'clock the teacher would announce, 
" Scholars may now get their spelling lessons," and they would all 
pitch in with their characteristic loud whisper and "say over" their 
lessons with that vigor which characterizes the movements of 
those who have just learned that the dinner hour and " big plav- 
tirne " is near at hand. A few minutes before twelve the " little 
spelling class " would recite, then the "big spelling class." The 
latter would comprise the larger scholars and the major part of t»e 
school. The classes would stand in a row, either toeing the mark 
in the midst of the floor, or straggling along next an unoccupied 
portion of the wall. One end of the class was the •• head," the 
other the " foot," and when a pupil spelled a word correctly, which 
had been missed by one or more, he would " go up " and take his 
station above all that had missed the word; this was called " turn- 
ing them down." At the conclusion of the recitation the head pupil 
would go to the foot to have another opportunity of turning them 
all down. The class would number, and before taking their seats 
the teacher would say, "School's dismissed," which was the signal 
for every child rushing for his dinner and having the "big play- 
time." 

The same process of spelling would also be gone through with 
in the afternoon just before dismissing the school for the day. 

The chief text-books in which the " scholars " got their lessons 
were Webster's or some other elementary spelling-book, and arith- 
metic, may be Pike's, Dilworth's, Daboll's, Smiley's or Adams's, 
the old English reader, and Roswell C. Smith's geography and atlas. 
First, old Murray's, then Kirkham's grammar, were the text-books 
on this subject. ' ' Book larnin " instead of practical oral instruc- 
tion, was the only thing supposed to be attained in the primitive 
log school-house days. But writing was generally taught with fair 
diligence. 

" PAST THE PICTURES." 

This phrase had its origin in the practice of pioneer schools 
which used Webster's Elementary Spelling-book. Toward the back 
part of that time-honored text-book was a series of seven or eight 



68 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

pictures, illustrating morals, and after these again were a few more 
spelling exercises of a peculiar kind. When a scholar got over into 
these he was said to he v 'past the pictures," and was looked up to 
as being smarter and more learned than most other people ever 
hoped to be. Hence the application of this phrase came to be 
extended to other affairs in life, especially where scholarship was 
involved. 

SPELLING-SCHOOLS. 

The chief public evening entertainment for the first thirty or 
forty years of pioneer existence was the celebrated " spelling- 
school." Both young people and old looked forward to the next 
spelling-school with as much anticipation and anxiety as we nowa- 
days look forward to a general Fourth-of-July celebration; and 
when the time arrived the whole neighborhood, yea, and some- 
times several neighborhoods, would nock together to the scene of 
academical combat, where the excitement was often more intense 
than had been expected. It was far better, of course, when there 
was good sleighing; then the young folks would turn out in high 
glee and be fairly beside themselves. The jollity is scarcely 
equaled at the present day by anything in vogue. 

When the appointed hour arrived, the usual plan of commencing 
battle was for two of the young people who might agree to play 
against each other, or who might be selected to do so by the school- 
teacher of the neighborhood, to " choose sides;" that is, each con- 
testant, or "captain," as he was generally called, would choose the 
best speller from the assembled crowd. Each one choosing alter- 
nately, the ultimate strength of the respective parties would be 
about equal. When all were chosen who could be made to serve, 
each side would " number," so as to ascertain whether amid the 
confusion one captain had more spellers than the other. In case he 
had, some compromise would be made by the aid of the teacher, the 
master of ceremonies, and then the plan of conducting the cam- 
paign, or counting the misspelled words, would be canvassed for a 
moment by the captains, sometimes by the aid of the teacher and 
others. There were many ways of conducting the contest and 
keeping tally. At one time they would commence spelling at the 
head, at another time at the foot; at one time they would '"spell 
across," that is, the first on one side would spell the first word, then 
the first on the other side; next the second in the line on each 
side, alternately, down to the other end of each line. The question, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 69 

who should spell the first word was determined by the captains 
guessing what page the teacher would have before him in a par- 
tially opened book at a distance; the captain guessing the nearest 
would spell the first word pronounced. When a word was missed, 
it would be re-pronounced, or passed along without re-pronouncing 
(as some teachers strictly followed, the rule never to re-pronounce 
a word) until it was spelled correctly. If a speller on the opposite 
side finally spelled the missed word correctly, it was counted a 
gain of one to that side; if the word was finally corrected by some 
speller on the same side on which it was originated as a missed 
word, it was " saved,'' and n'o tally mark was made. 

Another popular method was to commence at one end of the 
line of spellers and go directly around, and the missed words 
caught up quickly and corrected by " word-catchers." appointed by 
the captains from among their best spellers. These word-catchers 
would attempt to correct all the words missed on his opponent's 
side, and, failing to do this, the catcher on the other side would 
catch him up with a peculiar zest, and then there was fun. 

Still another very interesting, though somewhat disorderly, 
method, was this: Each word-catcher would go to the foot of the 
adversary's line, and every time he " catched " a word he would go 
up one, thus "turning them down" in regular spelling-class style. 
When one catcher in this way turned all down on the opposing 
side, his own party was victorious by as many as the opposing 
catcher was behind. This method required no slate or blackboard 
tally to be kept. 

One turn, by either of the foregoing or other methods, would 
occupy forty minutes to an hour, and by this time an intermission 
or recess was had, when the buzzing, cackling and hurrahing that 
ensued for ten or fifteen minutes were beyond description. 

Coming to order again, the next style of battle to be illustrated 
was to "spell down," by which process it was ascertained who were 
the best spellers and could continue standing as a soldier the longest. 
But very often good spellers would inadvertently miss a word in 
an early stage of the contest and would have to sit down humilia- 
ted, while a comparatively poor speller would often stand till nearly 
or quite the last, amid the cheers of the assemblage. Sometimes 
the two parties first " chosen np " in the evening would re-take 
their places after recess, so that by the *' spelling-down " process 
there would virtually be another race, in another form; sometimes 
there would be a new "choosing up " for the ''spelling-down" 



TO HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

contest; and sometimes the spelling down would be conducted with- 
out any party lines being made. It would occasionally happen that 
two or three very good spellers would retain the floor so long that 
the exercise would become monotonous, when a few outlandish 
words like " chevaux-de-frise," " ompompanoosuc " or "baugh- 
naugh-claugh-ber," as they used to spell it sometimes, would create 
a little ripple of excitement to close with. Sometimes these words 
would decide the contest, but generally when two or three good 
spellers kept the floor until the exercise became monotonous, the 
teacher would declare the race closed and the standing spellers ac- 
quitted with a" drawn game." 

The audience dismissed, the next thing was to "go home," very 
often by a round-about way, "a-sleighing with the girls," which of 
course was with many the most interesting part of the evening's 
performances. 

SINGING-SCHOOL. 

Next to the night spelling-school the singing-school was an occa- 
sion of much jollity, wherein it was difficult for the average singing- 
master to preserve order, as many went more for fun than for music. 
This species of evening entertainment, in its introduction to the 
West, was later than the spelling-school, and served, as it were, as the 
second step toward the more modern civilization. Good sleighing 
weather was of course almost a necessity for the success of these 
schools, but how many of them have been prevented by mud and rain ! 
Perhaps a greater part of the time from November to April the roads 
would be muddy and often half frozen, which would have a very 
dampening and freezing eftect upon the souls, as well as the bodies, 
of the young people who longed for a good time on such occasions. 

The old-time method of conducting singing-school was also some- 
what different from that of modern times. It was more plodding 
and heavy, the attention being kept upon the simplest rudiments, 
as the names of the notes on the staff, and their pitch, and beating 
time, while comparatively little attention was given t.> expression 
and light, gleeful music. The very earliest scale introduced in the 
West was from the South, and the notes, from their peculiar shape, 
were denominated i% patent" or " buckwheat " notes. There were 
four, of which the round one was always called sol, the square one 
la, the triangular one fa, and the " diamond shaped " one mi, pro- 
nounced me; and the diatonic scale, or " gamut " as it was called 
then, ran thus: fa, sol, la, fa, sol, la, mi, fa. The part of a tune 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 71 

nowadays called " treble," or " soprano," was then called " tenor;" 
the part now called "tenor" was called "treble," and what is 
now "alto" was then "counter," and when sung according to the 
oldest rule, was sung by a female an octave higher than marked, 
and still on the " chest register." The " old " " Missouri Harmony " 
and Mason's ' ' Sacred Harp " were the principal books used with this 
style of musical notation. 

About 1850 the " round-note" system began to "come round," 
being introduced by the singing-master. The scale was do, re, mi, 
fa, sol, la, si, do; and for many years thereafter there was much 
moredo-re-mi-ing than is practiced at present day, when a musical 
instrument is always under the hand. The " Oarmina Sacra " was 
the pioneer round-note book. 

GUARDING AGAINST INDIANS. 

The fashion of carrying fire-arms was made necessary by the 
presence of roving bands of Indians, most of whom were ostensibly 
friendly, but like Indians in all times, treacherous and unreliable. 
An Indian warwas at any time probable, and all the old settlers 
still retain vivid recollections of Indian massacres, murders, plun- 
der, and frightful rumors of intended raids. While target practice 
was much indulged in as an amusement, it was also necessary at 
times to carry their guns with them to their daily field work. 

As an illustration of the painstaking which characterized pioneer 
life, we quote the following remark of an old settler: " The manner 
in which I used to work in those perilous times was as follows: On 
all occasions I carried my rifle, tomahawk and butcher-knife, with a 
loaded pistol in my belt. AVhen I went to plow I laid my gun 
on the plowed ground, and stuck a stick by it for a mark, so 
that I could get it quick in case it was wanted. I had two good 
dogs; I took one into the house leaving the other out. The one 
outside was expected to give the alarm, which would cause the one 
inside to bark, by which I would be awakened, having my arms al- 
ways loaded. I kept my horse in astableclose to the house, having 
a port-hole so that I could shoot to the stable door. During two 
years I never went from home with any certainty of returning, not 
knowing the minute I might receive a ball from an unknown 
hand." 



72 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

THE BRIGHT SIDE. 

The history of pioneer life generally presents the dark side of 
the picture; but the toils and privations of the early settlers were 
not a series of unmitigated sufferings. No; for while the fathers 
and mothers toiled hard, they were not averse to a little relaxa- 
tion, and had their seasons of fun and enjoyment. They contrived 
to do something to break the monotony of their daily life and fur- 
nish them a good hearty laugh. Among the more general forms 
of amusements were the u quilting-bee," "corn-husking," "apple- 
paring," " logrolling," and " house-raising." Our young readers 
will doubtless be interested in a description of these forms of 
amusement, when labor was made to afford fun and enjoyment to 
all participating. The " quilting-bee, " as its name implies, was 
when the industrious qualities of the busy little insect that " im- 
proves each shining hour" were exemplified in the manufacture of 
quilts for the household. In the afternoon ladies for miles around 
gathered at an appointed place, and while their tongues would not 
cease to play the hand was busily engaged in making the quilt, the 
desire being always manifested to get it out as quickly as possible, 
for then the fun would begin. In the evening the gentlemen came 
and the hours would then pass swiftly by in playing games or 
dancing. "Corn-huskings " were when both sexes united in the 
work. They usually assembled in a large barn which was arranged 
for the occasion; and when each gentleman had selected a lady part- 
ner the husking began. When a lady found a red ear she was subject 
to a kiss from her partner; when a gentleman found one he was al- 
lowed to kiss his lady partner. After the corn was all husked a good 
supper was served; then the " old folks" would leave, and the re- 
mainder of the evening was spent in the dance and in having a 
general good time. The recreation afforded to the young people 
on the annual recurrence of these festive occasions was as highly 
enjoyed, and quite as innocent, as the amusements of the present 
boasted age of refinement and culture. 

The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to themselves. 
Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man was expected to 
work. A load of produce might be taken to " town " for sale or 
traffic without violence to custom, but no more serious labor 
could be tolerated. When on Saturday afternoon the town was 
reached, "fun commenced." Had two neighbors business to 
transact, here it was done. Horses were " swapped," difficulties 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 73 

settled and free lights indulged in. Bine and red ribbons were not 
worn in those days, and whisky was as free as water; twelve and a 
half cents would buy a quart, and thirty-five or forty cents a gal- 
lon, and at such prices enormous quantities were consumed. Go 
to any town in the county and ask the first pioneer you meet, and 
he would tell you of notable Saturday-afternoon fights, either of 
which to-day would fill a column of the Police News, with elaborate" 
engravings to match. 

An old settler quaintly describes some of the happy features of 
frontier life in this manner: 

" We cleared land, rolled logs, burned brush, blazed out paths 
from one neighbor's cabin to another and from one settlement to 
another, made and used hand-mills and hominy mortars, hunted 
deer, turkey, otter and raccoons, caught fish, dug ginseng, hunted 
bees and the like, and — lived on the fat of the land. We read of a 
land of corn and wine.' and another 'flowing with milk and honey;' 
but I rather think, in a temporal point of view, taking into account 
the richness of the soil, timber, stone, wild game and other advan- 
tages, that the Hocking Valley country would come up to any of 
them, if not surpass them. 

" Reader, what would you think of going six to eight miles to help 
roll logs, or raise a cabin? or ten to thirty miles to mill, and wait 
three or four days and nights for your grist? as many had to do in 
the first settlement of this country. Such things were of frequent 
occurrence then, and there was but little grumbling about it. It was 
a grand sight to see the log heaps and brush piles burning in the 
night, on a clearing of ten or fifteen acres. A Democratic torchlight 
procession, or a midnight march oi the Sons of Malta with their 
grand Gyasticutus in the center bearing the grand jewel of the 
order, would be nowhere in comparison with the log-heaps and 
brush-piles in a blaze. 

" But it may be asked, Had you any social amusements, or manly 
pastimes, to recreate and enliven the dwellers in the wilderness? 

" We had. In the social line we had our meetings and our sing- 
ing-schools, sugar-boilings and weddings, which were as good as ever 
came off in any country, new or old; and if our youngsters did not 
'trip the light fantastic toe ' under a professor of the Terpsichorean 
art or expert French dancing-master, they had many a good ' hoe- 
down ' on puncheon t fLoors, and were not annoyed by bad whisky. 
The boys and men of those days had quite as much sport, and 
made more money and health by their hunting excursions than 



74 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

our city gents nowadays playing chess by telegraph where the play- 
ers are more than seventy miles apart." 

WHAT THE PIONEERS HAVE DONE. 

Ohio is a grand State, in many respects second to none in the 
Union, and in almost everything that goes to make a live, prosper- 
ous community, not far behind the best. Beneath her fertile soil 
is coal enough to supply the State for generations; her harvests 
are bountiful; she has a medium climate, and many other things, 
that make her people contented, prosperous and happy ; but she 
owes much to those who opened up these avenues that have led to 
her present condition and happy surroundings. Unremitting toil 
and labor have driven off the sickly miasmas that brooded over 
swampy prairies. Energy and perseverance have peopled every 
section of her wild lands, and changed them from wastes 
and deserts to gardens of beauty and profit. Where but a few 
years ago the barking wolves made the night hideous with their 
wild shrieks and howls, now is heard only the lowing and bleating 
of domestic animals. Only a half century ago the wild whoop 
of the Indian rent the air where now are heard the engine and 
rumbling trains of cars, bearing away to markets the products ot 
our labor and soil. Then the savage built his rude hut on the 
spot where now rise the dwellings and school-houses and church 
spires of civilized life. How great the transformation! This change 
has been brought about by the incessant toil and aggregated labor 
of thousands of tired hands and anxious hearts, and the noble 
aspirations of such men and women as make any country great. 
What will another half century accomplish ? There are few, very 
few, of these old pioneers yet lingering on the shores of time as 
connecting links of the past with the present. What must their 
thoughts be as with their dim eyes they view the scenes that sur- 
round them ? We often hear people talk about the old-fogy ideas 
and fogy ways and want of enterprise on the part of the old men 
who have gone through the experiences of pioneer life. Some- 
times, perhaps, such remarks are just, but, considering the ex- 
periences, education, and entire life of such men, such remarks 
are better unsaid. They have had their trials, misfortunes, hard- 
ships and adventures, and shall we now, as they are passing far 
down the western declivity of life, and many of them gone, point 
to them the finger of derision and laugh and sneer at the simplicity 
of their ways? Let us rather cheer them up, revere and respect 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 75 

them, for beneath those rough exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever 
throbbed in the human breast. These veterans have been com- 
pelled to live for weeks upon hominy and, if bread at all, it was 
bread made from corn ground in hand-mills, or pounded up with 
mortars. Their children have been destitute of shoes during the 
winter ; their families had no clothing except what was carded, 
spun, wove and made into garments with their own hands ; schools 
they had none ; churches they had none ; afflicted with sickness 
incident to all new countries, sometimes the entire family at once ; 
luxuries of life they had none ; the auxiliaries, improvements, 
inventions and labor-saving machinery of to-day they had not ; 
and what they possessed they obtained by the hardest of labor 
and individual exertions, yet they bore these hardships and priva- 
tions without murmuring, hoping for better times to come, and 
often, too, with but little prospect of realization. 

As before mentioned, the changes written on every hand are 
most wonderful. It has been but fourscore years since the white 
man began to exercise dominion over this region, erst the home of 
the red man, yet the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the 
country, could, scarcely be made to realize that within these years 
there has grown up a population of over 3,000,000 people, who in 
all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the 
inhabitants of the older States. Schools, churches, colleges, pala- 
tial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well-cultivated and produc- 
tive farms, as well as cities, towns, and busy manufactories, have 
grown up, and occupy the hunting grounds and camping places of 
the Indians, and in every direction there are evidences of wealth, 
comfort and luxury. There is but little left of the old landmarks. 
Advanced civilization and the progressive demands of revolving 
years have obliterated all traces of Indian occupancy, until they 
are only remembered in name. 

In closing this section it would be well to impress on the minds 
of the reader the fact that a debt of gratitude is due to those who 
pioneered this State, which can be but partially repaid. Never 
grow unmindful of the peril and adventure, fortitude, self-sacrifice 
and heroic devotion so prominently displayed in their lives. As 
time sweeps on in its ceaseless flight, may the cherished memory 
of them lose none of its greenness, but may future generations 
alike cherish and perpetuate them with just devotion and gratitude. 



76 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

WOMEN PIONEERS. 

Thus far the pioneer has been referred to as of the sterner sex, 
but were they the only pioneers in these once uncivilized regions % 
Was man the only one who suffered privation and want, who worked 
that a generation, then verging on manhood, might find the way 
"blazed " to the light of a higher civilization, and that a genera- 
tion yet unborn might find the fruits of struggle in well-tilled 
fields, a full granary, and a home blessed with all the art and 
progress that a new era gave them ? Was it in the culture and 
refinement of the people of a later day, who had received not only 
wealth descended from their forefathers, but those benefits which 
science had discovered hidden in the deep and dark mysteries of 
nature, and were they to thank men alone for the blessings around 
them? No! but high on the scroll of fame should the pioneer 
women of our land have their names emblazoned that generations 
yet to come, and for all time, may honor and bless the memory of 
the heroic women who gave themselves to the duties of a pioneer's 
life, and who proudly and uncomplainingly did the work which 
came before them, as only women could do it, smoothing their 
rugged lives with the light of an undying love, and proving 
in every way the equal of man in carrying forward the work of 
making a wilderness take upon itself the garb of civilization, and 
barren plains the wealth of fruitful fields and abundant har- 
vests. Thus have the pioneer women worked and struggled, 
and the rude cabin to them was a home of love and happiness. 

Rude and primitive as that cabin might be, with a floor of 
mother earth, simple and unadorned, there was found within its 
walls many a heroine of early days. Not in the palaces of the rich 
of what is called this enlightened era, was more true life-like hap- 
piness found than in those lowly cabins. There was no waiting in 
those days for a home of splendor before man found his mate, but 
the heroes and heroines of those da} r s joined hands and hearts, and 
helped each other down the rugged pathway of life, lie went into 
the field to work, that he might supply the food necessary for life, 
while she worked on in her own sphere, furnishing her husband's 
cabin with the smiles of a loving heart, greeting her partner with 
the evident work of willing hands, keeping her true and womanly 
talents in full play, not only in preparing the food for the family 
meal, but in spinning and weaving, cutting and making, not only 
her own clothing, but the garments of those who were of her 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 77 

household and under her loving care. Much has been written of 
the "old pioneer" and his struggle in the early years of his life, 
heavy trials, misfortunes, and, ultimately, his success, but little has 
been recorded of his noble companion, the light of his cabin, who 
cheered him in his misfortunes, nursed him in sickness, and in 
health gave her whole strength to labor for their future welfare 
and happiness. There was little luxury or ease for the pioneer's 
wife of those early days, but whatever her destiny might be, it was 
met with a firm faith and a willingness to do her whole duty, liv- 
ing in the love of her husband and children and trusting in Provi- 
dence to receive her final reward for the unceasing labor of years, 
well and nobly performed. Yes, there was something decidedly 
primitive in the building and furniture of those cabins of old. 
They were built one and a half stories high, in many cases, that 
they might have a "loft" to store away things, and sometimes to 
sleep in. The windows were covered by a light quilt to keep the 
wind and rain out; the puncheon floor was laid, the stick and mud 
chimney set up, a table and a chair or two, or stools made of split 
logs, with auger holes bored to put in the legs ; some shelves 
made of the same material, holes bored and pins put in to hang up 
their clothes and other things, and that pioneer heroine was ready 
to meet her friends and neighbors and the world at-large in a 
roomy and comfortable house. A house-keeping outfit of that 
style in these days, would send a young woman into hysterics, 
make her declare that "she would go right home to her pa," and 
probably fur herself and that young man it would be the best 
place for her. A calico or gingham dress was good enough to visit 
in or go to church, but oftener a home-spun dress did duty on 
the same occasions; then the calico or gingham would last a year 
or two, and it only took eight yards for a dress. Hoop-skirts had 
not yet put in an appearance, and pin-backs were of another day 
and generation. So with a multiplicity of duties the young wife 
kept on her way. By and by, when a family had grown up around 
them, cares began to increase ; the wife and mother was often 
compelled to sit up night after night that the husband's and the 
children's clothes might be mended, their stockings darned, and the 
preparations for the coming morning's work made ready. 

Then it was discovered that woman's work was never done. The 
household was asleep. The tired husband and father was resting 
his weary limbs in dreamland, the children were tossing here and 
there on their beds as restless children always do. Nature itself had 



78 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

gone to rest, and the outer world was wrapped in darkness and 
gloom, but the nearly exhausted mother sewed on and on, and the 
midnight candle was still shedding its pale light over the work or 
the vigils of the loved and loving mother. And this is the record 
of the thousands of noble women, the female pioneers, whose daily 
presence, loving hearts, earnest work, and keen judgment made 
the work of civilization and progress one of success. And the 
question has often been asked, " What would the men of olden 
times have done if the women of olden times had not been with 
them?" And the reply comes back, "Ah! yes, what would they 
have done?" 

These were the kind of women who made civilization a suc- 
cess, and brightened the pathway of material progress with the 
promise of a glorious future. There are a few yet living of that 
glorious pioneer band of women who gave their lives to the hard 
fate of a pioneer's wife. They bore their share of the trials, troubles, 
and labor of the times. They are deserving the love and veneration 
of all, and may their pathway to the unknown river be brightened 
by kind words and loving hearts. Let them glide softly and 
pleasantly down the river of time, and let no regrets come from 
them of neglect or coldness. Their young days were days of hard- 
ship; let the evening of their life be bereft of care, peaceful and 
joyous. 

Of those who are now sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, 
they did their duty nobly and well, and while their allotted time 
on earth has passed they have gone to a better world, a reward to 
all those whose life's pilgrimage has been worthily performed. 
And thus the pioneer women pass away. May they be ever 
blessed while living. One and all, living or dead, deserve a high 
and honored place in our country's history, and the compiler of 
the History of the Hocking Valley gives this short tribute to their 
memory. Not that it is much, but that the lives of those who 
have done so much to bring this once wild valley to a land of civ- 
ilization and Christianity, has the veneration of the writer, and of 
those he has met. And of those who have gone before will he hold 
a cherished memory until he, too, joins the throng on the golden 
shore, where time ceases and eternity begins the endless round. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 79 

OLD SETTLERS' POEM. 



It is almost a hundred years 
Since you and I, old pioneers, 

With aspirations free, 
A home within this region sought; 
But who of us then dreamed or thought 
To see the many changes wrought 

That we have lived to see ? 

From different countries there we came ; 
Our object and our aim the same — 

A home in this far West. 
A cabin here and there was found, 
Perhaps a little spot of ground 
Inclosed and cleared, while all around 

In nature's garb was dressed. 

Here then we saw the groves of green 
Where woodman's ax had never been — 

And pleasant valleys, too. 
Within these groves so dense and dark 
Was heard the squirrel's saucy bark ; 
The bounding stag was but the mark 

To prove the rifle true 

But all is changed, and cabin's gone, 
The clapboard roof with weight-poles on, 

The rough hewn puncheon floor; 
The chimney made of stick and clay 
Are seen no more — gone to dtcay ; 
The men who built them — where are they ? 

I need not ask you more. 

They're gone, but they're remembered yet, 
Those cabin homes we can't forget, 

Although we're growing old ; 
Fond memory still the spot reveres, 
The cabin homes of youthful years 
When with compatriot pioneers 

We pleasures bad untold. 

The dense and tangled %roodland, too, 
The groves we often wandered through, 

No longer now are there; 
The valley with it's sward of green 
With flowerets wild no more are seen, 
But farms with dusty lanes between 

Are seen where once they were. 



80 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



Large towns and villages arise, 
And steeples point toward the skies 

Where all was desert then ; 
And nature's scenes have given place 
To those of art; the hunter's chase 
Has yielded to the exciting race 

Of speculative men. 

Ah ! what a change the pioneer 

In eighty years has witnessed here ; 

The country changing still ; 
How many changes it's passed through, 
And we, old friends, are changing too, 
There's been a change in me and you, 

And still that change goes on. 

And when we think upon the past, 

Those friends whose lots with us were cast 

On this once wild frontier, 
And pass them all in our review, 
As oftentimes in thought we do, 
Alas ! how very few 

Are there remaining here. 

A few more years will come and go 
As other years have done, you know; 

And then — ah! yes, what then? 
The world will still be moving on ; 
But we whose cheeks are growing wan 
Will not be here ! We'll all be gone 

From out the ranks of men. 

Our places will be vacant here, 
And of the last old pioneer 

The land will be bereft; 
The places which we here have filled, 
The fields which we have cleared and tilled, 
Our barns, though empty or though filled, 

To others will be left. 

Let us go back, — in memory go, — 
Back to the scenes of long ago, 

When we were blithe and young ; 
When hope and Expectations bright 
Were buoyant, and our hearts were light ; 
And fancy, that delusive sprite, 

Her siren sonnets sung. 



'Tis natural that we should think, 
While standing on the river brink, 
How wide the stream had grown. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 81 

We saw it when 'twas but a rill, 
Just bursting from the sunny hill, 
And now its surging waters fill 
A channel broad, unknown. 

'Tis natural and proper, too, 

That we compare the old and new — 

The present and the past — 
And speak of those old fogy ways 
In which we passed our younger days ; 
Then of the many new displays 

That crowd upon us fast. 

We little knew of railroads then, 

Nor dreamed of that near period when 

We'd drive the iron horse ; 
And 'twould have made the greatest laugh 
Had we been told only one-half 
The wonders of the telegraph — 

Then in the brain of Morse. 

We did not have machinery then 

To sow and reap and thresh the grain, 

But all was clone by hand; 
And those old-fashioned implements 
Have long been banished hence, 
Or, rusting, lie inside the fence — 

No longer in demand. 

Yes, there are grown-up meu, I know, 
Who never saw a bull-tongue plow, 

A flail, or reaping hook ; 
And who could not describe, you know, 
A swingling board or knife, although 
Their grandmas used them long ago 

And lessons on them took. 

The young man now would be amused 
To see some things his grandsire used, 

Some things he ne'er had seen; 
The way in which we cleaned our wheat, 
When two strong men with blanket sheet 
Would winnow out the chaff and cheat, 
And twice or thrice the thing repeat, 

Until the grain was clean. 

The single-shovel plow and hoe 

To clean out weeds was all the show^ 

We knew no better ways ; 
And now our sons would laugh to scorn 
Such poky ways of making corn, 
And bless their stars that they were born 

In more enlightened days. 



82 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

They say the world has wiser grown, 
They've got the speaking telephone — 

Talk hundred miles or more. 
And preachers now may preach and pray 
To congregations miles away ; 
And thousand other things they say 

We never had before. 

And yet I do not know but what 
The pioneer enjoyed his lot 

And lived as much at ease 
As men in these enlightened days — , 
With all the strange new-fangled ways 
The world of fashion now displays 

The mind of man to please. 

'Tis true we did not live so fast, 
But socially our time was passed, 

Although our homes were mean ; 
Our neighbors then were neighbors true, 
And every man his neighbor knew, 
Although those neighbors might be few 

And sometimes far between. 

Ah ! yes ! old pioneers, I trow 

The world was brighter then than now 

To us gray-headed ones; 
Hope pointed us beyond the vale, 
And whispered us a fairy tale, 
Of coming pleasures ne'er to fail 

Through all the shining suns. 

Ambition, too, with smile so soft, 
Was pointing us to seats aloft, 

Where fame and honor last. 
We had not learned what now we know— 
The higher up the mount we go 
The storms of life still fiercer blow, 

And colder is the blast. 

That though w^ reach the mountain's top, 
Fruition find of every hope, 

Or wear the victor's crown ; 
Though far above the clouds we tread, 
Other clouds there are still o'erhead, 
And on the mind there is the dread, 

The dread of coming down. 

Ah ! yes! old settlers, one and all, 
What ever may us yet befall. 
We will not, can't forget 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 83 

The simple, old-fashioned place. 
The nits in which our fathers ran 
Before the age of steam began 
To run the world in debt. 

But ere, my friends, we hence embark, 
We fain would place some lasting mark 

Upon this mountain shore; 
A mark the traveler may see 
In coming years, and know that we 
Have lived and passed the road that he 

May then be passing o'er. 

When death's dark curtain shall be drawn, 
And we old pioneers are gone, 

Let truthful history tell 
To far posterity the tale 
As down the stream of life they sail, 
How we with motto " Never Fail " 

Came here, and what befell. 

Let history then impartial state 
The incidents of every date ; 

And that it so may do, 
Let pioneers of every age 
In this important work engage, 
And each of them produce his page — 

His page of history true. 

The incidents ot early years, 
Known only to the pioneers, 

With them will soon be lost, 
Unless, before they hither go, 
Those incidents are stated so 
Posterity the facts may know, 

When they the stream have crossed. 

And while we talk upon the past, 

Of friends who are dropping off so fast, g 

And those already gone, 
It may not be, my friends, amiss 
For each of us to think of this ; 
The curtain of forgetfulness 

Will soon be o'er us drawn. 

The mind goes back through all the years : 
We call to mind the pioneers, 

Those bold and hardy men ; 
We pass them in the mind's review, 
The many dead, the living few, 
Those unpretending settlers who 

Were our compatriots then. 



84 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

But time would fail to speak of all 
Those changes that our minds recall ; 

The world is shifting more, 
And soon its shifting scenes will bear 
The last old pioneer to where 
His lost and loved companions are — 

The bright and golden shore. 

The poem closes, more particularly, the career of the old settlers 
and their work. And it closes in verse a better description of the 
old pioneer and his work than many pages of prose could have 
done. Not all has been given which the compiler of this history 
would have liked to record, and many omissions may be found that 
should have had a place in the foregoing pages, but what is here 
given is a record of facts, and will be found to be very full of the 
passing events of the early settlement of the country. The mem- 
ory of the old pioneer was not always to be depended upon; dates 
were seldom remembered, and it was a work of days sometimes to 
verify a statement and secure the proper date. 




mfjjjk 





&.&**4 



CHAPTER IV. 

SCIENTIFIC VIEW OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Preliminary Thoughts— Its Topography- — Its Drainage or 
River System — Its Geology— Its Stratigraphioal Formation 
—Its Archaeology — Its Fauna — Its Flora — Its Meteorology 
— Summary — Conclusion. 

preliminary thoughts. 

Within an irregular curve, formed by the western water-shed ot 
the Muskingum Valley, and the eastern crest of the Scioto Valley, 
somewhat parabolic in its contour, lies the Hocking Valley; mod- 
erate in its past history, fair in its present, but in its future devel- 
opments quite unlimited and exceedingly rich. 

It is the sixth, in size, of the seven river sections of Ohio. It 
contains parts of nine counties, and has an area of about 4,000 
square miles. Though somewhat limited in its area, yet, in its 
mineral resources, it is without a peer in Ohio, if in any other part 
of the world. So many stratigraphical shelves crowded with a va- 
riety, profusion and richness of mineral commodities can seldom 
be found. Nature has seen fit, for some wise and inscrutable pur- 
pose, to locate in the Hocking Valley one of her great laboratories, 
her chemical work-room, where she has abundant materials for 
future "exposition" of her cabinet of mineralogical wealth. Such 
a valley demands a scientific record. 

The river section, termed " Hocking Valley," contains portions 
of the following counties : Fairfield, Perry, Hocking, Morgan, 
Athens, Vinton, Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence. The entire counties 
are geographically arranged under the Hocking Valley sectional 
head, except Morgan ^County, which lies principally in the Mus- 
kingum Valley. We have named it among the Hocking Valley 
Counties for the reason that Sunday Creek, one of the tributaries of 
Hocking River, drains its western part. The following scientific 
sketch relates, principally, to that part of the Hocking Valley dis- 
trict which lies along the Hocking River and its tributaries. In 
our conclusion, however, we shall take in the entire iron and coal 
fields. 

(85) 



86 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

These counties, except Fairfield, lie within the coal measures, 
and form the southwestern part of the iron ore belt. The surface 
is quite hilly. The soil is principally native, being formed of the 
disintegration and wash of its rock structure, or of the decay of 
vegetable matter. Its limestone ridges make a durable and very 
fertile soil. The Hocking bottoms contain a very large amount of 
gravel belonging to the drift period. This will be noticed under 
its appropriate head. 

ITS TOPOGRAPHY. 

The topography of Hocking Yalley presents a great variety of 
interesting features. Let us walk about and through its county 
divisions and gather materials to enable us to construct out of 
them what would be called in military language an " eye map " 
— one as perfect as the eye, without instruments, will allow. 

The rim of this curvilinear basin has many attractive landscapes. 
Follow the western divide of the Muskingum Valley, beginning at 
its southern extremity and traveling northward. Such is the ever 
changing surface configuration that the eye never tires of seeing. 
Nature varies your prospect with every change of horizon. The 
curve which you are following (the curve of the water-shed) changes 
its course in every yard of advance. Like the hand of a chronom- 
eter, or the rise and fall of the mercury in the barometer, the line 
of your direction is constantly moving to the right or left, toward 
the heaveus, or gradually or abruptly descending. At one time 
you are climbing a high conical peak from which your view is quite 
extended and enchanting. Again you descend into a low gap in 
the divide, where your out-look is circumscribed by surrounding 
ridges and protracted spurs, shooting forth from the chief divide. 
At one time you are passing toward the east, heading a long trib- 
utary of the Hocking, while, in a few hours, you are driven equally 
far to the west by a protracted branch of the Muskingum. In this 
manner you travel, up and down, to the right and left, till, on the 
evening of the third day, having traveled not less than 130 miles, 
passing around the heads of the eastern continents of Hocking, 
and noted all their hills, spurs, gulches, ravines and tributary val- 
leys describing its northern curve, you arrive at the extreme head 
fountain of the river some miles to the north of Lancaster. 

Your western survey of the Hocking Yalley will consume about 
the same time. During this survey you have an eye view of the 
western ridges, spurs, slopes, gulches, ravines and valleys, as were 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 87 

seen on the eastern water-shed. The land surfaces in the Hocking 
Valley present a continued succession of bottom lands, more or 
less extended, some a mile wide, others presenting but a few rods 
of level ground ; above these low creek and river bottom lands are 
a few plains, such as Wolf's Plains, between Salina and Athens, 
and Tupper's Plains, which are located toward the southeastern 
part of Athens County. The higher lauds consist of side-hill 
slopes or plains, forming with the horizon every possible angle of 
inclination, having a face for every point in the heavens. 

Other portions of the surface form coves under which were the 
early creek and river channels, now covered by ancient land slides 
to the depth of twenty to fifty feet. The crests of the spurs and prin- 
cipal ridges are usually very narrow. Sometimes, however, they 
are broad, rich, and well adapted to grain and fruit culture. 

By cross-sectioning the Hocking Valley through Fairfield and 
Perry, Hocking and Morgan, and, finally, through Athens counties, 
the above description of the surfaces of the Hocking Valley will 
be applicable to all the counties, Fairfield excepted. The surface 
of the northern two thirds of Fairfield County are quite level and 
very fertile. The reasons for this exception will appear when we 
examine its geological features, 

In the Hocking Valley, consisting of the river trough, its trib- 
utary valleys, its ravines, gulches, plains, river and creek bottoms, 
coves, side-hill slopes, spurs, and their main ridges, we can find 
but little waste land. A few acres of swamps and ponds, the re- 
maining parts of old beds of the river and branches, are to be found 
in the Hocking Valley. It now remains to introduce the agency 
by which these physical changes, already described, were formed. 

ITS DRAINAGE OR RIVER SYSTEM. 

The first topographical feature of Hocking, its surface configura- 
tion, has been sufficiently examined. Its land formations, whose 
varieties we have enumerated and described, are a series of effects, 
the results of adequate causes. The principal agent that has 
operated through many geological ages to bring about such stu- 
pendous results is water. That fluid is an erosive agent, as well as 
a shipper. It loosens the dissolving elements and transports them 
into the sea. 

Hocking River takes its rise in a large spring some miles north- 
west of Lancaster, Fairfield County. Flowing from that fount- 



Ob HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ain through Lancaster, having been joined by such tributaries as 
serve to drain that level part of Hocking: Valley, it flows some 
eight or ten miles to Sugar Grove, where it is joined by an east- 
ern tributary called Rush Creek. By a close inspection of the wa- 
ters of Rush Creek it will be readily seen that the lesser stream 
carries the river name (Hocking). It has often been claimed, and 
very properly, that Rush Creek should have been called Hocking, 
since it is a third longer, and discharges a larger volume of water. 
It drains much of Perry County, and the southeastern portion ot 
Fairfield Comity. 

The waters of Hocking and Rush Creek, uniting at Sugar Grove, 
are the drainage of the level and Waverly division of Hocking 
Valley. Principally they are the water outlet of a larger territory 
in proportion to the amount discharged than any other equal sec- 
tion of the river. The reasons are quite obvious: (1) The drainage 
of flat lands is imperfect; (2) The waters moving sluggishly along 
their moderately inclined channels are subjected to a greater shrink- 
age, both by evaporation and by absorption of the soils. For the 
same reasons water-courses are shortened, as it is invariably the 
case, with old and well-cultivated lands. Many small branches 
hat once flowed with water during the four seasons, are now dry dur- 
ing nearly half the year. Rush Creek heads, principally, among 
the coal measure hills of Perry County, which accounts, in part, 
for her larger discharge of water. About three miles below Sugar 
Grove Hocking River receives a tributary from the northwest, the 
latural drainage of Southwestern Fairfield, and the Northwestern 
portion of Hocking County. With the exception of Margaret's 
Creek, Hocking River receives no considerable tributary flowing 
from the west or northwest from Millville, twelve miles below Lan- 
caster, to Ilockingport, at its junction with the Ohio River, a dis- 
tance of about sixty-five miles, while her eastern branches are large, 
numerous and long. 

As we pass down the river from Millville, Hocking receives no 
waters except such as drain the river hills, till we arrive at the 
mouth of Monday Creek, below Nelsonville. Monday Creek is a 
very important tributary, since its valley is the natural outlet of 
one of the most magnificent coal and iron districts in Ohio. It 
was so named by the original survey, the company reaching that 
creek on that day of the week. Its head waters are in Hocking, 
Perry and Athens counties. Its confluents are exceedingly numer- 
ous, taking their rise principally in Perry County. The most noted 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 89 

branches of Monday Creek are Shawnee Run, the location ot the 
thriving mining and furnace town of Shawnee; Sugar Run, on which 
New Straits ville is situated; Little Monday Creek; Lost Branch, head- 
ing in the same ridge with Sugar Run; Kitchen Run, Sand Run, 
Dorr's Run, Poplar Run, Snow Fork, with its tributaries, Right 
Branch, Left Branch, Brush Fork, Case Run, Miligan's Branch, Long 
Run and Smith's Run. These various brandies are noted for their 
coal and iron interests. No one can examine an accurate and minute 
map of Monday Creek and its net-work of tributaries, without 
being convinced that this valley, with its numberless tributaries, 
was grooved out for a higher purpose than that of drainage. The 
future of Monday Creek will fully justify the remark. 

On the west side of Hocking River are a few small runs flowing 
into Hocking from the river hills, noted, simply, for their coal 
works. Three of these are: (1) Lick Run, three miles above Nel- 
sonville, where are located the coal works of the "Lick Run Coal 
Company," Brettland; (2) Meeker Run; (3) Floodwood, and (4) 
Brigger Staff. 

The Hocking River receives its third large tributary on the 
eastern side, at Chauncey, six miles above Athens, called Sun- 
day Creek. This branch takes its rise in Perry and Morgan 
counties. Its head branches are remarkably spread out, east and 
west, so that its extreme fountains measure a greater distance apart 
than the length of the stream — wider than long. 

The East Branch drains the western portion of Morgan County, 
joining the Middle Branch in section 6, Trimble Township, Athens 
County. 

The Middle Branch takes its rise in the water-shed, near the 
town of Moxahala. Along this branch is constructed the Ohio 
Central R. R. On it are located Rend ville and Corning, with their 
extended coal works. Though by far the smallest of the three 
Sunday Creek branches, having but a few small tributaries, it is, 
by far, the most celebrated. Its valley is quite narrow, having but 
a few patches of bottom lands. 

The West Branch has its head waters in the southwestern part 
of Perry County. It is a large branch of Sunday Creek. Its 
tributaries are Indian Run, a stream of Perry, Johnson's Run, 
Windfall and Tucker. The West Branch has at its head waters 
in Perry some objects of interest — the "Sulphur Springs," vis- 
ited by invalids; a mill and factory; Buckingham, a coal village. 
Its head branches are Carter's Fork, Rodgers' Fork, Coal Fork, 



90 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

West Fork, Iladley's Fork, and Priest's Fork, noted (all these 
forks) as draining a very remarkable coal development, in one place 
measuring thirteen feet <>f excellent coal. From this district was 
removed a block of coal thirteen feet and over, which was transported 
to Philadelphia in 1876, and was an interesting specimen in the 
Centennial. The village of Hartley (llartleyville) is located on 
this branch at the mouth of Johnson's Run. 

The West Branch is traversed by a branch of the Ohio Central 
Railroad, which is doing a thriving .business in removing coal to 
the great Northwest. The waters of the three branches form a 
junction at Sedalia, one mile above the village of Trimble. u Mud 
Fork " joins the West Branch a few rods above its union with the 
principal stream at Sedalia. Mud Fork heads in the Snow-Fork 
ridge. On this branch a shaft was sunk through the " great vein," 
coal, in which the seam was found to be about twelve feet thick. 
Strait Run, one of its principal branches, heads with Wolf Run, 
a tributary of Snow Fork, in a depression or " low gap " of the 
''divide," between Sunday Creek and Snow Fork. Through this 
depression a railroad will, probably, soon connect Sunday Creek 
Yalley with that of Monday Creek. Should the two mining 
districts come under the management of the same company, this 
union would take place very speedily. 

At Trimble, one mile below Sedalia, Sunday Creek receives two 
other tributaries, McCune's Run from the west, and Congress Run 
from the east. The junction of these waters and the lay of the 
valleys (concentering) point to Trimble as a future important min- 
ing and iron-making center. With capital in the hands of an 
enterprising people, Trimble would soon grow into a town of very 
considerable note. It has an excellent steam flouring mill, a num- 
ber of stores of various kinds, and shops. Next to Corning, Trim- 
ble is the most active, thriving and wide-awake little village in the 
valley. 

Another tributary comes into Sunday Creek from the east, nearly 
opposite to Jackson and its coal works. It is called Woodbury's 
Run. This stream, with Congress Run and many small brooks of 
the East Branch, head with Federal Creek. Jackson, the location 
of a coal shaft and coal works, is ;i new village about one mile 
below the village of Trimble. It takes its name from O. D. Jack- 
son, its proprietor. It will soon become a town of some note. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 91 

Trimble and Jackson will, in time, become the upper and lower 
divisions of one prosperous city. 

One mile below Jackson, Sunday Creek receives a western 
branch, called Green's Run. This branch heads, by two main 
streams, in the Snow Fork divide. These branches, with their 
small affluents, cause Green's Run to afford an excellent outlet for 
the removal of its mineral resources, which are varied and abun- 
dant. Near the mouth of Green's Run are two salt wells, where 
for many years excellent salt was manufactured. 

At Milltield, two miles below, Jackson's Run flows in from the 
east, heading with Woodbury's Run and Federal Creek. Below 
Milltield, from the east, How Boon, Stony Camp, and Lick Runs, 
and with these end all the eastern tributaries of Sunday Creek. 
On the west, one mile above Ohauncey, Sunday Creek receives the 
waters of Bailey's Run — a stream that gives name to a valuable 
seam of coal. We have been particular in describing Monda}' 
Creek and Sunday Creek and their chief continents because their 
mineral resources, especiallj* coal, are so vast, that every creek, 
branch, branch of branches, brook or rill will be noted among capi- 
talists and miners for some peculiarity of its mineral wealth, either 
in amount or quality, or in both. 

There is a remarkable feature in the head waters of Rush Creek, 
Monday Creek, and Sunday Creek, to which we desire special 
attention. Between the mouths ot Rush Creek, Monday Creek 
and Sunday Creek there cannot be less than forty miles, while 
Rush Creek and Monday Creek have, in part, the same water-shed, 
while the head waters of Sunday Creek are quite near. The pecul- 
iarity is in the sources of Rush Creek. They take their rise among 
the hills of Perry, on the western slope of the great divide between 
Monday Creek and Moxahala, and descend from the coal measures 
of Perry toward the Waverly group of Southeastern Fairfield. 
The general direction of the How of these three creeks indicates 
high lauds in the regions of the heavy coal and iron-ore deposits. 

The Mocking River has a large western affluent about one mile 
west of Athens, called Margaret's Creek. This stream is the nat- 
ural drainage of the western part ot" Athens County, including 
principally Athens, Waterloo, Alexander and Lee townships. 
Near its mouth it receives two branches, Little Factory ami Big 
Factory. Further up the stream comes in another branch, the 
East Branch; then the middle and west branches. There are many 
smaller affluents which we have not room, neither is it necessary, 



92 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

to describe. The towns situated on its waters will be noticed in 
other chapters. The peculiarity of its drainage deserves a brief 
touch. Margaret's Creek is the water outlet of more surface rain- 
fall than its volume at its mouth would indicate. The philosophy 
of this fact of science may not be so readily understood. This 
part of Athens County is peculiar in its surface configuration. It 
is a high semi-table land, with some hills near Hocking River. 
Margaret's Creek has grooved this plain to perfect its drainage, 
though this drainage is as complete as the nature of the territory 
will allow; still, at the ordinary stage of water, the stream is slug- 
gish, and, therefore, by evaporation and absorption, an unusually 
large percent, of its waters never reach the river. Another result 
is obvious, large rainfalls are at times disastrous. Another infer- 
ence is, perhaps, correct. Table and flat lands are not generally 
rich in valuable mineral products, hence the natural process of 
exposure by rapidly flowing water is not required to expose any 
deep mineral resources. The Divine Author adapts his means to 
the ends designed to be accomplished. Drainage is not the entire 
object of our river systems. Irrigation and exposure of deep and 
otherwise hidden treasures are evidently had in view by the Author 
of Nature with all its elementary combinations. He that makes 
eyeless fishes where no light can ever penetrate would not up- 
heave and plow down the earth's crust without having in view some 
special object. Hocking Valley is not, by any means, destitute of 
the foot-prints of the Deity. Hocking Valley is a proof of his 
handiwork. 

About four miles below Athens, Hocking receives another small 
tributary called Stroud's Run. This stream has nothing worthy of 
special note. The next branch from the east is Federal Creek, so 
named from its thirteen branches. This creek heads principally 
with Sunday Creek and "Wolf Creek. The stream is not as large 
as Sunday Creek, but it has about it many interesting features. 
Its dividing ridges are rich with limestone formations. They fur- 
nish the. valley great mineral wealth by the decay of its limestone 
formations. Federal Creek was early settled by citizens from New 
England. Its various branches furnished homes for the early pio- 
neers of the county. It was on the Walker Branch that the 
"Coonskin Library " had its origin. Many of our ablest citizens, 
those whose names have been heard through the civilized world, 
claim this valley as their native land. Its minerals, such as iron 
ore and coal are quite valuable, and will, in coming time, attract pub- 
lic attention. Federal Creek has had many paying oil wells. For 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 93 

some years it furnished a large amount of oil for the general mar- 
ket. The flood waters of Federal Creek are peculiarly rich in lime 
held in solution. The soil of this creek is the most productive of 
any other in the county, and quite exhaustless. 

Tributaries of Hocking below the mouth of Federal Creek are 
quite numerous, yet they are small, taking their rise principally 
in the river hills. They are devoid of sufficient interest to jus- 
tify any special description. They are short, and flow down steep 
declivities, making for themselves deep channels in the various rock 
strata. 

We have completed our survey of the river system of Hocking 
Valley, have carefully noticed its tributaries from its fountain head 
till its waters are seen mingling with its kindred waters of the 
noble Ohio. Many questions of interest might be discussed rela- 
tive to this river system. Of the seven river systems of Ohio, 
which is the most ancient \ for they are, geologically, quite dif- 
ferent in their ages and unlike in their growth. Their modes of 
formation and their movements and their mission are dissimilar. 
A few thoughts relative to the ages and mission work of the Ohio 
rivers will enable the reader better to understand the philosophy 
of the things in the Hocking Valley. 

To know that such things exist on and under a given district 
may be satisfactory to the masses; but, to the mind that desires 
to look into the reason of things, many questions step forward and 
demand satisfactory answers. Why do the things exist? Why 
in such a form % How long have they existed ? What made 
them ? Why are they formed ? Such queries have correct 
answers. We are surrounded by an endless variety of objects 
which, for convenience of explanation, we call ''things." They 
are principally effects. The causes that produced them may often 
be obscure. It is the object of the science of philosophy to make 
visible the reasons of things. Cast your eye over a large map of 
the State. Fix your attention upon one class of objects — rivers, for 
instance. There are seven river systems. Why differ in so many 
particulars? In the broadest sense there are but two river sys- 
tems: (1) The waters flowing into Lake Erie forming one system; 
(2) Those flowing into the Mississippi forming the other system (the 
seven being called sections). The causes of these variations lie 
below the surfaces of each district. 

1. The Maumee Valley, embracing eighteen counties, shows 
glacial action over its entire surface, in its heavy drifts of bluish 



9 I HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

clay intermingled with sand, gravel and boulders. Its drainage 
is peculiar. The St. Joseph River has no tributaries on the south, 
and the St. Mary is without any on the north. Old drift deposits 
determine the features of its drainage, whether to flie lake or to the 
Mississippi. 

2. The Western Reserve drainage is sluggish, except where the 
streams head near the lake. Twelve counties lie principally within 
the lake basin. The rim is about 600 feet, in places, above the 
surface of Lake Brie. The Cuyahoga and Chagrin rivers are rapid 
and eroded ; deep valleys mark their (low to the lake. 

3. The Ohio River section has its peculiarities of drainage. 
This section numbers four counties. It is drained principally by 
short affluents of the Ohio, taking their rise in the extremity of 
the spurs of the river hills. The valleys are, generally, deep 
erosions. 

4. The Muskingum River Valley, having sixteen counties, has 
its name from its principal river, its system of drainage. It is a 
valley of erosion, it being noted for its small amount of drift, 
and, consequently, its large amount of native soil — that which is 
formed from erosion and disintegration of its own strata. Its 
drainage extends to the center of the State. 

5. The Scioto River section includes fifteen counties. The 
Scioto River has great length in proportion to its volume of water. 
Its course Is from the north to the south, following one meridian 
in much of its southern division. Its branches are usually 
Lengthy, its western affluents predominating. The coal-measure 
hills give rise to its eastern tributaries. 

6. The Miami forms another extended river system. It includes 
fifteen counties, and has an area of ti,44i> square miles. This sec- 
tion has the highest and the lowest land in the State : still the sur- 
face slopes so gradually, that the country seems somewhat level. 
The liver erosions have been moderate, the waters flowing tardily. 

It will be seen, from the sketch above given, that Hocking 
Valley has its peculiarities of drainage, the closer resemblances 
being found between it and the Scioto and Muskingum valleys. 

Hooking River system of drainage is more active, and. conse- 
quently, more perfect than that of any o( the other systems, if we 
except the Ohio River system, which is quite limited. 

One other remarkable feature in the Hocking River system .is 
worthy ofnotioe the direction and tlow o( rhe river itself. A single 
glance at the general course of Hocking River shows us that its 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 95 

flow is in the direction of the greatest dip. It rises in the Waverly 
group and enters the Ohio River high up in the lower coal 
measures. Geologically speaking, therefore, its head spring is 
about 1,200 feet higher than its mouth, and the stream flows up — 
up the strata, but down the natural slope of the valley. This will 
be explained under the geological division . 

THE GEOLOGY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Having noticed its surface, structure and drainage, we propose 
to investigate the causes, which, in the past ages, have superin- 
duced these surface configurations and drainage. The rock for- 
mations of the valley are chiefly the coal measures. They are 
fire-clay, sandstone, limestone, coal and iron stone and shale. In 
Fairfield County we have the Waverly group, and the glacial 
drift, which also has its beds down the main valley of Hocking. 

The geology of this portion of Hocking Yalley, that of Fair- 
field County, will occupy but little space, since it has no very pe- 
culiar features. The northern and western two thirds of the county, 
are, to the geologist, somewhat monotonous. The fertility of 
the soil and its large, well-cultivated and well-stocked farms are 
the objects of attraction in this district. In the southern portion of 
the county the surface prospects assume a more rugged form; 
spurs, between which are seen the most lovely valleys, give signs 
of your proximity to the Alpine district of Ohio. 

The drift forms the peculiar geological feature of Fairfield. On 
the low lands wells reach the blue clay of the drift; and over 
nearly the entire surface are found gravel and boulders of the drift 
formation. The immense gravel beds and terraces along the 
Hocking River come from these immense drift deposits. The 
boulders, which are profusely scattered over the surface, vary in 
size from that of a few inches to the one on Baldwin's Run, whose 
dimensions are eighteen feet by sixteen feet. They are usually 
granitic, demonstrating their foreign origin. In some cases, how- 
ever, they are limestone, and are utilized by burning into quick- 
lime. * 

Fairfield, though covered in many parts with drift, lies within 
the Waverly formation, except one lofty hill near East Rushville, 
showing signs of the coal measures. Fairfield produces no coal. 
The products of her rich agricultural land are exchanged for fuel. 

The Waverly formation, which lies immediately under the coal 
measures, is seen most distinctly on Rush Creek, in a ravine be- 



96 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tween East Rushville and West Rushville. The sandstone is fine 
grained, but too soft for building stone. The Waverly sandstone 
seen in the cliffs along the Hocking below Lancaster are coarse 
grained, passing into a conglomerate. Its color is rich yellow and 
dark brown. At times it is richly variegated. It forms the court- 
house at Lancaster, and some costly buildings in Columbus. 

The Waverly sandstone constitues the only mineral wealth yet 
found in the Fairfield division of the Hocking Valley. There 
is an increasing demand for this Waverly sandstone. Quarries 
are being opened and quite extensively worked. By the proximity 
of the Hocking Valley R. R. the rock may be readily shipped to the 
towns farther west. It may, in time, become valuable, and yield 
a very considerable revenue to the citizens dwelling in this portion 
of the valley. Still the Fairfield section of Hocking Valley must 
draw its principal wealth out of its soil. This will always place its 
industrious citizens among the most wealthy and thriving of the 
interesting valley. 

THE GEOLOGY OF HOCKING COUNTY. 

Passing down the Hocking Valley the next county we enter is 
Hocking. This section of the valley lies principally within the 
Waverly group. In this county the drift forms terraces along the 
Hocking River. The rocks of this county are the coarse Waverly 
sandstone, the conglomerate, and the Logan sandstone. Upon 
this sandstone as its floor is the Maxville limestone. The south- 
eastern part of the county comes into the horizon of the lower coal 
measures. The Waverly rocks have been noticed in their lower 
formations as seen in Fairfield County. Hocking County is rich 
in its mineral formations. Its sandstones are excellent for building 
purposes; its fire-clay has not yet been fully tested. It has lime- 
stone in considerable quantities, and good. It has beds of excellent 
ores of iron. Its coal is perhaps the most valuable of its mineral 
products. This coalfield lies on Monday Creek, and its waters 
flowing into it from the east and west. It contains the great coal 
seam of Ohio, usually called the "great vein, "or " Nelsonville " 
coal seam, it having been mined at Nelsonvile and in its vicinity 
for many years. This coal seam in many localities is a dry. burn- 
ing coal. It varies in thickness from six feet to thirteen feet. It 
lies high in the Monday Creek hills, and is mined by drifting. A 
vertical section passing from the mouth of Monday Creek in Fork 
Township to a point near New Straitsville, on the divide between 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 97 

Monday Creek, extending down to the Waverly group and to the 
highest hill of the aforenamed water-shed would cut the various 
geological formations in about the following order: A limestone 
horizon, shales of various degrees of thickness, sandstones, three coal 
seams, several horizons of iron ore, and about an equal number of 
horizons of fire-clay, as they usually underlie veins of coal and 
iron ore. In this section the Bailey's Run coal seam shows an 
imperfect development, it being located too high in the Monday 
Creek hills. This will be more fully seen in a section further to 
the east. The Kelson vi lie seam shows well, though its location is 
rather high. One vein of iron ore has been worked to advantage by 
a number of furnaces. Mining, however, even in this district, is in 
a crude state, and, consequently, its formations are imperfectly ex 
posed. Many rich beds of iron ore may yet be exposed which 
have never yet been seen. Prospecting so far has done wonders 
in discovering and bringing to view its mineral resources. Much 
remains still to be accomplished in the exposure of its mineral 
wealth. 

THE GEOLOGY OF THE ATHENS COUNTY SECTION OF THE HOCKING 

VALLEY. 

This county takes in the entire valley of Hocking from a point 
a few miles above JSTelsonville to its junction with the Ohio at 
Hocking port, a distance of nearly forty miles. It lies wholly within 
the productive coal measures. More or less coal has been de- 
veloped over the principal portions of the county. For present 
use we shall have to confine our investigations to the Sunday 
Creek Valley, including the northen part of Athens County and 
the southern townships of Perry County. We select this district 
for various reasons: 

1. Of the three eastern tributaries of the Hocking River, 
Monday Creek, Sunday Creek, and Federal Creek, Sunday Creek 
is the middle stream. Monday Creek is the stream where the great 
coal seam is high, and is mined by drifting; and, consequently, 
there must be a large amount of crop coal, and worthless. On Fed- 
eral Creek the great vein, if there, is deep and would require very 
heavy expenses to obtain it by shafting. On Sunday Creek we 
have the mean between the crop coal and expensive shafting. 

2. Along the Sunday Creek Valley is the completed Ohio Cen- 
tral R. El., a road which, from its directions and pecuniary abili- 



98 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ties, affords the best shipping facilities that can be found anywhere. 
Capitalists desiring to invest in coal and mineral property are in- 
terested to know what they are purchasing. 

In a vertical section 1,100 feet of vertical face, extending below 
the surface of the valley of the Waverly group, 500 feet; and from 
the creek to the summit of the most elevated hill, 600 feet, we 
have the vertical section of 1,100 feet. Beginning at the Waverly 
and passing upward, we can count the various geological formations. 
We shall not, at present, enumerate the strata, but simply the dif- 
ferent formations: 

1. The rock containing brine, from which a vast amount of 
salt has been manufactured. We then alternate between the lime- 
stone shales and sandstone till we reach (2) fire-clay, of which 
there are many horizons. 

3. Above the first fire-clay we have our first coal formation. 
The entire coal formation of this section measures about twenty- 
seven feet. Another valuable formation we discover in the face 
of the section. 

4. Iron ore. This appears in various horizons and varies ma- 
terially in its per cent, of iron. 

5. Another valuable geological formation appears — limestone. 
The limestone formations are numerous and quite pure. 

6. Alternating with coal and iron ores, we have heavy shale 
deposits — still-water formations. There can be seen ( 7 ) various 
layers of sandstone? some of these layers are more than fifty feet 
thick and excellent for the manufacture of glass. Others are excel- 
lent for building stone. There are also beds of flagstone. Flow- 
ing in two porous blue ( 8 ) sand rocks is petroleum. 

9. Illuminating gas flows with the oil and with salt water. All 
these mineral products are seen in the Sunday Creek Valley, and 
are found within the 1,100 , feet. Let us form them into a list: 

Gas, salt water, shale, fire-clay, limestone, sandstone, iron ore 
and coal. Such are our geological formations. 

On Federal Creek and continuing eastward to the rim of the 
Hoeking Valley basin is the Pittsburg coal seam, measuring about 
eight feet of coal. Above this coal are very heavy horizons of 
limestone, shales, marls, sandstone and iron ore. On Federal Creek, 
and on the East Branch of Sunday Creek are oil wells which have 
produced many thousand barrels of rock oil. The disintegration 
of the higher limestone formations has made for Federal Creek and 
other eastern tributaries of Hocking a soil of great productiveness. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 99 

Their waters-sheds are full of lime, which being washed down the 
• slopes and into the valleys, produces a black soil, equal to any on the 
globe. Such is a brief outline of the geological formations of Hock- 
ing Valley, between the Waverly and Drift of Fairtield and the buff 
limestone of the eastern water-sheds. Our space will not allow us 
to say more about its geological formations. We now come to ex- 
amine another interesting feature of the Hocking Valley; it may be 
termed the analysis of its geology. 

ITS STRATIGRAPHICAL FEATURES. 

In our geological sketch we described each formation as a whole, 
such as shales, sandstones, limestones, fire clays, marls, iron ores, 
and coal. We shall now view these formations in their distinct 
horizons, or layers. 

All the formations native to the Hocking Valley are what may 
be termed sedimentary. The particles of which they are com- 
posed were held in solution by the waters of the ocean once cov- 
ering the entire globe. Hocking Valley cannot date beyond the 
Waverly. Its age is that of the lower productive coal measures. The 
valley is, geologically, young. Ages after the Laurentian Mountains 
of Canada and the Adirondack Mountains lifted their snow heads 
above the primeval ocean the Allegheny Range quietly slept be 
neath its turbid brine. In the revolving cycles, the loftiest peaks 
struggled into atmospheric life; through a series of risings above the 
sea surface, and fallings beneath it, the mountains stood forth to sink 
no more. By the upheaval of the Allegheny Mountains and the 
Cincinnati Arch, the Ohio River trough was formed, the western 
side of which has, in part, been grooved out into what is now called 
the Hocking Valley. The valley itself has, therefore, been formed 
since the deposit of all its eroded strata, and is more recent than the 
Cincinnati Arch and the Allegheny Mountains. The strata that 
form the lower coal measures are sedimentary deposits from the 
ancient ocean. And since coal is of vegetable origin, the for- 
ests which produced the coal must have grown above the waters; 
and afterward, submerged, and made the floor of later deposits. 
All the other strata, such as shales, fire-clay, limestone, sandstone, 
iron ore, were submarine deposits. 

In our division it is our purpose to notice these distinct sedi- 
mentary deposits, which aggregate about 1,100 feet in thickness. 
The lowest strata in the valley are the Waverly, in Fairfield County, 
covered by the glacial drift of a more recent date. This floor dates, 



100 iiistoky OF BOOKING VALLBY. 

geologically, far baok of the coal moa me , incu the coal measures 
v<- i upon the upper Waverly as iti floor; our theme requires us to 
notice each layer lill we reaob tlie en item water lied. These strata 
rega/te aboul 1,600 feet, in vertical height; by this we mean thai 
i be oresi of i bo eastern water shed of i be I locking Valley is, geolog* 
ioally, 1,500 feel bigher than the Waverly floor of Fairfield, and 
thai the mouth of Flocking al I'lockingport is, stratigraphioally, at 
least L,000 feel bigher than il fountain source in Fairfield County, 
When speaking of strata ii musl nol be supposed thai each stratum 
is found iu every pari of the valley, nor thai they are of uniform 
thickness Shales vary in thickness from a few inohos to fifty feet. 
As thev were still water deposits, the duration of the si illness and 
the amount of theolay sedimenl and day and sand determine the 
amount of deposil Limei tone formations are nol uniform; nor are 
the sand rooks, iron ore and ooal deposits; the} often lie in pockets 
and lagoons We shall name suoh strata only as may be found 
Bomewhere In the valley, describing only where they are of speoial 
value. A:, we pass down the valley we shall pass up the strata, as 
one ascends a High I ofstairs, eaoh stratum being a step, or, as the 
shelves of a mineralogioal oabinet, eaoh stratum formings shelf, 
Commencing with the Waverly, as the floor of our cabinet, lei us 
note each shelf and its oontents a i we ascend 

h may be remarked, then, that Hie lirsi shell in our ooul meas 

lire ea lii net lia | I lie M a \ \ 1 1 le I i nu v itOIlO; I Ii i • lien . mi dOGS not 6X 

tend over the entire valley, still it is a large deposit in certain lo 
oalities, and is of oon iiderable value, I '• is n valuable deposil <>f the 
cabinet, The Bhale stratum is nexl inorderin the ascending stral 
igraphioal shelves, ^s the shales have nol been utilised, only by 
n 1 1 me in forming the ba lis of many of its soils, we shall pass them 
with o general remark, i hat they being still water deposits predom 

male ill enr valley S :i M> 1 «lel ei mi ne, piiuei pal I v , iheir e\|enl. 

The alternation of mineral rook deposits require sandstone Che 
i indstone strata are numorous, and vary exceedingly in their texture, 
Some aro i"' 1 wfl for building atone, othors bard ami shellj ; seme 
nre conglomerate and coarse grained, The ridges have specimens 
of glass rook over Aft} feel thick, rim Hooking Valley abounds 
in uxcollonl frees to jig belonging to th'i lowoi ooal measures Some 
of the rooks resemble the besl Wavorlj sands to no Phe valley 
tins extou ive beds of excellent fiagstono We therofbre plaoe 
our freestone stratum among our \aiuahle minerals. There are 
man\ hen ous of flre-olay Theeare in plaoos of oxoellont quality, 



>!•' IIOOKINO V .M.I IV 



101 



The> form the floors of our iron oro bods, ooal seams, and somo 
linn-, underlie limestone formations. Tin- tire olays are, therefore, 
of grout commercial value Hie str.ua thai lies bolow tin- ooal 
reins wo pass without furthor uotioo. Our mining operations will, 
porhaps, extend onl\ to tho lowor coal veins, which oropoul near 
Nelson villo, in tho Hooking \ ' al'e\ ■ . along Monday Oroek, md Lowor 
Snow l'\»rlv, :ii New Stfaitsville, Shawnoe, and is al tho dopth of 
aboul eight) feet in Lowor Sunday Crook Valley; al Corning, about 
forty foot; and :ii Rondvillo, but a low feel benoath the surface 

L'ho seams of coal in tho Hooking Valley, including its eastern 
tributaries, number in all six. Tho ftrsl is about twenty ox feet 
bolow tho ' groat ve n," known as the Nolsonvillo seam. It tnoas 
u res about three foot. The second vein is tho Nolsonvillo seam. It 
measures in tho [locking Valley proper about six foot. On Mom 
>!:i\ Creek it is six to ton fool thick; on tho v aters >>t' Upper Sunday 
Greek it measure. from seven to tnn foot, at one point thirteen feet, 
tn tho Lowor Suuday Crook Valloy, in tho shafts, il averages nine 
foot. This istheonlv coal whioh,from Hooking Valley, Has reached 
successfully tin- general market, rts excellent quality is admitted, 
ami tin 1 vastnoss of i he deposit places its v.iluo m tin- front rank of 
all tho mineral deposits of tho valle\ l?ho third seam of coal is 
about so von I y H> o feel abo\ o the Nolsonvillo seam. It averages, in 
thickness, about four and one-half feet. It is oallod the Bailey's 
Run ooal, and bolongs principally tt> Sunday Crook ami. as u has 
been tho only ooal over used in tin- 1 . >wor Sunday Crook \ r alloy,and 
lies at the baso of its hills, il may bo oallod the Sunday Crook ooal. 
It is not yol known in tho goueral market, It 1ms often been una 
d and coked, b\>r steam generation it is excellent, makes coke, and 
fordomestio uses it is not readily excelled Should it oomo into .".en 
ise tor ookingil will become of i in mouse value, A fourth seam 
of coal i^ found thirty Bovonfoot above the Bailey's Run coal, too 
thin, however, for mining oxcepl in mining a seam of ore ol which 
it forms tho floor, A tifth coal seam, two and one-half feel thick, lies 

About seventy live teet ROOVO tlie fourth seam Aboul 400 foot 

above the Uai lev's Run ooal oomes in tho Pittsburg or Pomoroj ooal 
seam. Phis seam closes tho [locking Valloy coal loams. Clio amount 

ofeoal in Hooking 18 imineuse. Centuries will bo rOUUirod to IllillQ 

ami remove ami nt :li o its vast deposits Alternating with our 
ooal seams and limestone strata are counted thirteen her; onset 
iron ore, Hooking Valloy Is looatod within the iron bolt of Ohio 

SOUIO Ol it • 01*08 have been in use lor iron making, tor al loasl, ono 



102 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

half a century. Its veins of ore are, in certain localities, rich and 
productive. They vary from six inches to five and one-half feet 
in thickness. They yield by analysis from twenty-five to sixty per 
cent, of pure iron. 

Mixed with other ores they make an excellent iron. 

In Hocking Valley are found twelve horizons of limestone. Four 
of these spread through half of the valley, the other strata lie along 
the eastern rim. One deposit is about thirty feet thick, and very 
pure. Our eastern ridges are formed of heavy limestone layers. 
The principal strata, which we have enumerated, are found in the 
higher portion, and in the eastern division of the valley, com- 
mencing at the tops (top shelf in our mineral cabinet) of our east- 
ern hills and counting the strata as we descend the rock slopes: (1) 
The buff limestone; (2) Shales; (3) Sand rock; (4) Limestone; (5) 
Sandstone; (6) Iron ore; (7) Shale; (8) Pittsburg coal seam; (9) 
Fire-clay; (10) Rich nodular ore in thirty feet of red marl, nodules 
yielding fifty-five per cent, of pure iron; (11) Limestone; (12) Sand- 
stone; (13) Iron ore; (14) Ames limestone; (15) Shales; (16) Ferru- 
ginous clay stone; (17) Coal, two and one half feet; (18) Ferruginous 
limestone; (19) Black limestone; (20) Ferruginous limestone; (21) 
Shales; (22) Black band ore; (23) Coal, one and one half feet; (24) 
Big vein ore, five and one half feet; (25) Shales under fire-clay; 
(26) Bailey's Run coal, four and one half feet; (27) Fire-clay; (28) 
Limestone; (29) Iron ore; (30) Sandstone; (31) Shales; (32) Lime- 
stone; (33) Sand rock; (34) Shales; (35) Limestone; (36) Sandstone; 
(37) Black slate; (38) Nelson ville coal; (39) Fire-clay; (40) Sand- 
stone; (41) Limestone; (42) Shales coal, two and one half feet thick. 
Here ends the coal seams of the valley. 

This inclined plain, which was, by erosion, constructed into the 
Hocking Valley by the rising of the Land, must have had six for- 
mative periods when the surface was abjve the sea and remained 
above water until the growth of vegetation prepared materials for 
a vein of coal, when it again subsided, thus rising and falling till 
the last coal vein was formed, when, after the various strata were 
deposited, it arose to sink no mure. Such appears to be the pro- 
cess by which the Hocking Valley plain was formed. The valley 
was grooved into this inclined plain by running water. The Ohio 
River flowed toward the gulf down a series of inclined plains 100 
feet b3low the plains down which its waters now flow. Rain fall- 
ing on this Hocking plain, the river, as a short river, begins to 
form by grooving out the strata, and floating the debris, suspended 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 103 

in the running water, till the river had its head waters at Cool- 
ville, then as tar as Athens, to Chauncey, Nelsonville, Logan, Mill- 
ville, Sugar Grove, and finally a few miles beyond Lancaster. The 
tributaries were formed by a similar process, the eroded materials 
being carried into the main stream. In like m inner the branches 
of the branches, even to the smallest rills, were eroded. This pro- 
cess of erosion is still in progress, and would finally carry all the 
hills to the ocean, unless a new era should change the order of things. 
What a vast amount of eroded particles have been taken out of the 
valley. For the purpose of drainage, irrigation and exposure of the 
mineral resource, what a work has been, and is being, accomplished 
in the Hocking Valley. The earth truly is standing out of the 
water and in the water, and was thus formed; the strati, coal ex- 
cepted, were formed in or under the water, and the coal elements 
growing out of the water, but converted into coal under the water. 
Thus has the Architect of all the created universe, in his labor- 
atory in the ocean caverns, constructed a rich cabinet of minerals 
for exposition and future use. After constructing the materials 
for ages to come, and placing his mineral merchandise upon their 
appropriate stratigraphical shelves, he raises the entire materials 
above the deep, and begins the process of opening his grand exposi- 
tion. We have seen his erosive work. It is our duty to examine the 
effects that we may discover their intelligent, all-powerful cause. We 
have now examined the geological make of the Hocking Valley. 
We have walked up and down its strata, and noted their variety, 
their position, and searched into the modes of their formation. 
The age of the valley we have not given, and for the reason of our 
inability. 

ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE HOCKING VALLEY. 

What races of men occupied the Hocking Valley before the white 
man entered it, and its forest began to retire before the march ot 
civilization? To answer this question intelligently, and with en- 
tire satisfaction, requires more data than we are able to command. 

When the Europeans first entered the Hocking Valley they found 
it occupied by the Indians. But who were the Indians? Were 
they indigenous to the soil, natives, barn out of the earth of the 
valley, or were they exotics? Elias Bondinot, LL. D., held that 
the Indians were of the ten lost tribes of Israel. He made a collec- 
tion of many of their traditions, manners, and customs, and, from 
testimony which he deemed sufficient, came to that conclusion. 



104 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Be hi* theory true or false, they were not aborigines of that valley. 
They came into the valley from some distant country. Their mode 
ot living originated their peculiarities of color and peculiar modes 
of thought. The Indians were not the Mound-builders, since they 
do not appear to have any knowledge of the time when the mounds 
were built, nor by whom they were eredted. It is very generally 
conceded that the mounds are tumuli. Another point is, perhaps, 
equally true: that they were built over distinguished chiefs, fallen 
in battle. The mounds occupy grounds, once battle-fields, since 
they are covered more or less profusely with flint arrow heads. 
These heads strewn over the ground indicate a battle-field. These 
mounds are quite numerous in Hocking Valley, on what is called 
Wolfs Plains, between Salina and Athens, were a number of very 
large tumuli. Two have been particularly noted. One of these 
mounds was quite demolished to make room for a school-house, an 
act of desecration to the tomb oi' the ancient dead. 

One that is now standing is not less than thirty feet high, and 
quite regular in its form, it being a cone. It was once not less 
than forty feet high.. The materials of which the mounds are com- 
posed vary according to the geological formations of the districts 
where they are erected. On the plains they are formed, principally, 
of the drift sand and gravel, these materials composing the plains. 
The materials were carried by many persons, and well packed, or 
storms of so many centuries as they hive seen would have washed 
them almost to a level with the surrounding plains. Tiie mound 
of which we are now speaking is in an excellent state of preserva- 
tion. Though times have been set to have it opened. Providence 
has defeated all the intentions of the mound desecrators. How 
long its once living human remains will be allowed to remain in 
their long and unbroken slumbers is not revealed. 

On the firm o( Daniel Weethee, in Dover Township, Athens 
County, two mounds have been opened; the one, about fifty years 
ago; the other, recently. The one tirst opened was on the Sunday 
Creek bottom. It must have been originally twelve or fifteen feet 
high and about twelve feet in diameter. It was surrounded, 
when first seen (1798) by a shallow ditch, formed by the removal 
ot' the dirt to construct the tumulus. It had on its slope bushes 
and a large tree. The surrounding lands were thickly Sprinkled 
with flint arrow-heads of all sizes, colors and shapes. Here and 
there were Btone-axes, black and gray. One implement was 
metallic, and answered, perhaps, for a sword. It has been so many 





"1&/p*&c&& 





HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 105 

years since I saw it that I cannot describe it intelligently. In the 
center of the mound's base was a circular heap of dark mold, 
about two feet in diameter, evidently the dust of the person over 
whom the mound was erected. In that pile was found a ring, 
composed of metal, large enough to clasp the human wrist. It was 
rust-eaten and broken. The mound had been raised around and 
over the person standing. 

This must have been a battle-field, since the implements were 
those of war. Whether the field, at that time, was cleared, or 
covered with a dense growth of timber, cannot be clearly ascertained 
at this late period. We should suppose that the land was then 
under cultivation, since it would have been difficult to construct 
such a tumulus in the midst of an unbroken forest of beech, sugar 
tree, oak and hickory, as it was when Mr. Weethee, the first white 
man, entered it. If it were a cultivated field, the Mound-builders 
must have been advanced beyond the purely savage state. They 
might have been semi-barbarians as their arrow-heads and stone 
implements indicate. The second mound opened is on a hill. Its 
size and shape were about the same as those or" the one just 
described. It was constructed of materials that had to be con- 
veyed about one half of a mile, as they could not have been found 
any nearer. 

The contents of this mound were in a much better state of pres- 
ervation. Near the top were bones of what appeared to be a young 
child. Three skeletons were found resting on its base. Two o 
the skeletons were human; the third skeleton resembled that of a 
dog. This might have been for a fallen chief and his family. 

On an adjacent hill, overlooking the 270-acre field first described, 
is another mound, not opened. It is about the same size as that of 
the other two. Another mound, of similar size, and unopened, is 
located on a hill south of the battle-field. Relative to these four 
mounds and those on Wolf's Plains, if we be allowed to conject- 
ure the occasion of their construction, it would be about as follows: 
The Sunday Creek Valley and the plains were two great battle- 
fields, chosen as the ground on which to decide the claims of great 
rival powers. On the plains was fought the first bloody battle. 
The defeated army retreated up the Sunday Creek Valley. Being 
recruited from the north they made a stand. On the North Dover 
field was fought another engagement, more destructive than the 
first. Till the dead of those battle-fields can utter their true his- 
tory, our conjecture will, perhaps, come as near to the facts as our 



106 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

data will allow. The fortifications of the Mound- builders show 
about the same skill. In a cave, on the same farm cm Sunday 
Creek, is a vessel, worked out of the rock, which was used as a 
kettle for boiling; whether it was constructed by the Indians or 
by the Mound -builders we have no means to decide. 

The materials out of which their arrow-heads and axes were 
made came from some other region, since we have no such strata 
belonging to the valley. They might have obtained their granite 
from the drift found in the Hocking River terraces, but this ti rift is 
foreign. It is true that they might have obtained their black Hint 
from Rush Creek, but whether they found their white and red 
flints in this locality we are unable to say; perhaps they did. 

They had stone implements whose uses we are not able to dis- 
cern. There is a mound on Minor's Branch of Federal Creek 
which possesses some peculiar features worthy of special notice. 
A circular area about twelve feet in diameter is sunk about two 
and one-half feet below the surface of the earth, around the cir- 
cumference of which were found lying, heads to feet, six skeletons; 
in the center of the area rested the seventh and the largest skele- 
ton. Over these the mound was erected. These must have died 
at the same period, since the seven rest on the same horizontal 
level and were covered at the same time. This account we have 
from Dr. Dennis Newton, of Trimble Township, Athens County. 
It is said that there are 10,000 mounds, and 1,500 eircumvallations 
in Ohio. Of what race were these Mound-builders has not been 
satisfactorily ascertained. That they were originally from Asia 
we feel quite sure. From a skull obtained from one of the mounds 
we are inclined to give them a Mongolian extract. They evi- 
dently came to America over Behring's Straits, which they could 
have crossed on the ice, or in small crafts. It would require cent- 
uries to have gone as far south as Central or South America. 
As they moved toward the south they advanced in their arts. That 
they came from Northeastern Asia and from that quarter peo- 
pled America will appear from this: that the American continent, 
between the great mountain range (consisting o( the Rocky Mount- 
ains in North America and the Andes Mountains in South 
America) and the Pacific Ocean, was first peopled and grew into 
powerful empires. The memory of the Mound-builders lias per- 
ished from the earth, and the rude monuments give us a tar more 
imperfect sketch of their being and character than that o\' the fos- 
sils whose tombs are in the earth's strata. 



BISTORT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 107 

THE FAUNA OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

We are requested to describe the Hocking Valley in its three 
departments, or, kingdoms: Mineral, Animal and Vegetable. We 
have described its mineral or geological formations; and have 
dropped a few thoughts relative to its aboriginal inhabitants in 
their monuments; it now remains to consider its original animal 
and vegetable kingdoms. What beasts, birds, fishes, and reptiles 
originally occupied the valley ? This department we now propose 
to investigate. 

THE BEASTS OF THE VALLEY. 

When the first white man entered within the limits of the 
Hocking Valley, it was a dark, unbroken wilderness. The silence 
of its continuous forest was broken by the piercing cry of the 
eagle, the howling of wild beasts, and the whoop of the savage. 
The co-mingling of such wild, unusual, and discordant voices pro- 
duced a sense of loneliness to which the present occupants of the 
valley are utter strangers. Far from the cheering smiles of quiet 
civilization he is resolved to take up his abode with these untamed 
denizens of the valley. 

What were they that made his nights so dangerous and gloomy ? 

A few of its most dangerous occupants deserve special notice. 
Others will simply be named. 

(a.) Pum/i or Cougar, Fells concolor, leopard us concolor or 
puma concolor — one of the largest of the American folios, rivaled 
only by the jaguar. It is called panther {Felis pai'dus) called by 
the vulgar u painter." It is sometimes called the American lion. 
It does not often attack man, but has an unusual thirst for blood. 
One puma has been known to kill fifty sheep in one night, drink- 
ing a little blood of each. These monarchs of the forests were 
not numerous in the Hocking Valley, but their name always car- 
ried terror with it. When it was reported that a panther (painter) 
had been heard or seen in any district, the whole country turned 
out for a hunt, each man hoping to be the fortunate one to give it 
the death shot. This animal was the prince of beasts, though 
sometimes mastered and killed by a single dog. 

(b.) Bear — American black bear ( Ursus Americanus) were found 
in abundance, all over the valley. It was rather timid, but had 
great muscular power. It usually fed on berries;- seldom made 
an attack on man; but, when attacked it was very dangerous. 
The bear was hunted for the value of his fur and oil. Bear-hunt- 



108 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ing was a chief pursuit in the early settlement of the valley, and 
a successful ''bear hunter" was enrolled among the honorable. 
Bear meat was a great relish. Long since has the American black 
bid adieu to his favorite haunts in the Hocking Valley, and retired 
to Western lands, from the face of his human foe, there to pursue 
in secret his own natural calling. 

(c.) The Wolf. — The gray wolf (Canis occidentalis) was the wolf 
usually found in the Hocking Valley, though now and then a 
black wolf was caught. The wolves roved in packs, and when 
hungry disputed with the early settlers the right of possession of 
the flocks, and at times challenged man to mortal combat. Their 
barking howl, breaking upon the ear at noon of night, reminds 
one of those fabled monsters that are said to guard the entrance 
to the realms of Pluto. 

Wolf hunts were very common and quite necessary. They, too, 
have been driven from the valley, and in a few more years even 
their name will not be known in the valley. 

(d.) Deer (Gervidce). — Deer were, in early times, very numerous 
in the Hocking Valley. They were hunted for their skins and flesh. 
Many families lived, principally, on venison, and made deer-hunt- 
ing their chief occupation. The deer have also retired from the 
valley. Here and there one may be seen, but they are so scarce 
as to render their hunting quite unsuccessful. The four kinds of 
animals formed those classes which were, perhaps, the most noted. 
While these haunted the valley, hunting formed one of the chief 
occupations. When they disappeared hunting became more of a 
sporting business. Other wild animals were numerous, some of 
which were valued for their furs, such as the beaver, foxes, otters, 
muskrats, minks; others may be enumerated, as the hares, squir- 
rels, mice, rats, weasles, porcupines, badgers. These animals occu- 
pied the valley at the time when the white mm first entered it. 
The smaller animals still continue. Foxes have been very numer- 
ous and often destructive on the poultry. The opossums were 
numerous. 

BIRDS OF THE VALLEY. 

The Eagle Family (Aquila) — deserves the first notice as 
it is the royal family among birds. The eagles were, in the 
early settlement of the valley, quite numerous, there being 
many species. The eagle has always been a noted bird. Its 
extraordinary powers of vision, the height to which it is able 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 109 

to rise, its love tor wild scenery, and its longevity consti- 
tute it as a bird of poetic associations. " It was associated 
with Jupiter in the Roman mythology ; its figure on the standards 
of the Roman legions expressed and animated their confidence in 
victory." It is the emblem of our standard. The American eagle 
inspires the American soldier in the day of battle. The spe- 
cies of eagles formerly numerous in the flocking Yalley are: (a) 
The white, or bald-head eagle of America; the chosen emblematic 
eagle of American States, is also an erne, one of the eagle group; 
(5) The forked-tailed eagle was another species quite common in 
the early settlement of the valley. On almost any clear day of 
summer its piercing cry would call your attention. Looking to- 
ward the sun you would discover the eagle, with expanded wings 
immovable, and forked tail circling in a spiral path upward till 
it disappears in the boundless expanse above. That bird has also 
forsaken the valley. The bald eagle did much damage in the way 
of carry ing-off pigs, lambs and other small animals. Sometimes 
infants have been stolen. 

The Hawk {Falconidm) — is an " ignoble " bird of prey. This 
family has always had a full representation in the Hocking Yalley. 
The two most noted species are the (1) "'hen hawk," so called 
from its larger size; and (2) the " chicken hawk," one much smaller. 
A third species may be added, the " blue hawk." The three spe- 
cies are " ignoble " birds of prey. The}' are tar-seeing, and have 
always been disputants for a large share of the domestic products 
of the poultry. Our good and wise law-makers placed the family, 
for a time, under legal restrictions, but, for some reason, wise, per- 
haps, have signed for them, a reprieve. This large family is pleased 
with its treatment and fare, and has concluded to continue its resi- 
dence in the valley. 

The Owl {StrigidcB). — This family is the nocturnal section of 
birds of prey. It was once a very large family in the Hocking 
Valley, and made the nights hideous with its hootings. The owl 
family has always been one of poor repute, being a family of " evil 
omen." It has this bad reputation from gloominess of its haunts, 
such as old, dilapidated buildings, caverns, and the dark solitudes 
of the woods; and, especially, from its cry, " hollow and lugu- 
brious," but loud and startling, " heard during the hours of darkness, 
and often by the lonely wanderer. It is evidently from this cry' 
that the name owl is derived, as well as many of its synonyms in 
other languages, and of the names appropriated in different coun- 



110 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tries to particular species, in most of which the sound oo or ow is 
predominant, with great variety of accompanying consonants. 
Many of the owls have also another and very different cry, which 
has gained for one of them the appellation screech owl, and to which, 
probably, the Latin name Strlx and some other names are to be re- 
ferred." Between the settlers and the owl family there has been a 
continued struggle as to the right of certain kinds of property, the 
owl being a noted thief and robber, sleeping in the light of day, but 
wide awake during the hours of darkness — having such a big eye and 
so peculiarly constructed', that it can see without light. The owl fam- 
ily still remains in the valley, following its old occupation. The 
eagle, the hawk and the owl were the principal families of prey; 
what the eagle and the hawk failed to accomplish in the light, the 
owl finished in the darkness. 

Birds of other families abounded in the valley. Enter the dark 
valley of the primeval forests in the hot and shady months, and 
the notes of a great variety of "feathered songsters " always salute 
the listening ear of the lonely traveler. These families prefer the 
retired wilderness abode to the cultivated lands of civilization. Other 
families soon formed an intimacy with the new comers of the valley. 
As the forests removed and the lands were made productive they 
came in for their share in payment for their "gabble " and musical 
entertainments. Of these there was a great variety, such as the 
buzzard, the raven, the crow, the dove, the lark, the quail, the par- 
tridge, the black-bird, blue-bird, the humming-bird, the wild turkey, 
water-fowls, and a great variety of swallows, martins, American 
mocking-bird (cat-bird),robin , whip-poor-will, yellow-hammer, wood- 
cock, wood-pecker, and many other families; these continue in the 
valley, and prefer the haufits of civilization. One other family of 
birds should not be overlooked, since it outnumbered the sum of 
all others, viz., the wild pigeons. Flocks of pigeons often in their 
flight darkened the whole heavens. Their roosts were so crowded 
and large that they broke down forests. This family have now 
deserted the valley for homes more retired. 

FISHES (PISCES) OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The Hocking River and its tributaries, were abundant in their 
supply of excellent fish. Some have been caught weighing fifty 
pounds. They were of many varieties, and of nearly all sizes. 
Those prized mist for food were the pike, weighing from one pound 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. Ill 

to ten pounds; the black perch, sometimes called bass; white bass; 
the sucker and salmon. The cat fish, sometimes called " mud cat," 
is now, by far, the most abundant in the Hocking waters. It grows, 
sometimes, to a very large size, and affords an excellent supply of 
choice food for the inhabitants of the water courses. During early 
spring, fishing is made a pleasing and profitable amusement. To 
fish with a hook and line, standing in the water up to the middle, 
was one of the early pioneer spring and summer occupations. 
Should our waters be supplied with foreign varieties of choice fish, 
the time may come when Hocking River and its affluents will 
yield the citizens of the valley a satisfactory income. Fish culture, 
in point of commercial value, will, perhaps, compare favorably 
with grain products, provided, however, that the culture is prop- 
erly guarded. 

THE REPTILES OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

When first discovered, the valley was full of reptiles. (1) Ophi- 
dia, or serpents; (2) Sauria, or lizards; (3) Chelonia, or tortoises. 
The serpents were of many species: (1) The rattle-snake; (2) Cop" 
perhead; (3) The black-snake; (4) The striped snake; and (5) The 
"racer." These were the most common of the serpent family. 
The rattle-snake and the copperhead were very poisonous. The 
rattle-snake always gave warning, and was not, therefore, so dan- 
gerous as the copper-head, which accomplished its deadly work 
from an ambush. The racer was not poisonous; still it was dan- 
gerous in its mode of attack, coiling about its victim, and, sud 
denly, and with great power, crushing the object. There were 
combats between the rattle-snake antl the racer which resulted in 
the total destruction of the former. The serpents of the poisonous 
species have become scarce, except in a few localities. Lizards in 
the Hocking Yalley are small, and without any special interest. 
About the same may be said of the tortoises; some few species are 
used as food. 

The insects of the valley were also numerous, some of which are 
useful. The wild honey-bee belongs to that class. Many species 
may be placed in the rank of pests. Our space will not allow 
further notice. 

Before closing our notice of the Fauna of the Hocking Valley, 
it may be well to notice some ancient animals that once occupied 
the valley but are now either extinct or have long since retired 
to other regions. 



112 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Among these we may reckon the buffalo, and the mastodon. 
That both of these species once made Hocking Valley their homes, 
we have sufficient proof. On some of the points of the spurs, on 
the east of Sunday Creek, in Trimble Township, Athens County^ 
are buffalo beats — spaces covering several square rods of ground. 
These are trodden very hard. They were localities where, in hot 
weather, buffaloes congregated to beat Hies. The points of ridges 
were selected by them as watch towers, to give alarm at the ap- 
proach of an enemy. What proof, it maybe asked, is there that 
the mastodon ever inhabited the Hocking Valley? About fifty-one 
years since, the Hocking River, during a high flood, on its east 
bank, on the farm of William Courtney, one mile above Athens, 
washed out part of the skeleton of a mastodon. It was in the 
alluvial bank, about thirteen feet below the surface. Its molar 
teeth and some parts of the jaws remained; still', exposed to the air 
they began to slack. They were removed to the museum of the 
Ohio University, where they remained for many years. From the 
size of those parts obtained the size of the animal was approxi- 
mately estimated at about eleven feet high and sixteen feet long. It 
was deposited in the water, or mud of the river. Whether it died 
there, or washed there from some other part of the valley, cannot 
be ascertained. It was not found, however, in the glacial drift. 
That the buffalo and the mastodon once fed upon the banks of the 
Hocking River, passed up and down its numerous branches, 
roamed over its ridges, and stood upon its spurs, cannot be a mat- 
ter of any doubt. 

They had left the valley before the white man entered it; how 
long before is a matter of conjecture. From the condition of skele- 
tons, the mastodon and the Mound-builders might have been face 
to face. 

But, aside from the ancient denizens of the Hocking Valley, let 
us view the inhabitants of the valley when first seen by the Cau- 
casian. Not a tree has yet fallen before the ax of the white man. 
Among the waving branches of the heavy timbered bottoms, and 
on the stately oaks of the hills, are heard the notes and cries of 
birds of various plumage, new and Btrange. The Indian whoop, 
the panther's cry, the hoarse growl of the bear, the howl of the 
wolf, mingled with thousands of notes of living organism, fall upon 
his ear, as from the animated beings of a new world. Is he dream- 
ing^ or, does he behold the animated beings of a literal country, 
like the one left behind him? 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 113 

Are these numberless organisms indigenous to the soil, like the 
trees that grow out of it? or, are they the offspring of an eastern 
ancestry, that, in ages long-passed, found their way over a pathless 
ocean? Have the human family one center, or many? Do ani- 
mals follow the same law of unity? These points are unsettled in 
the minds of many learned men. The animals of the new world had 
their laws of natural combination corresponding with a new human 
development, each to move in unison as another great whole in 
the divine government. 

THE FLORA OF THE HOCKING VALLEY. 

The flora concerns those trees and plants which are indigenous 
to the district. We shall, under this term, include the botany of 
the valley, as it was when first settled by Europeans. A few gen- 
eral remarks will be of use to a proper understanding of what shall 
follow. The Arctic flora of Europe, Asia and America resemble 
more closely than that of the equatorial regions. The same holds 
true of their fauna. This affords an argument in favor of the idea 
of one floral center. Species in the three grand divisions are not 
alike. Trees of the same name differ in America from those in 
Europe and Asia. These variations are mostly the result of cli- 
mate and soil, and not because of different original centers; the 
families are more alike than their species. The family name is not 
changed, but the species differ. The American forests, as in 
Europe and Asia, consist of pines, oaks, birches and willows; but 
they are not like those that cover the plains and mountains east 
of the Atlantic. The same is true of other trees, such as poplars, 
elms, planes, maples, hazels, and other families of trees, and, also, 
it holds good with roses, brambles, strawberries, bilberries, etc.; it 
is true also of grasses, common flowers, and weeds. Each zone, 
therefore, has its peculiar flora. The change in the species is evi- 
dently the result of a change in the soil and climate. The oaks 
and pines on the mountains of Mexico differ from the Arctic oaks 
and pines of America. Geological formations vary the features. 
Look at the white oaks, growing on thin hill land, rich north side 
hills, southern and western exposures, on rich bottom lands, on 
lands containing much iron, lime or sand, those that are on wet, 
cold and sour soils. We conclude, therefore, that the flora of a 
country varies with its geological formation, temperature, light and 
heat. We speak of a white oak soil, a walnut soil, buckeye soil, 



114 HISTORY OF DOCKING VALLEY. 

beach soil. Each soil is adapted to its peculiar flora. The seeds 
being in the soils will not germinate unless the laws of germina- 
tion are met. This is true of all floral seeds. Put a heavy coating 
of lime on afield and, without sowing, clover springs up from seed 
already in the earth. These laws of germination understood, we 
proceed to investigate the flora of the Hocking Valley. 

ITS FORESTS. 

No one passing for the first time (18S3) through the various sections 
of the Hocking Valley, noting carefully its cultivated fields; its 
railways, villages, towns and cities; its coal, salt, and iron establish- 
ments, can form any fair picture of Hocking Valley and its tributa- 
ries one century since. All its bottom lands were then shaded by 
a very dense, high, and heavy growth of green, healthy trees, com- 
posed of immense sycamore, poplars, black and white walnut, black 
and white ash, buckeye, beech, soft and rock maple, white, black, 
red and yellow oak, standing so dense when clothed with foliage, as 
not to allow the sun's rays to penetrate to the earth; turning bright 
noon-day into twilight. What immense labor to consume those 
primeval forests. The hills were covered with a dense growth of oak, 
hickory, ash; here and there pine, poplar, maple and some few 
other species of forest trees. The ravines, slopes, and plains were 
covered with a mixture of the bottom and upland growth. These 
dense forests have given way to the march of civilization. Over 
a large portion of the valley there is nothing left to teach the rising 
generation the majestic beauty of nature's original clothing. What 
is a cornstock beside a venerable oak, or poplar, or ash, or syca- 
more? What are our steepled houses beside the beauty and the 
glory of "God's first temple"? 

These forests, so wantonly mutilated and destroyed, have been 
the necessary servants of the citizens of the valley, by supplying 
them with fuel, bridge, fencing and building materials, and by 
satisfying various other wants. There has been, however, a great 
waste of timber; thousands of acres of choice timber were burned. 
The "log rollings" of early times are sufficient testimony of the 
truth of the assertion. Could that choice timber have been sawed 
into lumber and protected it would have supplied the wants of 
many generations, but where then were their portable saw-mills and 
the men to work them? Steam itself was yet slumbering. 

Relative to the flora of the Hocking Valley something should 
be said relative to its tree families, their location, growth, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 115 

particular habits. Many families, each consisting of several mem- 
bers or species of trees, formed the vast wilderness of the Hocking 
Valley. Sometimes miles were occupied by the members of a sin- 
gle family, such as the oak family; in other localities the family of 
hickories held almost exclusive possession; in another poplar; 
beech, another, and so on through the catalogue of families, each 
family occupying the land that best suited it, forming all over the 
valley "little squatter' 1 sovereignties. Other localities were 
covered with family mixtures. Nut that they amalgamated, but 
that they were not exclusive in their habits; they grew up quietly 
in the same beautiful grove. Such habits do not come by chance; 
they must spring from philosophical causes. Why such habits 
among the more noble families of the floral kingdom? Be it true 
or false, we venture an explanation. Seeds, the parentage of veg- 
etation, were the result of an original creation. Whether they 
were created in one place and distributed or were formed where 
they afterward germinated, we do not say. The seeds, through 
some agency by the waters of the flood, by birds, or by some other 
means, entered the soils in every quarter of the globe, waiting 
there for favorable conditions of germination, each variety or fam- 
ily varying in its conditions. They may have been placed there in the 
original creation. The ground is full of seeds not sown by the hand 
of man; how long sown there is not known. Seeds retain their 
vitality many centuries; instances are given which would show that 
some varieties (grains of wheat about Egyptian mummies) have 
held their vitality forty centuries. Corn in the tombs of the Incas 
has vegetated. "After the great fire of London, in 1666, plants 
not previously common sprang up abundantly on the waste ground; 
certain plants previously unknown there are sure to appear after a 
fire in the American forests, in deep trenching of land, or turning 
up of the soil, by railway or other operations, producing a crop of 
some kiud of plants unknown or rare in the locality." The seeds 
then that have produced these families may have been in their local- 
ities ages before exposed to their various conditions of germination. 
The seed of the oak might germinate in one place; those of the 
beech in another; of the poplar in another, each variety of seed 
germinating in that locality best adapted to its growth. Thus we 
call one soil a beech soil, another oak, another walnut, because 
best adapted to that peculiar growth. These tree preferences and 
habits are well understood, and followed in the purchase of lands. 
Each geological formation has its distinct flora. It is not our 



116 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

purpose to discuss fossil botanj r , but simply to give some account 
of what might be the origin of the Hocking Valley forests. These 
forests sprang up among the debris ot the lower coal measure, yet 
they are infants in age compared with the duration of those meas- 
ures. To the cretaceous formation many of the genera now living 
are said to belong. "They formed the forests of that period, and 
the fossil remains show that their appearance was much the same 
as now. Among the living genera represented were the oak, pop- 
lar, plane, willow, beech, sassafras, magnolia, fig, maple, walnut, 
tulip tree, etc." That the seeds were long in their various locali- 
ties, and were not therefore brought from the Old World, will appear 
when we learn that many are natives of America, such as maize 
(Indian corn) and the potato. 

The wild flowers of the Hocking Valley were exceedingly numer- 
ous and of many varieties. We have no data by which any botanical 
description can be given, neither will our limited space permit 
such a scientific notice. We simply describe it as the first settlers 
saw it. Wherever the sun was permitted to warm the earth, seeds 
of unknown plants germinating sprang up in profusion. The deep 
soils of the river and creek bottoms soon brought them into bloom. 
One of nature's flower gardens would extend many miles, showing 
every size, shape and shade of color. 

Such a profusion and co-mingling of odors and tints can exist 
only in the gardens of nature's planting. You might walk seventy 
miles and still be surrounded with this wild Eden bloom. The 
rose, the pink, the violet, the tulip and the lilies! Who could count 
the numbers or tell their varieties? We have floral exhibitions of our 
times, but they would not favorably compare with one of Nature's 
exhibitions in the Hocking Valley of those early days. Over hills, 
up ravines, along the slopes, on the plains, in the valleys, over a 
space of 2,000 square miles, from April till September, was this 
beautiful flower garden on exhibition. How true to nature are 
these lines: 

" Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, 
And waste its sweetness on the desert air. " 

METEOROLOGY OF THE HOCKING VALLEY. 

Meteorology discusses atmospheric phenomena. We shall con- 
fine our remarks to those phenomena that relate to weather and 
climate. This department of nature has, so far, refused to submit 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 117 

to any regular system of well-defined laws. At least it has been 
very reticent before the most distinguished savants. 

The element that we breathe, and in which we live and move and 
have our being, is too intimately associated with our health and 
happiness to allow us not to be familiar with its nature and 
habits. Let us look into the character of this constant companion. 
Pure atmosphere is the element of life. Impure air is a death 
angel. Whatever, then, affects its purity or condition as a breath- 
ing element, or as a faithful servant and companion, should be 
made familiar. The atmosphere is the home of those meteors 
that so much affect the human family, viz.: Dew, clouds, fog, 
rain, hail, frost, lightning, and storms of wind, rain, hail and 
snow. Its temperature and weight are constantly varying. 
Whatever chauges its weight, its temperature, its moisture or 
its motion or direction has a direct bearing on our health and 
our enjoyment. We speak, also, of its electricity. In every 
light, therefore, atmospheric changes affect our happiness more 
sensibly than any other natural department. All nations are 
watching its changes, that, if possible, they may discover the laws 
which govern its greatest meteor storms, how to forecast storms, 
and, consequently, to avoid their terrible effects. If its tornadoes, 
or cyclones could be seen twenty-four hours in advance, much ot 
their damages could be avoided. To prevent rains when too 
abundant, or to cause showers in times of drought, would be a 
great achievement. We hold that the atmosphere is like water, 
under the control of specific laws; that these laws will finally be 
known, and meteorology will be brought under the theorems and 
problems of all true sciences. This, however, will not be accom- 
plished until the influence of disturbing causes are distinctly 
ascertained. Then storms will be accurately predicted and their 
forces ascertained. The 2,000 daily observations taken in all parts 
of the world is bringing about an important era in the history of 
meteorology. All that aid in that work are public benefactors. 

Every river system has its own meteorological peculiarities . 
The course of the river and its branches, and the nature of its soils, 
determine the character of its atmosphere. These, united with 
temperature and the rapid or tardy flow of the streams — all these 
combined — make its peculiar atmospheric features, The atmos- 
phere of the Mississippi is subjected to two currents of air, between 
which there exists a continuous struggle; a cool, dry wind from the 
north and northwest, and a sultry wind, charged with vapor, from 



118 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the south and southwest. Were it not for the struggle for the 
ascendency between these opposing winds the Mississippi Valley 
would long since have been a desert waste. The reason of this 
will appear when a third atmospheric current is traced. 

A west wind, saturated with vapor, starts from the Pacific, east- 
ward, direct for the Mississippi Valley, in the same latitude. Pass- 
ing over the Coast Range, with the fall of temperature its capacity 
to hold moisture decreases. There it parts with a portion of its 
vapor. It does not recover its full capacity when it meets with its 
second mountain range (the Nevada), where it makes its second 
deposit, this range being higher than the coast range. Having 
passed the third range (the Rocky Mountains) it descends the east- 
ern slope a dry wind. Crossing a vast extent of country with a 
higher temperature it has no moisture to precipitate, it reaches us 
a dry west wind. Should there be no north and south winds we 
should have no rain. Two currents, one cool, the other warm and 
saturated with vapor, make a general rain fall — what we call k ' steady 
rains." Summer showers are produced by the law of condensa- 
tion, but in another way; a warm, saturated current moving up- 
ward meets a cold stratum of air, part of its vapor being condensed 
is precipitated in the form of rain or hail. The law is the same in 
each, but they differ in mode and direction; the one is horizontal, 
the other vertical. With this view before us let us examine the 
lay and peculiar features of the Hocking Valley. Its course is 
northwest and southeast, the direction of the two contesting cur- 
rents of air — the line of advance and retreat of the contending ele- 
ments. The storm belt is where the contending winds meet. If 
the wind is southeast the storm is further north; if south, then we 
have a northwest wind. Our various winds have the following 
characteristics in Hocking Valley: A south wind, east wind, or 
southeast wind in the spring, fall and winter bring a storm, be- 
cause the}' being warmer and saturated with vapor meet a cold 
wind which precipitates a portion of its moisture, and will continue 
to storm till they are driven southward, and the wind, in common 
language, shifts to the north, northwest. The true expression is, 
the colder or opposite wind prevails and Iris driven the warmer 
wind and, consequently, the storm belt , to the south. The rains 
in the valley are local, often covering less than a mile square. Se- 
vere and protracted droughts are seldom known in the Hocking 
Valley. The reasons are obvious : The valley has so many hills 
and ridges that they serve to introduce heated rising currents of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 119 

moist air; these rising currents carrying their vapor with them it is 
condensed and falls in rain. Hence it is said that turning up so 
as to show the under surfaces of the growing leaves is a sign ot 
rain. It shows the existence of upward currents of air, which in- 
dicate rain. A west wind is usually a dry wind for reasons already 
given. East winds, those due east, bring rain only when they are 
heavily charged with vapor — for meeting a cool, dry west wind, 
much of its vapor will be absorbed. 

The winds of the Hocking Valley are very much broken, owing 
to so many breaks. Every hill is a wind-break. In the North 
Fairfield division the winds are more uniform, the country being 
level. The north and west winds have no obstruction, but in every 
other section the hills, spurs and ridges " chop " the winds. Among 
the hills it is difficult to determine the general course of winds, ex- 
cept by the clouds. "Within one mile square the wind at different 
points blows at the same time from every quarter, it meeting 
with obstructions. Four persons meeting after a heavy blow, might 
thus speak: A. — We had a severe north wind this morning. B. — 
No, sir; it was a west wind. C. — You are both mistaken; it was 
an east wind. D. — You must all have been dreaming, for I was 
on a hill and know that it came from the south. They were all 
correct, for (chameleon like) it had a course for each. In this man- 
ner the valley in a hot summer's day, when upward currents are 
forming, is full of eddies or local whirlwinds. The winds of the 
valley are, therefore, peculiar. 

Its climate, for the same reasons, is peculiar also. It has every 
kind of exposure. On the same farm there are summer gardens 
and winter gardens, summer fields and winter fields in one locality, 
owing to the exposures being nearly a month earlier than another. 
This climatic variety gives Hocking Valley an advantage in fruit 
culture, since there is scarcely ever a season in which the fruits ot 
all its localities are destroyed. 

From its conformation it has its share of f >gs and clouds, rains, 
snows and storms. The valle} r , at times, has had its tornadoes, yet 
they have been quite limited, since all the hills combining soon put 
an end to their devastations. The evaporation of the valley is 
also very unequal. The whole structure of the valley tends to de- 
stroy atmospheric equilibrium. Storms must be the result. 

One question deserves further notice : Has the valley civilization 
changed or modified its meteorological phenomena? What atmos- 
pheric changes have resulted from clearing, draining and culti- 



L20 history OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

mating the soil, and erecting villages, towns and cities, and 
establishing manufactories, constructing railways and other im 
provements ' 

The writer of this article has kepi a weather journal for aboul 
fifty years foluob of thai time he has been e citizen of the Hook- 
ing Valley. He speaks, therefore, from positive knowledge when 
Baying: The seasons are nol now whal they were one half a 
century ago. The four seasons have been changed, nol thai they 
are opposite In character, but that there has been many atmos 
pheric changes and modifications. 

The valley evaporation has been made over and vastly aug 
mented. The letting of the sun's rays, unobstructed by dense 
foresl i, falling upon the earth lias greatly increased evaporation. 
Streams thai once flowed during the entire summer are dry, only 
after shown- 1, This vapor, floating in the at mosphere, must change 
ii density and tend to produce local rains. 

The cultivated fields are great absorbents, so thai the size of the 
streams, except in heavy rain ''all;, i; reduoed. Much of the land 
since the removal of it- forests lies in its unite I suffers 

the extremes of he it and OOld, BOWing 111 LtS bosom the seels ol 

o msumption Thi i epidemic tendency is oommunicated to the at 
mosphere, robbing i1 of its freshness and vitality. We breathe 
a cultivated air, impregnated with a thousand malarial impurities 
The improvements of the valley have changed its atmospheric 
phenomena, Prof. J. P. Espy, the "storm king," used t<> say : "Give 
me fuel enough and I can break up any drought." A greal up 

ward fin rent thus produced would carry with it a mass of VapOl' 

to be condensed and fall in rain. Am upward currenl musl bo pro 

duced I" haVQ rain-fall in the sunnier. It is said that it rains 

every day in mil around London; bo many fires in suoh a small 
space produce upward rain ourrents. These disturbing elements 
are increasing in Eooking Valley, and their results are apparent. 
Am cause thai tends to breakup the atmospheric equilibrium 
Introduces :i storm element. Mm has, therefore, introduced 
meteorological ohanges. These disturbing causes will i nor ease a 
the valle\ till, up with m working, enterprising population. A 
coil district is subject lo a greater flow of water, and, therefore, 
atfeots the atmosphere. Human industrj so muoh ohanges the 
meteorological phenomena thai it is diilicult to prediol aoourately 
ooming ohanges of weather. Every person should learn the names 

and peculiar characteristics of the 0loud8, winds and all such 



history OP' llocKlNii VALLEY 



IL'I 



meteorological phenomena as affect either his health, oharaoter or 
basines 

The natural history oftho Eiooking Valley has boon briefly <>ui 
lined, li now remains to aggregate its principal features and 
sketch it future. 

Thai seotion of Ohio known as the [looking Valley was once an 
irregular block of mineral doposits, about eighty miles long by 
thirty miles wide, and L.200 feel deep, resting horizontally on the 
Waverly group, oomposod ofaboul six geological formations, via 
Sandstones, sb ties, limestones, Bre day, coal and Iron ore) consisting 
of nearly LOO layers or strati) resting upon eaoh othei hori :ontally, 
as they were deposited ft'orn the primeval ocean, and, al thai time, 
under its waters. Its upper surface was smooth, horizontal and 
level. Thai plain was some feel above the Irishes! poinl of the 
eastern water-shed, the hills being lowered by ages of erosion 
When these stral i were ftui ihod to the smooth surface of the lasl 
and highest stratum, a great goologioal change took place The 
Cincinnati A.rch and the Allegheny Mountains arose out of the 
bosom of the waters, carrying up with them the strata intervening 
to an elevation above the sen level, and inclining so n • to form the 
longitudinal trough, the bottom of which is now oooupiod by the 
waters of the beautiful Ohio. Since thai noted upheaval which 
oxtendod over thousands of miles, there was uo Further submora 
ence of the Hocking \ r alle) section. The work oi the valley 
formation by erosion then commenced. The Ohio River flowing 
in a channel LOO feel lower than its present ohannol, made its 
tribul irios and sub tributaries orod • vi ry rapidly. 11 >ok u •• R ver 
then ran in a channel about LOO feet l »«>l. »w its present bed, A.11 
ii • tributaries noar their mouths wore LOO feel lower than now. 
This made their il >w much more rapid , :m 1 the growing proi 
w is very active. Every flood carried oul of the tributary val 

:ui immenso amount of eroded debris. Thus w:»s the 11". 
\ alloy form id and fu ihionod into il i pre icnl I ■• an l ihape * I • 
other mo litication of the depth and face of the chief \ alle^ des >r\ o i 
notice. A glaoial epoch followed with a temperature of Greenland 
In the II »okin •; Valley an J over I h • c intin mt. [mmeuse ma isos 
ol loo were formed, binding up in their glacial fetters millions 
ol tons of land, gravel and boulders This was followed by a 
10 far as to detach icebergs, whioh, floating louth, south 



122 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

east, by melting, deposited their drift, boulders, clay and gravel. 
All the Western and Northwestern Ohio was leveled up with this 
drift. A large amount was deposited along the Hocking Valley, 
through which the river has cut its modern channel. 

Such is a brief sketch of the formation and shaping of the present 
Hocking Valley. Had it not been for the upheaval there would 
still have been a sea to occupy its present site; there could have 
been no erosion; and without erosion, the geological and strati- 
graphical formation of the valley would never have been known . 
This great upheaval gave birth to the valley, with all its living 
organisms. It wis evidently elevated above the ocean waters and 
made and shaped by erosion for some wise purposes. The im- 
mense mineral deposits of the Hocking Yalley, exposed by the up- 
heaval and erosion, are sufficiently indicative of the intention of 
its Creator. 

The topography of the Hocking Valley is peculiarly varied. It 
would be a difficult task even to count its ridges, spurs, hills, 
m.umds, gulches, ravines, slopes, valleys and plains; its fountains, 
rills, rivulets or creeks; and its various bodies of water. Such a 
pleasing variety never tires the eye. But, to the geologist pre- 
paring to benefit mankind by his untiring researches, the Hocking 
Valley is a theater of unusual interest. Its mineral formations are 
remarkably rich and exceedingly varied. Of these, its early 
inhabitants knew but little. There are no remains of any struct- 
ures in Hocking Valley that indicate any extended use of its 
sandstones, limestones, shales, fire-clay, coal or iron ores. Flint 
supplied the place, principally, of iron; cones of earth, that of 
m irble m >nu nents. h\ the midst of untold mineral wealth, they 
pursu ■<! the chase, and, resiling in forests, they subsisted on 
nature's most simple fare. 

Its fauna and 11 ira have changed, and we now beholl a valley 
fast filling up with a population capable of appreciating and 
utilizing the resources treasured for their u^e by natures' 
architect. 

CONCLUSION — THE FUTURE OF THE HOCKING VALLEY. 

Who knows its future ? "Secret things belong to the Lord our 
God." We forecast only as he furnishes the data and ability. 
Three terms given, a fourth readily follows. Hocking Valley's 
future depends upon its mineral resources, the capital to develop 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 123 

and the will ; their actual development necessarily follows as the 
fourth term. In this term is the future of the Hocking- Valley. 
Its future, therefore, can be readily ascertained. 

ITS MINERAL RESOURCES. 

We shall name no mineral that is not found in the valley, and 
as herein described. We do not say that each one extends over the 
entire valley. This would not Jbe true. What we describe is in 
the valley, and is equal in quantity and quality to our estimates. 
This is all that any one should require. We would further say 
that our estimates cover a compact territory of about 600 square 
miles. We have selected a part of this territory as the basis of 
our estimates, with which we are quite familiar, Sunday Creek 
Valley, a mean between the out-crops and deep shafting. What, 
then, are the mineral resources of the Hocking Valley? 

1. Petroleum, — The Hocking Valley has its fountains of petro- 
leum. On some of its eastern tributaries, such as Federal Creek 
and Sunday Creek, thousands of barrels have been obtained- 
How extensive are its fountains, if properly tested, we cannot say. 
There is money in it, if diligently worked. 

2. Stlt.— The brine of Hocking Valley comes from the Upper 
Waverly. It is from 570 feet to 1,000 feet below .the surface. It 
has produced a largo amount of salt. Should the brine be drawn 
up by the power that elevates the coal, and evaporated by the 
slack of the shaft seam, it could be manufactured with profit. We 
reckon salt as one of the mineral resources of the valley. 

3. Fiwstoiie. — Building stone is in greal abun lance. In Fair- 
field and Hocking comities are the Waverly sandstone. Some of 
the strata are of excellent quality. In Perry and Athens counties 
we have the heavy sandstone formations of the coal measures. 
They are in some localities fifty feet thick, fine grained and 
sharp, white and pure — a glass-making rock. We have districts 
where the flag-stone is well developed. The quarries consist of 
many layers, varying from one inch to six inches thick, sound, and 
with surfaces as level and smooth as the sawed flag of the Euclid 
A.venue, Cleveland. A vast amount can be obtained. 

4 Fire-clay. — This deposit is very abundant in the valley, 
and much of it is said to he of superior quality. It will, in time, 
add much to the mineral wealth of Hocking Valley. Three min- 
erals remain, which, from their joint use, should stand as a whole 



12-i HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

relatively : iron ore and limestone, and coal employed in their 
redaction. Profitable iron-making requires that these three min- 
erals should be found in the same localities. This is true of the 
Hocking Valley. 

5. Limestone. — Three veins of limestone extend over the most 
of Hocking Valley, but in the Federal and East Sunday creek 
hills, that limestone has its heaviest developments. The divide 
between those two streams is formed principally of limestone of 
an excellent quality, for quick lime, and for a flux. It may be 
truly said that the limestone is ample for all its practical uses. 
Furnaces erected on Federal Creek or on Sunday Creek will have 
limestone within easy range. 

6. Iron Ore. — Deposits of iron ore can be found in nearly all 
sections of the valley, especially in the coal measures. One vein 
of coal is the floor of an iron ore seam. They occupy different 
horizons of the same territory. In Sunday Creek Valley we have 
examined thirteen horizons of iron ore within a vertical space of 
■±00 feet. These veins vary from six inches to five feet. Three 
veins are, severally, two and a half feet, four feet and five feet 
thick. One vein, on analysis, yields thirty-three per cent, of pure 
iron; another, fifty-five per cent., and a third, sixty per cent. 
These seams extend for miles, and crop out in the opposite slopes 
of the same hills. Two men of great experience in iron-making, 
made the following remarks: One from the Cambria Iron Works 
said: "There is iron ore enough; the per cent, is fair. ,, The one 
from Mahoning Valley said: "One bushel of the coal should not 
be taken out of the valley, for it will all be wanted in smelting its 
ores. Neither of these practical iron masters had seen all the hor- 
izons. Such declarations from practical men must have meaning. 

7. Coal. — We have reserved this mineral to the last, because 
it is first in value, and well deserves the name of " King of min- 
erals." It is the motive power — the motor of the world's machin- 
ery, for its heat generates the steam that moves the world; the 
treasured sunlight of the carboniferous age; the world's renovator; 
the fuel for man in his high intellectual life. The value of coal is 
measured by the power generated in its combustion. 

•'The power developed in the combustion of a pound of coal is 
reckoned by engineers as equal to L,500,000 foot-pounds. The 
power exerted by a man of ordinary strength during a day of 
labor is about the same, so that a pound of coal may be regarded 
as equivalent to a day's labor of a man. Hence, 300 pounds 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 125 

will represent the labor of a man for a year." It has been 
estimated that 20,000,000 tons of the annual coal product of Great 
Britain (100,000,000 tons the whole product) is devoted to the 
development of motive power, and that is equivalent to the labor 
of 133,000,000 of men. 

"These men, in this calculation, are considered as exerting merely 
brute force,' but they all may be regarded as producers only, and 
not consumers, the profit on the balance of her coal product (80,- 
000,000 tons) fully covering all expenses, we are safe in estimating 
the contribution made to the wealth of Great Britain, by her an- 
nual coal product, as equivalent (equal) to that of 133,000,000 
skilled operatives laboring for her enrichment." — J. S. Neiobemj. 
Chief Geologist of Ohio. 

Making this calculation the basis of our estimates, we will ex- 
amine the coal treasured up on 600 square miles of the Hocking 
Valley. Prof. E. B. Andrews estimates the coal of that district, 
situated on the waters of Monday Creek and Sunday Creek, to 
average eight feet thick. On 600 square miles, 640 acres to the 
square mile, would give 600x640 = 381,000 acres. But a vein 
of coal of eight feet thick yields about 10,000 tons of coal to the 
acre, or 384.000x10,000=3,840,000,000 tons. This is thirty- 
eight and two-fifths times larger than the annual coal product of 
Great Britain. It would require 133,000,000 men thirty-eight and 
two-fifths years to produce the same motive power, which would be 
equal to that of 133,000,000 skilled operatives laboring thirty- 
eight and two-fifths years for the enrichment of the Hocking Valley. 
This " Nelsonville " coal vein has its greatest development on Sun- 
day Creek and Monday Creek. Still, more territory is required to 
make the 600 square miles. Allowing one half of this productive 
value to exist in its ore veins, the productive value of these two 
minerals is immense. To these we may add the productive value 
of the other five and we have an amount truly overwhelming. 
What a vast amount of labor to utilize the minerals of the Hock- 
ing Valley ! it would make a Birmingham of every coal valley for 
centuries. Capitalists begin to see these inevitable results, and 
are investing their money in these mineral lands. The future, 
therefore, of the Hocking Valley, as we forecast it, is one of a 
vast working population, immense labor, and of vast pecuniary 
resources. 



126 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

THE FUTURE POPULATION OF THE HOCKING VALLEY, 

based upon its coal, its iron ores and its limestone. We assume, 
what can be readily established, that Hocking Valley has, within 
itself, all the materials which are necessary to utilize all of its own 
mineral products, and, consequently, that the entire labor can be 
more economically done in the valley than anywhere out of it. 
That being true, we conclude that work, whether by men or ma- 
chinery, or by both, will be accomplished in the valley. How 
much work, then, must be done in the Hocking Valley, to utilize 
its entire mineral deposits, including its petroleum, salt, tire-clay, 
freestone, limestone, iron ores and stone-coal? We shall base our 
calculations on the products of three minerals — limestone, iron ore 
and coal, limestone being necessary as a flux.. 

If all the coal and limestone (according to the views # of a dis- 
tinguished iron master) will be wanted to reduce the iron ores de- 
posited in that valley where are the heaviest seams of coal and 
limestone (Sunday Creek Valley), it is safe to say that this will be 
true of the entire Hocking Valley. 

What a vast amount of labor will be required to mine and utilize 
these three minerals? But the miners and those engaged in plac- 
ing minerals where they are to be used do not constitute over one 
fifth of the population. 

We know of one district in the Hocking Valley which is about 
ten miles square, where it would require 2,500 persons, including 
miners, their families, and necessary help, to mine and remove and 
utilize each square mile of the minerals in 100 years. Such a 
population would make a city of the hundred square miles. 

We do not propose the above-named districts as a sample for the 
entire valley, for there are districts in the valley much larger than 
the one named that are without coal, yet the coal measures of tin' 
v. lley form so much of its surface that we are justified in saying it 
will have a population far beyond any other district ot equal size 
in the State. 

Its Institutions. — There can be no special reasons why its insti- 
tutions should not occupy a position equally advanced. Min- 
ing communities, it is true, have not been celebrated for their 
love of science or for their elevated morals. We are consider- 
ing what might be, not what is, or has been. Miners have been 
degraded in the old, aristocratic countries. Having no means to 
rise in society, they have formed habits corresponding to their de- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



127 



graded position. Coming to a land of freedom, they, having 
brought their habits with them, have often become still more de- 
based, giving a bad reputation to the entire business. This state 
of morals will pass away as the rising generation becomes educated 
and moral. If miners had no idle hours, there would soon be no 
drinking, and mining communities would soon occupy an elevated 
position in society. Hasten that happy day. 




CHAPTER Y. 

STATISTICS OF THE HOCKING VALLEY, BESIDES RAILROADS 
AND CANALS, SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. 

Lands a:nd Valuation— County Buildings and Valuation — Miles 
of Railway — Area of Valley — Population and Wheat Grow- 
ing — Cities and Villages, and Population — Boundary of the 
Mineral Field — Coal Production — Hocking Valley — State 
Senators of the Hocking Valley and Representatives — From 
Organization to Date — Railroad History — Marietta & 
Cincinnati — Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo — Ohio 
Central — River Division of the C, H. V. & T. — Thanks to 
Chas. M. Walker — Medical Society. 

Condition of lands in the Hocking Valley by counties in 1880: 



1 Cultivated, 
No. of acres. 



Athens. 
Hockiru 
Vinton. 



50,801 
46,119 
39,759 



Pasture, 

No. of acres. 



109,308 
82,573 
68,531 



Wood, 
No. acres 



| Lying waste, 
No. acres. 



62,291 
5S.896 

53,214 j 



4,473 
22,509 
17,464 



Total 
No. acres 



236,670 
210,0!)7 
182,448 



Total value of lands and buildings in the Hocking Valley, as 
returned by the State Boards of Equalization in the years 1S40. 
1S53, 1859, 1870 and 1880: 



Athens. 
Heckim 
Vinton." 



1846. 



$1,454,592 

910,188 

Not for'd 



1853. 



$2,293,952 

1,707 923 
1,484,842 



1859. 



1870. 



£2,813,426 $4,308 282 
1,992,413 3,125,017 
1,801,030) 2,235,663 



1880. 



$4,380,958 
3,152,475 
2,175,563 



Total number and value of county buildings existing in the 
Hocking Valley in 1S80: 



Athens. . 
Hocking 
Vinton. . . 



No. 



Value. 



$63,000 
60,000 
30,000 



Mileage of railway in the Hocking Valley in 1S80, by counties: 



Athens. 



1880. 
.9079 



Hockine; 61 59 

Vinton.". 72.32 

(128) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



129 



AREA OF THE HOCKING VALLEY. 

Athens County, 430 square miles ; Hocking County, 470 square 
miles : Vinton County, 400 square miles. 

The area of the State is 40,760 square miles. The population of 
the State, 3,198,062, being the third State in the Union in that re- 
gard. 

RELATIVE POSITION. 

The relative position of the three counties in their assessed wealth 
as passed upon by the Board of Equalization in 1881, was: Athens 
County. $5,267,770 ; Hocking County, §3.601,695; Vinton, $2, 
436,106. 

Table showing population of Hocking Valley from 1810 to 
18S0 by counties. 





1810 


1820 


1830 


1840 


1850 


1860 


1870 


1880 


Hocking 


2,791 


3,338 
2,130 


9,787 
4,008 


19,109 
9,741 


18,215 

14,119 

9,353 


21,364 
17,057 
13,631 


28.768 
17,925 


28,411 
21.126 






15,027 17.223 

















Amount of wheat sown in the Hocking Valley and average 
grown per acre by counties: 





1871 


1873 


1875 


1877 


1880 




ACRES 


AV. 


ACRES 


AV. 

9.07 

8.8!) 

; .55 


ACRES 


AV. 


ACRES 


AV. 


A.CRES 


AV ■ 


Athens 


15,535 

14,281 


10.48 
7.31 
6 14 


15,280 

12,343 

6,472 


16,458 

14,124 

7,419 


4.60 

2.74 
3.78 


14,438 
9,669 
5,959 


8 45 
8.26 
8.19 


19,862 
15,847 
11,050 


11 8 


Hocking 


10 6 


Vinton 


9 51 













Citk 1 ?, towns and villages in the Hocking Valley by counties. 
Population of 1880. 



ATHENS COUNTY. 


HOCKING COUNTY. 


VINTON COUNTY. 


Nelsonville 


3,095 
2,457 
469 
323 1 
159 
417 
185 
136 
159 
'.( 2 
191 
191 
100 
107 
121 


Lo^an 

Blooniingville 

Ewing 

Falls Gore 

[lesborough 

Laurelville 

Mount Pleasant .... 
New Cadiz 


2,066! 

165 
63 

145 
72 
58 

165 
76 
63 

182 


Hamden 


520 


ille 


McArthur 

Wilkesville 


900 
309 




64 


Amesvilie 


New Mt. Pleasant — 


44 


Buchtel 




Chauncev 






Doanville 












Hebbardville 


South Perry 












-field 










Mineral City 

Pleasanton 


















Trimble 










Millfleld 


lor, 












130 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



BOUNDARIES OF THE COAL FIELD. 

The coal basin in Ohio is bounded on the west by a continuous 
but irregular line running from the Ohio River in Scioto County, 
to the Pennsylvania line near Sharon, within a line running from 
that place to Ravenna, Akron, Wooster, Dover, Brownsville, Lo- 
gan and Hanging Rock. The general course is southwesterly from 
the northern boundary of Mahoning County to the interior of Lick- 
ing County, with the exception of two well-defined narrow spurs 
extending into Geauga and Medina counties. From the southern 
part of Licking County it passes near the line between Fairfield and 
Perry counties, with a deep indentation at the Hocking River 
Valley, extending to the west line of Athens County; thence 
westward and southwest to include the southeast part of Hocking 
County, three fourths of Vinton, nearly all of Jackson, and the 
eastern part of Scioto County. 

IRON SMELTING COALS. 

Below is the analysis of the best iron-making coals in the State } 
taken from the records of the State Chemist, Prof. Wormley: 



NELSON- 

VII, 1,1; 
MINES. 



Specific Gravity. 

Water 

Volatile Matter. 
Fixed Carbon. . . 
Ash 



Total. 



Sulphur 

Color Of Ashes. 



1.285 

0.20 

31.30 

59.80 

2.70 



100.00 

0.97 
Gray 



STRAITS- 
VILLE 

MINES. 



1.291 

7.90 

34.63 

54.29 

3.18 



100.00 

0.98 

Dull White 



SUNDAY 
(REEK 
MINES. 



1.287 
5.85 
35.21 
53.62 

0.32 



100.00 

0.51 
Fawn. 



LOST RUN 
HOCKING CO. 

MINES. 



1.290 
6.80 

36.16 

54.99 

2.05 

100.00 

1.07 
Light Fawn 



Production of coal from the Hooking Valle? since 1ST0 by 
counties, given in bushels 





1870 


1872 


1874 


1870 


1878 

4,169,614 

5,203,083 
1,217,115 


1880 




3,278,500 

1,889,000 

1.66,500 


6,419,462 
3,251,300 
1,075,650 


11.218,156 
l,2!)i),000 
1,143,200 


8,057,000 

1,51)0,000 

894,150 


14,727,625 

4 121,300 
1,547,700 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 131 

HOCKINO CANAL. 

This was the first public improvement which opened up the re- 
sources of the Hocking Valley. The short lateral canal, or, as it 
was then called, the " Side Cut," proved of so much value that the 
Board of Public Works concluded to purchase it for the State and 
extend it down the Hocking Valley. This information gave in- 
tense joy to the people, and in March, 1S3S, the news was cor- 
roborated by an Act passed by the Legislature, authorizing the 
then* Canal Commissioners to purchase the "Side Cut." This was 
effected Dec. 22, 1838, and the canal purchased for the sum of 
$61,2-11.01. The Hocking Valley Canal, which had been projected 
in 1836, and a portion put under contract, being some sixteen and 
one-half miles from Lancaster to Bowner's lock in July, 1837, was 
now rapidly pushed forward, and the work completed as per con- 
tract in 1839. A further contract was also let the same year, 
October, 1837, to build from Bowner's lock to Nelsonville, a fur- 
ther distance of sixteen and one-half miles, the same to be com- 
pleted within two years. This last, however, was not finished until 
1810. In September of this latter year it was opened for business, 
and the first canal boat, loaded with coal, came out of the Hocking, 
and the canal was a veritable fact. The boat and its load was a 
great curiosity to the people along the line and in the upper valley 
of the Hocking. There were but few of them at that time who 
knew much about stone coal. Early in 1841 the canal had reached 
Monday Creek, and later in the same year to Athens. Boats then 
commenced running the entire length of the canal, from Carroll to 
Athens, some sixty miles. The canal has thirty-one locks, eight 
dams, thirty -four culverts, and one aqueduct, with a span of eighty 
feet. 

The total cost of construction was 8947,670.25. 

At this time the canal from Nelsonville to Athens had been 
abandoned. 

STATE SENATORS FROM THE HOCKING VALLEY. 
ATHENS COUNTY. 

Washington, Gallia, Muskingum and Athens Counties — 1805- 
'6, Joseph Buell and Hallem Hempstcd; 1806-7, Hallem Ilemp- 
sted and Leonard Jewett; 1807-8, Leonard Jewett and John 
Sharp. Washington and Athens Counties— lS0S-'9, John Sharp; 
1S09-'11, Leonard Jewett; lSll-'U, Wm. Woodbridge; 18U-'15, 



132 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Win. Woodbridge (resigned, fm. R. Putnam, successor); 1815- 
'17, John Sharp; 1S17-'21, Sardina Stone. Washington, Morgan 
and Athens Counties — lS21-'23, Sardina Stone; lS23-'24, Ephraim 
Cutler. Washington and Athens — 1824-'25, Ephraim Cutler; 
1825-'27, Ebenezer Currier; 1S27-'2S, Wm. R. Putnam. Wash- 
ington, Athens andHocking— 182S-'29, Wm. R. Putnam; 1829-'31, 
Calvary Morris; 1831-'33, Arius Nye. Washington, Gallia, Meigs, 
Hocking and Athens — 1833-'35, Calvary Morris; 1835-'36, Andrew 
Donnally. Meigs, Gallia, Lawrence and Athens — lS36-'37, Andrew 
Donnally; 1837- , 39, James Rogers; 1S39-'41, Simeon Nash. 
Meigs and Athens — 1841-'45, Abraham Yan Yorhes; 1845-'47, 
John Welch; 1847-'49, Horace S. Horton. Jackson, Gallia, Meigs 
and Athens — 1849-'51, Horace S. Horton. 

NEW CONSTITUTION. 

Hocking, Fairfield and Athens, 9th District— lS52-'56, Lot L. 
Smith; 1S56-5S, John T.Brazee; 1858-'62, Newton Schleich; 1862- 
'64, Alfred McVeigh; 1864-'66, John M. Oonnell; 1866-70, Wm. 
R. Golden; 1870-'74, Michael A. Dougherty; 1S74-'7S, Robert E. 
Reese; 1S78-'S2, B. W. Carlisle. 

HOCKING COUNTY. 

Pickaway and Hocking Counties— lS21-'23, John Barr; 1S23- 
'25, David Shelby; lS25-'27, John Barr; 1827-'28, Joseph Olds: 
L828-'36, In Athens District. Fairfield and Hocking— 1836-'40, 
Samuel Spangler. Jackson, Pike, Ross andHocking — 1840-'41, 
John Hough ; lS41-'43, Allan Latham; 1843-45, John Crouse, 
Jr. Ross and Hocking— 1845-'47, John Maderra; 1847-'49, Wes- 
ley Claypool. Fairfield, Perry and Hocking — 1849-'50, Henry C. 
Whitman; 1S50-51, Andrew Faust. 

NEW CONSTITUTION. 

1852 to 18S3, in Ninth District, composed of Athens, Fairfield 
and Hocking counties; names will be found in Athens list. 

VINTON COUNTY. 

Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs and Vinton Counties, Eighth District — 
1852-'54, Alonzo dishing; 1851-'56, Lewis Anderson; lSSG-^. 
Chauncey G. Hawley; 1858-'60, Patrick Murdock; 1860->62, T. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 133 

R. Stanley; 1862-'66, Henry S. Neil; 1866-'6S, Joseph Bradbury; 
1868-70, Homer C. Jones; 1870-72, H. C. Jones and T. C. 
Welch; 1872-74, Win. Nash; 1S74-7S, J. R. Filson; 1S7S-'S0, 
Lindsey Kelly; 1880-'82, L. Kelly and W. C. Cline. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE LEGISLATURE FROM THE HOCKING 

VALLEY. 

ATHENS COUNTY. 

Athens, Washington, Gallia and Muskingum Counties — 
1S05- 6, Elijah Hatch; lS06-'7, Lewis Cass, Levi Barber and Wm. 
A. Puthoff; 1807-'8, John P. Bureau, James Palmer and John 
Matthews. Athens and Washington Counties — lS08-'9, William 
Woodbridge and Leonard Jewett; 1809 -'10, Wm. R. Putnam and 
Simeon Pool; lSlO-'ll, Wm. R. Putnam and Samuel P. Hildreth; 
1811-'12, Samuel P. Hildreth and Jehiel Gregory; 1S12-'13, 
Jehiel Gregory and Sardina Stone; 1813-'14, Sardina Stone and 
Eiijah Hatch; 1814-'15, Jehiel Gregory and John Sharp; 1815-'16, 
Henry Jolly and Robert Linzie; 1S16-'17, Sardina Stone and 
Robert Linzie; 1817- , 1S, Nathaniel Hamilton and Sylvanus Ames; 
1818-'19, Sylvanus Ames and Joseph Barker; 1819-'20, Ephraim 
Cutler and Elijah Hatch. Athens County— 1820-'23, Elijah Hatch; 
1823-'24, Ezra Hull; 1824-'25, Edmund Dorr; 1825-'27, Robert Lin- 
zie; 1827-'28, Calvary Morris. Athens and Hocking Counties — 
1828-'29, Calvary Morris; 1829-'30, John Gilmore; 1830-'31, 
Andrew Crockett; 1831-'33, Ebenezer Currier; 1833-'34, Isaac 
Lottridge and Andrew Crockett; 1834-'35, Elijah Hatch; 1835-'36, 
Calvary Morris. Athens and Meigs Counties — 1S36-'3S, David 
Jones; 183S-'40, Andrew Donnally; 1S40-'41, A. Yan Yorhes; 
1^41-'42, J. B. Ackley and Stephen Titus; 1842-'43, J. B. Ackley; 
1843-'45, Columbia Downing: 1845-'46, Thomas Irwin; 1846-'47, 
Horace S. Horton; 1847-'48,Robert G. McLean; 1848-'50, Joseph 
K. Will, lS50-'52, N. H. Yan Yorhes. 

NEW CONSTITUTION. 

Athens County— lS52-'54, N. H. Yan Yorhes; 1854-'56, Sam- 
uel B. Pruden; 1856-'60, N. H. Yan Yorhes; 1860- , 62, A. B. 
Monahan ; 1862-'64, J. W. Bayard ; 1S64-70, Wm. P. Johnson; 
1-70-74, N. H. Yan Yorhes ; 1874-78, C. H. Grosvenor ; 1878-'80, 
Charles Townsend ; 1880-'82, Charles Townsend, elected Secre- 
tary of State, C. L. Kurtz, successor; 1SS2-'S4, C. L. Kurtz. 



I :i 



HISTORY OT HOOKING \ u u v . 



HOOK1 NO) 001 N i \ ■ 

[looking and Pi oka way Counties 1820-'21, John Barr, Samne] 
Lybrand; L821-'22, Caleb Atwater, Valentine Keffer; l822-'24, 
Samuel Lybrand, Valentine Kofier; L824-'26, Joseph Olds, Jacob 
Lindsey; L826-'27, raoob Lindsey and Guy W. Doanj L827-'28, 
Francis S Mnhlenbnrg, Valentine Keffer, Hooking and Athena 

l828-'20, Calvary Son I l9-'80, John Gilmour; is;;o\;i, 
Andrew Orookett ; I Ebene oi Currier; L888-'84, [saao B. 

Lottridge, Andrew Orookett; is;!':;., Elijah JJatohj is.-.;. V.i;, 
Oalvarj Morri Hooking and Fairfield Counties L886-'88, Wm. 
Medill, John Gray bill; LSSS-'SO, John Brough; L889-'40, Lewis 
[lite, Jamos Spenoer. Hooking, R is . Pike% and Jaokson Counties 
1840-'41, James T, Worthington, John Stinson, .1 os . Kay lor; 
IS41V42, Le Grand Byington, John Jamos, Daniel Kooshner; 
1842 '48, La Grand Byington, Elihu Johnson, Wm, Nelson ; L848 
'44 Wesley Olaypool, Joseph Kayler, A. R Cassidy, Hooking and 
i;,. ■. t lounties i s 1 1 ' 15, Joseph Kayler; 18 1.'< ' t6, James Gib 
L846-'47> Joseph Kayler; L847-'48, J, A. Green. Hooking, Perry, 
and Fairfield Counties L848-'49, 1 aao Lorimer; l849-'50, N. P, 
Colburn, Hooking and Perry Counties LSSO-'Sl, 0, W, James, 

\i w 0ON >ni i i.'\ 

Hook i ■;■■ County 1862, '54, W, James; i s ;> i ';> ; , Reuben 
Huston; l8fi6-*60, George Johnson; I860 84, Manning Stiers; 
l864-'68, Wm s. Dresbaoh; L86S-'72, Wm C ^.oker; LS7S 
Oaklej Case; LS76-'78, \\ M Bowen; l878-*82, - s S w 
1882 '84, Wm \ V\ 

\ | \ i\>\ COUNT* \ i w CONST! n N0N 



Vinton and Jaokson Counties LS52-\*i4, D, r D, Hurd; 
185 i '.'< ; . w m, <i . E\ F, Bingham; 1858 '00> 

Uobert I' Stephenson, resigned, snoooodod by W m L, Edmund 
186CV02, Uex, Pieroe; L862- % 64, lohn Foe; l864-*66, E v 
Bratton; i v - \".',w I Swa in; i s . '".•.'. A.lmond Sonle; 

i" M | v . ! r6 '• ■■ \ J Sw dm; LS80 S2, Oolum- 
bus P w 



HOCKING \ vi i i \. L35 

HOCKING \ U . I > RAIJ RO i.DS 

M ucu rr i & CINCINN.A n. 

Th of building a i i westvt ird through Southern 

o to Cincinnati was tirst discussed about L840, and finally 

lape in the organisation, in L844, of the Belpre A 

cinnati Railroad Company, [t was designed to build the 

from Cincinnati to Belpre, opposite Parkersburg, Va. (now 

West Virginia). The company, organized u thout funds, pro- 

an means for prosecuting the work 
ting so to it: stock from the localities through 

h the road was to pas - being asked of Athens 

County. The Legislature, by an act passed March 20, 1851, 

authorized the Athens County Commissioners to sn £100,- 

000 of stock, provided the necessary majority of the legal vo 
gave their consent. A specia election was -held A.ugnst 26 of 
the same year, resulting \ to the subscription, ami on the 

30th day of August the County Commissioners (John Elliott, 
James D id Zibo Lindley) subscribed for 2,000 shares oi 

each, in the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad Company, 
e years afterward, when the railroad company and the i 
of Athens County were not mi the best of terms, an attempt 
was made t > test the legality o( the subscription. Some thought 
commissioners had transc ieir powers in subscribing to 

Marietta & ( a the people had voted to s 

v to th.e Belpre & Cincinnati. The question was agitated 
time through the county, meetings being held i i 
of th. Ml th' prominent lawyers were ranged on 

one aide or the other. The county commissioners at one time 
refused to levy the tax to |>:\ erest on the bonds, but after 

nssi >n they replaced the tax on the dn 

AKKIY U OP lilt [RON HO . 

rhe oompany soon began the construction of the ro\d, whi 
was continued in the face of all >bstac!es until it was completed to 
^ ■ : n the spring LS Dhere w . al rejoicing, not 

only in the cit) of At*, ens, but in the country round about, for 
they now had communication with the on side world, and a trip 
Doinnati was but a few hours' ride instead of as many days 
Puesday, the 29th da} of April, 1856, witnessed the arrival in 



L36 HISTORY OF HOOKING VAI.I.KY. 

Alliens of the I i i • - 1 railway passenger train over the read, or 
which had ever reached the city. The citizens turned out en masse 
to give it a welcome with three hearty cheers. Congratulatory 
speeches were made by several distinguished persons, and the arri- 
val of the ''Iron Horse" proved a gala day for the city of Athens. 

HOSTILl riES COMMENCED. 

Daily passenger trains were al once run between Athens and 
Chillicothe, connecting a1 the latter point with train,- for Cincinnati. 
James 1>. Foster was appointed ticket and freight agent at Athens. 
Not long after, the road was completed to Marietta. Through had 
management, however, the road losl money from the start. It svae 
unfortunate in many things, and the people of Athens and vicinity 
lost confidence in it. This gradually developed into a decided hos- 
tility on the pari of man)- of our prominent citizens, which culmi- 
nated in tearing up their trad:. Jan. 1, L858. It seems that in 
L856 the company decided to abandon, temporarily, the tunnel 
through the hill above Athens, ami obtained a lease from some of 
the citizens for the ground on which to lay a track smith of the vil- 
lage, making a kind of circumbendibus, as the people said, and 
again getting upon the old line below town. The lease for this 

trad expired I he. 31, L857, and some days prior to that time the 
owners of the land gave notice to Mr. Wilson, in writing, to com 
nly with the terms ( if the least' by vacating the land. This the 
company failed to <\^, ami on New Year's day, L858, a number of 
citizens repaired to tin' track in question and proceeded t" remove 

Some ^'i' the rails and ties. 

This course was condemned in severe terms by many, particu- 
larly by the friends of the road. The Marietta and Chillicothe 
papers were especially hitter, accusing the Athenians of being blind 
to their own interests, of being influenced by malicious motives, 
and even ^i' having committed an offense against the law- of the 
state. Itwas, perhaps, a question as to whether the action was 
politic, or was the besl mode of dealing with the company, which 
of course became only exasperated, and imbued with a decided hos- 
tile spirit toward the citizens. The company had never paid any 

rent for the use of the land; the lease wis 1, expire Jan. 1st, 

and the company was duly notified in writ in-- several days in ad- 
vance, by the owners of the land, to remove the track. The ooin- 
pany taking no action whatever in the matter, it was clearly the 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 137 

right of the citizens to take quiet possession of their property, and 

to remove ns many of the rails us they pleased. 

Soon after this Mrs. Curtis, over whose land the railroad passed, 
had a portion of the tract removed. The company, however, pro- 
cured the condemnation of the land by a jury appointed hy the 
Probate Court, and were thus enabled to re-lay their track, and once 
more run regular trains through to Marietta. The company claimed 
thatin their embarrassed financial circumstances it wasimpossible for 
them to complete the expensive tunnel above the town, and that if 
time was given them they would " make all things right;' 1 but that 
they would not be enabled to do this if crippled, by such opposition as 
that manifested by the people. The citizens claimed, on the other 
hand, that they had recognized the straitened condition of the com- 
pany's resources, and had leased them this temporary right of way 
merely as an accommodation, it being clearly to their interest to 
have the road follow the line originally designed: but that the 
company had neither paid any rent, according to agreement, nor 
showed any disposition to regard the rights of the owners of the 
land. 

The hostile feeling toward the railroad company was doubl 
partly due to the hitter's abandoning the original plan of building 
the road down the Hocking Valley to Belpre, where it could con- 
nect with the Northwestern Virginia Road, terminating at Par- 
kersburg, on the other side of the Ohio River. Influenced by 
the offer of subscriptions from Marietta, Wheelingand Pittsburg 
to the amount of $1,500,000, the management had turned 
road northward toward Marietta instead of toward Belpre, and 
time had totally disregarded the interests of the Hocking Vail 
The excitement consequent upon the tearing up of the track was of 

duration, and after its subsidence Athens and the raih 
resumed gradually their former friendly relations. 

The original blunder of building the road across t^he hills to M 

etta was rectified at last, after twenty years. The old line had I 

tunnels between Athens and Marietta, one 1,660 feet long, another 
1,400 feet, and two others 300 feel each. Besides, it had a number 
ot high, long and expensive trestles, that made the cost of main 
taining the road a constant, drain. Worse than all, it had sharp 

Curvatures and heavy grades that made its operations slow and ex 

pensive. 

In February, L871, the Baltimore Short-line Company was 
formed, for the purpose of constructing the short line to Parkers- 



138 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

burg. It was composed of parties interested in the B.& O. and the 
M. & C. roads. The contracts were let in August, 1872, and the 
last rail was laid Oct. 24,1871. The line, as built, leaves the old 
line at Warren's, seven miles east of Athens, and follows the 
Hocking River for adistance of seven miles, to the valley of Skunk 
Hun, passing through Canaanville, Guysville and within two miles 
of Coolville. From Skunk Run the road takes an easterly direction, 
up the valley of that stream, to the summit at Torch; thence strik- 
ing the valley of Knowles's Run it follows in an easterly and north- 
easterly direction, coming to the valley of the Ohio River at the 
mouth of Little Hocking; thence along the Ohio^River it passes to 
Belpre, where it joins the old line. 

Athens County has spent considerable money for this railroad, 
but it has been a good investment. The county took §200,000 of 
capital stock, but the company pays annually many thousands of 
dollars to the county as taxes, and the valuation of property in the 
county has increassd by $6,000,000, much of which increase is due 
to the presence of the road. 

COLUMBUS, HOCKING VALLEY & TOLEDO. 

The Hocking Valley, as a field for railroad enterprise, early at- 
tracted the attention of capitalists and public men, and many 
projects were started in an early day for building a Hocking Valley 
railroad to connect with that pioneer of railroads, the Baltimore 
& Ohio. The State Legislature passed an act as early as March, 
IS: 1 !!, authorizing the construction of a railroad from Lancaster to 
a point on the Ohio River, opposite Parkersburg. Section second 
of the bill was as follows: "The capital stock of the Hocking 
Valley Railroad Company shall be $1,000,000, and shall be di- 
vided into shares of $50 each. Tiiese shares may be subscribed 
for by any corporation or individuals; and it shall and may be law- 
ful for said corporation to commence the construction of the said 
railroad, and enjoy all the powers and privileges conferred by this 
act, as soon as $50,000 shall be subscribed to said stock." The 
idea of building the Hocking Valley Canal soon after supplanted 
this project of building a railroad, and nothing was done under 
the act. 

NEW PROJECT. 

It was not until 1854, some twenty years after the above charter 
was granted, that active steps were again taken to secure a railroad 
through the valley of the Hosking. It again fell through, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 139 

active work did not commence until 1856. The former chief 
engineer of the B. & O. Railroad, B. H. Latrobe, Esq., had exam- 
ined the route, and was so favorably impressed that he urged the 
formation of a company and the building of the road. His advice 
was taken, and a company formed for the prosecution of the enter- 
prise, which was prosecuted with vigor, though active and open 
opposition was made against it by the Marietta & Cincinnati 
Railroad Company. The city of Marietta, opposed and personally, 
undertook to secure legislative action to prevent its construction. 
This action of its enemies aroused the people of the Hocking Val- 
ley, and although the obnoxious legislation passed, it in no way 
altered the determination of the people of the valley to secure the 
prosecution of their cherished plans. However, if they could not 
secure a road to Parkersburg, they could build down the valley, as 
far as Athens, and let time and circumstances control the extension 
of the work. Meetings were held, and every effort made to carry 
forward the work. At the next session of the Legislature, in 1853, 
the obnoxious act above spoken of as having passed was repealed, 
and the way for active operation again opened. But the financial 
crash of 1857 was still severely felt the following year, and al- 
though opposition had ceased, the monetary situation prevented 
further progress. The war then came on, and it was not until the 
year 1865 that the project was again resurrected. In that year 
the Mineral Railroad Company was organized, its incorporators 
being: W. P. Cutler, E. D. Moore, M. M. Green, John Mills and 
Douglas Putnam. Every effort was made to start the enterprise 
by arousing the people and showing them the value of the work. 
The result was, meetings were held along the line, from Columbus 
to Athens, in the winter and spring of J 866. It was necessary to 
raise §750,000, and this sum was divided along the route as follow.-: 
Columbus, $400,000; Groveport and Winchester, $50,000; Lancas- 
ter, $75,000; Logan, $75,000; Athens, $100,000. Athens raised 
$120,000, and Columbus, $480,000, making, $800,000, which was 
enough to secure the success of the enterprise, and the people to 
rejoice. The name of the company was afterward changed, to the 
Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad Company. In the spring 
of 1867, the entire line of seventy-six miles from Columbus to 
Athens was let to contract, the contractors, Dodge, Wood & Co., 
receiving for their work $800,000 cash, and the company's bonds 
for $850,000, or about $21,715, per mile. The ground was broken 
at Columbus, July, 1867, and on Nov. 7, 186S, twenty -five miles of 



140 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the road was completed to Lancaster, and the first train of cars 
arrived at that town at that date, amid the rejoicings of the peo- 
ple. The road reached Xelsonville, June 30, 1S69, and Athens 
in the summer of 1ST0. 

The road is well equipped, and has been a prosperous one from 
the start. Three passenger trains run each way daily, and thus 
by affording prompt means of transportation to the coal fields of 
the Hocking Valley the road lias been of untold benefit to both 
consumers and producers, as well as the welfare of its own excheq- 
uer. The Straitsville branch of the Hocking Valley Railroad 
was constructed at the same time with the main line, which it 
leaves at Logan; thence running in a circuitous course through the 
coal beds east of Logan, it returns to the main line at TSTelsonv^ille. 

The Columbus & Hocking Valley, Columbus & Toledo and Ohio 
& West Virginia railroads, were consolidated in the summer of 
18S1, under the present name, Columbus, Hocking Valley cv. 
Toledo Railroad. The capital stock of this company was fixed at 
$20,000,000, divided into shares of $100 each. At the rate paid 
for the three roads by the syndicate' which effected the consolida- 
tion, the Hocking Valley stock cost them $4,000,000; Toledo, 
$1,250,000, and the Ohio & West Virginia, $600,000. The 
bonded indebtedness of the Toledo road was $2,600,000; Hocking 
Valley, $2,400,000; Ohio & West Virginia, $1,600,000, a total 
of $6,600,000, and a total for both bonds and stock of $12,950,000. 
The new company issued $15,000,000 of bonds, which, with the 
stock, makes $35,000,000. 

OHIO CENTRAL. 

The Ohio Central Railroad is a new one, having been built through 
Athens County within the past two years. It has received no aid 
from the county and but little from the citizens. It passes through 
Trimble, Millfield, Jacksonville. Chauncey, Athens, Hebbards- 
viile and Albany, in this county. The road extends from Toledo 
to Middleport, Ohio, and is being rapidly pushed through Vir- 
ginia. The line has already proved a valuable auxiliary to the 
transportation facilities of the valley, and when completed to its 
terminus on the Ohio and beyond will be stiil more so. So far as 
Athens County is concerned its railroad transportation may be said 
to be completed. Perhaps in the future some few miles of local 
road may be added, but the prospects are not Mattering. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 141 

HOCKING COUNTY RAILROADS. 

It was as early as 1S51 when the railroad fever first showed its 
symptoms in Hocking and culminated into a violent attack the fol- 
lowing year. What caused this first outburst of railroad progres- 
sion was called the 

SCIOTO <fe HOCKING VALLEY RAILROAD. 

On Sept. 2, 1S52, the largest railroad meeting ever held in 
the Hocking Valley came off at Logan. A grand barbecue was 
given, and the air fairly shook with railroad eloquence. It was a 
memorable day in the history of Hocking County. The line of 
route was from Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, running to Jack- 
son, in Jackson County, through McArthnrstown, in Vinton 
County, Logan in Hocking, to Somerset in Perry County, thence to 
Newark, Licking Co., Ohio, as its terminus. It was computed 
that 5,000 people were in attendance that day, coming from Jack- 
son, on the south, to Newark, on the north. Perry County turned 
out the ban tier delegation, being over a half mile long, accompa- 
nied by a band of music. The people of Logan and surrounding 
country were awakened at sunrise by a Federal salute. Up to that 
time it was the largest railroad meeting ever held in the State, and 
few since have exceeded it. It was decided that Perry County 
should raise $150,000, Hocking County $80,000, and Vinton County 
$50,000. The road was completed to the town of Jackson in 1853 
and the grading completed to Somerset, in Perry County, with the 
sption of a tunnel at Maxwell and a heavy cut at Union Furnace- 
Then there was a collapse; the road bed and right of way having 
been mortgaged, the same was foreclosed and the whole forfeited 
ie land owners. The most of the stock was held by persons 
living along the line of the contemplated road. This ended that 
project and a calm settled over the valley. 

THE NEXT MOVE. 

A decade had passed, and the white-winged angel of peace, 
which had soared aloft, again settled upon our distressed country, 
when another railroad project was being whispered in the ears of 
the people of Hocking County. This time the connection spoken 
of was a line to Parkersburg on the Ohio River, to Columbus 
and Athens, instead of Mc Arthur, the route from Logan. The 
route is here described, taken from a Northwestern Ohio paper, 
the Lima Gazette. It said : — 



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144 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

passes into Athens County. This gives its central and eastern 
portion good transportation facilities, the western portion of the 
county of which the western portion is still void. 

The River Division Road was opened for business at McArthur, 
Aug. 17, 1880, and an account of its freight and passenger traffic 
at that point will be found in the history of McArthur. 

WALKER'S HISTORY OF ATHENS COUNTY. 

Charles M. Walker, the oldest son of A. B. Walker, is now 
editor-in-chief of the Indianapolis Times. He was prepared for 
the legal profession and admitted to the bar, but did not incline to 
make that his life pursuit. He is somewhat of a politician, and 
under Lincoln's administration was appointed by Secretary Chase 
Fifth Auditor of the Treasury, a position which he held for two 
years. He then entered upon the work of journalism which he 
has followed since. He was for a number of years connected with 
the Indianapolis Journal. While at Washington he conceived the 
idea of compiling a history of his native county, and he corre- 
sponded with some of the principal citizens concerning the matter. 
Receiving much encouragement, he proceeded with the work, in- 
tending at first to make a book of about 200 pages. The scope of 
the history enlarged as he progressed, and when completed the 
History of Athens County appeared as a work of 600 pages. It 
was well printed and neatly bound. While a few have criticised 
some features of Walker's History, it is generally conceded to be a 
well-written and valuable work. A considerable amount of valua- 
ble information in this work has been taken from Walker's History 
by permission, for which our sincere thanks are hereby ten- 
dered. 

MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE VALLEY. 

This society was organize! April 28, 1866, at the court-house in 
city of Athens. The following physicians were present: 

Drs. A. II. Burrell and A. A. Shepard, of Nelsonville; James 
Moore, of New England; Hiram G. Withara, of Shade; E. B. Pick- 
ett, of Marshfield, James Howe, I. B. Harper, W. P. Johnson, 
and C. L. Wilson, of Athens; Wm. S. Bell, of xvmesville; John 
Earhart, of Lee, and W. W. Feirce, of Chauncey. A constitution 
and by-laws were adopted, an 1 the association then proceeded to 
elect its first officers. These were as follows: 

President, Dr. W. P. Johnson; Vice-Presidents, John Earhart 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 145 

and I. B. Harper; Secretary, C. L. Wilson; Treasurer, Wm. S. Bell. 
Monthly meetings were decided, and the association started out 
with twenty-five members. The same officials were re-elected the 
following year. 

1868, for two years — President, E. G. Carpenter; Secretary, 
C. L "Wilson. 1870, fur two years — President, C. L. Wilson; Sec- 
retary, R. W. Erwin. 1872, for two years — President, I. P. Prim- 
rose; Secretary. R. W. Erwin. One year a blank. 1875, for two 
years — President, I. P. Primrose; Secretary, H. 1VI. Lash. 1877 
—President, H. C. Rutter; Secretary, H. M. Lash. 1878— Pres- 
ident, W. E. W. Shepard; Secretary, Chas. F. Gilliam. 1879— 
President, Jas. Little; Secretary, Chas. F. Gilliam. 1880 — Pres- 
ident, II . M. Lash; Secretary, Chas. F. Gilliam. 1881 — Presi- 
dent G. W. Pullen; Secretary, E. C. De Steiger. 1882— Presi- 
dent. David Little; Secretary, W. A'. Alderman. 1883 — Presi- 
dent, I. P. Primrose; Secretary, K. Tinker; First Yiee-Presideiit, 
II. M. Lash; Second Yice-President, G. W. Pullen; Treasurer, S. 
E. Butt. 

The following are the present members of the society, 1883: 

Athens County — EL M. Lash. G. L. Gorslene, A. B. Richardson, 
B. JEL. Pickering, E. G. Carpenter, Athens; A. H. Shepard, S. E. 
Butt, C. W. Cable, I. P. Primrose, D. B. Elder, W. E. W. Shepard, 
W. X. Alderman, C. F. Gilliam, K. Tinker, Nelson ville; W. A. 
Adair, Huestis, Amesville; II. T. Lee, T. C. Armstrong, Buchtel; 
•James M. Kittrick, Chauncey; H. D. Danford, Trimble; G. W. 
Blakely, Guysville; H. D. Witham, Shale ; B. C. Voris, Albany. 
Hocking County— David Little, James Little, G. W. Pulleu, W. 
I. Bright, J. H. Dye, E. C. De Steiger, H. G. Campbell, Logan; 
A. B. Lyons, Sand Run; 0. F. Aplin, Carbon Hill; J. C. Wright, 
Haydenville; Irwin, South Perry; W. G. Dawson, George Mar- 
shall, Gibesonville. Yinton County — J. Y. Rannels, Andrew 
Wolfe, C. O. Dunlap, J. E. Sylvester, McArthur: W. R. Moore, 
Swan. Perry County — R. C. Allen, W. J. Jones, G. Newton , 
New Straits 

The association is a progressive one, where deep and studious 
thought, combined with experience, is interchanged in the cause of 
humanity. 

10 



CHAPTER VI. 

ATHENS COUNTY HISTORY— FROM THE WILDERNESS TO AD- 
VANCED CIVILIZATION. 

Organic — Act of the Legislature — Organized Feb. 20, 1805 — 
Area — First Session of Court — Four Township Boundaries — 
First Jail and Court-House — Taxation and License — Some 
Shining Lights — New Court-House, 1818 — School Districts 
and School Moneys — 1840 to 1850 — Rise and Progress 1850 to 
1860 — War and Peace — Court-House Talk — Old Father 
Time — County Officials— Floods — Devastation and Ruin by 
the Rushing Waters — Floods of 1817. 1858 and 1873 — Dam- 
age Computed — Destruction of Thirteen Miles of the Hock- 
ing Canal — It is Abandoned — The Swelling Waters of 1875 — 

organic. 

The county of Washington covered a very extensive territory, 
so much so that for the convenience of the people who had settled 
in extreme points of the county, other counties were organized 
from it. Washington Countj r was organized in 1789, and Athens 
County was taken from it in 1805. The Athens County of to-day, 
however, is not the Athens County of 1805, for she, like Washing- 
ton, has been somewhat curtailed of her former population. The 
question of organization came up before the third session of the 
General Assembly, and on Dec. 1, 1801, Governor Tiffin, in ref- 
erence to the subject of schools and education, referred to the 
Ohio University and its valuable gift of land, and that these lands 
might become more valuable if a new county was' organized. His 
message on this point was as follows : 

" It is further thought, that it would greatly increase the demand 
tor those lands and town lots, as well as prepare the way for the 
accommodation and comfort of the youths who may be sent to the 
university, if a new county were erected and its seat established at 
Athens. This may conveniently be done without injury to the 
counties adjacent, and, in my opinion, the convenience of that part 
of the county imperiously demands it." 

(146) 





Yve^tAA^^t 




HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 147 

These favorable words placed the matter in its proper light be- 
fore the members of the General Assembly, and before the session 
closed it was acted upon bj them. 

Political considerations also hastened this step. The first few 
years of Ohio's existence as a State were marked by strong politi- 
cal feeling, the advocates of "federalism" being arrayed against 
those of " democracy. " 

The act of the Legislature creating the county of Athens, reads 
as follows. 

" An act establishing the County of Athens. 

"Sec. 1. Be it enacted, etc., That so much of the county of 
Washington as is contained in the following boundaries be, and 
the same is, hereby erected into a separate county, which shall be 
known by the name of Athens, viz.: Beginning at the southwest 
corner of township number ten, range seventeen; thence easterly 
with the line between Gallia and Washington counties, to the 
Ohio River; thence up said river to the mouth of Big Hockhock- 
ing Eiver; thence up the said Hockhocking River to the east line 
of township number six, of the twelfth range; thence north on said 
line to the northeast corner of the eighth township, in the said 
twelfth range; thence west to the east line of Fairfield County; 
thence south on said county line and the line of Ross County to 
the place of beginning. 

" Sec 2. That from and after the first da}' of March next the 
said county of Athens shall be vested with all the powers, privi- 
leges, and immunities of a separate and distinct county: Provided 
always, That all actions and suits which may be pending on the* 
said first day oi March next shall be prosecuted and carried t > 
final judgment and execution, and all taxes, fees, fines and forfeit- 
ures which shall then be due shall be collected in the same man- 
ner as if this act had never been passed. 

"Sec 3. That the seat of justice of said county is hereby estab- 
lished at the town of Athens, any law to the contrary notwith- 
standing. 

" Sec 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after 
the first day of March next." 

Passed Feb. 20, ISO:-. 



148 HISTOKT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

AREA. 

The area within the boundary above described, contained 1,053 
square miles, or about thirty congressional townships of six miles 
square. This territory not only included the present county of 
Athens, but three townships, Ward, Green and Starr, now in 
Hocking County; seven townships, Brown, Swan, Elk, Madison^ 
Knox, Vinton and Clinton, in Vinton County; five townships now 
a part of Meigs County, viz. : Columbia, Scipio, Bedford, Orange 
and Olive; and two townships, Homer and Marion, a part, at this 
time, of Morgan County; and a strip of land ten miles long and 
one mile wide, which was afterward made again a part of "Washing- 
ton County. Two years later an act passed the Legislature alter- 
ing the boundary line between Athens and Gallia counties, and by 
that act Athens took a strip off of that county ten miles long and 
one wide. At the same session, about one month later, or Feb. 
18, 1S07, an act was also passed altering the line between the 
counties of Washington and Athens, which gave to Athens the 
portion of Troy Township lying east of the Hocking River, and 
gave to Washington County a strip fifteen miles long and one mile 
wide, taken from Athens. 

Following up the acts oi* Legislature, numerous other changes 
were made, some adding to and others taking territory from Athens. 
One act making a change was dated Feb. 10, lSltt. Then the 
organization of Jackson County, Jan. 12, 1816, and the creation of 
Hocking County, Jan. 3, 1818, and a further act dated March 12, 
1845, all curtailed the dimensions of Athens County, and added 
them to the new counties formed. Meigs County, organized Jan. 
21, 1819, took off another slice of her territory, and finally by the 
erection of the county of Vinton, which act was passed March 23, 
1850, took the remainder of our outlying possessions in that direc- 
tion, and the same act detached Ward Township from Athens 
and gave it to Hocking, thus reducing our boundaries all around 
to their present limits. The present boundaries of the county 
include about 430 square miles. 

An act of the Legislature was passed Feb. 13. 1804, establishing 
boards of commissioners, providing that the election for commis- 
sioners should be held on the first Mondays of April. The first 
election in Athens County resulted in the choice of Silas Dean, 
William Howlett and John Corey, Commissioners. 

The first session of the Board of Commissioners took place at 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 149 

Athens on April 16, 1805, and the records show the following pro- 
ceedings:— 

"Agreeably to an act entitled ' an act establishing boards 
of commissioners,' passed February the 13th, 1804, 

"We, Silas Dean, Wm. Howlett and John Corey, being elected 
Commissioners for the County of Athens on the 13th day of April, 
1805, Silas Dean and John Corey, aggreeably to appointment, met 
this day in order to proceed to business, and have made choice of 
John Corey for Clerk, and then proceeded to divide the county 
into the following townships: 

"The township of Ames begins at the northeast corner of the 
county; thence running west to the northwest corner of said county; 
thence south to the southwest corner of township No. 12 in the 
16th range; thence east to the southeast corner of township No. 7 
in the 12th range; thence north to the place of beginning. 

"The township of Athens begins at the northwest corner of town 
ship No. 12 in the 17th range; thence south to the southwest cor- 
ner of township No. 12; thence east to the southeast corner of town- 
ship No. 5,in the 13th range; thence north to northeast corner of the 
aforesaid township No. 5; thence west to the place of beginning. 

" The township of Alexander begins at the northwest corner of 
township No. 11 in the 17th range; thence south to the southwest 
corner of township No. 10 in the aforesaid 17th range; thence east 
to the southeast corner of township No. 3 in the 13th range; 
thence north to the northeast corner of township No. 4 in the 13th 
range; thence west to the place of beginning. 

" The township of Troy begins at the southwest corner of town- 
ship No. 4 in the 12th range; thence east on the south line of the 
county until it intersects with Shade River; thence down Shade 
Eiver to its junction, with the Ohio; thence up the Ohio to the 
month of the Great Hockhocking; thence up the Hockhocking to 
where the eastern line of the 12th range crosses said river; thence 
north to the northeast corner of township No. 6, in the 12th range; 
thence west to the northwest corner of the aforesaid 6th township; 
thence south to the place of beginning." 

After dividing the county into four townships as stated above 
they next appointed Alvin Bingham, County Treasurer, who pro- 
duced his bond which was accepted and filed. They also made an 
order for the erection of a jail, to be built of logs, dimensions to be 
twenty-four feet long by thirteen feet wide in the clear, with full 
specifications. 



150 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The voting precinct in each township was then made of records,, 
as follows: John Havner's house in Athens; the house of Sylvanns 
Ames for Ames Township; John Armstrong's house for Alexander 
Township; and at Ebenezer Buckingham's house for Troy Township. 
This completed the most important acts of this session, and the 
board adjourned to the second Monday in June, 1S05. The com- 
missioners allowed themselves $1.50 per day, and the session cost 
the county $19.25. 

The next session was principally given over to the question ol 
ferry license, and $2 would get the coveted paper. The license 
for crossing the Great Hockhocking River, as it was then called, 
was also $2 and the rates for ferrying was for each foot passen- 
ger, 3 cents; for each man and horse, 10 cents; for loaded wag- 
ons and team, 50 cents; for every other four-wheeled carriage, or 
empty wagon and team, 37i cents; for every loaded cart and team 
37-J cents; for every loaded sled, or sleigh, or empty cart and team, 
25 cents; for every empty sled or sleigh and team, 12^ cents; for 
every horse, mare, mule, or ass, and every head of neat cattle, 6 cents; 
for sheep and hogs, 3 cents. 

The rates within the county were the same as the above, but the 
license was put at $1. 

Tavern license was decided to cost as follows: In the town ol 
Athens $8; Ames Township, $-1; township of Troy, $5; and 
that of Alexander $4.50; and for the township of Athens outside 
of the town limits it was placed at $6. 

The levy for a county tax was fixed and a duplicate made for each 
township, and this assessment amounted to the gross sum of 8157.'"' >. 
The amount of tax in each township was: For Athens and 
Alexander, $96.40; Ames Township, $39, and Troy Township, 
$22.20. This closed the second session of the poard of County Com- 
missioners, and it may be said that Athens County was fairly 
launched upon the world with all the rights and privileges of an 
independent municipality to paddle her own canoe. 

OLD LOG COURT-HOUSE. 

The first two years of the county's existence the court-house 
was a rented room, the property of Silas Bingham and Leonard Jew- 
ett, but in 1807 a ,court-house was erected. It was a substantial 
log building with the latest improvements, one of which was a 
brick chimney, instead of one composed of sticks and mud, and the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 151 

old log court-houses of early days were a very useful auxiliary to 
the conveniences of a town which had the good fortune to be the 
county seat. Schools were sometimes held in them, but generally 
thev were churches, amusement halls and court-house, and the 
place where all public and private assemblies met. In fact, the 
town got the most of the benefit. This primitive affair remained 
as i court-house for ten years, and if it could have told the story 
of its work, or the work and words which transpired within its log 
walls, history would have repeated some strange episodes of early 
life. It was in the old log court-house that Hon. Thomas Ewing, 
then a youth here at college, received the first impressions of the 
workings of that law of which he subsequently became so marked 
an embellishment, and so eminent an expounder. Among the dis- 
tinguished names of those formerly connected with the Athens 
bar may be mentioned Messrs. Beecher, Irwin, Hunter, Ewing, 
P.rasee, Stanberry and Medill, of Lancaster; Samuel F. Vinton and 
Simeon Nash, of Gallipolis; Generals' Goddard and Convers, of 
Zanesville; William Woodbridge, Arius Nye and others, of 
Marietta. 

The old log court-house rang with the eloquence of men who 
became famous in the history of the States, and of others who 
adorned some of the highest offices in the gift of the country. 
The societies, schools, etc., that used the house were to furnish the 
wood for the use of the County Court, and in 1813 the schools 
secured rooms for their own use. A new courtdiouse was decided 
upon in 1814, and some contracts made for material. The build- 
ing was to be of brick and substantially built. 

NEW COURT-HOUSE COMPLETED, ETC. 

The building was finished in the year 1818, and did duty as such 
rer sixty years, or, to b3 exact, sixty-two years. Edmund Dorr 
fun ished the brick, 100,000, at $6 per thousand, payable in 
county orders. 

X ^withstanding the expense of building the new court-house, 
the county did not go into debt, but i I to pay its running 
uses. It continued to grow and prosper. The population 
increased ; the farmers became comfortable if not rich ; churches 
arose in different parts of the ty md cl Is grew and flour- 

ished. 



152 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

There were tea school districts in the county in 18Jr2, and there 
was reported the following number of children of school age: — 

District No. 1, 44; No. 2, 93; No. 3, 39; No. 4, 58; No. 5, 61; 
No. 6, 56; No. 7, 83; No. 8, 98; No. 9, 53; No. 10, 56. 

The State school money for the same amounted to $299. 16. 

MEXICO AND CALIFORNIA. 

There was nothing to particularly startle the people of Athens 
County from the even tenor of their ways until 1846, when the 
declaration of war by Mexico aroused the dormant energies of the 
citizens, which had become stagnant over a combination of peace 
and prosperity, which they had enjoyed for a third of a century. 
The war of 1812 had drawn from Athens County her portion ot 
recruits, and some noble spirits had been sacrificed on the altar of 
freedom. The war spirit those long years proved not to be dead, 
but sleeping; and the first bugle blast aroused the people, and 
acted upon them like an electric shock. 

Athens County sent a full company of 100 men under Cap- 
tain McLean. For two years this war was an all-absorbing theme. 
But scarcely had the sound of artillery died away amid the chap- 
arrals of Mexico when there was borne upon the wings of the 
wind, which at first appeared to be a wild, weird and fanciful 
dream, a report, that upon the Pacific sunlit coast, where the wild 
waves had dashed in fury when the Storm King was in his wrath, or 
had laved its pebbly coast with the lullaby of a murmuring sea, that 
this coast was, veritably, a golden shore. It was not many months 
before this report was verified, and then came that hegira which 
has had no equal since the Israelites left Egypt. Athens County 
had her share of the California fever, and quite a number left the 
county to make their fortunes in that far off land. Some succeeded; 
others did not ; many returned, but a few made their homes there, 
while others had crossed the mystic river, time giving place to 
eternity, as far as their future was concerned. Wealth came to a 
few, but it is doubtful if the amount of gold brought back, in the 
aggregate, equaled the amount taken away. If so, Athens 
County was among the fortunate ones. 

L850 to 1860. 

It may be surprising to some to find that Athens County, which 
rather more than doubled its population between 1830 and 1840, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 153 

actually lost about 900 during the decade between 1840 and 1350, 
but this is so, the population in 1840 being 19,109, and in 185'!, 
18,215. Possibly the Mexican War and the California exodus might 
have had something to do with it, but these could hardly account 
for the great loss. The next decade, between 1850 and I860, 
showed a respectable gain of a trine over seventeen per cent. The 
general prosperity had also been good and the per cent, of material 
wealth increased fully as much during that decade as at any time 
during her history. 

There were in 1850, 82,168 acres improved, and in 1860, 129,- 
531, making an increase of 47,363 acres improved, or over fifty-seren 
per cent, increase. In 1860 the value of farms was $4,980,034, 
against $2,125,967 in 1850, making an increase of $2,754,067, or 
133 1-3 per cent, over 1850. One other item will show how the 
farmers progressed as well as other items, and that is in farm 
implements. Farm machinery, in 1850, was valued at $92,283, 
and in 1860 at $156,646, an increase of $64,363, or close to seventy 
per cent, in ten years. This shows that Athens County, in materia' 
wealth, had her full share of the prosperity of the country, and 
that at the time that the dark and ominous cloud of civil strife 
first arose upon the horizon, she was riding the wave of progress 
with exultation, and buoyant with the hope of a magnificent 
future. 

WAR AND PEACE. 

"When war's dread alarm sounded it found Athens County in the 
full tide of prosperity, and it also found her ready to do her part 
in the great struggle for an indestructible union of States. The 
first bugle blast that called the people to arms had not died away 
ere her heroic sons had answered the call with a response that told 
the country that loyal Athens was awake and would, in the lan- 
guage of a once somewhat noted senator of the State: " Welcome 
all foes of the Union with bloody hands to hospitable graves.'' 
Little else was thought or talked of during the conflict, but a pros- 
ecution of the war to a successful termination, and for a history of 
the acts of the gallant sons of Alliens County turn to the chapter 
in this work headed "Military History." 

It is not to be supposed that the material prosperity of the peo- 
ple would be greatly enhanced while the constant drain on them 
for war expenses lasted, but ere the decade which ended January, 
1870, had ended, Athens County was once more making com- 
mendable progress, both in population and wealth. 



154 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

RAILROAD FEVER. 

It was toward the last of this decade that the railroad fever 
which had attacked her sporadically in previous years, now 
assumed a violence which was really to test the enterprise of the 
people. How successfully the people met the demand upon them 
can be seen at this time in something over 100 miles of railroad 
track within her border. Railroads mean progress, and to say 
that Athens County has nearly doubled her material wealth"' the 
past fifteen years is not getting beyond the bounds of truth. Her 
railroads gave her new life, and even stirred up some of her old 
fogyish citizens to an exhibition of energy and enterprise that was 
truly commendable, and the city of Athens, the old borough sit- 
uated among the " Huckleberry Knobs " oi the valley of 
the Hocking, actually opened wide her dreamy eyes and took 
an intelligent view, both of the situation and her surroundings, 
and to her credit, it may be said, she forgot to close them again. 
So Athens County and her capital city have met the demand of 
advanced progress, and have kept step with the onward march of 
the country's prosperity. 

COURT-HOUSE TALK. 

The general thrift of the people and the awakening of the citizens 
of the city of Athens to progressive ideas suggested that a city 
hall, one that would be a credit to the city, would be about the 
best thing for them to have, and so they erected one of which the city 
could be proud. The success of this realty necessary and desirable 
work acted upon the citizens very much like a new and highly col- 
ored carpet does upon the good house-wife with dilapidated furniture 
as an accompaniment. The more she looked at the carpet the worse 
the furniture looked and the more disheartened she became. Just 
so with the Athenians. They had no sooner withdrawn their gaze 
of admiration and pride from their new city hall, when, oh, horrors! 
it fell upon the old rickety court-house. Their pride received a severe 
shock, and the more they looked the more they felt that the city was 
everlastingly disgraced, and the citizens, or some of them, would 
actually go round a block rather than catch a glimpse of the old 
rat trap, as it was called by many. Of course this could not always 
be endured, and so it was decided to call upon the citizens of the 
county to help relieve them of their disgrace, and erect a county 
court-house that would be worthy the proud city, the seat of cult- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 155 

ure, refinement, a city hall, an insane asylum. In 1674 the 
question was put to a vote whether a court-house to cost not over 
$60,000 should be built. The people said No, with an emphasis 
that was truly staggering to the hopeful Athenians; 2,784 voted 
no, and 573 yes, which was a majority of 2,211, and about four 
fifths of the votes in favor were cast by the residents of the ambi- 
tious city. This was so disheartening that it took them two years 
to get up courage enough to again ask that the city's disgrace should 
be pulled down and a structure reared w T orthy of Athens County. So 
in 1876 the question was again asked, and again refused, but the refu- 
sal was not in thunder tones, like that of 1874, being but 767 majority 
against it, and failed to take their breath entirely away. But the 
people of Athens County soon found that they had one opponent 
they could not vote down. They could see the pride of the citizens 
of their capital city humbled, but "Old Father Time" was not to 
be disposed of in that way, and he soon let the people of the county 
know that if they did not soon build a new court-house he would 
rattle the old one down about their ears. This was so unmis- 
takably the case that in June, 1878, the court-house question was 
carried, but about half the voters stayed at home, knowing that 
votes enough would be had to carry it, and they, if opposed, might 
as well accept the alternative of " Old Father Time " and let their 
vote go by default. Only 1,716 votes were polled, of which 1,213 
were in the affirmative, and 503 nays. It was clear that the new 
court-house was built none too soon, and the citizens of the county 
certainly can take a just pride in the beautiful and massive edifice 
known as the Athens County Court-House, one of the most 
artistic and imposing structures of the kind in the State. The 
building was completed in August, 1880. 

The census of that year, which will be found in another place 
shows that the county had made excellent forward progress 
during the decade which had then just ended, and the prosperity 
then so observant has still a strong and increasing foothold in the 
county. Her agricultural and mineral productions are still in 
their infancy, but the future is one so full of promise that hope is 
in the ascendancy in the breasts of the people. In fact, a book 
could be written from the standpoint of the present and the proba- 
bilities and possibilities of this county, which would read like 
a fairy tale, or the Arabian Nights, but space is insufficient in this 
work to even cast a horoscope of her future destiny. 



156 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



COUNTY OFFICIALS. 

Those who attended to the official business of Athens County 
will be found in the following pages. It is a record of names and 
dates which will be found invaluable for reference. 

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTF. 



1805 Silas Dean, 



William Howlett, 



1805 William Barrows, William Howlett, 

1806 Alvan Bingham, William Howlett, 

1807 Alvan Bingham, Caleb Merritt, 



1808 Alvan Bingham, 

1809 Asahel Cooley, 

1810 Asahel Cooley, 

1811 Asahel Cooley, 

1812 Ebenezer Currier, 

1813 Ebenezer Currier, 

1814 Ebenezer Currier, 

1815 Daniel Stewart, 

1816 Caleb Merritt, 

1817 Caleb Merritt, 

1818 George Walker, 

1819 George Walker, 

1820 George Walker, 

1821 George Walker, 

1822 George Walker, 

1823 George Walker, 

1824 George Walker, 

1825 George Walker, 

1826 George Walker, 

1827 George Walker, 

1828 Georee Walker, 

1829 George Walker, 

1830 George Walker, 

1831 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1832 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1833 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1834 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1835 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1836 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1837 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1838 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1839 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1840 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1841 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1842 Joshua Hoskinson, 

1843 Silas M. Shepard, 
1344 Silas M. Shepard, 
1845 Silas M. Shepard, 
1»46 Silaa M. Shepard, 

1847 Silas M. Shepard, 

1848 James Dickey, 

1849 James Dicke}-, 

1850 James Dickey, 

1851 James Dickey, 

1852 L. D. Poston, 



Caleb Merritt, 
Caleb Merritt, 
Zebulon Griffin, 
Zebulon Griffin, 
Zebulon Griffin, 
Caleb Merritt, 
Caleb Merritt, 
Levi Stedman, 
Asahel Cooley, 
Asahel Cooley, 
Stambro P. Stanclifl, 
Stambro P. Stanclifl, 
Stambro P. Stanclifl", 
Edmund Dorr, 
Edmund Dorr, 
Edmund Dorr, 
Edmund Dorr, 
Daniel Stewart, 
Daniel Stewart, 
Harry Henshaw, 
Harry Henshaw, 
Harry Henshaw, 
Absalom Boyles, 
Absalom Boyles, 
Absalom Boyles, 
David Jones, 
David Jones, 
David Jones, 
Alfred Hobby, 
Alfred Hobby, 
Alfred Hobby, 
Elmer Powell, 
Elmer Rowell, 
Elmer Rowell, 
Arnold Patterson, 
Arnold Patterson, 
Arnold Patterson, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 
Ziba Lindley, 



John Corey— (At special 
election.) 

Samuel Moore — (At reg- 
ular election.) 

Samuel Moore — (At reg- 
ular election.) 

Samuel Moore— (At reg- 
ular election.) 

Ebenezer Currier. 

Ebenezer Currier. 

Ebenezer Currier. 

Seth Fuller. 

Seth Fuller. 

Seth Fuller. 

Robert Linzee. 

Robert Linzee. 

Daniel Stewart. 

Levi Stedman. 

Levi Stedman. 

James Gillmore. 

James Gillmore. 

James Gillmore. 

James Gillmore. 

James Gillmore. 

James Gillmore. 

James Gillmore. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Justus Reynolds. 

Frederic Abbott. 

Frederic Abbott. 

Frederic Abbott. 

William R. Walker. 

William R. Walker. 

Benj. M. Brown. 

Benj. M. Brown. 

Benj. M. Brown. 

Benj. M. Brown. 

Alfred Hobby. 

Allied Hobby. 

Alfred Hobby. 

Alfred Hobbv. 

Alfred Hobby. 

Alfred Hobby. 

Pearley Brown. 

John Elliott. 

John Elliott. 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



157 



1853 L. D. Poston, 

1854 L. D. Poston, 

1855 John Brown, 

1856 John Brown, 

1857 John Brown, 

1858 John Brown, 

1859 John T.Winn, 

1860 John T. Winn, 

1861 John Brown, 

1862 John Brown, 

1863 John Brown, 

1864 John Brown, 

1865 John Brown, 

1866 John Brown, 

1867 John Brown, 

1868 Thomas L. Mintern 

1869 Thomas L. Mintern 

1870 Thomas L. Mintern 

1871 E. M. Blake, 

1872 E. M. Blake, 

1873 E. M. Blake, 

1874 Alpheus Wilson, 
375 Alpheus Wilson, 

1876 Alpheus Wilson, 

1877 Elza Armstrong, 

1878 Elza Armstrong, 

1879 Elza Armstrong, 
1S80 W.G.Hickman, 

1881 W. G. Hickman, 

1882 W. G. Hickman, 



Ziba Lindley, 
William Mason, 
William Mason, 
William Mason, 
Joseph Jewett, 
Joseph Jewett, 
Joseph Jewett, 
John Dew, 
John Dew, 
John Dew, 
Hugh Boden, 
W. F. Pilcher, 
W. F. Pilcher, 
W. F. Pilcher, 
W. F. Pilcher, 
W. F. Pilcher, 
Samuel S. Boyles, 
Samuel S. Boyles, 
Samuel S. Boyles, 
Samuel S. Boyles, 
Samuel S. Boyles, 
Samuel S. Boyles, 
E. H. Watkins, 
E. H. Watkins, 
E. H. Watkins, 
E. H. Watkins, 
A. S. Tidd, 
W. H. Curfman, 
W. H. Curfman, 
W. H. Curfman, 
W. H, Curfman, 



John Elliott. 
John Elliott. 
Daniel B. Stewart. 
Daniel B. Stewart. 
Daniel B. Stewart. 
Daniel B. Stewart. 
John E. Vose. 
John E. Vose. 
John E. Vose. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
G. M. McDougall. 
J. F. Welch. 
J. F. Welch. 
J. F. Welch. 
J. F. Welch. 
J. F. Welch. 
F. Finsterwald. 
F. Finsterwald. 
F. Finsterwald. 

F. Finsterwald. 
F. Finsterwald. 
F. Finsterwald. 
J. W. Murphy. 



COUNTY AUDITOBS. 

The first constitution of Ohio provided for the election by the 
people of only two county officers — sheriff and coroner; other county 
officers were, during the first eighteen years of the State's history, 
appointed by the county commmissioners or by the associate judges 
of the respective counties. The office of county auditor was created 
by act of the Legislature, at the session of 1820-'l. Before that 
time the principal duties of the auditor were performed by the 
county clerk. Henry Bartlett, so long known in the county as 
u Esquire Bartlett," was Clerk and ex-officio Auditor from 1806 till 
March. 1821. From this time the successive auditors were: 

Joseph B. Miles, appointed by commissioners in 1821, and served nine months. 

General John Brown, appointed and served to March, 1827. 

Norman E.oot, elected 1827, served to March, 1839. 

Leonidas Jewett, elected 1839, served until 1843. 

Abner Morse, elected 1843, served until 1845. 

Leonidas Jewett, elected 1845, served until 1847. 

E. Hastings Moore, elected 1847, served until 1861. 

Simeon W. Pickering, elected 1861, served until 1871. 

A. W. S. Minear, from 1S71 to 18S0. 

A.J. Frame, from 1880 to . 



158 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

COUNTY CLERKS. 

Henry Bartlett, appointed Dec.l, 1806; served until Feb 8, 1836. 
Joseph M. Dana, appointed Feb. 8, 1836; elected Feb. 22, 1843; served 
until 1857. 
Louis W. Brown, elected 1857. 
Edwin M. Phillips, elected 1869. 
G. W. Baker, elected 1872. 
Silas E. Hedges, elected 1881. 

COUNTY RECORDERS. 

Dr. Eliphaz Perkins, from 1800, to July, 1819. 
Chauncey F. Perkins, from July, 1819, to May, 1826. 
A. G.Brown, from May, 1S26, to August, 1833. 
Robert E. Constable, from August, 1833, to November, 1835. 
A. G. Brown, from November, 1835, to October, 1841. 
Enos Stimson, from October, 1841, to October, 1841. 
John Boswell, from October, 1S44, to October, 1847. 
A. J. Van Vorhes, from October, 1847, to October, 1850. 
W. H. Bartlett, from October, 1850 , to December, 1851. 
Frank E. Foster, from December, 1854, to November, 1855. 
George II. Stewart, from November, 1855, to June, 1861. 
Norman Root, from June, 1861, to January, 1862. 
Daniel Drake, from Jauuar}', 1862, to January, 1868. 
Josiah B. Allen, from Januar} 1- , 1S68. 
John W. Andrews, from January, 1880, to January, 1883. 
Lafayette Hawk, from January, 1883, to . 

COUNTY SHERIFFS. 

Robert Linzee, from April, 1805, to November, 1807. 
Silvanus Ames, from November, 1807, to November, 1809. 
Robert Linzee, from November, 1809, to January, 1814. 
Thomas Armstrong, Erom January, 1814, to January, 1818. 
Isaac Barker, from January, 1818, to January, 1822. 
Jacob Lentner, from January, 1822, to January, 1824. 
Calvary Morris, from January, 1824, to January, 
Robert Linzee, from January, 1828, to January, 1830. 
John McGill, from January, 1830, to January, 1832. 
Amos Miller, from January, 1832, to January, 1S30. 
Joseph Hewitt, from January, 1836, to January, 1840. 
Joseph H. Moore, from January, 1840, to January, 1844. 
William Golden, from January, 1844, to January, 18 \&. 
J. L. Currier, from January, 1848, to January, I - 
J. L. Kessinger, from January, 1852, to January, 1856. 
Leonard Brown, from January, 1S56, to January, 1858. 
II. C. Knowles, from January, 1858, to January, 1862. 
Frederic S. Stedman, from January, 1862, to January, 1864. 
John M. Johnson, from January, 1864, to January. 1808. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 159 

William S. Wilson, from January, 1868, to January, 1872. 
A. J. Reynolds, from January, 1872, to March, 1873. 
Nehemiah Warren, from March, 1873, to January, 1810. 
Parker Carpenter, from January, 1876, to January, 1830. 
Tim. B. Warden, from January, 1880. 

COUNTY TREASURERS. 

Alvan Bingham, from April, 1805, to June, 1806. 
William Harper, from June, 1806, to June, 1807. 
Ebenezer Currier, from June, 1807, to March, 1808. 
Eliphaz Perkins, from March, 1808, to June, 1809. 
William Harper, from June, 1809, to June, 1811. 
Eliphaz Perkins, from June, 1811, to June, 1815. 
Amos Crippen, from June, 1815, to June, 1825. 
Isaac Barker, from June, 1825, to January, 1830. 
Amos Crippen, from January, 1830, to January, 1832. 
Isaac Barker, from January, 1832, to January, 1836. 
Isaac N. Norton, from January, 1836, to December, 1836. 
Abrain Van Vorhes, from December, 1836, to January, 1S37. 
Isaac Barker, from January, 1837, to January, 1840. 
Amos Crippen, from January, 184.0, to January, 1842. 
Robert McCabe, from January, 1842, to Jsmuary, 1848. 
William Golden, from January, 1848, to January, 1854 
Samuel Pickering, from January, 1854, to January, 18 
Leonard Brown, from January, 1858, to January, 1860. 
Joseph M. Dana, from January, 1860, to Janua^, 1862. 
Leonard Brown, from January, 1862, to January, 1804 
A. W. S. Minear, from January, 1864, to January, 1868. 
George W. Baker, from January, 1868, to January, 1872. 
W. S. Wilson, from January, 1872, to January, 1876. 
A. J. Frame, from January, 1876, to January, 18S0. 
John P. Coe, from January, 1880, to . 

COUNTY COURT. 

The first Court of Common Pleas was held July 8, 1805, Robert 
F. Slaughter, President Judge; Silvanus Ames and Elijah Hatch, 
■ciate Judges, and Henry Bartlett, Clerk. Since that time the 
following judges have been elected: 

Isu6^-Levin Belt, President Judge; Silvanus Ames, Alexander 
Stedman and Abel Miller, Associate Judges. 

In 1807 Judge Ames became Sheriff and Elijah Hatch became 
Judge. 

1807 to 1S12 — William Wilson, President Judge, and Alexander 
Stedman, Abel Miller and Elijah Hatch, Associate Judges. 

1813 — William Wilson, President Judge, and Jehiel Gregory, 
Silvanus Ames, and Elijah Hatch, Associate Judges. 



160 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1814 — William Wilson, President Judge, and Jehiel Gregory, 
Silvanus Ames, and Ebenezer Currier, Associate Judges. 

1815 to 1818 — William Wilson, President Judge, and Silvanus 
Ames, Ebenezer Currier and Elijah Hatch, Associate Judges. 

1819 — Ezra Osborne, President Judge, and Robert Linzee, Eben- 
ezer Currier, and Silvanus Ames, Associate Judges. 

1824 — Alvan Bingham, Associate Judge, vice Silvanus Ames, 
deceased. 

1825 — Amos Crippen, Associate Judge, vice Robert Linzee. 

1826 — Edmund Dorr, Associate Judge, vice Ebenezer Currier, 
and Thomas Irwin, President Judge, vice Osborne. 

1827 — Elijah Hatch, Associate Judge, vice Amos Crippen. 

1838 — George Walker, Associate Judge, vice Alvan Bingham. 

1833 — Ebenezer Currier, Associate Judge, vice Edward Dorr. 

1834 — David Richmond, Associate Judge, vice Elijah Hatch. 

1840 — John E. Hanna, President Judge, vice Thomas Irwin. 

1840 — Samuel B. Pruden, Associate Judge, vice Ebenezer Cur- 
rier. 

1841 — Isaac Barker, Associate Judge, vice D. Richmond. 

1845 — Robert A. Fulton, Associate Judge, vice George Walker. 

1847 — Arius Nye, President Judge, vice John E. Hanna. 

1847 — Samuel H. Brown Associate Judge, vice S. B. Pruden. 

1850 — Norman Root, Associate Judge, vice Samuel H. Brown. 

1850 — A. G. Brown, President Judge, vice Arius Nye. 

1852 — Simeon Nash, elected tirst Judge under new constitution, 
when associate judges were dispensed with. 

1862— John Welch, elected. 

1865 — Erastus A. Guthrie, appointed, vice John Welch, elected 
Supreme Judge. 

1866— E. A. Guthrie, elected. 

1872 — J. Cartwright, appointed. 

1872 — David Hebbard, appointed. 

1873 — Joseph P. Bradley, elected. 

1873— Samuel S. Knowles, elected. 

1882 — Hiram L. Sibley, elected. 

PROBATE COURT. 

(Organized in 1852.) 

Jacob C. Frost, elected 1852. 

Nelson H. Yan Yorhes, elected October, 1855; resigned No- 
vember, 1855. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



161 



Daniel S. Dana, appointed November, 1855. 

Calvary Morris, elected October, 1855. 

L. Jewett, appointed 1871, elected in October, 1872. 

Thomas L. Mintern, elected 1875. 

Wm. S. Wilson, elected 1881. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 



Robert E. Constable, from 1839 to 1841 
John Welch, from 1841 to 1843. 
Tobias A. Plants, from 1843 to 1845. 
James D. Johnson, from 1845 to 1847- 
Lot L. Smith, from 1847 to 1851. 
Samuel S. Knowles, from 1851 to 1855. 
George S. Walsh, from 1855 to 1857. 
Erastus A. Guthrie, from 1857 to 1861. 
Lot L. Smith, from 18G1 to 1863. 
Rudolph De Steigner,from 1863 to 1870. 
Chas. Town send, from 1870 to 1876. 
Leonidas Jewett, from 1876 to 1880. 
Emmet Tompkins, from 1880. 



E. B. Merwin, from 1806 to 1809. 
Benjamin Rnggles, from 1809 to 1810. 
Artemas Sawyer, from 1810 to 1812. 
Alexander Harper, from 1812 to 1813. 
Artemas Sawyer, from 1813 to 1815. 
J. Lawrence Lewis, from 1815 to 1816. 
Thomas Ewing, from 1816 to 1817. 
Joseph Dana, Sr., from 1817 to 1820. 
Samuel F. Vinton, from 1820 to 1822. 
Thomas Ewing, from 1822 to 1824. 
Thomas Irwin, from 1824 to 1826. 
D wight Jarvis, from 1826 to 1830. 
Joseph Dana, Jr., from 1830 to 1835. 
John Welch, from 1835 to 1839. ' 

The first grand jury drawn in Athens County was in November, 

1805, and was composed as follows: John Dixon, John Hewitt, 

Saml. Moore, Alvin Bingham, Jno. Corey, Peter Boyles, Jeremiah 

Riggs, Canady Lowry, Wm. Howlett, Robt. Fulton, Josiah Coe 

and Phillip M. Starr. 

THE WATERS AND THE FLOODS. 

The Hocking River and its tributaries have frequently risen far 
beyond their ordinary limits, and carried destruction and ruin in 
their path. Altogether, property has suffered considerably at dif- 
ferent times from high water. One of the most serious floods 
occurred in 1847, the water rising higher than was known for a 
generation before, and doing more or less damage throughout the 
valley. Severe floods were also experienced in 1852. 

The next one of importance occurred in the last week of May, 
1858. Heavy rains throughout this part of the State caused a 
general rise in the water-courses. The Hocking was higher than 
had been known for many years, particularly at Lancaster and 
Logan. At Athens it was not so high. It did not reach, by 
twenty inches, the high- water mark of 1847. The destruction of 
property was considerable. Hundreds of acres of growing grass 
and grain were entirely or partially ruined. On the uplands, also, 
the washing of the soil and the consequent injury to grain and 
grass has been unusually severe. The canal gave way at two or 
11 



162 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

three points, but the breaks were not extensive, and were easily 
repaired. 

Margaret's Creek, running through Alexander and half way 
through Athens Township, was higher than ever before seen by 
that notorious personage, " the oldest inhabitant." The bottoms 
were entire submerged, and the destruction of property necessarily 
heavy. Several farmers had each as high as eight or ten thousand 
fence-rails carried away. Along the smaller streams in other por- 
tions of the county the destruction of property was similar to that 
along the Hocking and Margaret's Creek. Several bridges were 
swept off or greatly injured. The county bridge over Federal 
Creek, near Big Run, was a total loss. 

The damage to the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad was heavy, 
but trains were running again in about ten days. East of Athens 
the greatest obstruction was near Warren's, where some sixty feet 
of heavy embankment was washed away; and beyond that point 
were numerous slides. The damage between Athens and Chilli- 
cothe was also great. 

Scarcely had the waters begun to lower in the streams when, on 
May 31, the valley was again visited with severe and destructive 
showers of rain. The smaller streams rose with remarkable rapid- 
ity. The west branch of Margaret's Creek, in Alexander Town- 
ship, in a few hours rose to a point even higher than that reached 
during the freshet of the previous week, sweeping off fences and 
causing the sudden destruction of other property. Sunday Creek 
was higher than had been known for twenty years, and the Hock- 
ing was out of its banks. 

This storm was followed by another on the evening of the 5th of 
June. The streams again rose, till, on the 7th, the Hocking 
lacked but a few inches of being as high as during the first freshet. 
Monday Creek and other streams rose to a greater height than 
before, and much damage resulted to bridges, roads, fences and 
crops. The railroad also suffered further. 

And still again in the following June, the 11th, heavy and con- 
tinuous rains swelled the waters for a fourth time in close succes- 
sion, the river at this time reaching its highest point since the 
great flood of 1847. Comparatively little damage was done, how- 
ever, from the simple fact that there was but little left to destroy. 
The railroad track was under water for a mile east of Athens, and 
the approaches to the bridges crossing the river were impassable. 
The canal was much damaged, there being numerous breaks all along 



HISTORY OF HOCKING T ALLEY. 163 

its line. "When the floods subsided thousands of acres of land pre- 
sented the appearance oi a desert waste. Mails from Cincinnati 
were not received over the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad between 
May i!4 and June 17. This seemed to be a season of general floods, 

the Hocking Valley not being- the only sufferer. The floods were 
7erj severe throughout Ohio. Indiana and Illinois. 

The severest flood ever known to the inhabitants of the flocking 
Valley came in the summer of L873. The rain commenced falling 
on Thursday, July 3, and continued, almost without interruption, 
until Saturday morning following, inundating the whole valley, 
from Lancaster to the Ohio River. Wheat, corn and grapes were 
swept to the ground, from Carroll to Hockingport. At Nelson- 
ville fifty families were driven from their homes, the west end of 
the town being submerged. Among the heavy losses in that vicin- 
ity were: The bridge and crops of L. D. Poston, $10,000; bridge 
and coal works of W. B. Brooks, $5,000; tanyard of J. F. Broadt, 
$5,000; planing-mill and dry-dock of George Freer, 81.500; 
crops and lumber of John W. Scott, $3,000; crops of John Her- 
rold, 82.000; and many others. The destructive waters rushed 
rapidly up the ascent to Main street, impetuously flowing into 
houses, and mingling in dire confusion their contents. With one 
exception every bridge in the vicinity of the town was swept away; 
and the "Bobbins' Bridge," though not wholly destroyed, sus- 
tained such damages that it had to be virtually rebuilt. At Chaun- 
cey five miles north of Athens, the waters entered the second 
story of the dwellings, and also at Floodwood. At the latter 
place, about daylight on Saturday morning, the attention of 
Aaron Lewis, residing near the "Arnold Shaft,'' was arrested by 
the shrill screams of a woman. Proceeding in a boat in the direc- 
tion of the alarm, he found a woman with her two children in the 
loft of their cabin surrounded by the rapidly encroaching waters; 
he hurriedly tore through the shingles oi the roof and rescued the 
party, rowing them to his own residence. The works of the 
Hocking Valley Salt Company were seriously damaged. Their loss 
in manufactured salt alone exceeded 1,000 barrels. All the 
smaller bridges in the neighborhood of the works were destroyed. 
From the residence of Henry Brown, of Chauneey. to the salt works, 
a distance of half a mile, the entire population were forced to aban- 
don their dwellings during Friday night and Saturday morning. 
The works at Salina, owned by George T. Gould, lost 3,000 barrels 



164 . HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of salt His loss was estimated at $5,000. Other individual losses 
in this district were: Those of Henry Brown, $3,000; Infarmary 
farm, $2,000; A. Courtney, $1,000; Judge and Joseph Jewett, 
conjointly, $3,500; Joseph Dorr, about $1,000; Hiram Arrmtage, 
$1,000; William Courtney, $500. 

Comin» toward Athens, the destruction was so great as to dety 
description. Among the heaviest losers here was D. B. Stewart of 
Athens Indenendently of the indirect damages he sustained his 
losses included about 100 acres of corn, 80 acres of hne wheat 
1 500 bushels of old corn in crib materially injured; 10 acres ot 
meadow destroyed; 100 cords of wood, and 50,000 feet of lumber 
swept away, in addition to unestimated damages to mill and 
fences. Other losers were: Joseph Herrold, between $5,000 and 
$7 000- E. H. Moore, over $2,000; John King, between $1,000 
and $1,500; and unestimated: Porter Wilson, Hiram Bingham, 
Grosvenor and Beaton, R. J. Cable, Jesse Davis .Augustus Nor- 
ton, Oliver Carpenter, S. H. and Leroy Mansfield, S. S Boyles, 
N O Warren, Charles Henry, Benjamin Randall, and, indeed, 
every farmer in the valley, between Athens and the Ohio River 

The damages wrought by the flood to the Hocking Canal and the 
Hocking Vallev Railroad were also of startling magnitude. 1 he 
canal between Athens and Logan was well-nigh destroyed, the 
encroachment of the Hocking River completely washing away the 
tow-path at many points, for stretches, variously, of a halt mile 
and more. So ruinous were the damages to this pioneer public 
work that it has been discontinued between Nelsonville and 
Athens. On the Hocking Valley Railroad, bridges, embankments 
and portions of the road-bed, fromapoint beyond Lancaster to Athens 
were wrecked and torn to an extent that required weeks ot time 
and vast expenditures of money to repair. During the height ot 
the flood, as the surging waters swept past Athens and on down 
the valley, the spectacle was a sublime one, the water bearing 
upon its swelling surface the fearful havoc it had consummated. 
Altogether, this general calamity has cot boon equaled by any 
similar catastrophe that had previously occurred since the settle- 
ment of the country, the extent of the floods of 1832, 1847 and 
185S being materially exceeded by this one of 1873. 

In the latter part of July. L875, the windows of the heavens wore 
opened, and the Hocking Valley once more inundated Villages 
were flooded, and crops, bridgea and fences carried oft. lie 
river was higher than ever before known at Athens, and all the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



165 



tributaries were swollen beyond their banks. The mails were 
stopped for several days, and the railroad bridges were swept 
away, track washed out, etc. At Athens the gas works were 
flooded, and the citizens were compelled to resort to kerosene lamps 
and old candle-sticks or to the lights of other days. The damage 
by this flood was not confined to the valleys, but the hill farms 
were injured by washing. The losses in the Hocking Valley 
were probably over million of dollars. 




CHAPTER VII. 

MILITARY HISTORY— WAR OF 1812, MEXICAN WAR, AND THE 
WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 

Early Patriotism — War With Mexico — The Rebellion — 
Firing on Fort" Sumter — Newspapers Firing the Hearts of 
the People — Athens County Meets all Demands — Camp 
Jewett — Mustering In — Camp Dennison — Sanitary and 
Relief— Work — Morgan's Raid — Nelsonville Captured — 
Ladies once more to the Front — Grand Encampment — 
War Ended — Great Rejoicinc — President Lincoln's Assas- 
sination — Sorrow and Indignation — The Athens Sdldiers by 
Townships — The Regiments in which They Served. 

early patriotism. 

The people of Athens County, in common with the rest of the 
civilized world, believe that military organization, defense and ac- 
tion are sometimes necessary to patriotism. Some of the early set- 
tlers of the county and the ancestors of many more were patriot 
soldiers during the Revolution, and from them a zeal for the 
supremacy of the stars and stripes has been inherited, which is so 
far from cooling with the lapse of time that it seems to grow more 
fervent in each generation. The first time an appeal was made to 
the loyalty of Athens County was during the 

war of 1812. 

• 

A company of volunteers was promptly raised in September, 
1812, which was enrolled in the regiment of Colonel Robert Staf- 
ford and the brigade of General Ed. Tupper, and which served till 
March following. It marched northward to Sandusky and Per- 
rysburg, after Hull's surrender, but was not engaged in any actual 
combat. Jehiel Gregory of Athens, was at first Captain of the 
company; Nehemiah Gregory, of Athens, was Lieutenant; James 
Crippen, of Rome Township, was Ensign; and Leonard Jewett, 
of Athens, was Surgeon of the company. After reaching camp, 

(160) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 167 

Captain Gregory was promoted to Major, Lieutenant Gregory be- 
came Captain, and William McKinstry, of Alexander Township, 
became Lieutenant. Among the privates were Thaddeus Crip- 
pen, of Home; William Stewart, of Rome; Andrew Stewart, of 
Rome; James Starr, of Rome, and Roswell Poole, of Ames. Tliese 
volunteers received $8 per month and subsistence for their 
services. About 1809 the two or three survivors of this band 
were gladdened by the act of Congress which pensioned all 
living soldiers of the War of 1812. The last of that company 
has now gone to "that bourne whence no traveler returns " and 
their deeds live only in history. 

MEXICAN WAR. 

The tocsin of war again sounded in 18±6, and Athens responded 
with over 100 volunteers. Most of them went in one company, 
Captain McLean's, and quite a number of these from York and 
othejf townships. 

The following is the muster roll of Company E, (Captain Mc- 
Lean's) Second Ohio Regiment in the Mexican War: 

First Lieutenant, Michael Earhart; Second Lieutenant, J. K. 
Blackstone; First Sergeant, E. D. Wall; Second Sergeant, Daniel 
Nelson; Third Sergeant, John A. Beard; Fourth Sergeant, J. C. 
Stedman ; First Corporal, Thomas Shannon ; Second Corporal, Thos. 
Miller; Third Corporal, A. Steenrod; Fourth Corporal, Charles 
Barker; Privates, T. Armitage, C. Armitage, J. B. Abbott, Mi- 
chael Austin, Thomas Arrington, James Andrews, William Bailey, 
Ezra Bridge, Samuel Brown, Samuel Burns, James Beabout, Mar- 
tin Bobo, P. A.J. Beard, James Bowen, Samuel Bush, John Crow, 
F. Chamberlain, A. Carpenter, Richard Carr, Alford Cams, Jonas 
Clark, Samuel Clark, John Clayton, William Dolen, Isaac Desler, 
R. De Steigner, G. W. Full, Alexander Francis, James Finster- 
wald, Homer Gibbs, Columbus Gray, Reason Hull, Harrison Hume, 
William Hendrixon, L. Hohvell, E. D. Hatch, Benjamin Hugh-, 
Jefl Henshaw, H. D. Johnson, Reuben James, Wm. N. R. Janiis, 
Charles Kemp. Ciinton Loudon, A. Liggit, F. Lawrence, Edward 
Merick, Thomas Macklin, Philip McDaniel, Samuel Older, John 
Peters, Nathan Picket t, A. Patterson, William Reason, A. M. 
Smith, Daniel Shepard, Rufus Sim nons Alford Starr, John Thomp- 
son and Jerry Thomps ii. 



168 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

It was in the terrible four years' war of 1861— '65, that the people 
of Athens County most fully demonstrated their thorough loyalty 
to the best Government on earth. According to the United States 
census of 1860, the number of male inhabitants of the county in 
that year, between the ages of fifteen and fifty, both inclusive, was 
5,089. The county furnished to the Government during the war, 
in all, 2,610 soldiers, or more than fifty percent, of her men able to 
bear arms. In other words, of the able-bodied men in the county 
every other one left his business and his family to aid in suppress- 
ing the Rebellion. This is a record of which the county may well 
be proud — a record which no county in the State of Ohio, and 
few in all the Northern States, can surpass. The number above 
given does not include 1,967 men who volunteered and served in 
repelling the Morgan raid, in 1863, nor 160 "squirrel-hunters," 
who hurried to the defense of Cincinnati in 1862. 

The train of national events which led to the war are todtwell 
known to need even a summary of them here. The county was a 
strong Whig county, and, after the death of that party, its Repub- 
lican, or " abolition," tendencies were equally strong. Athens was 
a prominent station on the " underground railway," and many good 
stories might be told of adventures on that mysterious service. 

At the presidential election of 1860, Lincoln, Douglas, Brecken- 
ridge and Bell were candidates for the presidency, and the trium- 
phant election of Lincoln was the result. Athens County gave him 
a majority of 1,200. The South had threatened secession in the 
event of Lincoln's election, and it now proceeded to execute this 
threat by the various States passing ordinances of secession, and 
organizing themselves into a Southern Confederacy. After a num- 
ber of weeks of negotiation, or attempted negotiation, General 
Beauregard attacked Fort Sumter, at Charleston, S. C, in obedi- 
ence to instructions from L. B. Walker, Secretary of War of the 
Confederate Government at Montgomery, Ala. The startling news 
of the firing on Fort Sumter produced 'out one general feeling — 
that of indignation at the action of the South, aula patriotic de- 
termination to support the United States Government in the 
prompt suppression of the Rebellion. Words can not describe 
the enthusiasm with which men of all parties in Athens County 
declared themselves for the Union, the Constitution, and the en- 
forcement of the laws. The spirit of the people was eloquently 



HISTORY OF HOCKrNG VALLEY. 169 

reflected by the press, which called upon all loyal citizens to 
stand by their Government, and remember their duties as mem- 
bers of the Republic. We give one or two extracts from the ring- 
ing- editorial which appeared in the Messenger of April i8, 1S61: 

"The American flag has been violated, American soldiers have 
been shot down, and a brave commander of a Government fort has 
been forced to strike his flag and capitulate. JMea of Athens County, 
this news comes home to you. A call will soon be made on Ohio 
to contribute her portion of men and money to aid the Federal 
Government in asserting its authority and preserving the honor 
and dignity of the nation. Will you falter in the hour of your 
country's peril? Will you stand by and call into question the 
causes which have produced this state of things? If so the name and 
memory of Benedict Arnold will be enviable compared with that 
which future generations will justly apply to you. This is no time for 
party jealousy or partisan bickering. America expects every man to 
do his duty, and all must do it, or reap the vengeance of an outraged 
people. Democrats! Republicans! and no-party men! We call on 
you to merge the partisan in the patriot, the demagogue into 
the hero, and rally as the exigencies of the times may indicate, 
to the support of your country's flag. Let every man be a true 
American citizen, feeling the responsibilities and patriotism of an 
American citizen, and those base destroyers of the peace and pros- 
perity of the Union will soon be made to hide their accursed heads 
in shame before all nations." 

Meetings were held by citizens throughout the country, at which 
patriotic speeches were made, and at which the most zealous deter- 
minations to tight for the Union was manifested. A meeting was 
held at Athens on the 17th, but five days after the firing on 
Fort Sumter. The stars and stripes were raised over the court- 
house, amid the wildest enthusiasm. Republicans and Democrats, 
with one accord, cheered every Union expression. The townships 
were urged to hasten the enlistment of volunteers in response to 
the call of President Lincoln for 75,000 volunteers. April 20 a 
large and enthusiastic meeting of citizens was held at Chauncoy. 
Dover Township. A pole was raised, and. the stars and stripes ran 
up, amid deafening shouts. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. 
A large number volunteered, and steps were also taken to organize 
a home guard. 

At Athens, on the same date, a patriotic meeting was held on the 
college green. In the center of the concourse were the Ohio State 



170 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Guards, of Athens, armed and in full uniform, bearing a beautiful 
silk banner presented by the ladies of Athens, Feb. 22, 1860, little 
thinking how soon it would be called to wave amid the smoke of the 
battle-field. Th.3 uniformed recruits were stationed near the college. 
A beautiful flag, twenty-six by fifteen feet in size, was run up the 
staff, and as it unfolded to the breeze, it was greeted by three rounds 
of musketry from the State Guards, and three cheers from the 
crowd. Patriotic speeches were made; songs were sung by the ladies 
in attendance. A series of patriotic resolutions were adopted 
by the students of the Ohio University. A fund started for de- 
fraying the expeuses of recruits before starting and for the support 
of their families during their absence reached $2,000 in twenty- 
four hours. 

The following staff officers of the Third Brigade, Seventh Division, 
Ohio Volunteer Militia, composed of the counties of Athens, 
Washington, Meigs and Gallia, reported for duty: General R. A. 
Constable, Brigadier-General, Athens; Major D. Maule, Brigadier- 
Major, Athens; Amos Layman, Brigadier-Judge-Advocate, Wash- 
ington; Captain George W. Baker, Brigadier-Quartermaster, 
Athens; Captain Cyrus Grant, Brigadier-Aid-de-Camp, Meigs; 
Captain J. L. Yance, Brigadier-Aid-de-Camp, Gallia; Dr. W. P. 
Johnson, Brigadier-Surgeon; Prof. W. H. Young, Brigadier-En- 
gineer; Bev. J. Pratt, Brigadier-Chaplain. The following call 
was issued by General Constable: 

"The United States Government, through the Governor of 
Ohio, calls upon the people of the counties of Washington, Athens, 
Meigs and Gallia for ten companies of infantry, of not less than 
seventy-five rank and file each. Able-bodied men between the ages 
of eighteen and forty-five are required. The time of enlistment is 
three months. Volunteers will be received and enrolled in the 
cities of Marietta, Athens, Pomeroy, and in Gallipolis." 

The volunteers swarmed into Athens in greater numbers than 
they could be received, and went into camp. Their temporary 
home at this time received the name of "Camp Jewett," and 
Camp Jewett was soon a scene of great activity. Fully two hun- 
dred men were in a few days quartered here, drilling and organiz- 
ing for service, under the command of General Constable. Most 
of the new soldiers were made of the right kind of material, but 
many fancied that their three months' service would be but a grand 
pleasure excursion to Washington or to the South, and that they 
would soon return to their admiring friends "covered all over 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 171 

with glory." They soon found out the reality of war, the hard- 
ships of soldier life, etc., and that the war was more than a three 
months' task. The'change from the independence and luxury of 
Camp Jewett to the rigorous discipline and plain fare of army 
life, too, was not relished by many; but the majority stoically 
accepted the situation, and fought the four years' war through. 

GOING INTO ACTIVE SERVICE. 

The Ohio State Guards, of ninety-six men, was the first company 
to leave Camp Jewett. It was ordered to Camp Dennison, near 
Miamiville, where it was mustered into the service of the United 
States as Company C, Third Regiment. This company, under the 
command of Captain J. M. Dana, carried the flag of the regiment, 
and thus occupied the post of honor. It left Athens for Camp 
Dennison, May 1. The occasion of its departure was one of pecul- 
iar interest and solemnity. Many of the volunteers were leaving 
behind them wives and families, brothers and sisters, and all the 
fond associations of many years' formation. There was many a 
moist eye, and many a heart swelled with emotion, but none lacked 
the courage demanded for the trying scene — the parting of bosom 
friends from their mates, perhaps forever. Just before their depart- 
ure each of the volunteers was presented with a New Testament 
by Revs. Pratt and Porter. A short, patriotic speech was after- 
ward made by Hon. Y. B. Horton. Then the shrill whistle ot 
the locomotive screamed, ' k Good-bye," " God bless you" and 
" Farewell," were quickly exchanged, and with cheer after cheer 
they departed. The boys reached Camp Dennison safely, but 
found poor quarters there even for a soldier. Many of them, with- 
out even a blanket, were compelled to lie out all of the first night. 

The next company to leave Camp Jewett was Captain E. A. 
Guthrie's, numbering ninety-nine men, which became Company 
B, Twenty-second Ohio. 

Recruits continued to pour into Camp Jewett, and another com- 
pany was soon filled. This became Company H, Twenty-second 
Regiment, and consisted of eighty-nine men. It left Athens for 
Columbus, May 20, commanded by Captain Nathan Pickett. 

Thus in one month's time, Athens County sent forward for the 
war 300 men. They were fine, able-bodied men, and volunteered 
with a resolute determination to aid with their whole strength in the 
suppression of the Rebellion. Captain Pickett's company was 
raised almost entirely in Dover Township. Two of the commis- 



172 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

sioned officers, Captain Pickett and Lieutenant Stedman, had seen 
service in the Mexican War. It is an interesting coincidence that 
there were seven printers in Captain Dana's company, four of 
whom were from the office of the Athens Messenger. A band of 
marauders organized in the county and did some desperate deeds. 
They were lawless characters, who, thinking there was no law, 
undertook to carry out a programme of thieving and intimidation. 
They were suppressed. 

Among the early appointments to the higher grades of the ser 
vice was that of W. S. Smith to the position of Assistant Adjutant- 
General, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, on General Sleich's 
staff. Colonel Smith was a brother of Lot L. Smith, of Athens, 
and a graduate of the Ohio University. He was presented, June 
5, 1861, just after his appointment as Assistant Adjutant-General, 
with a beautiful sword by the citizens of Athens, through Ron. 
S. B. Pruden. On the same occasion a Colt's revolver was pre- 
sented by C. H. Grosvenor to Captain E. A. Guthrie. Colonel 
Smith was soon after appointed to the command of the Thirteenth 
Infantry, and early in 1S62 he became a Brigadier-General. 

The rapidity with which recruits poured into Camp Wool (the 
name of " Camp Jewett " was dropped after a few weeks, and the 
name of "Camp Wool" adopted instead) was fairly astonishing. 
As if knowing that the war would last for years, and that the Union 
cause would require all the men that could be spared, the county 
responded as though animated by one mind. Every township 
raised a company or half a company of men for three years' ser- 
vice, while those who did not enlist devoted their energies toward 
raising a good crop, knowing that provisions are the staple neces- 
sity of an army. Besides the soldiers of our own vicinity company 
after company came to Athens from other counties, en route to 
Camp Dennison or some Eastern point. Thus Athens was almost 
constantly a scene of military activity. By the first of August, 
1861, Athens County had raised 1,000 men for the Union army. 
Eight companies had left, under orders, for Camp Dennison and 
elsewhere (three of these companies had already seen hard ser- 
vice in West Virginia), while five others were being raised in 
different parts of the county. 

FIRST RETURNS. 

The first regiment to return to this part of the State, after the 
expiration of its term of service, was the Twenty-second Infantry, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 173 

commanded by Colonel Gilmore. It arrived at Athens, Aug. 
4, 1861, and immediately went into quarters at Camp Wool. 
This regiment had seen the hardest kind of service in marching 
about from one place to another over the hills and mountains of 
West Virginia. Four companies, Captain Olmstead's (Company I), 
Captain Payne's (Company K), Captain Wilhelm's (Company G), 
and Captain Guthrie's (Company B), were scouting from one place 
to another nearly all the time after the regiment left Camp Wool 
until its return. They performed one feat that is worthy of special 
mention. From Spencer to Glenville, Ya., is about forty-two 
miles. About six miles of this distance was marched in the night. 
The next morning the four companies started for Glenville, about 
thirty-six miles distant, where they arrived between eight and nine 
o'clock in the evening. It rained during the whole day, and the 
men had to cut away large trees and heaps of rubbish thrown 
across the road by the rebels in several places. During the day an 
alarm was given that the advance guard was attacked. Immedi- 
ately the whole force started off on " double quick," and continued 
at this rate for a distance of four miles, when they overtook the guard 
and found the alarm to be false. The Twenty-second remained 
in camp about two weeks,, -and were paid off Aug. 21 and 22, and 
discharged. 

One of the brightest pages in the record of Athens County's 
war history is the remembrance of the sanitary and relief work 
done by the patriotic citizens — particularly the ladies — all over 
the county. In October, 1861, an appeal was made for contribu- 
tions of clothing, etc., for the soldiers. No sooner was it known 
that these articles were needed, than the citizens immediately took 
effective measures toward organized relief. A county committee 
was appointed, known as the " Military Committee," consisting of 
Joseph Jewett, Rudolph De Steigner, Albert Parsons, II. T. Brown 
and William P. Kessinger. This committee appointed relief com : 
mittees in every township, which were urged to act at once, and send 
in to the county committee such contributions as they could col- 
lect. The following are the township relief committees: 

Athens. — Judge Barker, Samuel Pickering, Jared Maris and C. 
W. Goodspeed. 

Alexander. — Elmer Armstrong, Hon. James Gibson and William 
Campbell. 

Lee. — John T. Winn, Leonard Brown and Dr. John Earhart. 

Lodi. — Joseph Cramer, Dr. Moore and William Jeffries. 



174 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Carthage. — James Caldwell, Walter Glazier and Atnasa Saun- 
ders. 

Trimble. — Benjamin Norris, William Russell and Dr J. Dew. 

York. — J. L. Mintern, Charles Ashton and Joseph Brett. 

Dover. — Eli F. Brown, Henry Brown and G-. T. Gould. 

Ames. — N. P. Hoisington, A. W. Glazier and James Bryson. 

Bern. — P. W. Lampson, Samuel Wells and George Wyatt. 

Troy. — John Frame, E. A. Gibbs and Sherman Brewster. 

Borne. — D. B. Stewart, Elmer Rowell and Hiram Gard. 

Canaan. — N. O. Warren, Peter Finsterwald and William Bureh. 

Waterloo.— Hugh Boden, W. H. Allison and P. C. Hewett. 

In Athens village the committee appointed some sixteen ladies 
to solicit contributions. As a result of these prompt steps, large 
quantities of clothing and other useful articles were sent to our 
soldiers, which not only aided in making many brave men com- 
fortable, but beyond a doubt saved many a volunteers life. This 
work was kept up through the war, and in this way the ladies of 
the North did effectual service in crushing the Rebellion. 

The rebel raid by General John Morgan in the summer of 1S63 
is well remembered by the citizens of the Hocking Valley, for his 
forces were for a few days rather " numerous " in this region. He 
was at that time on a run for life, rather than a raid of destruction; 
otherwise we should have suffered much more from his presence. 
The general facts of the raid are well known. His arrival, how- 
ever, in Athens County, caused considerable consternation among 
the people, as it did along the line of his inarch. He had under- 
taken to cross the Ohio River at Hockingpoit but the gun-boats 
were too much for him and he lost about 1,000 of his men at that 
point, they having surrendered. General Morgan, with about 100, 
turned toward Gallipolis, crossing the railroad at Yinton, some 
fifteen miles north of that city, and then turned directly north. About 
eleven o'clock in the forenoon the people of Nelsonville and vi- 
cinity were thrown into confusion by the unwelcome intelligence 
that the famous General John Morgan and his forces were within a 
mile of town. In a very short time they came pouring in from all 
directions, and took complete but quiet possession of the town. 
Nearly every house was visited and made to serve meals to two or 
more of the strangers. Never was food given more grudgingly by 
the usually hospitable people of Nelsonville. The rebels are de- 
scribed by those whom they visited here as being dirty and ragged, 
of various kinds of dress, and an extremely hard-looking lot of 
men. 



V 









HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 175 

After they had eaten all they could find in the houses, they 
entered the stores and helped themselves to new clothes and other 
things that suited them. They paid for part of them. They then 
visited all the stables and pastures near town in search of horses, of 
which they took all that were able to travel. When the news first 
came of their approach, some rode their horses into the woods to 
save them, while others were overtaken and had to deliver up. 
Farmers from the country had their horses unharnessed from their 
wagons, and were left to get home the best way they could. The 
plundering was all done in a very quiet manner. Just before leav- 
ing they fired the river bridge on which they crossed, and all the 
canal boats that were in port, about twelve in number, turning fam- 
ilies out upon the banks without saving a thing but the clothes on 
their backs. They kindled a fire in the cabin of one boat where 
there was a sick woman. Her pleadings were of no avail, and she 
was obliged to make her escape the best way she could. L. D. 
Poston's coal-works caught fire from the boats, but were put out 
after the rebels left without much damage. The plunderers re- 
mained in town about two hours, and left between one and two 
o'clock to spread terror and devastation along their route through 
the country. Morgan himself was recognized by several persons 
in jSTelsonville. The cavalry in pursuit of Morgan under Major 
Wolford, entered jSTelsonville about five o'clock, but four hours be- 
hind him. 

Morgan moved northeast through the counties of Morgan, Guern- 
sey, and Harrison, and at noon on Saturday, the 25th, was ap- 
proaching Winters ville,a place about four miles north of Steuben ville. 
Here he was headed off by militia. Thence he moved north in the 
direction of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad. He arrived at 
Salineville, near that road, early on the morning of the 26th, and 
was met by Major Way with a detachment of the First Michigan 
Cavalry. After an hour's hard fighting Morgan was completely 
routed, and the delay occasioned by this engagement enabled Gen- 
eral Shackleford, who was only a few miles away, to catch up with 
Morgan, who surrendered three miles south of New Gibson, Co- 
lumbiana County. 

The part taken by the ladies of Athens County during the week 
of the Morgan raid was no inconsiderable one. As a proof of their 
liberality and generous patriotism the following statement is given 
of the provisions furnished soldiers at Athens for one week: Fri- 
d iv, July 17 5 dinner on the college green for 65, supper for 300. 



176 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Saturday, breakfast for 200, lunch and coffee at the depot, at three 
o'clock p. m. for upward of 3,000, supper for 80. Sunday, break- 
fast for 90, dinner for 100, supper for 1L0. Monday, breakfast at 
five o'clock a. m. for 150, at six a. m. for 90, dinner at 12 m. for 100, 
at one p. m. for 90, supper at five p. m. for 90, at six p. m. for 68. 
Tuesday, breakfast for 90. Wednesday, breakfast for 112. Fri- 
day, lunch at the depot for 300. This is, of course, exclusive ot 
those who were provided for at private houses or at the hotels, 
which were all filled to overflowing. The provisions were supplied 
for the first two or three days by the citizens of Athens. After 
that the war committee furnished bacon and coffee. Abundant sup- 
plies of bread, biscuit, pies, cake, etc., poured in from the country 
around, four wagon-loads coming from the patriotic town of Nel- 
sonville alone. 

A general order was issued from the Adjutant-General's office 
Aug. 15, 1863, dividing the State into military districts and direct- 
ing that there be held in 1863 in each district one officers' muster 
and encampment, each to continue eight days. The First District 
included the counties of Athens, Meigs, Washington, Morgan, Hock- 
ing, Vinton and Ross, and its officer muster and encampment were 
directed to be held on the lands of Messrs. Cable and Brooks, at 
Athens, to be called "Camp Athens." All officers of the militia 
and volunteers, and also all non-commissioned officers of militia 
and volunteers of the rank of sergeant, were to attend the camp in 
their proper district and participate in the drill and instructions 
throughout the period of its duration; while the various companies 
of militia, privates as well as officers, were ordered to attend the 
encampment during the last two days for drill and instruction. 
The encampment for the First District was appointed for Saturday, 
Sept. 5, and to last till Saturday, the 12th. 

The encampment was held according to appointment, and was a 
decided success. The weather was fine and favorable for drilling, 
and a good degree of efficiency was secured for those in attendance. 
About 6,000 men, including 1,000 militia officers, were in camp. 
Several companies were completely uniformed. Among these were 
an artillery company from Washington County, and one from 
Meigs; and infantry companies from Marietta and Middleport. 
It was a grand sight on the last two days to see the battalion drill, 
and it would have been still more imposing, had all been uniformed 
and armed. The Thirty-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Militia 
also met at Camp Athens for drill, Sept. 29, 1863, by order of the 
regimental officers. 



HISTORY OF. HOCKING VALLEY. 177 

Toward the close of 1863, a " Great Western Sanitary Fair " was 
held at Cincinnati for the purpose of raising funds, clothing, pro- 
visions, etc., to better the condition of our soldiers, and aid in pre- 
paring them to endure the winter. A branch organization was 
perfected in Athens County, with N. H. Van Yorhes as Secretary 
and Treasurer, and the county was canvassed for contributions, and 
its offering amounted to about $3,000, over half of which was in 
cash. 

In the spring of 1861 the Governors of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, 
Iowa and Wisconsin offered the General Government the services 
of 85,000 men for 100 days. They thought that the men could 
be easily raised for this short term of service, and these 100-days 
men could render efficient service by being placed on guard duty 
and in garrisons, and enabling the experienced soldiers to go to 
the front. The Government accepted the tender, and the call for 
the 100-days men was accordingly made. Ohio's quota was 
30, 000, but the militia offered themselves to the number'of 38,000. 
Athens County furnished five companies, which, together with a 
battalion from Gallia County were organized as the One Hundred 
and Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was 
ordered to border duty in West Virginia. 

Under the President's call for 500,000 men made in 1863, the 
quota of Athens County was 250 men, and a general draft was 
anticipated. But volunteers stepped briskly forward, month after 
month, induced partly by the liberal bounties, general and private, 
and when the draft finally came, in the summer of 1864, but eight 
men were drawn for Athens County. This was just after the 
county had furnished half a regiment of 100-days men. 

The county thus maintained its patriotic record to the end of the 
war, which came in April, 1865, in the'shape of complete victory for 
the Union arms. Never was there a more jubilant feeling in Athens 
and vicinity than when the news came of the surrender of Lee. 
The evening of Friday the 14th saw the town literally ablaze with 
light, and a brilliant display of fire-works added to the festivities. 
At the hall the citizens gave vent to their exuberance of feeling in 
speeches and enthusiastic cheers. 

On Saturday morning the joy was unabated, and every one wasjn 
the happiest mood when the crushing news came of the assassination 
of our beloved President— Abraham Lincoln. t Twice death had tread 
the halls of the White House, but never fell a sorrow like this on 
our people. Business was suspended for want of heart to carry it on, 
12 



178 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



voices were muffled, and the bells tolled the live-long heavy day, in 
unison with the general sorrow. At night there was a spontaneous 
meeting of citizens at the M. E. church to testify their sorrow 
for the nation's loss and to debate over the mournful event. Judge 
Welch was called to the chair, and A. B. "Walker appointed Secre- 
tary. An impressive prayer was delivered by Rev. Mr. Prettyman, 
after which Judge "Welch made an appropriate and able address to 
the audience. A committee of three was then appointed by the 
Chair, consisting of Hon. C. Morris, Samuel Pickering and E. H. 
Moore, to prepare resolutions for the action of the meeting. "While 
the committee were out, further remarks were made by Dr. 
Prettyman, Colonel "W. EL Young, Judge Welch and Hon. W. P. 
Johnson. The committee reported that in view of a more general 
demonstration soon to be held by the county, they did not deem it 
necessary to report matters for action at that time. On the 17th a 
very large and general meeting of the citizens was held at the 
Atheneum. Dr. W. P. Johnson was appointed to the chair, and 
A. J3. Walker was chosen Secretary. The meeting was addressed 
briefly by Hon. John Welch, who, at the close of his remarks, 
offered a series of resolutions appropriate to the heart-rending 
intelligence of the President's tragic death. 

This properly closes the narrative of Athens County's part in the 
war. The following table shows the number of soldiers furnished 
by each township : 



TOWNSHIPS. 


NO. IN U. S. 
ARMY. 


NO. OF 100- 
DAYS MEN. 


TOTAL. 


Athens 


267 
162 
142 
108 
112 
117 
154 
117 
143 
156 
143 
181 
162 
226 

2,190 


96 

58 

10 
30 
68 
39 

54 
27 

38 


363 


Alexander . 


220 


Ames 


142 




108 
112 




127 




184 




185 


Lou 


182 


Troy 


210 
170 

181 


York 


162 
264 






Total 


420 


2,610 



The principal regiments in which Athens County was repre- 
sented were the Third, Eighteenth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-ninth, 
Sixty-ninth, Seventy-fifth, Ninety-second and One Hundred and 
Sixteenth Infantry and the Seventh Cavalry. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

STATISTICS OF ATHENS COUNTY— POPULATION, AGRICULTURAL, 

POLITICAL. 

Population by Townships and by Decades — Value of Real and 
Personal Property in 1870, 1880, 1881 and 1882— Assessed 

Valuation of in 1-4-0. 1853, and 1S59— Record of Marriages 
and Deaths — Pauperism— Land Sales— Mortgages — Dog and 
Sheep Statistics — Railroad and Telegraph — Political — 
Presidential Vote, 1836 to 1880— Governor's Vote, 1S36 to 
1880 — Vote for Secretary of State — The County Vote by 
Townships. 

population by decades. 

By the census of 1800. Washington County (then including 
Athens County) had 5,427 inhabitants. 

By the census of 1810, Athens County had 

561 males and 517 females under 10 



234 

241 
283 
144 



210 
260 
235 
102 



years, 
between 10 and 16 " 
16 " 26 " 
26 " 45 " 
over 45 years. 



1,463 1,324 

Total population in 1310. 



.2,787. 



POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS IN 1820. 



MALES. 



Ames 

Athens 

Alexander. 
Canaan. . . . 
Carthage.. . 

Dover 

Elk 

Homer 

Lee 

Rome 

Troy 

York 



Aggregate. 



388 

582 
421 
193 
175 
330 
274 
101 
185 
206 
295 
183 

3,393 



FEMALES. 



333 
538 
433 

163 
145 
277 
271 
100 
157 
231 
246 
158 

3,040 



TOTAL. 

721 
1,114 
854 
356 
320 
607 
545 
201 
342 
497 
541 
341 

6,439 



(179; 



180 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



It must be borne in mind that the boundaries of some of the 
townships underwent changes from time to time till March, 1850, 
since when there have been no changes. 

1830. 

Athens Township 1 ,703 

Alexander 882 

Ames 857 

Bern 223 

Canaan 375 

Carthage 395 

Troy 649 

Dover 550 

Lee 418 

Lodi 276 

Elk 822 

Vinton 178 

Homer 636 

Rome 522 

Trimble 190 

York 871 

Waterloo 216 

Total 9, 763 

1810. 



TOWNSHIPS. 


MALE. 


FEMALE. 


TOTAL. 




728 
718 
1,178 
196 
132 
421 
397 
679 
647 
451 
440 
394 
569 
427 
385 
546 
179 
382 
108 
863 


723 
713 
1,104 
185 
125 
379 
337 
611 
614 
461 
408 
3G0 
510 
425 
377 
510 
157 
359 
119 
737 

9,214 


1,451 




1,431 




2,282 




381 




257 




800 


Carthage 


734 




1,290 


Elk 


1,261 




912 




848 




754 




1,079 




852 


Trimble 


7(32 


T; oy 


1,056 


Ward 


336 




741 




227 


York 


1,600 






Total white 


9,840 


19,054 




55 








19,109 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 181 

STATISTICS OF THE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1850 — POPULATION. 





WHITE MAL'S 


WHITE FEM. 


TOTAL. 


COLORED. 


AGGREGATE. 


Alexander.. . . 


869 
780 
1,151 
432 
589 
554 
628 
480 
678 
650 
482 
686 
511 
745 

9,235 


859 
702 
1,179 
387 
553 
533 
004 
477 
655 
627 
442 
735 
487 
634 


1,728 
1,482 
2,330 

819 
1,142 
1,087 
1,232 

957 
1,333 
1,277 

924 
1,421 

998 
1,379 

18,109 


7 
30 

*4 

3 

32 

18 
12 

106 


1,735 

1,482 

2,360 

819 


Lee 


1,142 

1,087 

1,232 

961 


Troy 


1,336 

1,309 

924 

1,421 


York 


1,016 
1,391 






Total 


8,874 


18,215 



CHURCHES. 



Baptist 

Methodist 

Presbyterian. . . 
Roman Catholic 
Universalist 




VALUE. 



$ 1,100 

8,250 

7,000 

800 

800 

$ 17,950 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 1850. 

Acres of land improved in farms 82,168 

Acres of land unimproved 103,109 

Cash value of farms. . . , 

Value of farming implements and machinery. 

Number of horses 3,345 

Number of milch cows 4,302 

N umber of working oxen 1,331 

Number of other cattle 6,260 

Number of sheep 35,945 

Number of swine 15,675 

Value of of live stock 

Value of slaughtered animals 



Bushels of wheat 72,146 

Bushels of rye 395 

Bushels of Indian corn 443,546 

Bushels of oats 74,255 

Pounds of tobacco 58,356 

Pounds of wool 92,990 



$ 2,125,967 
92.283 



$314,894 
75,551 

$ 2,608,695 



182 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 1850 — CONTINUED. 

Bushels of Irish potatoes 84,447 

Bushels of sweet potatoes 2,328 

Bushels of buckwheat 7,095 

Value of orchard products $ 6,199 

Pounds of butter 257,302 

Pounds of cheese 58,170 

Tons of hay 12,188 

Bushels of clover seed 375 

Bushels of other grass seeds 229 

Pounds of flax 7,618 

Bushels of flax seed 348 

Pounds of maple sugar ... 28,665 

Gallons of maple molasses 2,052 

Pounds of beeswax and honey 9,983 

Value of home-made manufactures $ 28,325 

POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS. 1860. 



WHITE MAL'S 



Alexander... 

Ames 

Athens 

Bern 

Canaan 
Carthage — 

Dover 

Lee 

Lodi 

Rome 

Trimble .... 

Troy 

Waterloo . . . 
York 

Aggregate. 



816 
675 
1,413 
482 
639 
579 
722 
565 
818 
787 
574 
876 
765 
969 



WHITE FEM. 



843 
657 
1,394 
472 
683 
548 
699 
562 
780 
749 
536 
871 
701 
853 



TOTAL. 



1,659 

1,332 
2,807 
954 
1,272 
1,127 
1,421 
1,127 
1,598 
1,536 
1,110 
1,747 
1,466 
1.822 



COLORED. 



16 
3 

45 
68 



174 

45 
2 

17 
14 



AGGREGATE. 



1,675 
1,335 
2,852 
1,022 
1,272 
1,127 
1,423 
1,301 
1,598 
1,581 
1,112 
1,747 
1,483 
1,836 

21,364 



CHURCHES. 




VALUE. 



Baptist 

Baptist, Free-Will 

Christian 

Episcopal 

Methodist 

Presbyterian 

Cumberland Presbyterian 

Roman Catholic 

Union 

Universalist 

Total number 



$ 650 

4,600 

1,825 

700 

23,565 

10,550 

1,000 

800 

600 

600 



$44,890 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 183 

The valuation of estate, real and personal, in the county for the 
year 1860, was : — . 

Real $6,467,950 

Personal 2,600,677 

$9,068,627 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 1860. 

Acres ofland improved, in farms 129,531 

Acres of land unimproved 123,170 

Cash value of farms $4,980,034 

Value of farming implements and machinery 156,646 

Number of horses 5,731 

Number of asses and mules 33 

Number of milch cows 5,658 

Number of working oxen 1,558 

Number of other cattle 11,597 

Number of sheep 36,498 

Number of swine, , 21,447 

Value of live stock 748,589 

Bushels of wheat produced 120,082 

Bushels of rye 721 

Bushels of Indian corn 641,605 

Bushels of oats 66,104 

Pounds of tobacco 275,789 

Pounds of wool 88,968 

Bushels of peas and beans 2,428 

Bushels of Irish potatoes 57,261 

Bushels of sweet potatoes 3,600 

Bushels of barley 476 

Bushels of buckwheat 14,930 

Value of orchard products $17,799 

Pounds of butter 634,872 

Pounds of cheese 89,213 

Tons of hay 19,278 

Bushels of clover seed 104 

Bushels of grass seed 1,098 

Pounds of hops 356 

Tons of hemp 79 

Pounds of flax 2,774 

Bushels of flax seed 118 

Pounds of maple sugar 22,778 

Gallons of maple molasses 2,549 

Gallons of sorghum molasses 28,335 

Pounds of beesw ax 554 

Pounds of honey 19,540 

Value of home-made manufactures 15,978 

Value of animals slaughtered 122,375 



184 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



MANUFACTURES, 1860. 



Blacksinithing. . 
Boots and shoes. 

Carriages 

Clothing 

Coal. 



Flour and meal 

Furniture 

Leather 

Lumber' 

Machinery 

Marble aud stone work 

Pottery ware 

Printing 

Provisions — pork and beef 

Saddlery and harness 

Salt 

Tin, copper and sheet iron ware. 

Wagons, carts, etc 

Wool carding 



Total. 



CAPITAL 


ANNUAL VAL. 


INVESTED. 


OF PRODUCTS 


$ 1,750 


| 4 452 


3,700 


16,794 


8,200 


4,113 


7,100 


12,150 


49,450 


49,700 


70,400 


263,938 


3,950 


4,030 


26,815 


29,028 


32,200 


46,944 


3,000 


7,100 


800 


3 500 


1,000 


800 


3,000 


2,400 


10,000 


12,000 


2,700 


6,141 


96,000 


59,050 


1,000 


2,585 


1,400 


1,700 


1,500 


9,860 



$331,665 



.$545,002 



STATISTICS OF THE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1866. 
Products of Athens County in the year 1865-6. 



Number of acres of wheat 13,176, 

Number of acres of rye 153, 

Number of acres of buckwheat 243, 

Number of acres of oats 3,403, 

Number of acres of corn 15,422, 

Number of acres of meadow .15,188, 

Number of acres, of potatoes 514, 

Number of acres of tobacco 168, 

Number of acres of clover 755, 

Number of acres of sorghum 526, 

Number of lbs. of maple sugar 14,347, 

Number of lbs. of butter 327,480, 

Number of lbs. of cheese 27,705. 



Number of bushels. . . 
Number of bushels. . . 
Number of bushels... 
Number of bushels... 
Number of bushels. . . 

Tons of hay « 

Number of bushels. . . 
Number of pounds. . . . 
Number of tons of hay 
Number of gall, syrup. 
Number of gall, syrup 



Number of sheep m the county. 
Value 

Number of hogs in the county. . . 
Value , 



Amount of wool produced, pounds 

Number of dogs in the county 

Number of sheep killed by dogs 

Number of deeds and leases recorded 

Number of mortgages recorded 

Amount of money secured by mortgage 

Number of crimes indicted during the year 

Number of convictions 

Number of marriages during the same year 

Number of divorces 

Number of dwellings erected during same year 

Number of barns 

Number of factories 

Number of school-houses 

Number of civil judgments rendered during same year 

Amount of civil judgments rendered during same year $5 



.104,893 
. 1,450 
. 2,450 
. 56,445 
,546,791 
. 18,206 
40,462 
.136,460 
799 
. 80,253 
. 1,391 



75,406 
1221,585 

12,191 
$60,342 

18!US) 

1,082 

304 

713 

144 

124,658 

I.' 

27 

352 

15 

50 

U 

1 

2 

91 

5,026.03 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

STATISTICS OF THE COUNTY IN 1870. 

POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS. 



185 



TOWNSHIPS. 



Alexander 

Ames 

Athens. . 

Bern 

Canaan. . . 
Carthage. . 

Dover 

Lee 

Lodi 

Rome 

Trimble... 

Troy 

Waterloo. . 
York 



TOTAL. 



Total 23,768 



,511 
,229 
,277 
,014 
,543 
,272 
,697 
146 
551 
972 
,379 
830 
,695 
652 



NATIVE. FOREIGN. WHITE. COLORED 



1,502 
1,220 

3,063 
1,007 
1,461 
1,231 
1,648 
1,133 
1,528 
1,897 
1,365 
1,809 
1,587 
2,465 



22,916 



9 

9 

214 

7 

82 

41 

49 

13 

23 

75 

14 

21 

108 

187 



852 



1506 
1,195 

3,031 

990 

1,543 

1,272 
1,689 



22,995 



5 

34 

246 

24 



258 



1,551 




1,861 


111 


1373 


6 


1,815 


15 


1,663 


32 


2,618 


34 



773 



VALUE OF REAL ESTATE — 1870. 



Acres of land 305,9241 Aggregate value of lands $3,790,722 

Aggregate number of buildings. .466,474 Value in towns of lots and b'ld's$747,428 

Total value of real property $5,004,624 



PERSONAL PROPERTY. 



Number of horses 6 091 

Value of same $367158 

Number of cattle 17,745 

Value of same .$326,670 

Number of mules 135 

Value of same <$9 315 

Number of sheep 45,217 

Value of same $77 269 

Number of hogs 17 161 

Value of same $62,763 



MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS. 



Number of marriages 232 

Number of white males born 261|Number of white females born..'. '. '. .217 

" " colored" " 10| " " colored " " 1:, 

Total number of births 501 



186 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS — 1870. 



Total value of farm products. .$1,607,698 

Value of orchard products 91,499 

" " animals slaughtered 387,997 

Bushels of clover seed 79 

" " grass seed 149 

Poundsof hops 19 

" " flax 300 

Bushels of flax seed 14 

Pounds of maple sugar 8,118 

Gallons of sorghum molasses 1,027 

" " maple molasses 43,820 

Pounds of beeswax" 486 

Pounds of honey 17,118 

Bushels of spring wheat 468 

" of winter wheat ..123,277 



Bushels of rye 2,187 

of Indian corn 619,447 

" of oats 96,012 

" of barky 110 

" of buckwheat 586 

Pounds of tobacco 207,839 

" of wool 201,593 

Bushels of peas and beans 286 

" of Irish potatoes 78,721 

" of sweet " 1,655 

Gallons of wine 69 

Pounds of butter 513,864 

" of cheese 22,265 

Gallons of milk sold 9,029 

Tons of hay 23,239 



STATISTICS OF THE COUNTY IN 1880 AND LATER. 
POPULATON BY TOWNSHIPS, 1880. 



Alexander 1,423 

Ames 1,392 

Athens 4,517 

Bern, 1,073 

Canaan 1,499 

Carthage 1 308 

Dover 1,736 



Lee 1.086 

Lodi 1,550 

Rome 2,207 

Trimble 1367 

Troy 1,858 

Waterloo , 1,957 

York 5,438 



Total 28,41 1 

POPULATION OF TILLAGES, 1880. 



Nelsonville 3,095 

Athens 2,457 

Carbondale 500 

Albany 469 

Buchtel 417 

Lick Run 400 

Frost 350 

Coolville 323 

Guysville 250 

Stewart 203 

Canaanville 200 

Jacksonville 200 

Salina 200 

Ilockingport 191 

Marshfield 191 



Shade 175 

Chauncey 185 

Amesville 159 

Floodwood 159 

Pleasant Valley ... 150 

Torch 150 

Trimble 121 

Pleasanton ,. .107 

Millfleld... 101 

Mineral City 100 

Hebbardsville 92 

New England 75 

Garden 50 

Lottridge 50 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 1880. 

Acres of wheat 19,862 

Number of bushels produced 234,558 

Average number of bushels per acre 1 1.8 

Acres sown for 1881 19,054 

Cost of fertilizers bought for 1881 13,032 

Acres of rye 179 

Number of bushels'produced 1,329 

Acres of buckwheat 170 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 187 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, 1880 — CONTINUED. 

Number of bushels produced 1,918 

Acres of barley 11 

Number of bushels produced 250 

Acres of oats 1,667 

Number of bushels produced 22,247 

Acres of corn 17,301 

Number of bushels produced 578,856 

Acres of grass other than clover 17,474 

Number of tons of hay produced 16,291 

Acres of clover 1,022 

Number of tons of hay produced 422 

Number of bushels of seed 51 

Acres of potatoes. 1,134 

Number of bushels produced 76,234 

Acres of sweet potatoes 42 

Number of bushels produced 3,079 

Acres of tobacco 109 

Number of pounds produced 90,146 

Acres of sorghum 171 

Number of pounds of sugar 65 

" " gallons of syrup 13,241 

Maple sugar, number of pounds produced 5,3 15 

" syrup " gallons " 2,474 

Number of hives of bees 1,294 

" pounds of honey produced 17,106 

butter " 502,096 

" cheese " 14,545 

" dozens of eggs " 292,221 

Acres of orchards 5,084 

Number of bushels of apples produced 186,284 

peaches " 34,996 

" " pears " 058 

cherries " 4,877 

plums " 1,749 

Acres of vineyard 25 

Number of pounds of grapes produced 23,455 

" gallons of wine " 502 

Pounds of wool shorn 402,832 

Sheep killed by dogs 461 

Value of same $1,624 

Sheep injured by dogs 191 

Estimated damage done $618 

Aggregate of injury done to sheep by dogs $2,242 

STATISTICS, 1881 — RAILROADS. 

Miles of main lines 54.45 

Single track branches 17.42 

Sidings, etc 19.92 

Total miles 91.79 

Value of realty $ 22,535 

personalty 791.72s 

Total valuation $814,216 

Taxes for 1881 $16,299.04 



1SS HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

LAND SALES, 1881. 

Number of sales of agricultural lands 546 

" acres in same 37,440 

Average price per acre $29.00 

Total amount paid for same $1,091,409.07 

Number of sales of" town acres " 27 

" acres in same 61 

Average price per acre $132 

Total amount paid for same $8,060.19 

Number of sales of town lots 270 

Total amount paid for same $17,624 

Mixed sales of land 6 

Sales of lands for one dollar 37 

Total number of sales recorded 886 

Total amount of consideration $1,117,093.26 

REAL PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION. 

Common school property, lands $ 8,350 

buildings 54.051 

Church property, lands 3,795 

buildings 49,924 

Charitable institutions, lands 9.935 

" " buildings 805,500 

Other lands 20,875 

" buildings 65,600 

Cemeteries, etc 2,865 

Aggregate exemptions 1,020,895 

SHEEP KILLED AND INJURED, 1882. 

Number of sheep killed by dogs 395 

Value " " " $1,448 

Number " injured " 259 

Damage to " " " $ 599 

Paid tor sheep killed 1,160 

" " injured 506 

Total paid 1,666 

Collected from dog tax, including balance 2,710 

Transferred to school fund 823 

Balance of "dog tax fund " 221 

BIRTHS, 1SS1. 

White, males , 276 

White, females 294 

Colored, males 13 

Colored, females 6 

Total number of births 581 

PAUPERISM, 1SS1. 

Males in infirmary 47 

Females in infirmary 58 

Total in infirmary 105 

Number admitted during year, males 35 

Number admitted during year, females 41 

Whole number admitted during year 76 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 189 

Paupers otherwise supported by county, males 40 

Paupers otherwise supported by county, females 54 

Whole number of paupers otherwise supported 94 

Total number of all paupers 275 

Cost of keeping infirmary $ 7,205.71 

Cost of keeping other paupers 3,756.72 

Cost of all paupers • 10,902.43 

Cost of each pauper per day , .17 

DEATHS, 18S1. 

White, males 85 

White, females 102 

Colored, females 5 

Total deaths 192 

MARRIAGES, 1SS1. 

Marriages of white citizens 285 

Marriages of colored citizens 7 

MORTGAGES. 

Mortgages recorded 350 

Amount of same $2,501,883.75 

Canceled 220 

Amount of same $205,954.42 

GRAND DUPLICATE, 1882. 

Acres of land 313,332 

Value of lands $4 721,849 

Value of real estate in cities, towns and villages 855,373 

Value of chattel property 3,018,109 

Total value $8,595,391 

5-10 mill tax for payment of State debt $ 3,801.24 

1 and 4-10 mill tax for general revenue, State 10,643.54 

1 mill tax for common school fund 7,002.52 

Total State tax, 2 and 9-10 mills 22,047 30 

All other than State taxes 150,091 96 

Delinquent taxes, real estate 1,883.99 

Delinquent taxes, personal property 1,278.58 

Dog tax, one dollar per capita 1,681.00 

County tax ... .. 25,78617 

Poor tax 12,033.06 

Bridge tax 17,190.79 

Road tax 13,354 63 

Township tax 9,792.95 

Sub-district tax 39,222.43 

Other special taxes 18,909.83 

City, town and village taxes 13,801.60 



190 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



PERSONAL PROPERTY, MONEYS AND CREDITS, 1882. 

Number of horses 4,895 

Value of horses $283,103 

Number of cattle 12,242 

Value of cattle $192,031 

Number of mules 268 

Value of mules $ 17,581 

Number of sheep 86,996 

Value of sheep $247,465 

Number of hogs 6,752 

Value of hogs $ 22,429 

Number of carriages 705 

Value of carriages $ 44,112 

Number of watches 658 

Value of watches $ 13,659 

Number pianos and organs 415 

Value of pianos and organs $ 26,670 

Merchants' stock $235,337 

Manufacturers' stock 85,385 

Moneys on hand ( or in deposit 214,249 

Credits, deducting debts 482,057 

Stocks, bonds, etc 12,065 

EQUALIZED REAL PROPERTY. 

Valuation of real property, 1846 $1,655,974 

Valuation of real property, 1853 2,676,829 

Valuation of real property, 1859 3,225,608 

Valuation of real property, 1870 5,064,679 

Valuation of real property, 1880 5,267,770 

VALUATION AND TAXATION, 1881 AND 1882. 



TOWNSHIPS AND CORPORATIONS. 
ATHENS COUNTY. 



Athens 

Athens Corporation , 

Alexander , 

Ames 

Bern 

Canaan 

Carthage 

Dover 

Lee 

Albany Corporation 

Albany School District 

Lodi 

Rome 

Troy 

Coolville Corporation 

Coolville School District — 
Hockingport School District 

Trimble 

Waterloo 

Marshfield School District.. . 

York 

Nelsonville Corporation 



1881 






RATE T'X 


VALUATION. 






MILLS. 


$541,185 


18.2 


805,444 


28.7 


370,403 


17.9 


530,990 


15.3 


333,548 


15.4 


494,530 


18.6 


568,829 


17.7 


386,641 


18.9 


209,827 


16.4 


115,720 


17.2 


57,580 


15.9 


433,651 


18.1 


575,621 


18.8 


370,552 


18.6 


70,956 


22.8 


30,760 


22.0 


35,555 


21.0 


402,631 


15.2 


390,964 


16.9 


76,795 


16.9 


840,614 


19.7 


546,378 


29.3 



1882. 



VALUATION. 



$544,842 

853,333 

381,630 

522,561 

364,595 

479,565 

379,090 

567,827 

'220,340 

129,828 

58,705 

430,230 

579,620 

376,594 

69,447 

28,790 

37,555 

437,179 

400,427 

75,270 

1,085,033 

572 900 



RATE T'X 
MILLS. 



18.3 

26.4 
17.5 
17.6 
18.5 
17.1 
19.4 
18.9 
20.3 
18.0 
17.5 
18.1 
20.8 
18.5 
24.0 
22.0 
21.5 
20.2 
17.5 
16.5 
17.3 
30.6 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 
POLITICAL- 



191 



THE VOTE OF THE COUNTY 1S36 TO 1882. 

The people of Athens County have always taken an intelligent 
interest in political matters, and yet they have never indulged in 
that bitter party strife which has characterized many localities in 
our country. The attitude of the voters of the county can be most 
impartially shown by giving, without comments, the vote for the 
more important officers through a long series of vears. We give 
herewith the vote for President and Governor during the years in 
which the two great opposing parties have contended: 



PRESIDENT, IN 1836. 

William Henry Harrison, whig. . .1098 

Martin Van Buren, clem 957 

Harrison's majority 141 

governor, 1836. 

Joseph Vance, whig 966 

Eli Baldwin, clem 736 

Vance's majority 230 

GOVERNOR, 1838. 

Joseph Vance, whig 1086 

Wilson Shannon, dem 732 

Vance's majority 354 

president, 1840. 

William Henry Harrison, whig. . .2094 

Martin Van Buren, clem 1322 

Harrison's majority 772 

governor, 1842. 

Thomas Corwin, whig 1519 

Wilson Shannon, dem 1278 

Corwin's majority 241 

president, 1844. 

Henry Clay, whig 2050 

James K. Polk, dem 1425 

Bimey, ab 220 

Clay's plurality 625 

GOVERNOR, 1844. 

Mordecai Bartley, whig 1742 

David Tod, dem 1267 

Leicester King, ab 266 

Bartley's plurality 475 

governor, 1846. 

William Bebb, whig 1189 

David Tod, dem 1007 

Samuel Lewis, ab 209 

Bebb's plurality 182 



president, 1848. 

Zachary Taylor, whig ig46 

Lewis Cass, dem 1509 

Martin Van Buren, bolter.' .' .' '. .' '. '. [ 320 
Taylor's plurality 337 

governor, 1851. 

Samuel F. Vinton 1294 

Pteuben Wood, dem. .H62 

Samuel Lewis, ab 114 

Vinton's plurality ] , 132 

president, 1852. 

Winfield Scott, whig 1750 

Franklin Pierce, dem 1383 

John P. Hale, ab 36(3 

Scott's plurality , 357 

governor, 1853. 

Nelson Barrere, whig 849 

William Medill, dem 1272 

Samuel Lewis, ab 735 

Medill's plurality , 423 

The defeat of Scott for the Presidency 
in 1852 announced the virtual death 
of the Whig party. Since its forma- 
tion, in 1854 and 1855, from Whigs and 
Abolitionists, the Republican party has 
controlled a strong •lnajority in Athens 
County. 

governor, 1855. 

Salmon P. Chase, rep 1634 

William Medill, clem 974 

Allen Trimble, whig 98 

Chase's plurality 660 

president, 1856. 

John C. Fremont, rep 2299 

James Buchanan, dem. . . , 1350 

Millard Fillmore, American 159 

Fremont's plurality 944 



192 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



CONGRESSMAN, 1856. 

V. B. Horton, rep 2183 

William Medill. dem 1270 

Horton's majority 913 

GOVERNOR, 1857. 

Salmon P. Chase, rep. ., 1723 

H. B. Payne, dem 1319 

P. Van Trump, American 14 

Chase's plurality 404 

CONGRESSMAN, 1858. 

N. H. Van Vorhes, rep 2143 

C. D. Martin, dem 1303 

Van Vorhes' majority 840 

SUPREME JUDGE, 1858. 

William V. Peck, rep 2105 

Thomas W. Bartley, dem 1354 

Peck's majority 751 

governor, 1859. 

William Dennison, Jr. , rep 1843 

R. P. Ranney, dem 1237 

Dennison's majority 606 

president, 1860. 

Abraham Lincoln, rep 2526 

Stephen A. Douglas, dem 1491 

John Bell, American 36 

John C. Breckinridge, UnioD 46 

Lincoln's plurality 1035 

CONGRESSMAN, 1860. 

V. B. Horton, rep 2580 

C. D. Martin, dem 1386 

Horton's majority 1194 

GOVERNOR, 1861. 

David Tod, rep 2405 

H. J. Jewett,dem 642 

Tod's majority 1763 

SECRETARY OF STATE, 1862. 

Wilson S. Kennon, rep 1954 

W. W. Armstrong, dem 1194 

Kennon's majority 760 

CONGRESSMAN, 1862. 

Cutler, rep 1965 

Morris, dem 1185 

Cutler's majority 780 



GOVERNOR, 1863. 

John Brough, rep. home vote, 2,788 

" " soldiers' vote 609 

" "total vote 3,397 

C. L. Vallandingham, dem. 

home vote 1,008 

" soldiers' vote. . 16 

" total vote 1,024 

Brough's majority 2,373 

SECRETARY OF STATE, 1864. 

Wm. H. Smith, rep. home vote. . .2,289 
" soldiers' vote. . 442 

" total vote 2,731 

W.W. Armstrong, dem. home vote 1,175 
" soldiers vote ... 27 

total vote 1,202 

Smith's majority 1,529 

president, 1864. 

Abraham Lincoln, rep. home vote 2,474 
" soldiers' vote. . 566 

" total vote... .3,040 

Geo. B. McClellan, dem. home vote 1,246 
" soldiers' vote . . 72 
" total vote 1.318 

Lincoln's majority 1,722 

CONGRESSMAN, 1864. 

T. A. Plants, rep. home vote 2,280 

" soldiers' vote.. 435 

" total vote 2,715 

James R. Morris, dem. home vote 1,178 
" soldiers' vote. . 14 

" total vote 1,192 

Plants's majority 1,523 

GOVERNOR, 1865. 

J. D. Cox, rep. home vote 2,541 

" soldiers' vote. . 50 

" total vote 2,591 

Geo. W. Morgan, dem. home vote 1,160 
" soldiers' vote. . 10 

" total vote 1,170 

Cox's majority 1,421 

SECRETARY OF STATE, 1866. 

William H. Smith, rep 2,647 

Benjamin Lafever, dem 1,210 

Smith's majority 1.437 

CONGRESSMAN, 1866. 

T. A. Plants, rep 2,640 

Martin D. Follett, dem 1,212 

Plants's majority 1,428 



HISTORY OF HOCKING TALLEr. 



19J 



GOVERNOR, 1867. 

Rutherford B. Hayes, rep 2,598 

Allen G. Thumian, deru 1,701 

Hayes's .majority 897 

president, 1868. 

Ulysses S. Grant, rep 2,908 

Horatio Seymour, dem 1,592 

Grant's majority. . . 1,316 

SECRETARY OF STATE, 1868. 

Isaac R. Sherwood, rep 2,725 

Thomas Hubbard, dem 1,687 

Sherwood's majority 1,038 

CONGRESSMAN, 1868. 

E .H. Moore, rep 2,807 

M. D. Foiiett, dem 1,590 

Moore's majority 1,217 

governor, 1869. 

Rutherford B. Hayes, rep 2,578 

Geo. H. Pendleton, dem 1,644 

Hayes's majority .... 932 

secretary of state, 1870. 

Isaac R. Sherwood, rep 2,374 

William Heisley, dem 1,417 

Sherwood's majority 957 

congressman, 1870. 

William P. Sprague, rep 2,367 

John Cartwright, dem 1,440 

Sprague's majority 927 

governor, 1871. 

Edward F. Noyes, rep 2,505 

Gideon W. McCook, dem 1,540 

Noyes's majority 965 

president, jl872. 

Ulysses S. Grant, rep 3,025 

Horace Greeley, dem 1,398 

Grant's majority 1,627 

secretary of state, 1872. 

A. T. Wikoff, rep 2,79S 

Aquila Wiley, dem 1,510 

Wiko ft's maj ority .1,288 

congressman, 1872. 

W. P. Sprague, rep 2,644 

R. R. Hudson, dem 1,700 

Sprague's majority 944 

governor, 1873. 

E. F. Noyes, rep 2,576 

William Allen, dem 1,455 

G. T. Stewart, pro 166 

Isaac Collins, lib 34 

Noyes's plurality 1,121 

13 



SECRETARY OF STATE, 1S74. 

A. T. Wikoff, rep 2,516 

William Bell, Jr., dem 1,684 

John R. Buchtel, pro 101 

WikofPs plurality 832 

CONGRESSMAN, 1874. 

N. H. VanVorhes, rep 2,748 

W. H. Oldham, dem 1,487 

Alderman, pro. '57 

Van Vorhes's plurality 1,26 1 

GOVERNOR, 1875. 

Rutherford B. Hayes, rep 3,192 

William Allen, dem 2^410 

Hayes's majority 782 

SECRETARY OF STATE, 1876. 

Milton Barnes, rep 3,240 

William Bell, Jr., dem 2,152 

E. S. Chapman, pro 54 

Barnes's plurality 1,088 

CONGRESSMAN, 1876. 

N. H. Van Vorhes, rep 3,264 

W. W. Poston, dem 2,044 

F. J. Cathers, pro 47 

Van Vorhes's plurality 1,220 

governor, 1877. 

William H. West, rep 2,568 

Richard M. Bishop, dem 2,051 

Henry A. Thompson, pro 145 

Stephen Johnson, nat 15 

West's plurality 517 

SECRETARY OF STATE, 1878. 

Milton Barnes, rep 2,687 

David R. Paige, dem 1,731 

Jeremiah N. Robinson, pro 327 

Andrew Roy, nat 447 

Barnes's plurality 956 

CONGRESSMAN, 1878. 

N. H. Van Vorhes, rep 2,934 

A. J. Warner, dem 1,740 

J. M. McElhinney, pro 155 

George E. Geddes, nat 362 

Van Vorhes's plurality 1,194 

governor, 1879. 

Charles Foster, rep 3,361 

Thomas Ewinsr, dem 2,289 

Gideon T. Stewart, pro 112 

A. Sanders Piatt, nat 73 

Foster's plurality 1,072 



194 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



SECRETARY OF STATE, 1880. 

Charles Townsend, rep 3543 

"William Lang, dem 2244 

William H. Doan, pro 69 

Charles A. Lloyd, nat 85 

Townsend's plurality 1299 



CONGRESSMAN, 1880. 

Rufus R. Dawes, rep 358Q 

A. J. Warner, dem 2260 

Wm. Pemrose, pro 69 

J. W. Martin, nat 59 

Dawes's plurality 1320 



It will be seen that the Prohibition and National parties both 
cast their largest vote in this county in 1S78. To give an idea of 
the complexion of the different parts of the count} 7 , we give here- 
with the vote by townships for President in 1876 and 1880, for 
Governor in 1881, and for Secretary of State and Congressman in 
1882: 

VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876, BY TOWNSHIPS. 









G. CLAY 


PETER 




TOWNSHIPS. 


R. R. HAYES, 


8. J. TILDEN, 


SMITH, 


COOPER, 


TOTAL VOTE. 




REP. 


DEM. 


PRO. 


NAT. 






606 


202 


14 




822 


Ames 


212 


72 


1 






285 


Alexander. . .. 


191 


106 








297 




191 


43 


i 






235 




120 


197 








317 




143 


120 








263 


Dover 


228 


131 








359 


Lee -.. . 


201 


63 


i 






265 




167 


164 









336 


Rome 


304 


170 


5 






479 


Trimble 


. 180 


83 








263 


Troy 


251 


170 


ii 






432 


Waterloo 


213 


220 








433 


York 


406 


454 




24 


884 


Totals 


3.413 


2,195 


38 


24 


5,670 



VOTE FOR PRESIDENT IN 1880, BY TOWNSHIPS. 



TOWNSHIPS. 


JAMES A. 

GARFIELD, 

REP. 


WINFIELD S. 

HANCOCK, 

DEM. 


NEAL DOW, 
PRO. 


JAMES B. 

WEAVER, 

NAT. 


TOTAL VOTE. 


Athens 

Alexander 

Carthage 

Troy 

Waterloo 
York 


602 
231 

208 
197 
134 
161 
249 
177 
178 
324 
173 
244 
229 
538 


199 

71 
101 

38 
172 
103 
120 

56 
140 
131 
111 
168 
162 
662 


20 

"e 

1 
'*7 

5 

2 

11 
13 


9 

2 

1 
11 

5 
59 


830 

302 
315 
235 
312 
265 
369 
242 
323 
455 
287 
434 
409 
1,259 




Total 


3,645 


2,234 


71 


87 


6.037 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING- VALLEY. 



195 



The most remarkable part of the above vote is its number 
according to the population of the county the same year, which 
was 28,-ill, or about one vote to every four and two-thirds persons 
of the population. 

VOTE FOR GOVERNOR IN 1S81, BY TOWNSHIPS. 



. TOWNSHIPS. 


CHARLES 

FOSTER, 

REP. 


JOHN W. 

BOOKWALTER 

DEM. 


ABRAHAM R. 

LUDLOW, 

PRO. 


JOHN SEITZ, 
NAT. 


TOTAL VOTE . 


Athens 

Alexander . . . 

Carthage 

Dover 

Lee 


527 
214 
159 
137 
106 
127 
178 
131 
132 
248 
163 
178 
179 
378 


228 

59 

63 

29 

120 

48 

83 

50 

79 

72 

84 

111 

143 

648 


27 
1 
9 
5 
2 

10 

"38 

21 

2 

"45 

7 

50 


7 

"2 

"7 
1 

i 

10 

12 

197 


789 
274 
231 
173 
228 
185 
268 
220 


Lodi 

Rome 

Trimble . . . 

Troy 

Waterloo .... 


232 
322 

248 

344 

341 

1,273 


Total 


2,857 


1,817 


217 


237 


5,128 



VOTE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, 1 882, BY TOWNSHIPS. 



TOWNSHIPS. 


CHARLES 

TOWNSEND, 

REP. 


JAMES W. 

NEWMAN, 

DEM. 


FRED SCHU- 
MACHER, 
PRO. 


GEORGE L. 

HAFER, 

NAT. 


TOTAL VOTE 


Alexander.. .. 

Lodi. ... 

Trimble 

Troy 

Waterloo .... 
York 


477 
195 
166 
117 
111 
138 
163 
161 
142 
244 
135 
200 
191 
484 


264 

159 

72 

30 

151 

73 

103 

61 

73 

95 

78 

129 

129 

623 


24 

"e 

16 

7 
14 

3 

5 
39 

7 

"23 
4 
2 


6 

"i 

"4 
3 

"g 

9 

20 

188 


771 
254 
245 
163 
269 
225 
273 
230 
254 
346 
219 
361 
344 
1,297 


Total 


2,924 


1,940 


150 


237 


5,251 



196 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

VOTE FOE CONGRESSMAN, 1882, BY TOWNSHIPS. 



TOWNSHIPS. 


RUFUS R. 

DAWES, 

REP. 


A. J. WAR- 
NER, 
DEM. 


WILLIAM 

REESE, 

PRO. 


TOTAL VOTE. 




471 
183 
169 
119 
96 
145 
162 
171 
136 
234 
141 
191 
196 
487 

2.901 


295 
71 

79 

44 
172 

75 
106 

60 
105 
107 

77 
150 
129 
679 

2.149 


6 
"l 

"i 
3 

"6 

9 

19 

146 


772 

254 
249 




163 




268 


Dover 


220 
272 




234 


Lodi 


241 


Rome 


341 


Trimble 


224 


Troy 

Waterloo . . 


350 

344 


York 


1.312 






Total 


194 


5,241 




CHAPTER IX. 

MELANGE— A SERIES OF ARTICLES WORTHY OF ATTENTION- 
PERUSAL. 

Educational — Normal Institute — Statistical— Agricultural 
Society — When Inaugurated — Failure and Resurrection — 
Annual Fairs — Constitution and By-laws — Pioneer Associ- 
ation — Its Organization — Series of Interesting Meetings — 
The Death Roll — Officers — Letter of General Thomas 
Ewing — Future Prospects — New Court-House — The Old Log 
Court-House of 1807 — The Ancient Brick Court-House of 
ISIS — The Pride of Athens County, 1SS0 — Its Cost — What 
the People Thought in 1874, 1876 and 1878 — Its Success and 
Completion — Jail — Childrens' Home — Infirmary — Defalca- 
tion. 

educational. 

The inherited ideas of the pioneers of Athens Count} 7 , together 
with the presence for over three quarters of a century of the Ohio 
University, have ever made the interests of education paramount 
to most others. The first settlers, being attracted here by the 
University, were naturally a class of people to benefit by its pres- 
ence. Common schools and seminaries have from the start re- 
ceived careful attention, and the results have been wonderfully 
beneficial. The Athens people feel the deep truth of the saying of 
the eminent Frenchman, Jules Simon, (1 The people which has 

THE BEST SCHOOLS IS THE FIRST PEOPLE; IF IT IS NOT SO TO-DAY, IT WILL 
BE SO TO-MORROW." 

While this is true, comparatively speaking, it is no less certain 
that there is yet much room for improvement in educational affairs, 
a fact to which the people have been awakening during the last few 
years. It is encouraging to observe a growing tendency to place 
at the head of the leading schools, and in the important principal- 
ships, men and women of ability and culture, and to retain these 
persons long enough to secure their best services to the community. 
It is also a favorable sign that the tendency to divide the teaching 
force somewhat more liberally between the sexes is increasing. It 

(197) 



198 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

is with reason that two somewhat different elements conspire in 
the culture of families. Experience demonstrates the wisdom of 
accepting this suggestion in the organization of schools, where so 
large a proportion of the intellectual and moral character of the 
youth of the State is formed. 

An occasional tendency to limit too narrowly the salaries of in- 
structors is one of the greatest drawbacks of the present time. 
The great need of the country is educators, and the fact is beyond 
dispute that educators can be obtained only through such an or- 
ganization and management of the school system as shall furnish 
inducements for educated and enterprising men and women to en- 
gage in the business of instruction and to remain in it. 

NORMAL INSTITUTES. 

One of the most necessary aids to a complete system of educa- 
tion is the Normal Institute. The professional contact of the 
teachers of a county with each other is quickening, and the influ- 
ence on the younger and less experienced teachers is always in- 
structive, and tends to awaken ambition and energy. 

The first permanent organization of teachers in Athens County 
was effected Dec. 17, 1853, at the court-house in Athens. S. How- 
ard, President of the University, was chosen Chairman, and J. P. 
Weethee, President of the Amesville Collegiate Institute, Secre- 
tary. The meeting was addressed by Professor J. G. Blair, Presi- 
dent Howard, Mr. R. W. Carley, Professor J. F. Given and Super- 
intendent C. Grant, after which it was resolved to organize a 
teachers' institute. A committee, consisting of Professor Blair, 
Superintendent Grant and Professor Weethee, reported a brief 
constitution, which was adopted. Semi-annual meetings were 
provided for, the first meeting to be held the second Monday 
in April, 1854. The following persons were chosen to lecture. 
President Howard and R. W. Carley, at Albany; Professor Blair 
and Superintendent Grant, at Nelson ville and Chauncey; Pro- 
fessor Given, at Amesville, and President Weethee and Rev. 
Hand, at Athens. The April meeting was not held, and for 
some time no further steps were taken for an effectual 
union of educational interests in Athens County. The organiza- 
tion was kept up continuously, however, and institutes were held 
occasionally. The first one of which any record is found was held 
at Cool ville on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 1S5G. George Hanger acted as 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 199 

President pro tern. The session lasted two days, and was of inter- 
est to those who attended, although no professional lecturers were 
present, and the membership not large. The next institute was 
appointed for Albany, March 31, 1857, but no record of the pro- 
ceedings, if held, was kept. 

Oct. 5, 1857, a very successful institute was held at the Method- 
ist church in Athens, and was entered on the proceedings as beino- 
the " tenth semi-annual session." Presidents. Howard occupied 
the chair. C. S. Koyce, Agent for the Ohio State Phonetic Asso- 
ciation, was present and elected a member. He opened the work of 
the institute by lecturing briefly on elementary sounds. He was fol- 
lowed by Professor McLaughlin in an introduction to the study of 
arithmetic, and Mr. Royce then addressed the teachers on the 
subject of phonography. The question of the age at which chil- 
dren should be sent to school was discussed by the institute, and 
also the usage of tobacco by teachers. An interesting lecture was de- 
livered by Mr. Royce on "Responsibilities of Teachers," and bv Mr. 
Ogden on " Family and School Government." 

The next meeting of the association was held in Nelson vi He, 
March 15, 1858, S. Howard being President, and lasted four days 
The principal lecturers at this institute were Professors Allen, 
Young and Ogden, Mr. J. C. S. Miller and President Howard. 
The attendance of both teachers and visitors was large. 

The association had adjourned to meet at Albany, where a large 
institute was held for four days, beginning April 4, 1859. Seventy 
teachers attended this session, which was presided over by Dr. 
William Campbell. Mr. Royce, Agent of the Southwestern Nor- 
mal School, delivered an instructive address on " Moral Culture in 
Schools." Professor Allen lectured on " English Grammar." 

The Normal Institute was again opened in 1860, commencing 
July 23. The attendance was fair, and one of the principal feat- 
ures was a course of twelve lectures on elocution and literature 
delivered by Professor I. C. Zachas. This, 'so far as the records 
show, was the last one held until 1868. On July 6 of that year. 
the institute held for two weeks and was largely attended, and 
proved of unusual interest. The lecturers were Professor Schuy- 
ler, on Arithmetic; Professor John R. Scott, Penmanship; Profes- 
sor Tappan, Geography; Professor Young, the Theory and Practice 
of Teaching; Professor Gibbons, Grammar; and Professor Kidd 
on Elocution. The benefits derived from these institutes soon be- 
came very apparent, and the standard of qualification took a much 
higher plane than in former years. 



200 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Another of these important institutes was held in the summer ot 
1870, for one week, with an attendance of twenty-eight males 
and sixty-five females, which also proved of great interest. This 
was followed by a session in July, 1873, of one week, with an at- 
tendance of sixty -five, and one each in March and August of 1875, 
holding, also, one week, seventy-five teachers being present. In 1876 a 
live-days session was organized at which about 100 teachers attended. 
This was followed by similar sessions in 1878, 1S79, 1880 and 1881. 
The last and largest of all was the two-weeks session of 1882, 
when 150 teachers and students showed their appreciation of the 
value of these institutes by their close attendance from the open- 
ing to the close, Superintendent R. W. Stevenson, the Hon. T. W. 
Harvey and Professor Mendenhall conducting the work. 

STATISTICAL. 

The following educational statistics, taken from the State Com- 
missioner's Report of Common Schools, for the school year ending 
Aug. 31, 1881, are interesting and instructive. They show in a 
succinct and clear form the progress that has been made in educa- 
tional matters in Athens County: 

SCHOOL MONEYS RECEIPTS. 

School moneys on hand Sept. 1, 1880 $19,529.81 

State tax... 13,393.65 

Irreducible school fund 1,050.82 

Local tax for school and school-house purposes 29,681.6-1 

Amount received on sale of bonds 400.00 

Fines, licenses, tuition of non-resident pupils, and other sources 1,639.06 

Total receipts f 65,644.98 

EXPENDITURES. 

Paid primary teachers $33,224 64 

Paid high school teachers 2,790.00 

Managing and superintending 1,185.00 

Sites and buildings 3,016.45 

I nterest on bonds 167.96 

Fuel and other contingent expenses 6,228.53 

Total expenditures #46,612.58 

Balance on hand Sept. 1, 1881 $19,082.40 

STATE SCHOOL FUND. 

Showing the amount of interest on the several funds constituting 
the irreducible State debt for the year ending Dec. 31, 1880, due 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 201 

and payable to counties after Jan. 1, 1881, and paid during the 
fiscal year ending Nov. 15, 18S1. 

Section 16, school fund. .*. . $ 784.57 

Section 29, ministerial fund 431.46 

Total $ 1,216.03 

SCHOOL POPULATION, ETC., 1881. 

White boys between 6 and 21 4,746 

" girls " " 4,336 

Total white children 9,082 

Colored boys between 6 and 21 215 

" girls " " 164 

Total colored children 379 

Whole number 9,461 

Population of county, 1880 28,413 

Enumeration of persons of school age, 1880 9,237 

Per cent, of population 33 

SCHOOL DISTRICT, SCHOOL-HOUSES, ETC. 

Number of townships . . . 14 

" sub-districts 156 

" separate districts 6 

Sub-divisions included in separate districts 6 

School-houses erected in lb81 4 

Cost of school-houses erected in 1881 $2,110 

Whole number of school-houses 165 

Value of school-houses $112,350 

SCHOOL-ROOMS AND TEACHERS. 

No. school-rooms, township primary schools 154 

high ' " 2 

" sep. dist. primary " 27 

" high " 5- 

Whole number of school-rooms . 188 

Male teachers in primary schools, township 116 

Female " " " , 126 

Total number 242 

Male teachers in primary schools, sep. dist 8 

Female " " " 13 

Male " high schools, " 2 

Female " " " 12 

Total number 35 

Whole number of different teachers in county 277 



202 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

AVERAGE WAGES OF TEACHERS. 

Males in primary schools, township .* $28 

Females " " 22 

Males " sep. dist 32 

Females " " 30 

Males in high schools " 34 

Females " " 4S 

LENGTH OF SCHOOLS. 

Number of sub-districts in which schools were taught less than twenty- 
four weeks within the year 4 

Primary schools, in townships, average number of weeks in session 25 

Primary schools, in separate districts, average number of weeks in session. 36 
High schools in separate districts, average number of weeks in session. . ..36 

AVERAGE RATE OF LOCAL TAX IN MILLS. 

Townships, 1880-1831 3.2 

1881-1882. 3.5 

Separate districts, 1880-1881 3.7 

1881-1882 ••■ 4.2 

DIFFERENT PUPILS ENROLLLED. 

Boys in primary schools, townships 3,157 

Girls " " 2,973 

Boys in high schools, sep. dist 84 

Girls " " 109 

Boys in primary schools " 712 

Girls « « 718 

Total enrollment 7,753 

AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE. 

Boys in primary schools, township 1,683 

Girls " " 1,556 

Total 3,239 

Boys in primary schools, sep. dist 464 

Girls " " 424 

Boys in high schools " 50 

Girls " " 82 

Whole average daily attendance 4,259 

Per cent, attendance is of enrollment, townships 72 

" " " sep. dist 86 

DISTRICTS WHOSE ENUMERATION IS OVER 300. 

ATHENS. 

Enumeration of youth of school age, 1880 759 

» 1S81 645 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 203 

Total receipts for school purposes $6,928.63 

" expenditures for school purposes within the year 1881 $6,136.51 

Local levy for 1881 in mills 6.5 

Number of school-house 1 

Number of school-rooms 11 

Total value of school property, including grounds, school-houses, furni- 
ture, apparatus, etc $ 25,000 

Number of teachers necessary to supply the schools 12 

Male teachers employed 

Female " " 10 

Male average monthly wages 

Female " " " $33 

Superintendent's salary $1,200 

Portion of Superintendent's time employed % 

Pupils enrolled in primary schools 405 

" 'i " high " 33 

Average monthly enrollment in primary schools 351 

" high " 30 

" daily attendence " primary " 293 

" high " 27 

Per cent. " " is of average monthly enrollment in primary 

schools 85 

Percent, daily attendance is of average monthly enrollment in high 

school .... 90 

Number of different pupils enrolled, whose ages were between 16 and 

21 7 23 

Cost per pupil of the year's expenditure $12.32 

NELSONVILLE. 

Enumeration of youth of school age, 1880 1,001 

1881 1,028 

Total receipts for school purposes $9,424.30 

" expenditures for school purposes $6,198.50 

Local levy for 1881 in mills $10.00 

Number of school-houses 4 

" school-rooms 12 

Total value of school property, including grounds, school-houses, fur- 
niture, apparatus etc $15,500 

Number of teachers necessary to supply the schools 7 

Male teachers employed 2 

Female " " 5 

Male average monthly wages $33 

Female " " ' $33 

Average number of weeks of school 36 

Superintendent's salary $1 ,200 

Portion of Superintendent's time employed % 

Pupils enrolled in primary schools 708 

" high " 60 

Average monthly enrollment in primary schools 485 

" " " " high " 45 

" daily attendance in primary " 434 

" high " 42 

Per cent, daily attendance is of average monthly enrollment in primary 

schools 85 

Per cent, daily attendance is of average monthly enrollment in high 

schools 93 

Number of different pupils enrolled, whose ages were between 16 and 21 23 

Cost per pupil of the year's expenditures $8.07 



204 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

TOWNSHIPS IN WHICH SCHOOLS WERE HELD LESS THAN 

TWENTY-FOUR WEEKS. 

AMES. 

No. of school-rooms in township 14 

" " in which schools were held less than twenty-four 

weeks 1 

Average number of weeks schools were sustained in township. ........ 25 

Rate of local school tax, in mills, 1880-1881 . . 1.3 

1881-1882 30 

Average monthly wa^es, males $ 24 

" females $23 

CARTHAGE. 

No. of school-rooms in township 9 

in which schools were held less than twenty-four 

weeks 2 

Average number of weeks schools were sustained in township 24 

Rate of local school-tax in mills, 1880-1881 1.8 

" 1881-1882 3.8 

Average monthly wages, in ales $25 

" females $18 

ATHENS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The mineral interests of Athens County, while being rapidly 
developed of late, was not the pioneer business of the settlers. 
Yast as are the deposits of iron, coal, fire-clay, etc., the agricult- 
ural interests of the county are by no means small. The cereals, 
grasses and stock raised exceed the value of the mineral product 
as yet, and there are few, if any, counties in the State better adapted 
to stock-raising than those located in the Hocking Valley. It 
could be made a vital and important interest in the future growth 
of these counties. 

Agricultural and mechanical associations have, from an early 
day, been a strong incentive to intelligent farm labor. The rivalry 
which is excited is one to be commended, and to this spirit it may 
be said, has the rapid stride been made, which has placed the farm 
in the front rank of advanced material production and given em- 
ployment to the inventive genius of man. This is, and always 
will be, the result of a well-organized and managed agricultural 
society, and they should be encouraged and fostered. Athens 
County holds a front rank in agricultural production and stock-rais- 
ing in the State, but that position could be materially enhanced 
by enlarging their field of action, and by giving a full week to the 
exhibition of all the products of the county. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 205 

WHEN ORGANIZED. 

The first agricultural society of Athens County was organized 
May 19, 1S28, under the name of the " Athens County Agricult- 
ural Society," and as was stated in the preamble, "was for the 
purpose of raising a spirit of emulation and improvement in the 
culture of the soil, and the domestic manufacture of its products. " 
The organization formed a constitution and by-laws which covered 
the rules and regulations usual to such societies, and appointed 
committees to solicit subscriptions, etc. The committees were as 
follows: 

Athens. — S. 13. Pruden, R. J. Davis, Charles Shipman. 

Alexander. — Ziba Lindley, -Jr., Asa Stearns, Daniel Dudley. 

Ames. — Colonel A. Boyles, Geo. Walker, Jacob Eoarman. 

Bern. — James Dickey, Win. T. Brown, Robert Henry. 

Canaan. — Parker Carpenter, Martin Mansfield, Harry Hen- 
shaw. 

Carthage. — Francis Caldwell, B. B. Lottridge, Milton Buck- 
in gham. 

Dover. — Josiah True, Daniel Herrold, John Pugsley. 

Elk. — Thomas Johnson, James Bothwell, Edward Dodge. 

Homer. — R. S. Lovell, Selah Hart. Win. Hyde. 

Lee. — Jacob Lentner, Michael Canny, Win. Brown. 

Locli. — Joseph Thomson, Rufns Coole} r , Elam Frost. 

Home. — Elijah Hatch, Daniel Stewart, John Thompson. 

Troy. — Charles Devol, Alfred Hobby, Wm. Barrows. 

Trhnole. — Wm. Bagley, Samuel B. Johnson, James Bosworth. 

Vinton. — Daniel H. Horton, Isaac Hawk, Samuel Zinn. 

Waterloo. — Joseph Hewitt, Nathan Robinett, Alexander Youn_% 

York. — James Knight, Joseph J. Robbins, Robert Terry. 

A meeting was held in July following which showed the work 
so tar advanced as to arrange for a fair. This was accordingly 
-done, and October was designated as the month to hold the first 
agricultural fair in Athens County, which was also the first held in 
Southern Ohio. The fair was primitive in many respects, but was 
considered a success for the times. 

At the annual meeting, which took place on the 16th of the follow- 
ing April (1829), an effort was made to enlarge the scope of the soci- 
ety and infuse a new spirit in the enterprise. This was in a measure 
successful, and the organization received a fresh impulse. The 
meeting adjourned after electing the following officers for the en- 
suing year: 



206 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

President, Ziba Lindley, Jr.; Vice-Presidents, Christopher "Wolf,. 
Athens; Samuel McKee, Alexander; Abel Glazier, Ames; James 
Dickey, Bern; Joshua Hoskinson, Canaan; Fr. Caldwell, Carthage: 
John B. Johnson, Dover; Justus Reynolds, Elk; H. Alderman, 
Homer; Jacob Lentner, Lee ; J. Thompson, Lodi; Daniel Stewart, 
Rome; Wm. Barrows, Troy; ¥ra, Bagley, Trimble; Geo. Utsler, 
Vinton; Joseph Hewitt, "Waterloo; James Knight, York; Treas- 
urer, Thomas Brice; Secretary, A. ; G. Brown; Directors, Levi 
Booth, Colonel Absalom Boyles, Robert Linzee, Calvary Morris, 
S. B. Pruden, Isaac Baker. 

There was $75 appropriated at this meeting for premiums at 
the coming fair. This was not a large sum, but it was considered 
as about the amount that could be afforded. The largest was to 
be given for the best stallion, owned and kept by a member of the 
society, $4. The next largest i'or the best pair of working oxen 
and yoke, $3. For the best six merino ewes, $2. Best beef an- 
imal, $2. 

To the person producing evidence of having killed the greatest 
number of wolves, two young ones to be counted as one old one, 
$3. 

Best specimen of sewing silk $1 00 

Best five yards fulled cloth. 3-4 wide - - - - 1 00 

Best ten yards linen - - - - - - - -150 

Best straw or grass bonnet ------ 1 00 

This fair was held, as was several others afterward, but the or- 
ganization was kept up but a few years, when it gradually sank to 
rest. The General Assembly of the State passed an act Feb. 25, 
1832, authorizing the establishment of such societies in the several 
counties of the State. This was the first general recognition of the 
farming interest by the State Legislature. Undoubtedly it did 
some good, but the main trouble was that the country was too 
voting and too thinly settled to make fairs a success in many coun- 
ties of the State. There was but little further action for a number 
of years, when the subject was again revived by legislative action. 

A NEW DEPARTURE. 

An act of the Legislature, passed in 1S46, to encourage the 
formation of agricultural societies, provided that whenever a soci- 
ety might raise $50 as a fund for paying the premiums and other 
expenses of an exhibition, the State would contibute $50 addi- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 207 

tional. The subject of forming such a society in this county 
came up in 1850, and resulted in a call for a meeting to be held 
Jan. 13, 1851. At that date a number of the citizens of the 
county met at the court-house, and effected a temporary organiza- 
tion by calling Joseph Post, of Lee Township, to the chair, and 
appointing George Putnam, of York Township, Secretary. On 
motion of A. B. Walker it was resolved to proceed to form an agri- 
cultural society for Athens County. A committee of five — S. Rice, 
A. B. Walker, A. Love, Ezra Goodspeed and Hiram Stewart were 
selected to draft a constitution. They reported the following, 
which was adopted: 

" Article 1. — The officers of the society shall consist of a presi- 
dent, vice-president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, 
treasurer, and five managers, who, together, shall constitute a board 
of directors for the general management of the affairs of the 60cietv ; 
they shall be elected annually by the members of the society, and 
hold their offices until their successors are appointed. 

Article 2. — Members of this society must be residents of the 
County of Athens, and pay the sum of $1 annually to the treas- 
urer. 

Article 3. — Competitors for premiums must be members of the 
society. 

Article 4. — A list of the articles for which premiums are to be 
awarded by the society mast be published in a newspaper or in 
hand-bills six weeks previous to the day of exhibition. 

Article 5. — All articles offered for premiums must be owned 
by the persons offering the same, or by members of their families; 
and products of the soil, or manufactured articles, must be pro- 
duced or manufactured within the county of Athens. 

Article 6. — Awarding committees of three persons each shall 
be annually appointed by the directors, for judging the different 
classes of articles offered in competition, and awarding premiums 
for the same. 

Article 7. — The awarding committees for the improvements of 
soils, tillage, crops, manures, implements, stock, articles of domes- 
tic industry, and such other articles, productions and improvements 
as they may deem proper, and calculated to promote the agricultu- 
ral and manufacturing interests of the county, shall so regulate 
the premiums and the different grades of the same as that it shall 
be competent for small as well as large farmers to compete there- 
for in conformity to the second section of the law of Ohio for the 
encouragement of agriculture. 



208 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Article 8. — Competitors for premiums on crops shall be re- 
quired to have the ground and its produce accurately measured by 
two disinterested persons whose statements shall be verified by 
affidavit. 

Article 9. — Premiums on grain and grass crops shall not be 
awarded for less than one acre, and on root crops not less than one 
fourth of an acre, under the rules in relation to all crops and pro- 
ductions to be agreed on by the directors of the society. 

Article 10. — The annual exhibitions of this society shall be 
held at such place within the county as may be designated by the 
directors, on the third "Wednesday of October, the premiums on 
crops, if necessary, to be awarded at a later period. 

The members who joined at this first meeting of the society 
were as follows: Joseph Post, Ziba Lindley, George Putnam, Hi- 
ram Stewart, John Ballard, A. Ryors, J. M. Dana, E. B. Talpey, 
Eleazer Smith, A. J. Wilmarth, E. D. Harper, B. F. Johnson, A. 
J. Yan Yorhes, James D. Johnson, John T. Glazier, E. F. Brown, 
George Walker, Jr., Alexander Love, N. O. "Warren, A. B. Walker, 
E. Mathews, Chandler Rosceter, H. B. Brawley, Samuel Gillett, 
N. P. Hoisington, Charles Dickey, James Dickey, John Elliott, 
John B. Brown, John Welch, Sabinus Rice, James W. Bayard, R. 
E. Constable, Joseph Herrold, 2d, Joseph Morrison, Ezra Good- 
speed, Joseph Goodspeed, Peter W. Boyles, Hugh A. Poston, 
Alex. Stephenson, John Beabout, J. L. Currier, Daniel Nelson, 
P. M. Starr, L. Jewett, H. Hay, O. Gillett, K Root, E. H. Moore, 
Wm. Golden, W. P. Johnson and Bernard Howson. 

The following were chosen as officers: Sabinus Rice, President; 
Ziba Lindley, Yice-President; George Putnam, Recording Secre- 
tary; A. B. Walker, Corresponding Secretary; J. M. Dana, Treas- 
urer; Henry Brawl ey of Ames, Eleazer Smith of Athens, Hiram 
Stewart of Rome, Peter W. Boyles of Lodi, and Charles Dickey, 
of Bern, Managers. 

The first fair was held at Athens, Oct. 15, 1851, and, all things 
considered, was a success. About a hundred premiums were 
awarded, and the exhibition of stock was satisfactory in most 
particulars. The productions of the dairy and domestic manufact- 
ure were well worthy of commendation. The specimens of grain 
were remarkably fine, and the quantity raised per acre was also 
respectable. Forty-five and a half bushels of wheat and 120 
-of corn to the acre, were reported. 

The second annual fair was a decided improvement over the 



HISTORV OF HOCKING VALLEY. 209 

first. Two hundred premiums were offered and the fair lasted 
two days — Oct. 14 and 15, 1852, the weather favorable and the 
attendance good. The first day was devoted exclusively to the- 
exhibition of stock, which was of a much better grade than the 
first year. At this fair there were entered for exhibition seventy- 
two horses, sixty-three head of cattle, thirty-two of sheep, and 
twenty-one hogs. An address was delivered by Hon. John Welch, 
and short speeches were made by others. 

The third fair occupied two days, Oct. 6 and 7, 1853, and the 
fourth was held on the 5th and 6th days of October, 1S54. This 
was on a larger scale, there being sixteen classes of articles, with 
a separate committee of judges for each. The admission fee 
charged was 10 cents. A riding match was held, in which the 
equestriennes competed for a gold locket, a gold breast-pin and a 
gold pen. These first fairs, though mere experiments, drew a 
good number of visitors from all parts of the county, and quite a 
number from surrounding counties. 

The fairs continued to be held annually, and the interest in them 
increased until the eighth annual fair showed a membership of 500 
and the receipts over $1,000. The ninth fair proved the most suc- 
cessful of the series, being held three days under the name of 
the "Athens County Agricultural and Mechanical Association," 
and came off Oct. 11, 12 and 13. 1859, with some new feat- 
ures not before given. The attendance was estimated at from 
10,000 to 12,000, although Vinton, Hocking, Washington and Ross 
counties held their fairs at the same time. The membership ran 
up to about 650. There were 669 entries of articles, and $427 in 
premiums were awarded. The receipts were $1,500, which placed 
the society on a sound financial footing. As before, the show of 
live stock was the best feature, although many were attracted b} r 
the trotting races held this year for the first time. Five entries 
were made. Sorrel gelding "Jake," raised in Athens County, but 
owned by Dickey & Seamon, of Morgan County, won first money, 
$20.00. Time, 3:01 and 2:58. Brown mare " Kate " took sec- 
ond money, $10.00. Time, 3:05 and 3:07. 

From this time on for some fifteen years annual fairs were held 
with the exception of 1862. There were little changes to note, 
with the exception that pleasant weather insured a much more sue. 
cessful fair than wet or bad weather. The sixteenth fair, in 
1866, was the best held up to that time, and the only one whose 
receipts equaled the fair of 1859. The next was the twenty-first, 
14 



210 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

held in 1871, the receipts of which were reported at the same fig- 
ures as given twelve years previous. From the twenty-first to the 
twenty-seventh fair, inclusive, the success was but moderate. The 
twenty-eighth fair showed receipts aggregating $1,700, and that of 
the twenty-ninth, over $2,000, they being held respectively in 1878 
and 1879. The thirtieth annual fair held on Oct. 6, 7 and 8, 1880, 
was the most successful, for many years, of the series held. 

The races this year were also very fine. The gate receipts 
were over $2,000. 

The thirty-first annual fair was held Oct. 5, 6 and 7, 1381. The 
season had been a very unfavorable one for the farmers, and con- 
sequently the number and quality of exhibits showed a considerable 
falling off. The gate receipts were $1,900, of which $1,250 were 
paid out in premiums. 

The thirty-second annual fair, held Oct. 4. 5 and 6, 1882, was a 
great success in every respect. The season had been a good one, 
agriculturally, and the farmers came forward with a goodly num- 
ber of live stock and farm products. The gross receipts were 
$2,556.94. The premium list was quite a liberal one, aggregating 
$1,750. 

The society is now in a flourishing condition, and is destined to 
be a most successful organization for the agricultural and stock 
interests of Athens County. 

ATHENS COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION. 

The advantages of organizing pioneer societies to keep alive the 
memory of early days, to record in permanent shape our early 
history, and to promote a fraternal feeling among surviving pio- 
neers have been felt and acted upon in most localities. Nearly 
every county has its organization, and holds reunions at stated 
periods. Athens County was rather slow to take the necessary 
steps; but interest was finally awakened, and in pursuance of a 
call, by a committee previously appointed, a number of citizens of 
the county met at the court-house in Athens, Dec. 26, 1868. 
The meeting was called to order by lion. Calvary Morris, Chair 
man, with appropriate remarks. 

A. B. Walker was chosen Secretary, pro-tem., and the committee 
appointed for the purpose reported a constitution and by-laws, 
through Dr. "William Blackstone. The following extracts are 
made : 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 211 

" The object of this association shall be to gather together and 
preserve reminiscences, statistics or other information connected 
with the settlements and history of our town, county and the 
southern part of Ohio previous to the year 1820. 

"Any person may become a member of this association by 
paying into the treasury thereof the sum of $1 and signing the 
constitution, provided that he or she has lived in the State of 
Ohio on or before the 4th of July, 1830. 

" The annual meeting for the election of officers shall take plac 
on Saturday succeeding Dec. 25 of each year, and the semi-annual 
meetings on the fourth Saturday in July, at Athens. 

" In case of the death of any member, an attendance upon the 
funeral, on the part of the members of the association, in a body, 
shall be observed as far as practicable." 

The following persons signed the constitution at this meeting 
and became members: Isaac Barker, General John Brown, Nathan 
Kinney, Calvary Morris, Archibald G. Brown, William Black- 
stone, John Perkins, Francis Beardsley, John N. Dean, Oliver 
Childs, Jacob Swett, John Brown, Oscar W. Brown, George Put- 
nam, Gilbert M. McDougal, Archibald B. Walker, Daniel B. Stew- 
art, Joseph Tippie, Henry B. Bravvley, Peter Stalder, Samuel 
Pickering, Ephraim C. Brown and William Golden. Also, Matthew 
A. Patrick, John Ackley and Benjamin T. Handall were elected 
corresponding members. The members present then proceeded to 
the election of permanent officers for the ensuing year, which 
resulted as follows : President, Isaac Barker ; Vice-President, General 
John Brown; Corresponding Secretary, Archibald G. Brown; 
Recording Secretary, Archibald B. Walker; Treasurer, John 
Brown; Executive Committee, Calvary Morris, Elmer Powell, 
William Blackstone, William Golden and George Putnam. After 
the transaction of some further business the meeting adjourned. 

The next meeting was held April 7, 1869, at the court-house, 
and several papers of great interest relating to pioneer life and 
border warfare were read. Brief addresses were also delivered 
by several of the members. 

A very profitable meeting of the association was held Sept. 30, 
1869, at New England, in this county. Vice-President General 
John Brown presided, Judge Barker, then in his ninety-first year, 
being unable to attend. At this meeting the constitution was 
amended so as to admit to full membership all females of the fami- 
lies of members who have been in the State the requisite time, with- 



212 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ont an}' initiation fee; and the third article was so amended that 
persons resident of Ohio previous to 1810 (instead of 1830) were 
eligible to' membership. It was also directed that in future the 
annual meetings be held on the 7th of April (the anniversary of the 
landing of the first settlers at Marietta), and the semi-annual meet- 
ings on the 7th of October, when either or both of said days hap- 
pen on Sunday, the day following to be substituted instead. T. L. 
Dewess, Jacob Tedrow, B. F. Johnson, Andrew Dodds and Orange 
"Barrows were added to the list of members, and under the amend- 
ment eighteen ladies were received on the list of members. The 
secretary announced at this meeting the death of several pioneer 
women of the county, viz.: Mrs. Betsey Parker, Mrs. Apphia Ham- 
ilton, Mrs. Maria Dean and Mrs. Lyclia Nye. Mrs. Parker was a 
daughter of Joshua Wyatt, who settled in Ames Township in 1801. 
Her marriage, May 13, r 1803, to William Parker, was the first in 
that township and the second in the county. Siie died in Athens, 
Aug. 8, 1S69, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. The following 
brief sketch of a pioneer was read and entered on the minutes. 
" Henry Bartlett, a native of Beverly, Mass., came to Marietta in 
the year 1796, and settled in this county the following year with 
his young family, living in the town of Athens till his decease, 
Sent. 9, 1850, in the eightieth year of his age. Mr. Bartlett was on 
many accounts distinguished among the early pioneers of our county 
Having enjoyed good opportunities in early life, fitting him 
for public business, he was appointed by the County Commission- 
ers, Clerk of the board; and of the County Courts in 1805, the year 
of the organization of the county. He held the position of Clerk 
of the Court of Common Pleas for more than thirty years, and for 
a still longer period several other offices, including those of Secre- 
tary and Auditor of the Ohio University. His superior penman- 
ship was noticeable among the best writers of the day, and his 
numerous friends were justly proud of his distinction in that line." 
Judge Morris, in a short address, remarked that there were older 
members present than himself, but that he had lived to see great 
and important changes in the county, especially in the way of 
public improvements. In 1828 he rode on the first ten miles of rail- 
road constructed in the United States for the conveyance of pas- 
sengers, from Baltimore to Elliott's Mills. The car was made 
like the body of an omnibus, with seats along the side, and drawn 
by a single horse, and he thought it a great treat thus to ride on a 
railroad. In 1842 he witnessed the first public experiment of Pro- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 213 

fessor Morse's telegraph, when the communication extended only 
from one room of the capitol to another. The Judge then closed 
with a few remarks upon the rapid growth and extension of im- 
provements generally since that period. The annual meeting, held 
April 7, 1670, at the court-house, was replete with interest. Judge 
Barker, then in his ninety second year, presided at the opening, but 
soon called Judge Morris to the chair. Among the interesting 
features of this meeting was the presentation to the society, bv 
General John Brown, of a tax duplicate dated June 27, 1807. The 
following were elected officers: President, General John Brown; 
Vice-President, Hon. 0. Morris; Corresponding Secretary, Hon. 
A. G. Brown; Recording Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, 
John Brown; Executive Committee, H. B. Brawley, William 
Blackstone, William Golden and G. M. McDoua-al. 

The semi-annual meeting of Oct. 7 following was presided over 
by Hon. Calvary Morris, the Vice-President, although the Presi- 
dent, General John Brown, was present. Tiie principal object of 
discussion at this meeting was the first public library northwest of 
the Ohio, the claims of Ames Township (since substantiated be- 
yond dispute) to priority on behalf of the "Western Library As- 
sociation" having been disputed by Cincinnati. A committee was 
appointed to investigate the subject and have the question forever 
settled. General C. H. Grosvenor, Rev. John Stewart, Rev. John 
Fletcher Stewart, General T. F. Wilder and Charles E. M. Jen- 
nings joined the association at this meeting. 

The next meeting was the annual one of April 7, 1871, presided 
over by Vice-President Calvary Morris. The committee appointed 
to investigate the matter of the first public library in the North- 
west made a lengthy report, which was placed on the records, pre- 
senting the respective claims of Ames and Cincinnati, and proving 
that the honor belongs to Ames. A number of interesting and 
valuable documents were presented to the association. Elmer 
Armstrong, Leonard Brown, John Ballard, Ziba Hoskison, Dr. S. 
Howard, Colonel William S. Wilson, Enoch Cabeen, Alfred Morri- 
son and Frederick P. Kassler joined the association. The follow- 
ing officers were chosen: John Perkins, President; H. B. Brawley, 
Vice-President; A. G. Brown, Corresponding Secretary; A. B. 
Walker, Recording Secretary; and John Brown, Treasurer. This 
session was well attended." 

A meeting of the association was held at Amestown, July 1, in 
conjunction with a celebration by the citizens of that vicinity. 



214 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

General Thomas Ewing was present at this meeting. His father, 
Hon. Thomas Ewing, had been expected, but could not come on 
account of failing health. He died soon after. The following is 
the letter of regret written by him and read by General C. H. 
Grosvenor: 

Lancaster, July 3, 1871. 

Gentlemen: 

I find it will not be in my power to attend the Ames- 
ville pioneer celebration on the 4th. Though my health is toler- 
able, I cannot endure even a small amount of fatigue; and on 
consulting my physician, he advises me not to venture. I would 
be very glad to meet you all, the living friends and associates of ray 
boyhood and early youth, and the descendants of those that are 
gone; but as I cannot, I send my third son, General Thomas Ew- 
ing, Jr., whom I trust you will find a creditable representative of 
the first pioneers. 

I visited Amesville a few weeks since, after an absence of fifty- 
five years, and found my memory fresh as to places and persons. The 
streams appeared small, and the valleys narrow, but rich and beau- 
tiful as when I last knew them. To me, while I lived in it, and 
until I left it, it was a happy valley; there was little material 
wealth in it, but one could see a verification of the assertion of the 
poet, that a people "though very poor may still be very blest." 
There can grow up no inordinate wealth here to disturb the quiet 
tenor of life. While it is abundantly prosperous, its tranquillity is 
not in danger of being destroyed by those terrible commotions 
which distract the greater world. 

Mr. Walker's History of Athens County marks well the calm 
and steady progress of this happy valley in population and in 
mental culture, much of which is due to our early library associa- 
tion; and I am strongly impressed with the opinion that it is en- 
titled to one year's earlier date than his record gives it. 

In the spring of 1803 my father removed his family to a small 
farm seven miles southeast, on the Marietta road. In this I am 
not mistaken, as I made record of the date on the bark of a beech 
tree which I have seen often since. I remained on the Amestown 
farm to go to school, and helped my brother take care of the stock. 
Judge Walker came in November of that year and occupied the 
principal cabin, and such of our family as remained, a smaller one 
on the other side of the little run. I was reading a library book 
— "The Children of the Abbey" — and had got together a good 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 215 

supply of hickory bark to make me a light, and I rose an hour or 
two before day and sat on a stool by the fire reading. Henry 
Bartlett, Esq., who happened to be with us that night, came and 
sat also and asked to look at my book. I handed it to him, aud, 
as he returned it, it fell open on the fire and scorched and spotted 
several of the leaves. By the rules of the library there was a fine 
for every spot; and in counting up the injury in tips and levies, I 
found myself a bankrupt boy. However, 1 took the book to the 
next library meeting, explained the misfortune, and the board 
very kindly remitted the fines. If the volume (I think it was the 
second) be still in existence, it must bear the marks of the adventure. 

This antedates Mr. Walker's record several months. I think 
the money was raised and the books bought and on hand before 
that record was made out, and that it is but an official recogni- 
tion of a past fact. As to Morse's Geography, I studied it as early 
as 1800; but it was no doubt a book on hand, afterward turned in 
by Mr. Cutler and my father as part of their contribution to the 
library. 

I remember a rural scene of the summer of 1800, simple and 
childish, but illustrative of a fact in history. Mrs. Brown had a 
handsome little tomato plant of the small round kind, which was 
then called love-apple. It was not known among us as an article 
of food until several years after the French inhabitants of St. 
Domingo had been driven from the island and had taken refuge on 
our shores, and then its use extended slowly. On the day named, 
children of the two families were at play in Mrs. Brown's garden, 
when suddenly the alarm was raised and ran through the little 
group that Apphia Brown had eaten a love-apple! We sped with 
the fearful intelligence to the grown up people, who did not par- 
take of our alarm, and it passed off without a catastrophe. It 
was many years later when I first saw the tomato used on our 
tables as an esculent. 

For many years we had no postoffice nearer than Athens, but 
my father's little farm on the Marietta road was passed once a week 
by a mail carried on horseback between Clarksburg, Ya., and Chil- 
licothe, one week east, the next week west. I always took care to 
be on hand when the mail passed. It was carried by a boy of six- 
teen or seventeen, John Davis, who became my intimate friend, 
and I fed his horse and mother gave him supper and a bed with 
me by the fire, as a reward for the news he brought us. I have 
often sat up till ten o'clock listening for his horn; he was very 



216 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

punctual with his sachel of "news from all nations lumbering at 
his back." 

I am indulging in trifles, but " these little things are great to 
little men," and I write as I would talk with you, if present. I 
wish all our assembled friends many happy returns of this glori- 
ous day. I am very 

Respectfully Yours, 

Thomas Ewing. 

The semi-annual meeting of October, 1871, was held in Athens, 
when several reminiscences were presented and the usual routine 
business transacted. 

The annual meeting of April 6, 1872, was held at the court- 
house and presided over by John Perkins. John "Welch, J. M. 
Dana, Rev. Justice Reynolds, Dr. Eber G. Carpenter, William 
Courtney, George Linscott and David Goodspeed were received as 
members. Hon. John Welch was chosen President; H. B. Braw- 
ley, Yice-President; John Brown, Treasurer; A. B. Walker, Corre- 
sponding and Recording Secretary; D. B. Stewart, George Putnam, 
Leonard Brown, Charles H. Grosvenor and T. F. Wildes, 
Executive Committee. The meeting was well attended. 

The semi-annual meeting of Oct. 7, following, was presided 
over by Hon. John Welch. Joseph Herrold, James G. Owens and 
William H. H. Mintern were received as members. The most 
important feature of this meeting was the reading of memorials in 
regard to a number of pioneers who had recently passed away, 
among them Mrs. Phoebe Sprague, Mrs. Joseph Post, Mrs. Bet- 
sey P. Walker, Mr. Samuel Brown and Dr. Chauncey F. Perkins. 
The annual meeting in April, 1873, was presided over by Vice- 
President H. B. Brawley. 

The election of officers resulted in the choice of John Ballard as 
President; H. B. Brawley, as Yice-President; A. B. Walker, Sec- 
retary; John Brown, Treasurer; J. H. Glazier, Leonard Brown, D. 
B. Stewart, C. II. Grosvenor and George Putnam, Executive Com- 
mittee. 

A picnic and meeting of the society was held Sept. 6, following, at 
Milltield, Dover Township, which was largely attended, and enjoyed 
by all. John Wyatt, J. P. Weethee, James Henry, A. W. Glazier, 
John M. Hibbard, J. H. Harris and Ebenezer Pratt were received 
as members. The deaths of Dr. Solomon Howard, Jacob Tedrow, 
John Frame, Alexander Caldwell, Isaac Coe, Mrs. Nancy II. Per- 
kins, Mrs. John Haldren and Captain Jasper N. Watkins were 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 217 

announced. A number of interesting communications and dona- 
tions were received. 

The annual meeting, April 7, 1874, presided over by John Bal- 
lard, was held at the Presbyterian church in Athens. After an 
interesting meeting, the following officers were chosen for the en- 
suing year: President, Hon. N. If. Van Vorhes; Yice-Presid 
George Putnam; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, John Brown; 
Executive Committee, Leonard Brown, H. B. Brawley, D. B. Stew- 
art, J. H. Glazier and S. W. Pickering. 

The annual meeting of April 7, 1875, was held in the M. E. 
church at Athens, and was presided over by Hon. N. H. Yan Vor- 
hes. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: 
President, N. H. Van Vorhes; Vice-President, Dr. Win. Black- 
stone ; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, Hon. E. H. Moore; 
Executive Committee, Judge Leonidas Jewett, Dr. E. G. Carpen- 
ter, George Putnam and Joseph Herrold. The Secretary reported 
the death of John N. Dean, June 23, 1874, in the eightieth year 
of his age; of Nathan Kinney, Ang. 26, 1874, in his ninety-third 
year; Oliver Childs, Feb. 3, 1875, in his seventy-eighth year; and 
Nelson McCune, Hon. Jacob C. Frost, Judge L. Jewett, Win. Mason 
and Hull Foster were elected members. 

The next meeting of interest was held April. 7, 1877, at the new 
city hall in Athens, Hon. N. H. Van Vorhes presiding. Judge 
John Welch delivered an instructive address in the afternoon. 
The following officers were chosen: President, Hon. N. H. Van 
Vorhes; Vice-President, G. M. McDougal; Secretary, A. B. Walker; 
Treasurer, E. H. Moore; Executive Committee, H. B. Brawley, M. 

A. Patrick, D. B. Stewart and Elmer Armstrong. 

The annual meeting of April 8, 1878, the tenth since the organ- 
ization of the society, was held at its room in the <;ourt-house, 
which was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowers and 
house-plants, contributed by the ladies. Vice-President Gilbert 
M. McDougal presided. A large number of contributions of books, 
papers and reminiscences were received through the Secretary, A. 

B. Walker. For the ensuing year Gilbert M. McDougal was chos- 
en President; Elmer Armstrong, Vice-President; A. B. Walker, 
Secretary; E. H. Moore, Treasurer; Executive Committee, Dr. 
E. G. Carpenter, Hon. John Welch, B. F. Johnson, H. B. Brawley 
and D. B. Stewart. The deaths of Elmer Powell, Oct. 26, 1877; 
John Wyatt, Oct. 31, 1877; and Jacob C. Frost, March 24, 1878, 
were reported. 



218 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The annual meeting for 1879 was held May 7, at the city hall, 
and was presided over by President Gilbert M. McDougal. The 
deaths of Dr. William Blackstone, March 18, 1879; Bishop E. R. 
Ames, April 25, 1879; and George Linscott, April 19, 1S79, were 
announced. A number of contributions were received, and the 
following officers were elected: President, G. M. McDougal; Vice- 
President, Samuel Pickering; Secretary, A. B. Walker; Treasurer, 
Hon. E. H. Moore; Executive Committee, Dr. E. G. Carpenter, 
Hon. John Welch, B. F. Johnson, D. B. Stewart and H. B. Bravvley. 

July 4, 1879, an interesting meeting was held at the "grove" 
near Amesville, the principal features of which were speeches by 
Hon. Charles Townsend and Judge A. G. Brown. A goodly num- 
ber of members were received at this time. Their names are as 
follows: Daniel Fleming, A. W. McLead, Alfred Matteson, George 
S. Anderson. J. N. Pilcher, George Ed. Henry, S. J. Wells, Jr., 
Fred Stalder, John Patterson, Solomon Hill, J. H. Blunden, W. 
M. Henry, Elizabeth Whaley, Lucy Fleming, Rebecca Smith, 
Annie L. Brown, Mary McLead, Sarah E. Patterson, Sarah E. 
Matteson, Jane Wells, Lydia A. Blunden and Lavina Henry. 

Sept. 1, 1879, a petition praying for the assignment of a room in 
the court-house for the use of the association, and signed by twen- 
ty-live members, was presented to the Board of County Commis- 
sioners. This board, then consisting of Messrs. F. Finsterwald, 
Elza Armstrong and W. II. Cnrfman, unanimously granted the 
society the use of the southeast room of the basement. 

The next meeting was held April 7, 1880, at the city hall, the 
room in the court-house not being yet prepared, and was presided 
over by D. B. Stewart, of Athens. The death of John Perkins, 
of Athens, one of the oldest merchants in the Hocking Valley, was 
announced, and a biographical notice prepared by President Scott 
was read by the Secretary. By a unanimous vote it was decided 
to hold the annual meetings thereafter on the fourth Wednesday in 
May. William Nelson, Cephas Carpenter, and William H. H. 
Mintern presented themselves for membership and were admitted. 
The election of officers resulted in the choice of the following: Presi- 
dent, D. B. Stewart; Vice-President, Eli F. Brown; Secretary, A. 
B. Walker; Treasurer, Joseph H. Norton; Executive Committee, 
Dr. E. G. Carpenter, B. F. Johnson, W. II. II. Mintern, Samuel 
Pickering and Cephas Carpenter. 

The annual meeting of 1881 was held May 25, and was the first 
held at the room in the new court-house. D. B. Stewart presided. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 219 

The deaths were reported of Cephas Carpenter, John Ballard, Robert 
Henry and Judge Leonidas Jewett, members of the association, 
and of Edwin Corner, Ann C. Grosvenor and Sarah Dams, well- 
known pioneers, were announced at tins meeting. New members 
were received as follows: Louis C. Butler, Levi Pickering, John 
Cornwell and A. J. Wilmarth. The association was then photo- 
graphed, sitting on the steps of the court-house, by Mr. Graham, 
of Athens. At this meeting Mr. A. B. Walker gave up the office 
of Secretaiw, after serving in that capacity for twelve years and 
over, Mr. L. C. Butler is the present Secretary. 

A meeting was held Aug. 13, 1881, to discuss the subject of a 
"Library Monument," and it was resolved to erect a granite mon- 
ument at Amesville. A committee was appointed to solicit sub- 
scriptions for this purpose. 

It has since been decided not to erect any monument of stone; 
In lieu thereof the society in 1882 authorized the publication of a 
memorial pamphlet, which was prepared by Judge John Welch, 
and is now being circulated throughout the county. It has received 
many favorable notices. 

The Pioneer Association of Athens County has been a most 
useful organization, and contains many noble pioneers yet. May 
they live long to enjoy the annual reunions of the association. 

THE NEW COURT-HOUSE. 

Athens County has had during herexistence three court-houses, 
besides renting a room for the first two years of her organization. 
The first court-house that claimed the name was a log building, 
with a brick chimney. It was not, as can well be imagined, an 
expensive building, neither was one of that kind necessary. The 
county revenue was but $157.60 the first year, and the remaining 
eleven of its existence were not years of heavy taxation. The 
twelfth year was the one that inaugurated the second temple of 
justice and general convenience, which was in 1817 or 'IS. This 
last was a more expensive affair, and for the times a fair specimen 
of the average court-houses throughout the State. The people of 
the county thought so much of it that had not " Old Father Time" 
shook his hoary locks at it until it trembled to its very foundation, 
it would have undoubtedly been there to this day, notwithstanding 
the refinement of its surroundings and the pride of truly an esthetic 
people. 



220 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



The first proposition to build the present court-house was early 
in 1874, by petition to the County Court to submit the voting of a 
two-mill tax for four years, for the purpose of building a court- 
house not to exceed the cost of $60,000. This proposition was 
submitted to the voters of the county on April 6, 1871, being the 
day for the spring election. The proposition was lost by a major- 
ity of 2,211. The vote by townships is here given: 



FOR. AGAINST. 

Athens 383 145 

Ames 6 215 

Alexander 6 200 

Bern 22 100 

Canaan 13 126 

Carthage 1 173 

Dover 13 221 

Lee 19 150 



FOR. AGAINST 

Locli 8 234 

Rome 21 222 

Troy 44 149 

Trimble 4 176 

Waterloo 23 246 

York 10 424 

Total 573 2,784 



This was such an overwhelming defeat that those who favored 
the project let it rest for a couple of years. The question was 
again brought before the people for their action at the spring elec- 
tion of 1876 (April 3), but was defeated by a much less majority 
in an increased vote of 106, the total vote in 1876 being 3,163, 
against 3,357 in 1871. 

The following is the vote again given by townships: 

FOR. 

Athens 469 

Alexander 81 

Ames 54 

Bern 81 

Canaan 120 

Carthage 6 

Dover 94 

Lee 51 

Lodi 16 

While this was not very satisfactory, it was somewhat encourag- 
ing. The opposition had been reduced over 600 votes, while that 
in its favor had considerably more than doubled. Again, the 
friends of the enterprise rested for a couple of years, until June 
1, 1878, when the proposition was carried by a vote of 1,213 in 
its favor, to 503 against it, the total vote being only 1,716, or a 
trifle less than half of the number polled two years before, hi 
fact, the old court-house had given such evidences of decay that the 
people saw a new building was demanded, and left it to its friends 
to do the voting. This was as follows: 



GAINST. 






FOR. 


AGAINST 


131 






.. 71 


190 


143 


Troy 




.. 92 


143 


119 


Trimble 




.. 51 


120 


38 






.. 58 


154 


56 


York 




. . 104 


420 


157 












110 


Total 




..1,348 


2,115 


122 










212 


Majority against, 


767. 







HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 221 



Y3S. NO. 

Athens 380 43 

Alexander 50 29 

Ames 72 36 

Bern 24 3 

Carthage 20 11 

Dover 90 28 

Lodi 35 29 

Rome 92 12 

Troy 90 15 



YES. NO. 

Trimble 98 13 

Waterloo 79 27 

York 94 132 

Lee 26 116 

Canaan 63 9 



Total 1,213 503 

Majority, 410. 

Bids were at once advertised for, and Oct. 10, 1878, awards were 
made as follows: Excavating and grading, D. F. Minihan, -$315; 
stone-work complete, W. W. McCoy, $10,250; steam heating and 
plumbing. Brown & Robb, $1,230; wrought and cast-iron work, 
H. O'Blenness, $10,700; galvanized iron, tin and slating, H. 
O'Blenness; brick-work, concrete and centers, W. W. McCoy, 
$7,737; painting, glazing and frescoing, W. W. McCoy, $1,635; 
plastering and stucco work, George H. May and C. W. Mellinish, 
$1,396; carpenter-work, George Towsley, $5,942. The total of 
these awards was $14,705. There were over sixty bids. The work 
was at once begun, and pushed as rapidly as prudent. The corner- 
stone was laid without formal ceremonies May 22, 1879. In the 
stone is a copper box containing copies of the Cincinnati Enquirer, 
Commercial and Gazette^ and the Athens Messenger and Journal', 
a copy of $500 county court-house bond with coupons attached (on 
the back of the bond is printed a copy of the act under which the 
court-house was built); a list of the Presidents of the United States, 
of the Governors of Ohio, and of the present county and township 
officers; also the business cards of the several attorneys practicing 
at the Athens County bar, and cards containing the names of prom- 
inent citizens; checks on each of the Athens banks, greenback and 
State of Ohio dollar bills and specimens of our silver and copper 
coin. 

The court-house as it stands was duly completed in the summer 
of 1880, and was formally dedicated Sept. 10, with pleasing cere- 
monies. The building was brilliantly illuminated with gaslight, 
and the court-room, where the exercises were held, was filled to 
overflowing with visitors. Entertaining speeches were made dur- 
ing the evening by Hon. A. G. Brown, General Grosvenor, Judge 
Welch, Homer C. Jones, Esq.,of Mc Arthur, and others. Mr. A. B. 
Walker also read a very elaborate historical sketch appropriate to 
the occasion. The Second Regiment Band discoursed some of their 
finest music from the upper balcony. 

Athens County now possesses in this, one of the finest county 



222 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

buildings in the State. It is an ornament to the county and town, 
and is, moreover, built on a scale of substantialness that will con- 
clusively prove its durability and worth. 

JAIL. 

§|The first jail of Athens County was built, during the first year 
of the county's existence, 1805, of logs and was about on a par with 
the other public buildings of that day. It soon was replaced by a 
new and better structure, but still not a sufficiently good one to 
safely confine desperate characters. The number of jail escapes 
in the history of Athens County is unpleasantly large. The present 
jail is a great improvement on former ones. It was built in the 
latter half of the year 1876, by Henry O'Blenness. The contract 
price was $9,238, but much more than this was required to fit the 
building for use. The jail is of cut stone, and is adjoining the 
court-house, in the rear of the sheriff's residence, with which it is 
connected by a brick office, two stories in height. It is 30 x 47 feet 
in size and twenty-one feet in height. It contains twelve iron 
cells, four feet eight inches by six feet eight inches, and seven feet 
in height. 

ATHENS COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME. 

This benevolent institution is a result of the efforts of Mr. John 
S. Fowler, a Quaker gentleman, living in Washington County. 
He spent the greater part of the four years prior to 1880 in trav- 
eling over the county soliciting private subscriptions for the above 
institution. In 1880, by an act of the State Legislature, the sub- 
scription list, which had been raised to about $12,000, was placed 
in the hands of the county commissioners. Ln the same year the 
commissioners purchased a farm of 125 acres pleasantly situated 
about one mile east of Athens, lying partly in the river valley and 
partly on adjoining upland, at a cost of $G,600. In the following 
year, 1881, the farm and buildings began to be properly improved, 
and were made ready for occupation in the fall, the farm-house 
having been thoroughly remodeled and greatly enlarged so as to 
accommodate sixty inmates, although this number has been over- 
run most of the time. The subscription list was placed in the 
hands of the county auditor, who, up to the present time, has 
received about $9,500. The Home is controlled by a Board of 
Trustees who are chosen by the commissioners of the county. The 
first Board, chosen in 1881, consisted of the following men: A. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 223 

Norton, John Boden and A. W. S. Minear, Mr. Norton being 
Secretary. The present Board contains: J. W. Johnson, of Rome 
Township; Charles Henry, of Athens Township; and A. W. S. 
Minear, of Athens. The first Superintendent and Matron were: 
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Nourse who served until Jan. 1, 1883. They 
were followed by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Thomas, who served three 
months, and were followed by the present Superintendent and 
Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Elza Armstrong. 

There have been received into the Home since it was opened, 117 
children. Of this number fifteen have been found good homes in 
private families, while several have been taken back by their par- 
ents or relatives, leaving sixty-four inmates at the present time. 
A teacher is employed regularly by the Home, and the children 
are taught in a school-room fitted for that purpose on the farm. 
The teacher at present is Miss Ella Constable. 

INFIRMARY. 

This farm, containing 129 acres and located in Dover Township, 
was purchased in 1857. The farm was put in repair, and an addi- 
tion made to the building to accommodate 100 persons. The man- 
agement, both of the farm and the inmates, has been improved. 
The inmates have numbered as high as 175 in one year. The 
average for 1882 was eighty-six. The first admission was James 
Tinkum, May 6, 1857. The farm is now in good order and a pro- 
ductive one. The expenses of the Infirmary for the year 1882, 
being a fair average, is here given. 

EXPENSES, 1882. 

For provisions $ 2,837.50 

For apparel 989.10 

For improvements 452.87 

For building and furniture 121.49 

For miscellaneous 296.99 

For lights and fuel 364.22 

For wages 1,358.29 

For conveyances 106.80 

For physician and medicines 209.70 

For interments 28.00 

$ 6,764.96 
Outside relief 6,029.36 

Total $ 12.794.32 

This shows an expense, per capita of 24 cents per day, which 
would seem to be about as economically as such an institution 
ought to be managed. 



224 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

OFFICERS. 

The officers of the institution are composed of a Board of Direct- 
ors, elected by the people, a county superintendent, matron and 
one general farm hand. The officials for 1883 are as follows: 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 

F. L. Junod, President; T. J. Allison, Secretary; Charles Henry, 
the three composing the Board ; Superintendent, A. Martin; 
Matron, Mrs. A. Martin; Farm Hand, O. Berge. 

DEFALCATION AND FORGERIES. 

A. J. Reynolds was elected to the office of Sheriff of Athens 
County in October, 1871. He continued in office until the night of 
March 25, 1873, when he left for parts unknown. On examina- 
tion it was found he was a defaulter to the amount of between 
$6,000 and $7,000. It was also discovered that he had put out 
something between $3,000 and $4,000 of forged paper at Athens 
and McConnelsville. The same summer he was traced to Memphis, 
Tenn., and there captured by Sheriff Warren, and brought back 
to the scene of his rascalities. He soon after stood his trial 
in the Common Pleas Court, found guilty and sentenced to the 
penitentiary for five years and served his time. His sureties on 
his official bonds were Joseph Herrold and J. L. Baker, who came 
forward and paid the amount of the defalcation. The county there- 
fore did not come out a loser, but his sureties did. This was the 
only defalcation of note which transpired in the county, and the 
outcome of this was not of a character to make defalcations and 
forgeries popular among those who served the people in the char- 
acter of public servants. 




CHAPTER X. 

TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF ATHENS LINKED TOGETHER, ONE AND 

INSEPARABLE. 

Interwoven — Metes and Bounds — 1805 and 1851 to 1883 — Items 
— Brimstone Punishment — First Post Route — Progressing 
Slowly — Population and Comparison of Growth — Township 
Officers, 1S06 to 1883 — Trustees — Treasurers— Clerks — 
Justices of the Pea.ce. 

interwoven. 

Athens Township is so interwoven with the city of Athens, so 
blended in their history with each other, that outside of their official 
acts there is little to record separate. In the exhaustive history 
of the city here given there is little left of township history to 
record. Its first settlement in 1798 was at Athens City, and its 
growth radiated from that point, and this settlement and this growth 
is fully recorded in the city's history. Its metes and bounds and 
its official life is here given, which is all that can be said except in 
a general way. 

Athens Township is one of the two selected by Congress as a 
donation for a university and is six miles square, and is considered 
about as good a section of land as the Ohio Purchase contained. 
The valley of the Hocking widens as it nears the Ohio River, and 
much of Athens Township lies in this valley, and its arable land 
is rich and fertile. There are other valleys and streams, the latter 
flowing into the Hocking, and the former with a deep alluvial soil, 
which yields abundant returns for labor rendered, and these branch 
valleys are now filled with improved farms, well-built residences, 
and with an air surrounding them that tells of comfort, thrift and 
economy. 

METES AND BOUNDS. . 

Athens Township is six miles square with an area in acres of 
23,040 on a general average, but perhaps a few hundred acres could 
be added by measuring both sides of some of the mo8t prominent 
15 (225) 



226 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

hills. She has Dover Township on the north; Canaan on the east; 
her twin township, Alexander, on the south, and Waterloo, on the 
west. 

Athens Township was not always of the present, if it can be so 
expressed, "regulation" size, but covered a somewhat extensive 
range of country. At its first organization it was composed of 
what is now known as Brown and Swan townships, of Vinton 
County, and "Waterloo and Canaan, of Athens County, besides its 
own present boundary. This gave it thirty miles east and west 
by six miles north and south. For some reason, perhaps on ac- 
count of its uneven surface, Southeastern Ohio, as laid off into 
counties, has been given very queer and irregular shapes, and 
they seem to have taken it from the forms of the townships, for 
a good many townships in early days could boast of an area equal 
to many counties of the present time. The old pioneer may have 
been educated in many things, bat he had little idea of form or 
compactness, unless it came down to purely home or domestic mat- 
ters. He could fill a wagon or a canoe until, like an omnibus of 
modern times, there was always room for more. Even township 
and range lines were ignored in many cases. Athens County is not so 
bad as some, but Hocking is thirty miles wide at its widest part, 
east and west, and Vinton is twenty-four miles north and south, 
and both out of all conceivable form or shape. However, there 
is nothing like being used to it, and the people of these counties 
live and thrive all the same. The few foregoing lines may not be 
altogether township history, but are facts, and a few facts now and 
then are not considered barred in historical writings. 

ITEMS. 

The first preaching done in the township was in 1799. 

The survey of the township was completed in 1795. 

The first settler came in 1798. 

The first school established in Athens Township, says Walker's 
History, was in 1801, and was taught by John Goldthwaite. The 
school-house (a log one) was situated on Joseph Higgins's place, 
about three miles south of Athens. Henry Bartlett taught in this 
house several quarters, between 1802 and 1806. Michael Higgins, 
now seventy-four years old, attended Esquire Bartlett's school, and 
relates that, on one occasion, when the scholars undertook, accord- 
ing to a custom then prevalent, to bar the master out on a certain 
day, and had made all very fast, Mr. Bartlett procured a roll of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 227 

brimstone from the nearest house, climbed to the top of the school - 
house, and dropped the brimstone down the open chimney into the 
lire; then placing something over the chimney, he soon smoked 
the boys into an unconditional surrender. 

The first postoffice in the county of Athens was established at 
Athens in January, 1804, and the first Postmaster was Jehiel 
Gregory. The office was kept at his house, across the river, past 
of Athens, where D. B. Stewart's woolen factory is now situated. 

The township was organized and given its metes and bounds 
within the county in the year 1805. 

The first mill was built on the river in 1806, known as the 
Gregory Mill. It stood just east of the city of Athens. 

The Miles Bros, erected another mill in 1832 upon the same site. 

The Herrold Mill was built in 181 6 and 1826. Judge Pruden con- 
nected with it the first carding machine and cloth-dressing estab- 
lishment started in the township. 

The first ferry across the Hocking River was that of Arthur 
Coates, below the South bridge, and the second that ofWm. Harper's 
which crossed the river just west of Athens. The first was started 
in 1800 and the latter some later. 

The first important bridge built in the township is the one 
known as the East bridge, in 1834, the West bridge in 1836 and 
the South bridge in 1839. The first two were erected by Isaac 
Jackson, the last b} r Samuel Miller. They were toll bridges. 

In 1806 tavern licenses in the township were $4, but those on 
the road to the salt-works were charged $6. 

The first post route through Athens Township was opened in 
1802, being the post route from Marietta via Athens, to Chillicothe. 

PROGRESSING SLOWLY. 

Athens Township, like the county, made but a gradual progress 
perhaps less so than any other township in the county outside the 
limits of the town. The growth and prosperity of the township 
seem to run pretty close together. The wealth showed no more 
rapid increase than the other. 

The population in 1820 was 1,114; 1830, 1,703; 1S40, 2,282. Up 
to this time the gain had been steady, but the next decade it seemed 
to stand still, even losing nearly all its natural increase. In 1850 
the population had reached 2,360, only seventy -eight more than it 
had ten years previous. In I860 the gain was better, the number 



22S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

being 2,852, an increase of 492. Neither the actual gain nor the 
per cent, was quite up to the previous decade, the population of 
1870 being 3,277. The population of the town of Athens that 
year was 1,G9G, leaving for the township 1,581. The census of 
1880 gave the township and city a population of 4,517, the greatest 
gain in its history, both in town and township. The city increased 
in number from 1,696 to 2,457, or a net gain of 761, which was 
considerable more than the city and township had ever before 
gained in a decade. The township's growth wag from 1,851 to 
2,060, a net gain of 479, which, up to that decade, was above the 
average gain of town and township for the previous five decades. 
The trouble with the valley of the Hocking was, that up to 1871 
its only line of travel was the canal and the stage lines. This, of 
course, prevented its rapid settlement; then its rugged hills were 
passed by as of little value for a half a century. All this was a 
drawback. A newer country had been found less rough and broken, 
easier of access, with the tide of railway building setting toward it 
as well as immigration, so the old land was passed by and the New 
West became the Mecca of those who sought a change. But when 
the iron horse had made his way down the valley and the real wealth 
of the country became known, with facilities of transportation, and 
daily intercourse with the outside world a veritable fact, Athens 
Township felt the inspiration, and township and town took a for- 
ward start, that gave it a net gain of about thirty-eight per cent, 
for the last decade. Since then she has still kept up the new life 
and progress and prosperity are going hand in hand. 

The official records show but little of importance, being simply 
the natural business which came before them. The names of those 
who conducted the township business for a p3riod of nearly eighty 
years, are here added: 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, ATHENS TOWNSHIP. 

The first election for township officers in Athens Township was 
held at the house of John Ilavner, on the point of the hill, near 
where Bing's wagon shop now stands, on the first Monday in 
April, 1806, when the following persons were elected, viz.: 

Jehiel Gregory, John Lowry and William Harper, Trustees; 
John Hewitt, Robert Linzee, Joel Abbot, Daniel Mulford, Canada 
Lowry and Uriah Tippee, Supervisors; John Corey, Clerk; Chaun- 
cey Perkins, Treasurer; Robert Fulton, Lister; Alvan Bingham 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



22!) 



and Abel Mann, Overseers of the Poor; Robert Lowry, Philip M. 
Starr and William Biggerstaff, Constables. 

At succeeding elections, the following officers were chosen: 



TRUSTEES. 



1807 Leonard Jewett, 

1st s John Ilavncr, 

1809 Leonard Jewett, 

1810 Leonard Jewett, 

1811 Silas Bingham, 

1812 Jehiel Gregory, 

1813 Ebenezer Currier, 

1814 Robert Lirjzee, 

1815 Robert Lin zee, 
1810 Robert Linzee, 

1817 Edmund Dorr, 

1818 Edmund Dorr, 
1810 Edmund Dorr, 

1820 Edmund Dorr, 

1821 Edmund Dorr, 

1822 Edmund Dorr, 

1823 Edmund Dorr, 

1824 Edmund Dorr, 

1825 Edmund Dorr, 
182G Edmund Dorr, 

1827 Sol. Goodspeed, 

1828 Sol. Goodspeed, 

1829 Sol. Goodspeed, 

1830 Sol. Goodspeed, 

1831 Sol. Goodspeed, 

1832 Sol. Goodspeed, 

1833 John Mintun, 

1834 John Mintun, 

1835 Josiah Coe, 

1836 John Brown, 

1837 Justus Reynolds, 

1838 Justus Reynolds, 

1839 Edmund Dorr, 

1840 Robert McCabe, 

1841 Robert McCabe, 

1842 Amos Crippen, 

1843 John R. McCune, 

1844 John R. McCune, 

1845 John Ballard, 
1840 John Ballard, 

1847 George Connett, 

1848 George Connett, 

1849 George Connett, 

1850 Leonidas Jewett, 

1851 O. W. Pickering, 

1852 O. W. Pickering, 

1853 O. W. Pickering, 

1854 Peter W. Boyles, 

1855 Peter W. Boyles, 

1856 Thomas Davis, 

1857 Thomas Davis, 

1858 Thomas Davis, 

1859 Thomas Davis, 

1860 Thomas Davis, 

1861 C. R. Sheldon, 



Jehiel Gregory, 
William Harper, 
Ebenezer Currier, 
Jacob Lindley, 
Hopson Beebe, 
Martin Mansfield, 
Joel Abbot, 
\Vm. Whitesides, 
Win. Harper, 
Win. Harper, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
John White, 
Reuben J. Davis, 
Reuben J. Davis, 
Reuben J. Davis, 
Reuben J. Davis, 
Frederic Abbot, 
Frederic Abbot, 
Frederic Abbot, 
Frederic Abbot, 
Edmund Dorr, 
Solomon Goodspeed, 
John White, Jr., 
John Brown, 
John Brown, 
John Brown, 
John Brown, 
Norman Root, 
Justus Reynolds, 
Justus Reynolds, 
Henry Hay, 
Henry Hay, 
Henry Hay, 
Andrew Kessinger, 
John Brown, 
John Brown, 
John Brown, 
John Brown, 
James W. Bayard, 
Richard Dobson, 
Richard Dobson, 
Richard Dobson, 
Charles Goodspeed, 
Charles Goodspeed, 
Charles Goodspeed, 
Ezra Goodspeed, 
Ezra Goodspeed, 



Silas Bingham. 
Aaron Young. 
John Abbot. 
John Abbot. 
Joseph B. Miles. 
William Harper. 
Stephen Pilcher. 
Stephen Pilcher. 
Arthur Coates. 
Arthur ( Joates. 
David Pratt. 
Abel Mann. 
Abel Mann. 
Abel Mann. 
Abel Mann. 
Abel Mann. 
Abel Mann. 
Silas Bingham. 
Columbus Bierce. 
Josiidi Coe. 
Josiah Coe. 
Josiah Coe. 
Josiah Coe. 
Josiah Coe. 
Josiah Coe. 
Samuel Lowry. 
Samuel Lowry. 
Daniel Stewart. 
Daniel Stewart. 
Samuel B. Pruden. 
Ebenezer Currier. 
Ebenezer Currier. 
Daniel Stewart. 
Christopher Sheldon. 
Christopher Sheldon. 
Christopher Sheldon. 
Christopher Sheldon. 
Christopher Sheldon. 
Win. T. Dean. 
Win. T. Dean. 
Nathan Goodspeed. 
J. H. McCune. 
J. R. McCune. 
Joseph Morrison. 
Joseph Morrison. 
Joseph Morrison. 
Joseph Morrison. 
Joseph Morrison. 
L. R. Jarvis. 
Thomas Laughlin. 
Thomas Laughlin. 
Richard Dobson. 
Thomas Laughlin. 
Thomas Laughlin. 
Thomas Laughlin. 



230 


HISTORY OF HOCKING 


VALLEY. 




1862 


C. R. Sheldon, Ezra Goodspeed, 


Alfred Morrison. 


1863 


C. R. Sheldon, Jesse Davis, 


Je 


fferson Reynolds. 


1864 


C. R. Sheldon, Jesse Davis, 


A. 


J. Reynolds. 


1865 


Ezra Goodspeed, B. F. Finney, 


A. 


J. Reynolds. 


1866 


Ezra Goodspeed, B. F. Finney, 


A. 


J. Reynolds. 


1867 


Ezra Goodspeed, B. F. Finney, 


A. 


J. Reynolds. 


1868 


Ezra Goodspeed, Parker Carpenter, 


A. 


J. Reynolds. 




TREASURERS AND CLERKS 


SINCE 1807. 




TREASURERS. 




CLERKS. 


1807 


Chauncey Perkins, 




John Corey. 


1808 


Alexander Stedrnan, 




John Corey. 


1809 


Alexander Stedrnan, 




John Corey. 


1810 


Alexander Stedrnan, 




John Corey. 


1811 


Alexander Stedrnan, 




John Corey. 


1812 


Alexander Stedrnan, 




John Corey. 


1813 


Eliphaz Perkins, 




Nehemiah Gregory. 


1814 


William Weir, 




Alexander Proudnt. 


1815 


Charles Shipman, 




Alvan Bingoam. 


1816 


Charles Shipman, 




James Gillmore. 


1817 


Ebenizer Blackstone, 




James Gillmore. 


1818 


John Gillmore 




James Gillmore. 


1819 


John Gillmore, 




James Gillmore. 


1820 


John Gillmore, 




James Gillmore. 


1821 


John Gillmore. 




James Gillmore. 


1822 


John Gillmore, 




James Gillmore. 


1823 


John Gillmore, 




James Gillmore. 


1824 


James Gillmore, 




John Gillmore. 


1825 


James Gillmore, 




John Gillmore. 


1826 


James Gillmore, 




John Gillmore. 


1827 


James Gillmore, 




John Gillmore. 


1828 


James Gillmore, 




John Gillmore. 


1829 


Charles Shipman, 




John Gillmore. 


1830 


Allan V. Medbury, 




John Gillmore. 


1831 


Allan V. Medbury, 




David Pratt. 


1832 


Allan V. Medbury, 




David Pratt. 


1833 


Isaac Barker, 




Robert E. Constable. 


1834 


Isaac Barker, 




A. B Walker 


1835 


A. G. Brown, 




A. B. Walker. 


1836 


A. G. Brown, 




N. B. Purington. 


1837 


Elias Hibbard, 




D. W. Cunningham. 


1838 


Joseph H. Moore, 




D. W. Cunningham. 


1839 


Joseph H. Moore, 




D. W. Cunningham. 


1840 


Joseph H. Moore, 




D. W. Cunningham. 


1841 


Joseph H. Moore, 




D. W. Cunningham. 


1842 


Joseph H. Moore, 




D. W. Cunningham. 


1843 


Joseph H. Moore, 




David M. Clayton. 


1844 


Joseph H. Moore, 




David M. Clayton. 


1845 


E. H. Moore, 




David M. Clayton. 


1846 


Samuel Pickering, 




Wm. Loring Brown. 


1847 


Samuel Pickering, 




Wm. H. Bartlett. 


1848 


Lot L. Smith, 




Wm. H. bartlett. 


1849 


Joseph L. Kessingcr, 




Wm. II. Bartlett. 


1850 


Joseph L. Kessinger, 




11. K. Blackstone. 


1851 


Joseph L. Kessinger, 




Daniel S. Dana. 


1852 


John 13. Paul, 




Daniel S. Dana, 


1853 


John B. Paul, 




Samuel S. Knowles. 


1854 


John B. Paul, 




Daniel S. Dana. 


1855 


V/m. P. Kessinger, 




Daniel S. Dana. 


1856 


Wm. I'. Kessinger, 




George H. Stewart. 


1857 


Wax. P. Kessinger, 




George H. Stewart. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



231 





TREASURERS 


, 






CLERKS. 


1858 


Wm. P. Kessinger 






George H. Stew 


1859 


Elias Tedrow, 








George H. Ste? 


1860 


Elias Tedrow, 








George H. Stev 




Elias Tedrow 


resigned 


in December, 






1860, and A. 


D. 


Brown 


appointed. 




1861 


A. D. Brown, 


• 






Norman Root, 


1862 


A. D. Brown, 








Norman Root. 


1863 


A. D.Brown, 








Norman Root. 


1864 


A. D. Brown, 








Norman Root. 


1865 


A. D. Brown, 








Norman Root. 


1866 


A. D. Brown, 








Norman Root. 


1867 


E. H. Moore, 








Norman Root. 


1868 


E. II. Moore, 








C. R. Sheldon. 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 



1817- 
1829- 
1835 
1886- 
1838 
1842- 
1844- 
1847- 
1848- 
1850- 
1851- 
1852- 
1853- 
1855- 
1856- 

1858- 

1859- 
1861- 



C. R. Sheldon (Resigned July 18, 1864), 

May 5, 1864. 
Wm. A. Thomas, Oct. 14, 1864. 
Wm. L. Brown, Dec. 2, 1864. 
Norman Root (Died Sept. 21, 1867), 

Feb. 15, 1865. 
Geo. W. Baker (Resigned Sept. 1, 1868), 

April 6, 1867. 
Oscar W. Brown, Sept. 11, 1867. 
Hiram C. Martin (Resigned March 10, 

1870), Dec. 4, 1867. 
Wm. A. Thomas, Sept. 9, 1868. 
Wm. Golden, April 9, 1870. 
Sumner Bartlett, Sept. 13, 1870. 
R. E. Constable, April 11, 1873. 
Wm. Golden, April 11, 1873. 
H. L. Baker, Aug. 21, 1874. 
R. E. Constable, April 5, 1876. 
Wm. Golden, April 5, 1876. 
H. L. Baker, Sept. 4, 1877. 
Wm. Golden, April 14, 1879. 
R. E. Constable, Mav 6, 1879 
Wm. Golden, April 11, 1882. 
Ed. T. Rose, April 11, 1882. 
R. E. Constable, May 6, 1882. 

OFFICERS SINCE 1869. 

1869. — Trustees, Ezra Goodspeed, A. J. Reynolds and Parker 
Carpenter; Clerk, W. A. Thomas; Treasurer, Thos. H. Sheldon. 

1870. — Trustees, Parker Carpenter, A. J. Reynolds and Jacob 
Lash; Clerk, W. A. Thomas; Treasurer, Thos. II. Sheldon; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Wm. Golden. 

1871. — Trustees, Jacob Lash, H. L. Baker and Josephus Tucker; 
Clerk, W. A. Thomas; Treasurer, T. II. Sheldon. 

1872. — Trustees, Jacob Lash, H. L. Baker and Parker Carpenter; 
Clerk, Josiah B. Allen; Treasurer, T. II. Sheldon; Justices of the 
Peace, W. A. Thomas, Sumner Bartlett. 

1873. — Trustees, A. Morrison, Judiah Higgins and II. L. Baker; 
Clerk, J. B. Allen; Treasurer, T. II . Sheldon; Justices of the 
Peace, Wm. Golden and R. A. Constable. 



1814— John L. Lewis, Abel Miller, 
Henry Bartlett. 

-Henry Bartlett, Stephen Pilcher. 

-Reuben J. Davis, A. G. Brown. 

-A. G. Brown. 

-Henry Bartlett. 

-Abram Van Vorhes. 

-Henry Bartlett. 

-Norman Root. 

-A. G. Brown. 

-Sumner Bartlett. 

-H. K. Blackstoue, Enoch Cabeen. 

-Daniel S. Dana. 

-Norman Root. 

-Daniel S. Dana, Jacob T. Stanley. 

-Oscar W. Brown. 

-Norman Root, Doloro Culley. 
(Resigned Nov. 10, 1858.) 

-William Golden, Wm. Loring 
Brown. 

-Norman Root. 

-William Golden, Wm. Loring 
Brown. 
1862— Norman Root. 



232 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



1874. — Trustees, A. Morrison, Judiah Higgins and Joseph Dorr; 
Clerk, J. B. Allen; Treasurer, T. H. Sheldon. 

1875. — Trustees, A. Morrison, Judiah Higgins and Joseph Dorr; 
Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, T. H. Sheldon. 

1876. — Trustees, Augustus Norton, James H. Irwin and A. 
Morrison; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, T. H. Sheldon; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Wm, Golden and R. A. Constable. 

1877. — Trustees, same as above; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, 
T. H. Sheldon. 

1878. — Trustees, A. Norton, C. W. Goodspeed and John Cuck- 
ler; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, Judiah Higgins. 

1879. — Trustees, C. W. Goodspeed, Josephns Tucker and J. K. 
Cuckler; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, Judiah Higgins; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Wm. Golden and W. H. H. Mintun. 

1880. — Trustees, C. W. Goodspeed, J. K. Cuckler and Joseph 
Dorr; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, D. H. Moore, Jr. 

1881. — Trustees, same as above; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, 
D. H. Moore. 

1882. — Trustees, C. W. Goodspeed, Joseph Dorr and Parker 
Carpenter; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, D. H. Moore; Justices 
of the Peace, Wm. Golden, R. A. Constable and Ed. T. Rose. 

1883. — Trustees, C. W. Goodspeed, P. Carpenter and A. H. 
Simms; Clerk, Alex. Ewing; Treasurer, D. H. Moore. 




d 







ti.^'Vr?"' 






^ 



1 ' =' 




CHAPTER XL 

THE CITY OF ATHENS— THE HOME OF CULTURE, REFINEMENT 
AND INTELLIGENCE. 

What She Was and Is — Advance of Civilization — Footsteps 
of the Old Pioneer — When Settled and hy Whom — Act for 
the Laying Out the Town of Athens, 1799 — Inception and 
Growth — Condensed History — Comparison not Needed — Sale 
of Lots and Purchasers— Incorporation — Growth — Schools 
— Churches — Cemeteries — Bible Society — Lodges — The Press 
of Athens — With Biographical Notes. 

what she was and is. 

The City of Athens is situated in the beautiful valley of what in 
olden times was called the " Great Hockhoclung. " Placed upon its 
hundred hills in this magnificent valley, it was a pioneer settlement 
in Southeastern Ohio, and the second in the territory now known 
as the State of Ohio. Standing upon a high bluff, the scenery is 
one of beauty, and the Athenians can not only be proud of its sur- 
roundings, and its early or pioneer existence, but also because it 
has arisen from the wilderness a veritable rose blooming, and fra- 
grant with beautiful life, a seat of learning, and the record of a 
noble generation of men, who have made a glorious name in the 
annals of State history. Her pioneers were men of education, 
men who stood in the front rank of culture, and intelligence in the 
Puritan States, and whose children and children's children have 
proven themselves worthy sons of noble sires. Such were the 
founders of the proud and beautiful city of Athens. Cultured, re- 
fined and hospitable, it was no wonder that she drew to her other 
noble men of those early davs, and that she has since become fa- 
mous throughout the State for the true nobility of her people, 
the beauty of her surroundings, her culture and refinement, and 
the unostentatious generosity of her sons and daughters. 

(233) 



234 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

THE ADVANCE OF CIVILIZATION. 

The hunter first trod the site of the ( city of Athens, and within 
her limits the buffalo, the bear, the deer and wild turkey, gave 
up their lives, but they soon left for more quiet fields, and, 
like the red men, gave way before the steady march of civili- 
zation, the ring of the woodman's ax and, last, but not least, before 
the unerring rifle of the pale-face. Scarcely can there be found 
within the broad limits of our magnificent commonwealth a more 
beautiful site for a city than this of Athens. Lying upon the banks 
of the murky Hocking, with an extended view of the valley, which 
is everywhere recognized not only for its beauty, but for the rich- 
ness of its deep alluvial soil, the great fertility of which after 
nearly a century of cultivation has not failed or allowed its re- 
sources to diminish; surrounded by valleys and hills, and looking 
out upon a broad expanse of well-cultivated fields, guided by intel- 
ligent labor, she invites to her those natures who wish to rise to a 
higher plane, those who wish to retire from the vortex of business 
strife to give their minds and talents to those researches which de- 
velop man's best nature and brings forth his greatest intellectual 
force and endeavor. So the Athens of to-day is the seat of culture, 
education and refinement, and her future is but brightened by the 
noble record of her past. 

FOOTSTEPS OF THE PIONEER. 

Following the footsteps of the hunter the old pioneer was not 
long in finding this favored spot, and still less time in deciding that 
it would be his present and future home. In 1797 the first perma- 
nent white settler located in this county, and in 1798 the first one 
built his cabin on the site of the city of Athens. Of course the 
country was a wilderness, an unbroken forest; and it was the wood- 
man's ax, while clearing the land, that marked the era of civiliza- 
tion, and of progress which time has not diminished. It was early 
in the year 1798 that Athens was first inhabited and the first Indian 
corn waved its grim foliage to the breeze, the proof of man's labor 
and the date when progress should henceforth rule the country and 
become the light which was to shed its rays upon a 'people pros- 
perous, peaceful and happy. Quite a number settled in and 
around the site of the city, and there were, perhaps, a score of 
families within the radius of a few miles before the new year of 
1799 entered upon its diurnal course. Of course not all of these 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 235 

settled upon the immediate site of the city of Athens. Walker's 
History gives the number of only six families who resided within 
the present city limits, but this was an error of nearly one half, 
or in other words, there were twelve to fifteen families located here. 
That Gillespe killed the buffalo is probably true; that deer and 
wild turkeys were killed on the site is also true; but when this 
land was surveyed and platted for a town or city, it was known to 
the settlers who came here as under the auspices of the Ohio 
Company. The college grounds were located in 1796, the sur- 
vey having been commenced the previous year, or in 1795. Two 
settlements started almost together — Atnesville and Athens — and 
around these two points the pioneers located first; and as immi- 
grants continued to arrive they spread over a greater extent of 
country. A company came in 1799, more than half of whom set- 
tled at Athens or immediately around the present site of the city 
— none on the hills, but all in the valley. 

"At this time, December, 1800, there were not more than five 
or six cabins on the town plat. Mr. Earhart lived on the brow of 
the hill where Bing's carriage shop is situated. Othniel Tuttle 
had a cabin on the southwest corner of the old graveyard. Dr. 
Perkins bought this cabin, moved it down the road and added it to 
his own-near where Dr. E. G. Carpenter now lives. Solomon Tut- 
tle lived on 'the corner of the Atkinson lot opposite the Currier 
homestead. Christian Stevens had a cabin just back of the col- 
lege green, and a man by the name of Brakefield lived twenty or 
thirty rods east of the southeast corner of the green. Alvan 
Bingham, known by older citizens as "Old Judge Bingham," lived 
half a mile northeast of where our Auditor, A. W. S.Minear, now 
resides. During the next four or five years, though increasing but 
slowly it received the addition of numbers of valuable citizens. 

" The first school-house on the town plat was a small brick build- 
ing, which stood on the site now occupied by the city hall. It was 
built in 1S0G. David Pratt taught here several years. Some of 
those who succeeded him in giving shape to the growing thought of 
the present and preceding generations are Mrs. Sarah Foster, Miss 
Sallie Jewettj Rev. James McAboy, Prof. Andrews, Rev. Joseph 
Marvin, Dr. Charles Townsend, Samuel Marsh, Rev. J. M. Ste- 
venson, Miss Haft and others." 

The act of laying off the town of Athens was passed and approved 
by General Arthur St. Clair, Dec. 18, 1799, a little less than two 
years from the time the first cabin was erected. This act reads as 
follows: 



236 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Whereas, In the county of Washington, within this territory, 
the townships Nos. 8 and 9, in the 14th range have been ap- 
propriated and set apart for the purpose of endowing a uni- 
versity; and whereas, the application of the same to the purpose 
aforesaid has been entrusted to the Legislature of this Territory; 
therefore, to enable the said Legislature the better to determine the 
situation whereon to establish the said university: 

Be it resolved by the Legislative Council and House of Repre- 
sentatives in General Assembly, That Rufus Putnam, Benjamin 
Ives Gilman and Jonathan Stone, Esquires, be requested to lay off, 
in the most suitable place within the townships aforesaid, a town 
plat which shall contain a square for the college, also lots suitable 
for house lots and gardens, for a president, professors, tutors, etc., 
bordering on or encircled by spacious commons, and such a num- 
ber of town lots adjoining the said commons and out-lots as they 
shall think will be for the advantage of the university, who are to 
make a' return of the said town plat and lots, describing their situ- 
ation within the said townships, to the Legislature at their next 
session, and shall receive such compensation for their services as 
the Legislature shall and may direct and allow. 

EDWARD TIFFIN, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
H. VANDERBURGH, 

President of the Council' 

On receiving a copy of this act of the Territorial Assembly, the 
gentlemen named therein took steps to carry out its provision, and 
did so, being ready to report at the next session of the Territorial 
legislation. That body, on receiving the report, passed the follow- 
ing act entitled, 

An act confirming the establishment of the town of Athens in the 
County of Washington. 

Whereas, By a resolution of the Legislature of this Territory, 
of the 18th day of December, 1799, Rufus Putnam, Benjamin Ives 
Gilman and Jonathan Stone, Esquires, were requested to lay off a 
town in the most convenient place within the townships numbered 
8 and 9, in the 14th range of townships as set apart by the agents 
and directors of the Ohio Company, for the uses and purposes of a 
university, which should be so laid off as to contain a square for 
colleges, and lots suitable for house-lots and gardens for a resi- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 237 

dent, professors and tutors, with out-lots and commons. And, 
whereas, the said Putnam, Oilman and Stone, in conformity 
to the said resolution, have laid off the said town within the ninth, 
tenth and fifteenth, sixteenth and twenty-second sections of the 
aforesaid ninth township, and have returned a plat of the same; 
therefore, to establish and confirm the same: 

Section 1. Beit enacted by the Legislative Council and House 
of Representatives in General Assembly, And it is hereby enacted 
by the authority of the same, that the return and report of the said 
Putnam, Gilman and Stone be accepted and approved, and that 
the said town shall be confirmed and established by the name of 
the town of Athens; Provided, That the trustees of the university 
therein to be established shall have power to alter the plan of said 
town, by extending the house lots into the commons or out-lots 
which adjoin the town, or by altering the streets, when, on actual 
survey, they may find it necessary or convenient; Provided also, 
That such alterations be made and a plat of the town, out-lots on 
commons, with a designation of the uses of the commons, be re- 
corded in the office of the recorder of the proper county, prior to 
the offering to lease any of said lots. 

Sec 2. And be it further enacted; That the house-lots num- 
bers 55 and 56 in the said town of Athens, or some other two lots 
therein, equally as well situated, to be designated and set apart by 
the trustees of said university when appointed, shall be reserved 
for the accommodation of public buildings that may be necessary 
to be erected for the use of said town and the county in which it 
may be situated; which two lots, when agreed upon by said trus- 
tees, shall be particularly noted on the plat of said town and vested 
in the county to and for the uses designed thereby. 

Edward Tiffin, 
Speaker House of Representatives. 
Approved, Dec. 6, 1800. .Robert Oliver, 

Arthur St. Clair, President of the Council. 

Governor. 

When the last act of the Territorial Legislature was passed, 
Athens could well boast of from fifteen to twenty families, and in- 
stead of Cincinnati being a town on paper at that time, or credited 
with 750 inhabitants, it had more thousands than hundreds above 
given, the cause being that it was the western and southern out- 
post of the Northwest Territory at that time. Athens County, 



238 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

while being probably settled first, was only because it was nearer 
the eastern border; but while some stopped here, others followed 
the river, and Cincinnati did not lag far behind. It was from that 
point that Mad Anthony Wayne made the first successful campaign 
against the Indians, after Generals Harmar and St. Clair both had 
met with overwhelming defeat and disaster. General Harmar was 
defeated in September, 1790; St. Clair in November, 1791, and 
General Anthony Wayne commenced the formation of his army, at 
Cincinnati, in April, 1793, but did not move against the Indians 
until the following year. 1794. His celebrated battle was fought 
Aug. 20 of that year, and peace was declared in 1795. So an 
army of 3,500 men left Cincinnati in July, 1794. This would show 
that Walker had made a very great mistake in putting the popula- 
tion of Cincinnati in the year 1800 at 750 when in fact the census 
of that year gave the county of Hamilton 14,fi92, and the city of 
Cincinnati held most of it. Ten years later Athens County had a 
population of 2,791. 

It has been thought best to correct this statement here, as the 
history above mentioned is much quoted, and its errors of figures 
resulted probably from a want of correct statistics at hand. In 
making the above correction, however, in regard to the popula- 
tion of Cincinnati, it is done only for the purpose of conforming 
to known history and to the census of that year. 

INCEPTION AND GROWTH. 

The following early history of Athens is condensed from an ad- 
dress by Mr. A. B. Walker, delivered in June, 1875, on the occa- 
sion of the opening of the new city hall. It contains facts which 
can not be gathered from any other source, and will be found of 
particular interest in this connection. The portions taken are 
mainly such as pertain alone to the town of Athens. 

At the public opening of the new city hall in Athens, June 
8, 1875, Mr. A. B. Walker, an aged and respected citizen of the 
place, delivered the following address, a familiar historic narrative 
sketch of the town of Athens : 

"The occasion which we celebrate is peculiarly fitted to direct 
our minds and lead our thoughts to reminiscences bearing upon 
the history and growth of our town. The first opening of a new 
city hall is an event of sufficient moment to arouse the municipal 
consciousness and reanimate the local patriotism which must be- 
long to all who have common interests and common surroundings. 



HI8T0BT OB HOCKING VAL/J-.V. 230 

" Each achievement, like the present, is a milestone that 
marks our progress ; every such occasion place.-; as on a height 
where we can glance buck on the path already traversed. 

"Since the shades of the native forest fell on this spot a mo- 
mentous and salutary change has taken place in the physical, in- 
tellectual and social condition of this people. 

" The material resources requisite to produce a public hall at a 
of perhaps $30,000, and the felt need of a place of public enter- 
tainment convenient of access, are matters of the highest commen- 
dation, and such a.-, may well lead to an inquiry into the sources of 
our corporate life. Let us therefore examine in brief some of the 
causes that have operated in producing Athens. 

" On the evening of the 6th of April, A. D. 1788, while a 
heavy mist, hung over the river, a little flotilla of one large boat, 
•me flat-boat and three canoes dropped quietly down the beautiful 
Ohio, and lodged on a point at the mouth of the -Muskingum. It 
was a winged seed, which contained the germ of the subsequent 
civilization of this broad State. 

" Of the four natural divisions of Ohio, — the lake country, the 
Miami country, the Scioto country and the Muskingum country, 
the Ohio Company wisely fas time has proved) decided in favor of 
the Muskingum country, which gave to our section of the State 
priority of occupation. The letters patent granted by Congress 
gave them about 1,000,000 acres, lying within the limits of 
Washington County. Indeed, at that time, the ambitious bounda- 
ries of Washington County readied out to the headwaters of the 
Big Miami, and encircled the present sites of Portsmouth, Cleve- 
land and Columbus. 

" The auspicious location of our town is more than evinced 
when we consider it in its wider geographical connections. The 
Scioto and the Muskingum form a parallelogram which, lying north 
and south, or nearly so, is bisected diagonally by the Ilockhock- 
ing River, having its source near Columbus, on the Scioto, ninety 
miles above the mouth of the latter, and emptying into the 
Ohio only a few miles below the mouth of the Muskingum- 
Now the Ilockhocking, with its tributaries, contains the great 
mining field of Ohio, and Athens County enjoys the happy distinc- 
tion of occupying thepreferred portion of this charming valley, while 
the town of Athens is the central point in the valley, as it is the mid- 
dle point between Parkersburg and Marietta on the east, and Chilli- 
cothe on the west. 



240 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

" Every access by the ,river and that general fertility and pic- 
turesqueness which invited first the occupation of water-courses, 
may have fixed this bluff and the adjacent bottoms as an eligible 
site for a settlement. The haste to found the college would prompt 
to a selection of the most accessible place, which at the same time 
should be sufficiently interior. Thus it appears that the college 
and town were mutually parent and child to each other; for while 
the growing village was intended to become a source of revenue 
and nourishment to its infant charge, the university, on the other 
hand, became a leading and efficient cause in hastening the incep- 
tion of a corporate town, in giving it a local habitation so desirable, 
and a name linking it with the choicest associations of literature 
and learning in the distant past. 

" The county of Athens was first settled in 1797, but was not regu- 
larly erected into a separate county by legislative enactment until 
the year 1805 — eight years after its first settlement. It is singular 
however, in being the second county in Ohio, as the town of Athens 
is the second town in the State. Upon the latter fact we may be 
pardoned in indulging a natural pride, since antiquity is no slight 
element in the historic estimate of a place." 

The town of Athens was incorporated by the following act : 

" 'An act to incorporate the town of Athens, and for other purposes. 

ui Jcm. 28, 1811.— Sec 2. That the trustees of the Ohio 
University are hereby authorized and directed to lease to the com- 
missioners of the county of Athens for the time being, in-lots 
numbers 35 and 37, on which the court-house and jail now 
stand, and also in-lot number 18 reserved for the purpose o 
building a school-house and meeting-house, on a nominal rent 
for ninety-nine years, renewable forever; also, to lease on the 
terms aforesaid, the ground reserved for a burying ground. 
"'This act to be in force from and after the passage thereof.' 
" About the year 1820 a company for that purpose bored a well 
for salt water on Sunday Creek, to a considerable depth, but aban- 
doned the undertaking. Ten or twelve years after other parties 
resumed the boring and soon struck a vein of good salt water. This 
was the first successful salt-well t bored in the Hocking Valley. 
The manufacture of salt in this valley soon became a prosperous 
business, imparting of its advantages to all the surrounding inter- 
ests of the county. To provide for its export with other surplus 
productions, two channels of traffic were opened, which, though 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 241 

now in disuse, bore quite a prominent part in the early commercial 
history of our town. 

"Athens, with its surplus pork, flour, wheat and other agricultu- 
ral productions, and now engaged in the very considerable manu- 
facture of salt, must not only make use of the Hockhocking River, 
as it offered the advantages of descending navigation during the 
spring and autumnal freshets, for the passage of large flat-boats 
loaded and intended for the Southern markets, but to facilitate the 
transit of salt to the interior and central part of the State a canal 
down the Hocking Valley to Athens, for the double purpose oi 
transporting both the salt and the coal to the interior of the State. 
was justly deemed indispensable to all the interests of the valley. 
For the timely construction of the Hocking canal, we are largely 
indebted to our late townsman. Hon. Calvary Morris. It was 
through his indefatigable endeavors that the canal was chartered 
and pushed vigorously to completion in the face of the most stub- 
born opposition of the commissioner and a majority of both Houses ' 
of the Legislature. A public dinner was tendered to Judge Mor- 
ris on his return, as a token of the high estimation in which his 
services were held. The canal opening up the valley to the north 
was an outlet toward the middle portion of the State and the W 
ern markets generally. 

"The middle section of this town's history presents fewer salient 
points to the eye, but we may say in general that the several cai 
that operated in giving the place early notoriety, were still active 
in controlling its subsequent advancement. Athens, in its type, is 
a pioneer town, and is well built for one of its class. Its central 
position in the thickly settled Southern part of Ohio; the growth of 
a thrifty, agricultural and stock-raising county of which it is the 
natural focus and constituted seat of justice; the seminal princi- 
ples of a rugged virtue and industry unconsciously engrafted upon 
it by its founders; the intellectual and moral atmosphere diffused 
by its schools, courts, churches and university; its handsome situa- 
tion and picturesque surroundings; all these have ever made Ath- 
ens an attractive place of residence. 

"Few towns have retained such a hold upon their people as is 
evinced by the large number of old inhabitants in proportion to 
the population. This circumstance coming into notice has given 
rise to the proverb that ' Xo one can permanently remove from 
Athens who has once tasted the waters of the Hockhocking.' 

" Situated in one of the two college townships, Athens may well 
10 



242 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

regard herself as a natural custodian of the college allotment or 
endowment lands; rejoicing in its elevation; guarding with jealous 
interest against any encroachments tending to abridge its power, 
and doing as much as may be to aid its future advancement. 

" It is gratifying to be able to say concerning the town that its 
old age, which entitles it to some degree of veneration, appears to 
bring with it no indications of decrepitude. For all purposes 01 
internal improvement and energetic action in securing advantages 
of a public nature from without, Athenian enterprise has suffered 
no abatement. The exterior dress of the town is proof enough of 
this. Its recently improved streets, both in grades and pave- 
ments; its multiplied shade-trees; its gaslights; its beautiful new 
cemetery, and more particularly its asylum for the insane, are all 
features that at once strike the eye of a stranger, producing a 
decidedly favorable impression; and last, but not least, we make 
mention of our railroads and telegraphic communications of the 
most important character; all not only combine to reflect the high- 
est credit upon the action and enterprise which secured them, but 
are also encouraging as harbingers of an era that may one day, in 
the. early development of this valley, make Athens one of the 
noticeable and important railroad centers of Ohio." 

COMPARISON NOT NEEDED. 

Athens needs no comparison with other points, nor is she en- 
vious of their growth and prosperity. Comparisons are said to be 
odious, and this is so in this case, for it is entirely unnecessary- 
Athens is not, cannot be, and would not be a commerical empo- 
rium if she could. If so, she would not be Athens; and the fact 
that she is Athens, is her pride and boast. Anything else would 
be her destruction. She represents a seat of learning the oldest 
in the State, and she herself is really an enlarged edition of the 
famed college. She is the home of all that goes to make an intel- 
lectual paradise on earth. Refined, cultured, generous and hospit- 
able, situated in one of the most beautiful valleys in the State, 
nature and art have combined to make her, what comparison would 
but lower. The first tavern, built of logs, was kept by Win. Mc- 
Nichol, nearly opposite to where the old Abbott House stood. 
Win. Dorr built a store. Dr. Perkins's cabin was on what is now 
State Street, and that of Dr. Leonard Jewett was on College 
street. The town seemed to take on new life after it was incor- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



243 



porated, and attracted considerable attention at that time from the 
outside world. Game was abundant all through the country, and 
Athens became somewhat of a trading point, dealing in the furs 
brought in and also in wild meats, for it furnished most that the 
inhabitants used at that time. Hogs and cattle were scarce, and 
i'ow would kill them for meat. 

Athens was not experiencing an y very rapid progress, but it was 
steady. The first circuit preachers appear to have been Rev. Jno. 
Meek and Rev. James Quinn, who were appointed to the Hocking 
Circuit in 1804. The Rev. Joseph Williagis was on the circuit the 
following year. The trustees in charge of the town passed an or- 
dinance for the sale of lots to take place Nov. 5, 1804. It 
was their desire that Athens should become the county-seat of the 
new county which was shortly to be organized, and was organized 
the following year, 1805. The town was at once surveyed, laid off 
and platted, in readiness for the above sale, and rules prescribed 
for the purchase and payment of lots. The sale came off on the 
above date, and in Walker's History is the following account of the 
sale. 

THE FIRST SALE. 



NO. OF 
LOT. 


PURCHASER. 


PRICE. 


POUCH USER'S 
RESIDENCE. 


1 

4 


Wm. Mc Nicho! 


46.00 
40.50 
27.00 
62.00 
51 00 
61 00 
25.00 
30.00 
101.00 
59 00 
27.00 
20.00 
20.00 
30.00 
17.00 
14.00 
13.00 
42.00 
22.00 
10.00 
■ 30.00 
23.00 
30.00 
101.00 
65.00 
42.00 


Athens. 
Salt Works- 


7 


Silas Bingham 


10 






13 






16 






19 
23 


Wm. McNichoI 


Middletown. 
Salt Works 


26 
28 
29 


Rufus Putnam 


Athens. 


32 


John Simonton 




36 


John Johnson 


Wheeling. 


40 


Rufus Putnam 


43 






46 


Henry Bnrtlett 




49 
52 


Daniel Mulford 


it 

CI 


55 


Jehiel Gregory 


u 


59 
63 
65 
68 


Timothy N. Wilkins 

Wm. McNichoI 


C( 
K 

Marietta. 
Salt Works. 


71 






73 


C( 


u 


74 


Wm. Dorr 


Middletown. 


77 


Wm. McNichoI | 


Salt Works. 



244 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 



This was thought to have been a very fair sale, and the prices 
were satisfactory to the trustees. The town took a start after this 
sale, and Athens's future seemed to be assured. Steady growth in 
town and country for a little over two years resulted in another 
sale of lots, which came off Nov. 25, 1806, and while not realizing 
so hio-h an average, was considered a profitable one, from the fact 
that the lots were not so eligibly situated as those of the first sale. 
The prices and names of purchasers will be found below: 



SECOND SALE OF LOTS. 



NO. OF 

LOT. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

8 

9 
10 
12 
11 
29 
33 
14 
16 
IT) 
17 

re 

20 

24 



PURCHASER. 



Joel Abbot $72.00 

40.50 

Ebenezer Currier 36.50 

Wm. Skinner 15.00 

Silvanus Ames 15.00 

Leonard Jewett 15.00 

15.00 

' " 13.00 

John Walker 12.50 

26 00 

Win. Skinner 7.50 

16.00 

" 35.00 

Silvanus Ames 35.00 

15.00 

Wm. Dorr 18.00 

Ebenezer Currier 52.00 

Moses Hewitt 35.00 

40.00 

11.00 



NO. OP 
LOT. 

36 
48 
21 
22 
23 
25 
34 
27 
30 
32 
31 
43 
38 
39 
41 
40 
42 
44 
47 
45 



PURCHASER. 



PRICE. 



Moses Hewitt 18.00 

6.00 

Silas Bingham 15.00 

22.00 

Rufus Putnam 10.00 

16.00 

" 26.00 

Saml. Luckey 14.00 

James Buell. . , 15.00 

11.00 

Benajah Seaman 20.00 

12.00 

David Bovles 17.00 

Timothv Wilkins 14.00 

17.00 

Dudley Woodbridge. . . . 11.00 

.... 10.00 

Jehitl Gregory 6.00 

6.00 

Henry Bartlett 6 00 



INCORPORATION AND GROWTH. 

An act for the incorporation of the town of Athens was passed 
by the Legislature Jan. 28, 1811, and the act covered what was 
known as the town plat, as recorded in the recorder's office of the 
county of Washington. It was given the name of the " Town of 
Athens," with all the rights and privileges accorded corporate 
bodies, and provided for annual township elections. At that time 
Athens had, probably, a population of about 200 inhabitants, and 
her growth from that time up to the opening ot the Civil War was 
slow, reaching in the neighborhood of from 1,250 to 1,300 in pop- 
ulation. The decade between 1860 and 1870 was a marked era of 
dullness, and Athens made but little progress, either in population 
or material progress. The year 1870, however, found her recover- 
ing from the prostration of preceding years and she commenced 
that decade with a population of 1,696. Undoubtedly this recov- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 245 

erv from her former listless activity resulted from the fact that in 
1867 she had secured to her site the Southern Lunatic Asylum. 
The struggle to secure this aroused all the dormant energies of her 
people, and, although the good effects of this important element 
to her growth was not at first felt, yet by the opening of the decade 
between 1870 and 1880, its great benefit began to leave its mark 
on the daily progress of her business life. The prize was won and 
the citizens showed of what stuff they were made by promptly 
purchasing, adjoining the city, 150 acres of land, known as the 
Coates farm, commanding a most beautiful view of the valley of 
Hocking, and lying upon an elevation, which gives of itselt 
and the magnificent buildings which adorn its crest, as pleasant a 
scene as man's eye need rest upon. The blue of heaven, the lofty 
hills lying in the background, and God's earth surrounding it 
with a carpet of green, make it one of the most attractive ot 
sights; and if insanity cannot be cured, it has in this instance a 
home where Nature in her most glorious garb, blended with art, 
has done her best for the comfort and happiness of the afflicted 
ones. From 1870 to 1880 the city of Athens made somewhat more 
rapid strides toward metropolitan greatness, her population in- 
creasing during that decade nearly fifty per cent., the census giving 
her 2,457. The improvements made were also of a more substan- 
tial nature, and few cities of the State of her size can boast ot 
finer brick blocks, a growth more stable, handsomer residences, or 
more beautiful lawns an i pleasant surroundings than the city of 
Athens. 

SCHOOLS. 

The Union system of schools was adopted in Athens in the year 
1850. At a meeting of citizens held Jan. 12 of that year, at which 
S. Miller acted as Chairman and F. F. Baker as Secretary, the fol- 
lowing Board of Directors was chosen: L. Jewett and O. W. 
Pickering, three years; E. H. Moore and William Walker, two 
years; E. P. Talpey and William Golden, one year. This board 
chose L. Jewett as President and E. II. Moore as Secretary. 
Salaries of teachers in those days were surprisingly low. We find 
from the records that in 1853 C. Grant received $450 for his 
services one year; Miss Rice, $5.50 per week; Miss Gould, $5.0) 
per week; D. S. Dana, §8.30 per week; Misses Sanderson and 
Beaton, $4.00 per week, each. 

Several different buildings were used for the schools before the 



246 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

present fine building was erected. Among the many eligible sites 
offered for school purposes, the board finally decided to accept the 
Frost lot, consisting of in-lots 132, 130, 150 and 151. Sept. 17, 
1853, $8,000 were voted for a school building, to be raised in four 
annual levies of $2,000 each, and afterward $4,000 more were 
voted. Various sums have since been appropriated for the 
improvement of grounds, and other purposes, $2,000 having 
been spent in the last ten years. The property is now valued 
at about $30,000. The building was first used in 1858. 

The first Superintendent of the Athens schools was Cyrus Grant, 
chosen Dec. 23, 1853. He served till Oct. 15, 1S55, a period of 
one year and ten months, at $450 per year. He was succeeded b} T 
John II. Pratt, who served five months, until March 22, 1856. 
J. K. Mower was then chosen Superintendent, holding the position 
two years and eight months. He was followed by J. H. Pratt, for 
three months. The next to hold the office was J. H. Doan, for 
two years and five months, resigning Aug. 9, 1861. M. M. Travers 
then served one year, and after him for one year and a half the 
Superintendent was W. H. Scott, now President of Ohio Uni- 
versity. C. A. Barker was chosen Feb. 6, 1864, and served two 
years and five months. July 16, 1866, the present Superintendent, 
J. M. Goodspeed, was elected. His salary was at first $600, but 
has been variously increased, and is now $1,200. 

The present corps of instructors includes J. M. Goodspeed, 
Superintendent; Miss Kate Boyd, High School; Miss Emma Dana, 
Mrs. Stalder, Ella White, Clara "Weilier, Lizzie Cochran, Ollie 
"Wilson, Sallie Kessinger, Fronie Foster and Ella Pickering. The 
present Board of Directors are Judiah Higgins, President; J. M. 
Wood, II. M. Lash, E. B. Clarke, E. J. Jones and A. B. Frame. 
Superintendent Goodspeed is Clerk of the Board. The course of 
study comprises five years in the Primary School, four years in the 
Grammar School an 1 three years in the High School. The High 
School course is an English course, none of the languages being 
prescribed as studies. Students may, however, elect to pursue 
Latin for two years. The roll of graduates comprises 109. 

CHURCHES <)F ATHENS. 

Presbyterian. — The First Presbyterian Society of Athens was 
organized in the autumn of 1809, by the Rev. Jacob Lindley. The 
original members of the organization were but nine in number, viz.: 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 247 

Joshua Wvatt and wife, Josiah Cos, Arthur Coates, Dr. Elipliaz Per- 
kins, Alvan Bingham. Mrs: Sally Foster and the Rev. Jacob Lind- 
ley and wife. 

Public service was held for a time in the little brick school-house 
which stood just east of the present site of the Presbyterian church, 
and afterward in the court-house until the year 1828, when the 
present brick church was built. In 1815 the church numbered 
forty-seven members, and a revival that year added forty-three. 
In the year 1820 there were fifty-six added to the church, and the 
whole number of church members at that time was 177. 

Articles of association were drawn, written in the hand of Joseph 
B. Miles, and adopted by the society in the early days of its exist- 
ence. 

Tnough anions the earliest religious societies organized in the 

© ~ Cj CD 

State, this church was not incorporated till 1828. The act, passed 
Feb. 7 of that year, names as the incorporators: Columbus 
Bierce, Isaac Taylor, Joseph B. Miles. Charles Shipman, Francis 
Beardsley, Samuel Miller, Eben Foster, John Perkins, Hull Foster, 
John Gillmore, and Cephas Carpenter, and Messrs. Miles, Bierce, 
Taylor, B'eardsley and Carpenter were constituted Trustees of the 
church, to act as such till the first annual meeting. The Rev. Jacob 
Lindley acted as Moderator of the session and Pastor, until about 
1828, since when eighteen ministers have served the church either 
as stated supply or as Pastors. The entire list in the order of time 
is as follows: 

Rev. Jacob Lindley, contemporary; Rev. Samuel Davies Hoge, 
contemporary: Rev. Robert G. Wilson. Rev. John Spaulding (now 
of New York City), Rev. William Burton, Rev. Timothy Stearns. 
Rev.K B. Purington, Rev. Wm. II. McGnffey, Rev. Wells An- 
drews, Rev. Aaron Williams. Rev. Moses A. Hoge, Rev. Addison 
Ballard, Rev. Alfred Ryors, Rev. S. Dieffendorf, Rev. John H. 
Pratt, Rev. James F. Ilolcomb. Rev. Ernst W. Schwefel, Rev. J. M. 
Nourse. and Rev. Isaac W. Montfort. 

Rev. John H. Pratt began his labors here in 1854, laboring one 
year as " stated supply."' after which he received a call as Pastor. 
During the period of his pastorate (fourteen years), 200 mem- 
bers were added to the church. The deaths and removals of 
members during the same period were, however, numerous — the 
latter especially so — so that the present active membership is only 
about 17". 



248 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Some years since, the church was rebuilt and a lecture-room 
added. The old-fashioned lofty pulpit has given place to a modern 
platform. In those days the pulpit being in the front end of the 
church, the congregation faced about on taking their seats. 

The church is prospering, and a Sunday-school is connected which 
is doing effective service in its sphere. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church — Is the pioneer religious 
organization of Athens, and indeed of the whole Hocking Yalley. 
The Methodists have had a society here from the year 1800, when 
a Rev. Mr. Quinn made a missionary tour up the Hocking Valley 
and preached in Athens, and during the early as well as later 
years of their church history here, have numbered among their 
preachers some very able, earnest and useful men. In 1805 Rev. 
Jacob Young preached on this circuit; Rev. George C. Light 
preached here about the same time. In 1806 Peter Cartwright, 
who afterward became celebrated in the church, visited Athens and 
Alexander townships, preaching and forming societies. About 
1815 Rev. Thos. Morris (afterward Bishop Morris) was on this 
circuit and preached statedly at Athens. Among the early Meth 
odist preachers here were Rev. Cornelius Springer, Rev. Daniel 
Limerick, Rev. Curtis Goddard, Rev. Abraham Lippett, Rev. 
John Ferree, Rev.* Abraham Baker, Rev. Henry S. Fernandez, 
Rev. Absalom Fox, Rev. Asa Stroud and Rev. Robert O. Spen- 
cer, some of them being on the Muskingum and some on the Ath- 
ens circuit. 

For the first few years the Methodists held their meetings at dif- 
ferent houses, but in 1S12 or 1813 they built a brick church, now 
owned by Henry Wright. In 1825 they erected a brick parsonage 
adjoining. The church building, having been used as such nearly 
thirty years, fell into decay and was then used for some years as a 
foundry; it has now disappeared. The parsonage forms a part of 
Mr. Wright's present house. The present Methodist church was 
built in 1837 and thoroughly remodeled in 1861. Other impor- 
tant improvements have ,been made at short intervals up to the 
present time, one of the most important being the addition of a 
fine lecture-room in tke'rear of the main building in 1875. The 
present parsonage, situated on College street, was built in 1S76. It 
is to be regretted that the records of this old and useful church 
society have not been better preserved. The Pastors since the war 
have been: Rev. Ansel Brooks, appointed in 1865; Rev. J. M. 
Jamison, 1867; Rev. J. II. Creighton, 1869; Rev. E. II. Heagler, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 249 

1870; Eev. W. T. Harvey, IS 73; Rev. O. J. Nave, IS 75; Rev. J. 
W. Peters, 1876; Rev. J. M. Weir, 1S77; Rev. M. Y. B. Evans, 
1879; Rev. S. D. Hutsinpillar, 1881. The church is now in a state 
of gratifying prosperity. A Sabbath-school is kept up by the 
church society throughout the year. It is well attended and is 
very prosperous. The superintendency has changed hands several 
times in the last few years, Mr. D. L. Sleeper holding the position 
at present. 

Catholic Church. — The St. Paul's Catholic Church of Athens was 
organized about the year 1846. No regular service was held for a 
while, but irregular meetings were held in the court-house. 

The first regular service was conducted by Father John Albrick, 
of Pomeroy, who came over once a month. Father Albrick was 
succeeded by Father McGee, a Dominican from Somerset, Ohio. 
Father Gells, from Pomeroy, succeeded him, and he in time was 
succeeded by Father Tenerie, from Vinton County. During all 
these changes the church was growing stronger, both in number and 
influence, and if not rapid was sure. It was during Father Ten- 
erie's administration that the timber for a church building was 
gotten out. This was in the year 1861. During the service of 
Fathers Madzell and Curtzen the church was completed and ready 
for occupancy in 1863. Since then services have been held by the 
Reverend Fathers in the order named, viz. : Fathers O'Reily, 
Slavens, Campbell, Hartnedy, T. J. Lane and John Madden. 
The church is attached to the diocese of Columbus, Ohio, and 
has at this time a membership of 300. It is progressive and pros- 
pering. 

Colored Churches. — The colored citizens of Athens have two 
church organizations of the denominations of Methodist and Bap- 
tist. They also have two church buildings, one a brick church 
belonging to the Methodist congregation and the other a frame, 
that of the Baptist. The churches are fairly supported and in a 
fair condition, though some money is yet due upon their buildings. 

CEMETERIES. 

For considerably more than half a century, says Walker's His- 
tory, after Athens was settled, the dead were buried in the old 
graveyard northwest of town, which was set apart for that use by 
the trustees of the university in 1806. The place never was orna- 
mented to any extent, and for many years only a few forest trees 



250 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

have given it their grateful shade. Here, a little apart from their 
surviving friends, rest the fathers of the village. 

" The breezy call of incense-bre ithing rnorn, 

The swallow twittering from the straw-built shed, 
The cock's shrill clarion or the echoing horn 
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed." 

In January, 1861, the citizens of Athens, feeling the need of a 
more beautiful burying ground, organized the Athens Cemetery 
Association, with a capital stock of $4,000, divided into shares of 
$100, which was incorporated under a general law of the State. 
An eligible site was selected west of the town, and a purchase 
made of twelve acres, which has since been tastefully laid off into 
winding walks and drive3, and handsomely ornamented with shrub- 
bery. Some appropriate and costly monuments already adorn the 
new cemetery, which is a place of pleasant resort for the residents 
of Athens, and is a credit to the town. The organization is offi- 
cered as follows : Calvary Morris, President, H. J. Topky, Secre- 
tary; A. B. Walker, Treasurer, and Calvary Morris, J. W. Harris, 
J. H. Pratt, W. P. Johnson and Jesse Van Law, Trustees. 

ATHENS COUNT? BIBLE SOCIETY'. 

This society was founded in Athens County in 1822, as an auxil- 
iary of the American Bible Society. Since its organization it has 
donated to the parent society in cash nearly $2,000 and expended 
in the purchase of books for home use about $7,000. It has 
circulated, in sixty-one years, upward of 16,000 copies of the 
Holy Bible in home and foreign fields. The present officers 
are: D. B. Stewart, President; Cyrus Rose, Secretary, and James 
D. Brown, Treasurer. 

SOCIETIES. 

Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, Jb. & A. Jf., was chartered Oct. 2, 
1S14, and is one of the oldest lodges in the State of Ohio. The 
records have been unfortunately destroyed by lire. The Past Mas- 
ters since 1867 have been: C. L. Wilson, 1867; J. M. Goodspeed, 
1869; H. M. Lash, 1875; J. M. Goodspeed, 1S78; H. C. Will, 1879; 
J. II. Walker, 1830; J. L. Pickering, 1882. The present officers 
are: Peter Kern, W. M.; E. P. Cooke, S. W.; J. P. Dana. J. W. ; 
Judiah Higgins, Treas.; George R. Walker, Sec; H. B. Stew- 
art, S. D.; G. G. Lewis, J. D.; Joel Moe, Tyler. The next elec- 
tion of officers occurs Dec. 11, 18S3. The stated communications 
are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 251 

Athens Chapter, No. 39, R. A. 31., was chartered Jan. 20, 
1849, since which time the office of High Priest has been held suc- 
cessively by Leonidas Jewett, 1819-52; S. P. Pruden, 1853-'5; J. 
M. Dana, 1856-'S; L. W. Brown, 1859-'61; J. M. Dana, 1862-'74; 
J. M. Goodspeed, 1875-'83. The present officers are : J. M. 
Goodspeed, H. P.; H. M. Lash, K.; L. M. Jewett, S.; J. P. 
Dana, C. II. ; II. B. Stewart, P. S. ; E. R. Lam, E. A. C. ; E. P. 
Cooke, G. M. 3 V.; J. L. Pickering, G. M. 2 V.; B. W. Pickering, 
G. M. 1 V.; Wm. H. Brown, Treas.; C. Mc Lean, Sec; Joel Moe, 
Guard. The next election of officers occurs Dec. 14, 1883. The 
stated communications are held on the second Friday of each 
month. 

Sereno Lodge, No. 479, 1. O. O.F., was organized June 29, 1871, 
by A. Pearson, D. G. M. The seven charter mombsrs were : 
J. O.Jones, W. G. Cooley, J. H. Earhart, G. W. Ullom, J. H. 
Thurston, J. W. Harris and W. H. Mintun. The first officers 
were : J. O. Jones, N. G.; W. G. Cooley, V. G.; G. II. Earhart. 
Kec. Sec; G. W. Ullom, Per. Sec; J. W. Harris, Treas. The 
present officers are : W. C. Leesger, N. G. ; W. J. Hastings, 
V.G.; Mr. Myers, Kec Sec; D. C. Conwell, Per. Sec; G. W. 
Ullom, Treas,; C. B. O'Bleness, P. G. The lodge meets every 
Friday evening, and is in excellent condition, financially and oth- 
erwise. 

Athenian Lodge, No. 104, K. of P., was instituted Jan. 15, 
1877, by Leroy S. Dungan, of London, O., and T. Q. Collins, of 
Toledo, 0., with eighteen charter members, as follows: C. B. 
O'Bleness, P. C; E. R. Lash, C. O.j H. B. Stewart, V. C. ; F. O. 
Pickering, P.; E. H. James, K. of P. and S. ; A. L. Gabriel, M. 
of F.; T.^M. Pickering, M. of Ex.; John Graham, M. at A.; L. W. 
Connett, J. L. Swett, C. P. Pose, E. Z. Stedman, E. P. Gabriel, 
W. F. Jourdan, A. Laird, S, M. Shepard, 11. C. Gabriel and F. 
F. Custar. The present membership is forty -five. It meets every 
Monday night. The present officers are: C. P. Rose, P. C; L. W. 
Connett, C, C; George Ford, Y. C. ; A. Laird, P.; E. R. Lash, 
K. of R. and S.; John P. Coe, M. of Ex.; F. O. Pickering, M. 
of F.; C. B. O'Bleness, M. at A. 

Athens Council, No. 15, was chartered Oct. 15, 1850. The 
records having been destroyed by fire, a new charter was granted 
June 3, 1853, since which time the office of Thrice Illustrious 
Master has been filled as follows: S. B. Pruden, 1853; W. II. 
Young, 1S59; J. M. Dana, 1864; L. ^Y. Brown; J. M. Good- 



252 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

speed, 1873; J. A. Slattery, 1S75; G. W. Baker, 1S7S; A. Selig, 
1882; J. L. Pickering, 1SS3. The present officers are as follows: 
J.L. Pickering, T. I. M. ; A. J. Frame, D. M.; J. M. Good- 
speed, P. C. W.; L. M. Jewett, Treas.; C. McLean, Rec; E. R. 
Lash, C. of G.; Dean Stickney, C. of 0. ; Peter Kern, Steward; 
Joel Moe, Steward. The next election of officers occurs Dec. 19, 
L883. The stated communications are held third Wednesday ot 
each month. 

Athens Commandery, Hfo. 15, was chartered Oct. 16, 1857, since 
which time the office of Eminent Commander has been tilled by 
Samuel Pruden, 1857-'64; Norman Root, 1865; Win. II. Young, 
L866; C. L. Wilson, l867-'8; J. Q. Mitchel, 1869-'72; Joseph 
Jewett, 1873; N. II. A^an Vorhes, 1874; J. M. Goodspeed, 
L875 '6; C. 11. Grosvenor, 1877-'8;' J. M. Goodspeed, 1879- , 83. 
The present officers are : J. M. Goodspeed, E. C. ; E. R. Lash, 
Gen.; II. B. Stewart, Capt. Gen.; J. P. Dana, Prelate; J. L. 
Pickering, S. W.; Dean Stickney, J. W.; A. J. Frame, Treas.; 
C McLean, Pec; C. W. Harris, St. B.; W. P. Shepard, Swd. 
B.; Peter Kern, Warder; Joel Moe, Sent. The next election of 
officers occurs Nov. 28, 1883. The stated communications are ap- 
pointed to be held the fourth Wednesday of each month. 

Grand Army of the Republic. — This order was established June 
24. 1881, by David Banning, of J. C. McCoy Post, of Columbus, 
Ohio. It is called the Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, being 
named after Columbus Golden, who was the first man who fell in 
the civil war from Athens County. The post belongs to the De- 
partment of Ohio, and was organized withjtwenty-five charter mem- 
bers, R. A. Constable, elected Post Commander and J. L. Pickering, 
Adjutant. The post has had a successful life so far and its future 
is one of promise. Its present officers are R. A. Constable, Post 
Commander and F. T. Towsley, Adjutant. Its membership now 
numbers 212, and its treasury holds a surplus of $800. 

R. A. Constable was the delegate to the National Council in 
1882, and the delegate'to the National Encampment in 1883 was 
C. II. Grosvenor, the only one from Ohio. A portion only of 
the members ot'thepost (thirty) are uniformed besides the officers. 
The Columbus Golden Post stands high among its brethren in 
the State, and ha- strong influence in the State and National 
( 'ouncil. 



HI8T0BY 01 HOCKING VALLEY. 253 

PAPEBS. 

Athens Mirror and Literary Register. — This was the pior 
spaper of the Hocking Valley, as well as of Athens Com 
It was started in 1825 by A. Gr. Bro\ editor and pro- 

prietor, lie wa ted pecuniarily in this enterprise by 

citizens of Athens. The pros-, was bought second-hand 
at .Marietta, and with the press came Isaac Maxon as fore- 
man, and John Brongh, afterward Governor or Ohio, a.s appren- 
tice. He lived with Judge Brown for several year.-, w 
ing on the paper, and between the two there grew a warm 
friendship. The press above alluded Vj wa. a Stanburg p 
"double pull." and the ink was distributed by leather-covered balls, 
the only method at that time known. The first isssne of the Mi't 
roi appeared the first week in April, 1825. The paper was politi- 
cal and literary in its character, printed once a week, of six- 
teen pages, about 9x5 inches to each number. It continued 
through five years. In February. L829, the publisher announced 
that "all who wish to see the fifth volume of the Mieeoe pub- 
id, are desired to .-end in their names before the first day of 
May next," and earnestly solicits increased patronage. 

Among the contributors to the Mirror was Rev. Samuel D. 

Hoge, a son of Rev. Moses Hoge, President of Hampden-Sidney 

College, of Virginia, and a lu-other of Rev. James Hog lum- 

The circulation of the Mirror was usually about 400 to 500. 

It was succeeded in 1830 by 

The Western Spectator, which was edited and published by Isaac 
Maxon, formerly foreman under Mr. Brown. Under his manage- 
ment it continued about six years. It was a good loca aper. 
ii: L836 it was bought by Abraham Van Vorhes, who changed the 
name to the 

Athens Messenger and Hooking Valley Gazette. — Under this 
name Mr. Van Vorhes edited and published the paper for 
ral years, enlarging it, printing it on new pre-,- and type. 
and otherwise greatly improving it. In 1-1 i 1 out to 

ons, ]S\ II. and A. J. Van Vorhes. From Jan. L8, 1-50, to 
July 14, 1-51. S. X. Miller was a member of the firm. Jul 
1853, N. II. Van Vorhes was obliged to resign his duties tempo- 
rarily, on account of failing health, and his brother conducted the 
paper until Oct. 19, 1850, when the office was sold to G - 
AVahsh. Mr. Walsh conducted it but a year, when .X. II. Van 



254 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Vorhes again took the paper. He continued as editor till 1861, 
when he entered the Union army, having, sold the Messenger to T. 
F. Wildes, afterward editor of the Journal. He retained the Mes r 
senger but a short time, selling out to Jesse and S. C. Van Law, the 
latter of whom withdrew in September, 1S63, leaving Jesse Van Law 
sole editor and proprietor. He was the " war editor," and under 
his control the paper maintained the reputation made for it by Mr. 
Van Vorhes. The news from the scenes of conflict during the war 
were fuller in the Messenger than in almost any other paper of its 
size in the State. Mr. Van Law sold to J. W. Stinchcomb in No- 
vember, 1S65, and on Oct. 25, 1866, J. R. S. Bond became the pro- 
prietor and editor. He sold to the present editor, G. E. M. 
Jennings, March 5, 1868. Since taking possession of the paper, Mr. 
Jennings has twice brought out the Messenger in a new dress. The 
size of the paper has been changed several times during its long 
life. It is now eight pages in size, and contains six columns to the 
page. It is published every Thursday. The Messenger has always 
been uniformly Republican in principles, since the organization of 
that party, and before 1855 equally consistent in its support of 
Whiff doctrines. It continues to be one of the most influential 
papers in Southeastern Ohio. 

The Athens Herald. — The Athens Herald is yet in its infancy, 
its first issue being of date Sept. 25, 18S2, but it is a lusty, vigor- 
ous child of the art typographical. It was started by a stock 
company, of which J. M. Wood, J. P. Wood and L. C. Butler were 
the principal stockholders, Mr. L. C. Butler assuming the editor- 
ship, and the name given being as above. Politically it is Repub- 
lican or represents the principles of the party so designated at this 
time, and is in size a quarto of eight pages, six columns to the page. 
Mr. Butler retired from the editorship May 9, 1883, and at this 
time the paper does not have its editor's name at the head of its 
columns. Mr. Malcolm Jenning became city editor Oct. 23, 1882. 
and is still upon the editorial staff of the paper. The publication 
of the Herald has proved a marked success from its firstissue, and 
the Herald Publishing Company is at this time in a prosperous 
condition. 

The Athens Journal. — The Athens Journal, since its founding, 
has been one of the leading newspapers in the county. Although 
for a period in its history it was independent in politics, it has 
always been a guide to public opinion on the leading topics of the 
day, and has done not a little to affect the political phases of the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 255 

county and elsewhere, so far as it has reached. Its history is con. 
siderably varied, having made two radical changes in its political 
doctrine, and been in the hands of several different, but always able, 
editors. It was founded by Hiram C. Martin, a citizen of Athens, 
who was proprietor and editor. The first issue appeared on Wed- 
nesday, Dec. 15, 1869, but it did not appear regularly until Thurs- 
day, Jan. 6, 1870, the number issued on this date being marked 
No. 1, of Yol. 1. It was Republican in politics, but rather 
than to political agitation its tendency was in the direction 
of a critical and literary journal, having among its contrib- 
utors such public-spirited and educated gentlemen as David 
H. Moore, W. II. Scott, then Professor of Greek in the Ohio 
University, W. F. Boyd, of Cincinnati, Rev. A. C. Hirst, then 
Professor of Latin in the Ohio University, Rev. Jesse Van Law? 
John R. Scott, Earl Cranston, John E. Sanders and John Ackley 
under the nom de plume of "Daddy Hague." The paper con- 
tinued under this management until 1871 when, Mr. Martin's 
health failing, he sold out to a joint stock company and retired from 
the paper but retained an interest in it by becoming a stockholder. 
Ot this new company, called the Journal Printing Co., Mr. Henry 
T. Brown, of Athens, was the President and Dr. Thomas W. 
Sparrow, Secretary and Treasurer. Dr. Sparrow assumed the 
business control. Although for several months after this change 
no name appeared as editor, it is well known that the editorial 
work was done chiefly by General Thomas F. Wildes, then a resident 
of Athens. At the beginning of the year 1872, according to pre- 
vious announcement, the editorial responsibility was undertaken by 
W. H. Scott, while Hiram C. Martin became business manager ami 
local editor In October following the management was transferred 
to Oscar W. Brown, who also supervised the editorial department. 

In December, 1873, the Journal Company sold out to D. Mon- 
tague and James A. Miller, whose names appear as joint proprietors 
and editors, but who failed to fulfill the contract of purchase, and 
it fell back into the hands of the company in January, 1875. 

At the beginning of this management the name was changed 
from the Athens County Journal to its original name, the Athens 
Journal^ and it was also changed in politics to an independent 
paper. In the issue of Jan. 14, 1875, Montague and Miller pre- 
sented their valedictory, making known to the public their sale ot the 
paper to Colonel R. W. Jones, who was to take possession at once. 
At this time it was the intention of Mr. Jones to make it a partisan 



256 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

paper, and change the name to the Democratic Standard. Although 
public announcement to that effect had been made, since it was found 
that the Journal Company were still the real owners, it was only 
leased to Mr. Jones, and continued as an independent paper, as the 
owners, being all Republicans, refused to allow it to become Demo- 
cratic. 

At the time of the completion of this change the following card 
appeared in the columns of the Journal; "The Journal Company 
have made arrangements with Colonel R. W. Jones to continue 
the publication of the Journal as an independent paper. Under 
the new r management the patrons of the paper, and the public, may 
be assured that its interest as a public journal will be increased, and 
its usefulness and circulation extended. 

" Colonel Jones has had large experience as an editor and pub- 
lisher, and is thoroughly conversant with every department ot the 
newspaper business. 

" The prompt encouragement of the friends of the Journal by 
way of subscriptions, job-work and advertising is earnestly solicited, 
and will, we are contident, assure the complete success ot the pres- 
ent arrangement. » 

F. L. Junod, 

II. T. Brown, 

Signed, II. C. Martin, 
T. W. Sparrow. 
Peter Hixs"N\ 
Geo. Putnam, 
and Leonard Brown, 
Journal Company." 
Soon after this, the paper was enlarged to nine columns, the size 
it has since preserved. 

Mr. Jones won friends and confidence in the paper by his sar- 
castic wit and masterly ability. Limited as he was by the require- 
ments of its owners, that the paper should be independent, his 
strength as a political advocate was not known until after April, 
1^7(1, when it passed entirely under his control. 

He made the paper strictly Democratic in doctrine, expressing 
through it, without fear, his views on all subjects. During his edi- 
torial control, which lasted until near the time ot his death, in 
L881, the paper was characterized by vigor and independence, the 
editor's motto being, "'Give me the liberty of the press and I will 
tear down corruption from its towering height, and bury it beneath 
the ruin of the abuses it was meant to shelter." 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 257 

Since the death of Mr. Jones the paper has remained in the 
hands of his family, and has continued the same in appearance and 
political doctrine. The editorial control has been assumed by his 
daughter, Jennie Jones, who has proven her ability to maintain the 
usefulness and strength of the paper as an influential public organ. 

PERSONAL SKETCH FROM THE FUNERAL DISCOURSE. 

Robert Wilmeth Jones was bom in Belmont County, O., 
June 17, 182(5. On his father's side he was of Welsh extraction, 
and on the maternal side a lineal descendant of that brave sailor, 
Rear-Admiral Carter, who. with Admiral Russell, commanded the 
English and Dutch fleets in the battle of La Hogue, and who, be- 
ing mortally wounded in the engagement, gave his last command 
in the memorable words, " Fight the ship while she can swim.'' 
Colonel Jones was the third child of Wilmeth Jones arid Sarah, his 
wife, nee Carter, and one of seven children. At the age of four- 
teen year.-^ he began to learn the mysteries of "the art preservative 
of all arts,'' ser s en years as apprentice and foreman with 
John Irons, of Uniontown, Pa., in the office of the Genius of 
Liberty, which paper he edited for about two years of that time. 
On the 2d of March, 1847, he was united in marriage with Anna 
.M. Stui'gis, of Uniontown, who survives him after a wedded life of 
thirty-four years. To them were born six children, two of whom 
only are now living. 

In 1^47 Colonel Jones began the publication of the Cumberland 

Presbyterian, the organ of the church whose name it bore, at 

Uniontown, and continued it at Brownsville and afterward at 

Waynesburg, Pa., with a short interval, till 1865. He began the 

publication of the Messenger, apolitical paper, at the latter place 

in 1801, but in 1805 abandoned all newspaper work for more active 

business pursuits, which he continued at Philadelphia and other 

points with varying success till he came to Athens, and assumed 

tditorial and business control of the Journal. He took an active 

part for many years in all business and political questions, often 

occupying responsible positions in the counsels of his party, and at 

onetime holding a military commission as aid to Governor Pollock, 

:' Pennsylvania. He was of a social and genial disposition, with a 

host of friends, and best beloved by those who knew him b st. As 

a journalist he was a pleasing writer, wielding a facile and often 

trenchant pen; clear, sparkling and direct in style; accurate in 

facts and convincing in deductions and argument. To all these 
17 



258 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

qualities be united a high sense of justice, great industry and fine 
business capacity. He amassed a handsome fortune, but financial 
losses came to him with railway and other investments. During 
the days of his greatest prosperity his friends shared in all his good 
fortune. In the season of adversity he bore with philosophical 
equanimity his reverses, and took up anew all the labors of life, 
with a serene determination to extract the largest measure of com- 
fort for self and family from his surroundings ; and with temper 
unsoured and disposition as genial and sunshiny as ever, he worked 
on till death, with no unkind hand, without lingering or great 
conscious suffering, and in the midst of his activity and labors, 
called him to rest. 

The Journal has been continued by his daughter, Jennie Jones, 
who undertook to carry out all the plans of her father. She was 
born at Brownsville, Pa., and was educated at Philadelphia, grad- 
uating from the High School there in the spring of 1872. When 
her father began his connection with the Journal, she went into 
the office as his bookkeeper and took charge of the mailing de- 
partment, holding that connection until his death, when she became 
the sole editor and publisher, and has so continued to the* present 
time. 





' J, "(/ f-tJi /7 



%^*~ 



CHAPTER XII. 

OHIO UNIVERSITY— ITS INCEPTION, RISE AND PROGRESS. 

The Wisdom of its Conception — The University and Dr. Cut- 
ler—Acts of 1802 and 1804 — Given in Full — Steps taken for 
Organization— The Act to Increase Rents— Beginning- Active 
Work — The First Graduate — Pressing Forward — Literary 
Societies — Beautiful Location — The College Buildings — Bio- 
graphical Sketches — Presidents of the Faculty — Professors 
— Preceptors and Principals — Trustees. — The Officials. 

the wisdom of its conception. 

Almost simultaneously with the final erection of this new Empire 
of America, provision was made by the governing power of the 
nation for the establishment of an institution of learning in the 
great West, the exact location to be fixed at a future time. Too 
high a tribute to the far-reaching wisdom of those men who con- 
ceived and worked out the destiny of this project can hardly be 
paid. It was an idea worthy of the conjecture of an old and es- 
tablished country; but these men were only members of a then fee- 
ble nation, of unknown resources and an uncertain future, just 
recovering from a terrible conflict for life. This move to plant a 
seat of learning far in the West, beyond the bounds of civilization, 
that should in time rival the English universities of Cambridge 
and Oxford, indicated a prophetic faith in the development of the 
new country almost unprecedented. Now, civilization has reached 
and gone far beyond the spot chosen, and if the University has 
failed to come up to the cherished hopes of its founders, that it 
should deserve and retain the homage of all the Western country as 
its pride and shining light, and be its mother of intelligence and 
learning, it is not the fault of those who gave it life, for they did 
well their part and there all the honor lies. If the Rev. Manasseh 
Cutler and General Rufus Putnam could now come and review the 
blunders of some of those in whose hands they had placed the care 
of their ward, and see the careless disregard shown to the Univer- 

(259) 



260 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

sity by many who have grown up within her very shadow, they 
would surely say, " There's something grimly wrong in this." 

But if this institution has failed to fulfill early anticipation, its 
career has by no means' been void of usefulness. Its location on 
the site of Athens presented attractions greater than those of any 
other portion of all the Northwest Territory. For healthfulness 
and beauty of situation, for the lay of its ground and its command- 
ing scenery, it can hardly be surpassed. The Hocking Valley, be- 
side the compliment to its beauty by securing the location of the 
university, is better for its possession and especially Athens,. the 
child of the college, which, like a natural child, has grown up from 
earliest infancy beneath her brow. 

THE UNIVERSITY AND DR. CUTLER. 

One of the first great steps taken by the revolutionary heroes 
after the close of the war, was to make arrangements for settling 
the country north of the Ohio River, called the Ohio country. In 
the growth and adoption of the plan for such a settlement, which 
culminated in the ordinance of 1787, the idea of providing for a 
university was always present. This ordinance was passed in July, 
1787, while the Constitutional Convention was in session at Phila- 
delphia, thus preceding the first permanent encroachment of 
civilization upon the vast wilderness west of the Alleghanies by 
ten years. It was, in fact, intended as an integral part of the 
foundation then laid for the political and social fabric which has 
since been reared in the Northwest. In authorizing the Board of 
Treasury to contract this sale of lands to the Ohio Company, Con- 
gress agreed that two complete townships should be given perpet- 
ually to the uses of a university, to be laid off by the purchasers as 
near as possible to the center of the purchase, but that it should be 
good land and applied to the intended object by the Legislature of 
the State. This was the first university ever thus endowed by 
Congress with land for its support, but the policy then begun was 
continued and now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Alabama, Missouri, 
Mississippi and other States have similarly endowed universities. 
This great principle which has done so much toward shaping the 
intellectual features of our country may be said to have resulted 
from the propriety of such a measure as impressed upon Congress 
by Dr. Manasseh Cutler in securing the endowment for the Ohio 
University. To this man, Dr. Cutler, perhaps more than to any 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 261 

other, is due the founding of this pioneer institution. He was a 
member of the Ohio Company, and being a man of culture and 
-ability, was able to appreciate the value of higher education as a 
source of individual happiness, its value as an element of political 
liberty, and doubtless was the first to conceive and set forth the 
idea of establishing the University. At the first organization ot 
the company he had urged the advantage of employing a com- 
petent instructor for the proposed settlement, and was himself 
authorized to secure a proper person. He afterward conceived the 
idea of the University and impressed it so strongly upon the mem- 
bers of Congress as to secure the above result. He urged that the 
location of the college lands should be as nearly as practicable in 
the center of the first million and a half of acres that the company 
should pay for; for, he said, to fix it in the center of the proposed 
purchase might too long defer the establishment. 

Dr. Cutler found a ready supporter of his plans and a valuable 
helper in another member of the Ohio Company, General Rums 
Putnam. He, in charge of the first colony, came to Ohio, helped 
to view the country, located the college lands and the site of the 
college, and was an interested and efficient worker for the Univer- 
sity scheme to the end of his life. The college townships were 
not located and surveyed till 1795, when townships S and 9 in 
the 14th range were selected. These are the townships of 
Athens and Alexander. For some years after that, the dense for- 
ests that covered the whole region were but slightly invaded by 
settlers, and it was not until the town of Athens had been laid out 
and " confirmed and established " by the Territorial Legislature, 
that any action was taken by that body toward carrying into effect 
the compact for the establishment of the University. On Dec. 18, 
1799, the Territorial Legislature appointed Rufns Putnam, Benja- 
min Ives Gilman and Jonathan Stone " to lay off in the most suit- 
able place within the townships, a town plat which should contain a 
square for the college ; also, lots suitable for house lots and gardens 
for a president, professors, tutors, etc., bordering on or encircled 
by spacious commons, and such a number of town lots adjoin- 
ing the said commons and out-lots as they shall think will be for 
the advantage of the University." This work having been done, a 
resolution was adopted by the Legislature. Dec. 6, 1800, approv- 
ing and accepting it. In that year, also, Dr. Cutler sent to Gen- 
eral Putnam his draft of an incorporating act for the University. 
In a letter which accompanied the draft, he said: " As the Amer- 



262 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ican Congress made the grant which is the foundation of the Uni- 
versity, no name appeared to be more natural than American 
University. The sound is natural, easy and agreeable, and no 
name can be more respectable. There i a Columbian College and 
a "Washington College, etc., already in the country, but no Ameri- 
can College. I hope the name will not be altered." 

It is evident from this passage that the founders of the Univer- 
sity entertained large expectations of its future. The same fact is 
no less manifest from Dr. Cutler's comments on the eighth section 
of his draft. Speaking of a limitation of the income by the Legis- 
lature, he said : "$40,000 and $50,000 can not be too high, as it must 
be applied to one of the most useful and important purposes to 
society and to Government. The sums sound large, but no one can 
say to what amount the income of the endowments of this Univer- 
sity may arrive in time. The income of Oxford and Cambridge in 
England is much greater." 

ACTS OF 1802 AND 1804. 

The act referred to above was passed by the Territorial Legislat- 
ure in 1802. It was an able} instrument and largely copied in the 
act of 1804, but it does not appear that any effective action was 
ever taken under this law. It provided that the institution should 
be known as the " American Western University," and that the 
Hon. Rufus Putnam, Joseph Gilman, Return J. Meigs, Jr., Paul 
Fearing, Rev. Daniel Story, Griffin Greene, Robert Oliver, Eben- 
ezer Sproat, Dudley Woodbridge and Isaac Pierce, together with 
the president, yet to be selected, should constitute a body politic 
by the name of "The President and Trustees of the American 
Western University." 

The next legislative act on this subject was a joint resolution 
passed by the first Legislature of the State, Jan. 27, 1S04, which 
read as follows: 

" Resolved, That Samuel Carpenter, James Wells, and Henry 
Abrams be appointed commissioners to appraise the land included 
within the two college townships, in the county of Washington, 
at its real value in its original and unimproved state ; to divide 
and value said land into four different qualities or rates and make 
return of the quantity contained in each division, as near as may 
be, and the value thereof to the next General Assembly on oath. 
And that the said commissioners also value the land in its 






HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 263 

present situation, mentioning the number of houses and quantity 
of cleared land contained within the two townships. 

"Resolved., That the trustees appointed by the act entitled an act 
establishing a university in the town of Athens, be, and they are, 
hereby required to report to the next General Assembly of this 
State, what measures they have taken to carry the said act into 
operation." 

On the ISth of February, 1804, the Legislature passed another 
act establishing a university at Athens, which differed in some re- 
spects from the one of 1802. This is the fundamental act under 
which the institution was actually founded and remains to-day, 
the origin of the present University. The following is an exact 
copy of the law : 

Act of State Legislature establishing a Uhivt ersity in the 
town of Athens. 

"Whereas, Institutions for the liberal education ot youth are es- 
sential to the progress of arts and sciences, important to morality, 
virtue and religion, friendly to 'the peace, order and prosperity of 
society, and honorable to the government that encourages and pat- 
ronizes them: Therefore, 

Sec. 1. That there shall be a University instituted and es- 
tablished in the town of Athens, in the ninth township of the four- 
teenth range of townships, within the limits of the tract of land 
purchased by the Ohio Company of Associates, by the name and 
style of the "Ohio University," for the instruction of youth in 
all the various branches of liberal arts and sciences, for the pro- 
motion of good education, virtue, religion and morality, and for 
conferring all the degrees and literary honors granted in similar 
institutions. 

Sec. 2. That there shall be and forever remain in the said Uni- 
versity a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of 
''The President and Trustees of the Ohio University;" which 
body politic and corporate shall consist of the Governor of the 
State (for the time being), the president, and not more than fifteen 
nor less than ten trustees, to be appointed as hereinafter is pro- 
vided. 

Sec. 3. That Elijah Backus, Kufus Putnam, Dudley Wood- 
bridge, Benjamin Tuonan. Bazaleel Wells, Nathaniel Massie, 
Daniel Symmes, Daniel Story. Samuel Carpenter, the Rev. James 
Kilbourn, Griffin Greene, Sr., and Joseph Darlington, Esquires, 



264 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

together with the Governor as aforesaid, and the president of the 
said University (for the time being), to be chosen as hereinafter di- 
rected, be, and the same are hereby created, a body politic and cor- 
porate, by the name of " The President and Trustees of the Ohio 
University;" and that they and their successors, and such others as 
shall be duly elected members of the said corporation, shall be and 
remain a body'politicand corporate in law, by that name forever. 

Sec. 4. That the said trustees shall have power and authority 
to ele.ct a president, who shall preside in the University, and also 
to appoint a secretary, treasurer, professors, tutors, instructors, and 
all such officers and servants in the University as they shall deem 
necessary for the carrying into effect the designs of the institution, 
and shall have authority, from time to time, to determine and estab- 
lish the name, numbers and duties of all the officers and servants 
to be employed in the University, except wherein provision is other- 
wise made by this act, and may empower the president or some 
other member of the corporation, to administer such oaths as they 
shall appoint and determine, for the well ordering and good gov- 
ernment of the University: Provided nevertheless, That no corpo- 
ration business shall be transacted at any meeting, unless seven of 
the trustees at least shall be present. 

Sec 5. That the said corporation shall have power and 
authority, from time to time, to make and ordain reasonable 
rules, orders and by-laws for the government of the corporation, 
not incompatible with the constitution, laws and ordinances of the 
United States or this State, and the same to repeal as occasion may 
require, and also to determine the salaries, emoluments and tenures 
of their several officers. 

Sec 6. That the said corporation shall have power and au- 
thority to suspend or remove the president or any member of the 
said corporation, who shall, by his misconduct, render himself un- 
worthy of the office, station or place he sustains, or who, from age 
or other infirmity, is rendered incapable to perform the duties of 
his office ; and the said corporation shall have power and authority 
to suspend or remove from the University any professor, in- 
structor or resident student, or servant, whenever the corpo- 
ration shall deem it expedient for the interest and honor of the 
University. 

Sec 7. That whenever the president or any member of the cor- 
poration shall be removed, by death, resignation or otherwise, during 
the recess of the Legislature, the corporation shall hold a meet- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 265 

ing (due notice of the design of which meeting shall be given to 
the several members) for the supplying such vacancy; and the per- 
son elected shall continue in office until the end of the next session 
of the Legislature, and no longer, by virtue of such appointment; 
and in order to choose a president or member of the corporation, 
there shall be, at least, two thirds of the wholejiumber of said 
trustees present, and the said election shall be by ballot. 

Sec. 8. That when any member of the corporation shall be re- 
moved by death, resignation ^or otherwise, such vacancy shall be 
supplied at the next meeting of the Legislature of the State. 

Sec. 9. That the president and such professors, tutors and in- 
structors as the corporation shall appoint for that purpose shall 
be styled, "The Faculty of the University," and shall have power 
and authority, from time to time, to ordain, regulate and establish 
the mode and course of education and instruction to be pursued in 
the^University, and also to make, publish and execute such code 
of rules, regulations and by-laws as they shall deem necessary for 
the well ordering and good government of the University, and to 
repeal or amend any part thereof; which rules, regulations and by- 
laws shall continue in force until altered or disapproved of by the 
corporation; and it shall be the duty of the faculty to lay before 
the corporation, from time to time, accurate statements of all their 
proceedings; and the faculty shall direct and cause to be holden in 
the said University, quarterly, in every year, a public examination, 
at which time the faculty shall attend, when each class of the 
students shall be examined relative to the proficiency they shall 
have made in the particular arts and sciences, or branches of edu- 
cation in which they shall have beeu instructed. 

Sec. 10. That the said corporation may have and keep one com- 
mon seal, which they may change or renew at pleasure; and that 
all deeds or instruments of writing, signed and delivered by the 
treasurer, and sealed with the corporation seal, by order of the 
president and trustees, shall, when made in their corporate name. 
be considered in law as the deed and act of the corporation; and 
the said corporation shall be capable of suing and being sued, 
pleading and being impleaded, in any action, real, personal or 
mixed, and the same to prosecute and defend to final judgment and 
execution, by the name of "The President and Trustees of the 
Ohio University:" Provided, That when any suit shall ba com- 
menced against the said corporation, the process shall be by sum- 
mons, and the service made by the officer leaving an attested copy 



266 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of such process with the treasurer of the said corporation, at least 
twenty days before the return day of such process; and the said 
corporation shall be capable of having, holding and taking, in fee 
simple, or any less estate, by gift, grant, devise or otherwise, any 
lands or other estate, real or personal. 

Sec. 11. That the two townships numbered 8 and 9 in 
the 14th range of townships, within the grant of land 
made by Congress to the Ohio Company of Associates, be, and 
they are, hereby vested in the corporation, by this act created, 
in trust, for the sole use, benefit and support of the said Univer- 
sity, forever. 

Sec 12. That one or more of the aforesaid trustees (to be 
appointed by the board for this purpose), shall, within six months 
from the passage of this act, proceed (by the oath of three disin- 
terested and judicious freeholders) to lay off the lands in said 
townships (those included in the town of Athens excepted), or such 
part thereof as they may deem expedient, into tracts not less 
than eighty nor more than 210 acres, and to estimate and value 
the same as in their original and unimproved state (for which 
service such compensation shall be allowed as the trustees shall 
think reasonable, to be paid out of the funds of the University) 
and having thus laid off and estimated said lands, the trustees, 
after giving four weeks' notice in the newspaper printed at Mari- 
etta, shall proceed to make out leases of the said tracts to such of 
the present occupants as shall apply for the same, within three 
months after such notice given, and to all persons that shall apply 
hereafter, for the term of ninety years, renewable forever, on a 
yearly rent of six per centum on the amount of the valuation so 
made by the said freeholders; and the land so leased shall be sub- 
ject to re-valuation at the expiration of thirty-five years, and to 
another revaluation at the expiration of sixty years, from the com- 
mencement of the term of each lease; which re-valuation shall be 
conducted and made on the principles of the first, and the lessee 
shall pay a yearly rent of six per centum on the amount of the re- 
valuation so to be made, and forever thereafter on a yearly rent 
equal to and not exceeding six per centum of the amount of a valu 
ation to be made as aforesaid, at the expiration of the term of ninety 
years aforesaid (which valuation the trustees and their successors 
are hereby authorized and directed to make). 

Provided , however, That such last-mentioned rent shall be subject 
to the following regulations, to-wit: At the expiration of the afore- 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 207 

said period of ninety years, three referees -hall be appointed, the 
first by the corporation of the University, the second by the le 
under the provisions of this section of this act, and the third by 
the two referees thus chosen (or in case either or both of the parti( - 
shall neglect to choose such referee or referees, or said refei 
shall neglect to choose an umpire, the General Assembly, at its 
next session, shall appoint such number of referees, not exceeding 
three, as the case may require;, which referee shall meet within a 
reasonable time, to be agreed on between them, at the town of Ath- 
ens, and then and there determine on and declare the medium price 
per bushel of the article of wheat; which determination shall be 
grounded on a calculation of the average price of said article at the 
town of Marietta, for the live preceding yi tu'eh declaration 

shall be made in writing, and entered of record on the books of the 
corporation; and at the commencement of each and every succeed 
ing period of twenty years there-after, the amount of rent for such 
period shall be fixed on and determined by referees, to he chosen 
upon the principles hereinbefore directed, from a comparison of 
the aforesaid recorded price of wheat with its average price at 
Marietta, for the five years which shall have been then last pa t; 
in which leases shall he reserved a right of distress and re-entry 
tor non-payment of rent, at any time after it shall have been due 
two months: Provided^ always, That the said corporation shall 
have power to demand a further yearly rent on the said lands and 
tenements, not exceeding the amount of the tax imposed upon 
property of like description by the State, which rents shall be paid 
at such time and place, to such person, andcollected in such a man- 
ner as the corporation shall direct. 

C. 13. That the trustee., shall lav oil' the aforesaid town of 
Athens, conformably to a plan made out by Rufus Putnam and 
others, in pursuance of a resolution of the Territorial Legislature 
of the eighteenth December, one thousand seven hundred and 
ninety-nine, with such variation-, h as they may find 

it expedient to make; and the same being thus laid off and 
a plat of the Bame with a designation of the uses of the 
eral parts recorded in the office of the recorder of the pn 
County, and six week-,' previous notice given, in at least two of 
the newspapers of this State, may proceed to sell, from tim< 
time, at public auction, such of the . and out-lots as they 

may think proper, for which lot-, on payment being made or 
isfactory security given, according to the condition- of such sale, 



268 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

they shall execute to the purchasers respectively, leases for the 
term of ninety years, renewable forever on an annual rent, equal to, 
and not exceeding, six per centum of the amount of the purchase 
money, which lots, with the improvements which may be made on 
the same, shall be subject to such further yearly rent as may be 
equal to the tax imposed, from time to time, on property of like 
value and description, by the State ; and they are likewise author- 
ized to deliver a reasonable compensation for the improvements 
which have been made on lands within the town of Athens, to be 
paid out of the funds of the University. 

Sec. 14. That the clear annual rents, issues and profits, of all 
the estate, real and personal, of which the said corporation shall 
be seized or possessed, in their corporate capacity, shall be appro- 
priated to the endowments of the said University, in such manner 
as shall most effectually promote the end of the institution: Pro- 
vided nevertheless, That any donation which shall hereafter be made 
and received for particular purposes, relative to the design of this 
institution, shall be applied in conformity to the intention of the 
donor or donors. 

Sec. 15. That the treasurer of the said corporation shall, before 
he enters upon the duties of his office, give bonds to the said cor- 
poration, in such sum and with such sureties as they shall ap- 
prove, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of the 
said office, and for the rendering a just and true account of his 
doings therein, when required; and also, for the delivering over to 
his successor in office all moneys, securities and other property 
that shall belong to the president and trustees of the said Uni- 
versity, together with all the books and papers in which his pro- 
ceedings, as treasurer, shall be entered and kept, that shall be in 
his hands at the expiration of his office; and all money that shall 
be recovered by virtue of any suit at law upon such bond shall be 
paid over to the president and trustees aforesaid, and be subject to 
the appropriations above directed in this act. 

Seo. 16. That the said corporation shall have full power, from 
time to time, to contract for, and cause to be erected, such building 
or buildings as they shall deem necessary for the accommodation 
of the president, professors, tutors, pupils, and servants of said 
University; as also, to procure the necessary books and apparatus, 
for the use of said University, and shall cause payment therefor to 
be made out of the funds of the University, and shall reserve such 
lot or lots in said town of Athens as they may deem necessary for 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 2G9 

the purposes aforesaid, and for the erection of buildings for the use 
of the town and county. 

Sec. IT. That the lands in the two townships, appropriated and 
vested as aforesaid, with the buildings which are or may be erected 
thereon, shall forever be exempted from all State taxes. 

Sec. 18. That until a president of the said University shall be 
elected, and shall have entered upon the duties of his office, and 
also, in all cases of a vacancy or the absence of the president, the 
said trustees shall appoint one of their members to preside in their 
meetings, and all the doings and acts of the trustees, while acting 
under such circumstances, shall be considered in law as the doings 
and acts of the corporation, as fully and completely as when the 
president of the University shall be in office and preside. 

Sec/ 19. That it shall be the duty of the Governor to fix the 
time for holding the first meeting of the said corporation, which 
shall be in the town of Athens, of which he shall give notice in 
writing, to each member, at least twenty days previous to such 
meeting, and all subsequent meetings of the said corporation shall 
be in the said to vn of Athens. 

Sec. 20. That all acts and parts of acts, containing anything 
within the purview of this act, shall b3 and they are hereby re- 
pealed. 

steps taken toward an organization. 

From the records of the first meeting of trustees the following 
is taken: 

• ; At a meeting of the trustees of the Ohio University, convened 
at the house of Dr. Eliphaz Perkins, in the town of Athens, on 
the first Monday of June, 1804, the day ordered by His Excellency 
Edward Tiffin, Esq., Governor of the State of Ohio, for the first 
meeting. The following trustees present, viz.: His Excellency 
Edward Tiffin, Elijah Backus, Eufus Putnam, Dudley Wood- 
bridge, Daniel Story, Samuel Carpenter and, James Kilbourne." 

The board elected Governor Tiffin, President, Dudley Wood- 
bridge, Secretary, Eliphaz Perkins, Treasurer, and adjourned till 
next day, June 5. This first session of the board lasted three 
days, and was principally spent in arranging for the appraisal and 
leasing of the college lands. Eufus Putnam and Samuel Carpen- 
ter were appointed to lay off and appraise such lands in the two 
townships as were claimed and occupied. Since the surveying of 
these townships in 1795, numbers of new settlers had come in and 
occupied the lands. Some of these were rough and determined 



270 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

characters, and were bent on] maintaining possession. To adjust 
these cases, settle disputed titles, etc., required patience, tact, and 
wisdom. The persons had either to be mollified and induced to 
come to terms, or be ejected from the lands. The first business of 
the board was to adjust the claims of conflicting persons, secure 
titles and protect the corporation in its rights. These matters, 
together with the surveying and laying out of lots, classifying 
lands, etc., employed the trustees during this session. 

It is worthy of remark that the meeting of these men, under 
the circumstances, afforded a high proof of their character — of 
their appreciation of the value of education, and their honest devo- 
tion to the welfare of the new country. They had traveled fifty, 
seventy-five or a hundred miles by blind paths or Indian trails 
through the dense and wild forest to this embryo village, for the 
purpose of establishing an institution of learning. By the follow- 
ing November the sale of house and out-lots of the town of Ath- 
ens amounted to $2,223.50; average of house-lots, $43,331-2; of 
out-lots, $39. In the south township (Alexander), seventy-five 
tracts, or 11,000 acres, were applied for. In the north township 
(Athens), seventy-five applications for leases, covering 8,760 acres, 
had been made. 

Notwithstanding this favorable outset toward a disposition of the 
college lands the State Legislature at their following session 
passed an amendatory law which was probably designed to hasten 
the disposition of the lands. However this law may have fulfilled 
its intended design, it has certainly been the means of much con- 
cern to the future welfare of the University. The following is a 
copy of the act: 

"An act to amend an act, entitled '''•An act establishing a Uni- 
versity in the town of Athens ." 

Section 1. That James Denny, Emanuel Carpenter, Jr., Isaac 
Dawson, Pelatiah White and Ezekiel Deming, residents of this 
State, are [appointed appraisers of the two college townships, 
numbered S and 9, in the 14th range of townships within 
the grant of land made to the Ohio Company of Associates, and 
the said appraisers, or any three of them, on oath or affirmation, 
are hereby required to appraise the townships aforesaid, within 
nine months, at the present real value as in its original and uncul- 
tivated state, and make report thereof to the Board of Trustees of 
the said University; and the said trustees shall lease the same to 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 271 

any persons who have or may apply, agreeable to law, for the term 
of ninety-nine years, renewable forever, with a fixed annual rent 
of six per centum on the appraised valuation: Provided, That no 
lands shall be leased at a less valuation than at the rate of one dol- 
lar and seventy-five cents per acre. 

Sec. 2. That the commissioners aforesaid shall meet on the first 
day of April next, at the town of Athens, who shall then proceed 
to discharge the duties imposed on them by this act, and the act to 
which this act is an amendment, and the same to have performed 
within the time mentioned in this act. 

Sec 3. That the trustees of the corporation of the said Univer- 
sity lands are hereby authorized and empowered to remove, by 
due course of law, all persons living on said lands, in case such 
persons refuse or neglect to take leases within six months after the 
valuation of the lands aforesaid. 

Sec 4. That the secretary of this State shall cause notice to be 
given as soon as convenience will permit, to each of the com- 
missioners aforesaid, of their appointment under this act, and the 
commissioners respectively, on receiving the notice aforesaid, shall 
within a reasonable time thereafter, forward to the Governor of this 
State their determination to accept, or not to accept, the appoint- 
ment under this act made. 

Sec 5. That so much of the aforesaid act, passed the eighteenth 
day of February, one thousand eight hundred and four, as is con- 
trary to this act, be, and the same is, hereby repealed. 

This act shall be in force from and after the passage thereof. 

Passed Feb. 21, 1805. 

It will be seen that this law conflicts, to a certain extent, with the 
original act, and partially repeals the founding act of 1804, but 
the extent of the real confliction is the question which has given 
rise to extensive and important litigations between the lessees of 
the college lands and the authorities of the University. Prior to 
1875 the authorities of the University had made no attempt to put 
into force that part of section 12 of the act of 1804, reading, " Pro- 
vided, always, That the said corporation [meaning the president 
and trustees of the University] shall have power to demand a 
further yearly rent on the said lands and tenements, not exceeding 
the amount of the tax imposed upon property of like description 
by the State," etc. Although numerous laws had been passed from 
time to time touching indirectly upon this subject, the next move 
directly, and that which was the immediate cause of the litigations 
referred to, was the passage of the following act in 1875: 



272 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

An act to require trustees of institutions of learning to collect 

certain rents. 

Sec. 1 . Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the /State of 
Ohio, That the trustees of any institution of learning, holding lease- 
hold lands and having authority, under the laws of the State, to de- 
mand a yearly rent on such lands, and the tenements erected thereon, 
not exceeding the amount of the tax imposed on property of 
like description by the State, said rent being in addition to a yearly 
rent at six per centum on the appraised valuation of said lands and 
tenements, are hereby required to demand and collect said rents for 
the support of said institution. 

Sec. 2. This act shall take eifect from and after the first day of 
July, eighteen hundred and seventy-five. 

March 30, 1875. 

This was followed by a resolution of the trustees of the Univer- 
sity in June, 1876, instructing the treasurer to collect additional 
rents in accordance with the above act, the date of such additional 
rents to begin on the first day of July, 1875. The lease-holders, 
believing that that part of the law of 1804, to which the act of 1S75 
might in this case apply, had been repealed by the act of 1805, re- 
fused to comply with the demand for the additional rent and at 
once entered suit against the president and trustees of the Univer- 
sity. The case has passed through the Court of Common Pleas 
and the Supreme Court of Ohio, in both of which decision was 
given in favor of the University, and is now awaiting decision in 
the Supreme Court of the United States. 

During the fourteen years following 1805, nearly as many laws 
were passed by the State Legislature relative to the University, 
many of them amendments to former acts, and a number of them 
on the subject of land rents. One passed in 1809 provided that 
the renters might pay in produce ; and one in 1826 authorized the 
trustees of the University to dispose of certain lands by conveyance 
in fee simple. 

BEGINNING ACTIVE WORK. 

But to return more directly to the early work of the commis- 
sioners. The year 1806 was consumed in settling titles, appraising 
the lands, and accumulating a small fund with which to begin the 
actual educational work. The second meeting of the Board of Trus- 
tees was called for Nov. 20, 1805, but no quorum was present and 
they adjourned. The third meeting was held April 2, 1S06, when 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 273 

the committee for selling town lots reported, and other business 
was transacted relative to titles and leases. At this session it was 
"Resolved, That Jacob Lindley, Rufus Putnam and William 
Skinner be a committee to contract with some person or persons 
for building a house in the town of Athens for the purpose of an 
academy, on the credit of the rents that will hereafter become due." 
At the meeting of the trustees Dec. 25, 1806, pursuant to the 
above resolution, a plan for a building was reported and the com- 
mittee was empowered to contract for a building. This was the 
old academy which stood east of the present buildings, partly 
outside of the present enclosure. It was a two-story brick building, 
twenty-four feet by thirty, containing one room on each floor. For 
ten years this was the only building of the University. After the 
college classes were organized, the lower room was occupied by 
the preparatory department, while the upper one accommodated 
the higher classes. After the completion of the building, at a 
meeting held March 2, 1808, Rev. Jacob Lindley, Eliphaz Perkins 
and i Rufus Putnam were appointed a committee to report a plan 
for opening and conducting the academy and providing for a pre- 
ceptor, which they did at the same meeting. A few days later Mr. 
Lindley was chosen Preceptor and entered on his duties in the 
spring of 1808. 

Thus, in a scantily inhabited wilderness, the University began its 
active career which has now extended over three quarters of a 
century. The attendance at first was necessarily small and the curric- 
ulum incomplete, but then, as since, the institution was charac- 
terized by proficiency of its instruction and the thoroughness of 
work done by students. For the first few years Dr. Lindley was 
the only instructor, he alone constituting the Faculty of the Ohio 
University. In lsl2 Mr. Artemus Sawyer, a graduate of Harvard 
University and an excellent scholar, was appointed assistant in- 
structor. Prior to this time it had not assumed pretentions beyond 
those of a grammar school; but the instructor had done good work 
and the school was now well qualified to adopt a more thorough 
course of study. In the year 1815 

THE FIRST GRADUATE 

received from the University the degree of Bachelor of Arts. The 
man who had not ouly this honor of being the first to go forth 
with the blessings of the Ohio University, but the first to receive a 
collegiate degree in the State of Ohio, was the Hon. Thomas Ew- 
18 



274 HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ing, Sr., whose after career is well known throughout this country. 
He had entered the institution three years previously and pursued 
his studies with great energy, spending his later vacations in sur- 
veying and helping to lay out county roads to raise money for his 
college expenses. 

In 1815 the success of the University was thought to be so far 
assured, and the necessity for increased facilities was so apparent, 
that the trustees resolved to erect a new college building. June 
4, 1816, a committee, consisting of Jacob Lindley, Eliphaz Per- 
kins, and J. Lawrence Lewis, appointed in September previous, 
reported to the board that, after due advertisement and consultation 
with an architect, they had contracted with William T. Dean for 
370,000 bricks at $4.50 a thousand; with Christopher and Daniel 
Herrold for 27,964 feet of lumber, to be delivered and piled up 
during the summer, at $1.12 per hundred feet; with Messrs. Bing- 
ham & "White for stone; with Pilcher & Francis for laying the 
foundation of the rough stone, and making the window and door 
sills; and with Wm. and James Wier for digging the cellar — which 
last was already completed. The corner-stone of the building, now 
known as the center college, was laid in the summer of that year. 
The work was pushed forward as rapidly as the condition of the 
treasury would permit, and the building was completed in 1817. 
In order to raise funds for this expense, the trustees had, in June, 
1814, petitioned the State Legislature to grant a lottery, the pro- 
ceeds of which was to be given to the college. The Legislature 
granted the request, and prescribed the method, but for some reason 
the scheme was never carried out. 

In 1819 Mr. Sawyer having some time before ceased his connec- 
tion with the institution, Professor Joseph Dana, a man of rare 
scholarly attainments, was secured as a teacher of languages. He 
was especially fitted for this chair by his knowledge of the classics, 
and remained in connection with the University a number of } ? ears. 

PRESSING FORWARD. 

The pecuniary embarrassments of the University were so far 
overcome by 1822,that its complete organization was effected in 
that year, and the faculty was constituted a* follows: Rev. James 
Irvine, President and Professor of Mathematics; Joseph Dana, 
Professor of Languages; Rev. Jacob Lindley, Professor of Rhetoric 
and Moral Philosophy; Rev. Samuel D. Hoge, Professor of Natural 
Sciences, and Henry D. Ward, Academical Preceptor. 






HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 275 

From this period dates the complete working system of the 
University. Its history from this on to the present time has been 
almost uniform in the routine duties of ordinary college work. The 
usual four years' course was adopted, the curriculum embracing 
higher studies in mathematics, natural sciences, philosophy and 
the classics. " ' 

The classes graduating each year have ranged from fourteen down 
Ihe attendance gradually increased up to the time of Rev Wm 
H. McGufrey's administration (1839-'43), when it reached nearly 
250 students. This, and a short time following the close of the 
war ot the Rebellion, are the two most nourishing periods 'in the 
University's history. For the decade from 1S55 to 1865 the aver- 
age annual attendance was 150, and for the collet year of 1865-'6 
the attendance was 243. This sudden rush of students resulted 
doubtless, from the fact that the great number of young men 
throughout the country, who had just been released from the serv 
ice, were without employment, and being generally supplied with 
ready money, as well as many of them being entitled to free tuition 
by a law passed in 1864, saw no better way to spend a year or two 
than in attendance at the University. Since 1870 the average 
annual attendance has been about 110. n 

The two 



LITERARY SOCIETIES 



were established in 1836 and in 1839 by special acts of the State 
Legislature. The first, entitled « An act to incorporate the ' Athe- 
nian Literary Society of Ohio University,' in the town of Athens " 
was passed Dec. 19, 1836, and the other, entitled « An act to in- 
corporate the « Philomathean Society of the Ohio University ' in the 
town of Athens," March 9, 1839. By these laws, the above societies 
were each created a body corporate and politic by the names given 
above, capable of suing and being sued as such, and invested with 
the usual privileges granted to other corporated bodies, the only 
provision made being that the annual income of either shall not 
exceed the sum of $1,000. The first was created with perpetual 
succession, and the second with succession for thirty years 
These societies have each a hall in one of the University build- 
ings, own the property with which it is furnished, and are each 
governed by separate constitutions and by-laws which provide for 
a regular succession of officers. Since these are the only socie- 
ties of the kind connected with the institution, each has had in 



276 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

its membership since organization about half the students of the 
University. The public exercises of these societies consist of an 
annual literary contest between the two. There are also four Greek 
letter fraternities in the University, the Delta Tau Delta, Beta 
Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, and a ladies' society, Kappa Alpha 
Theta. 

Ladies were admitted to equal privileges with the gentlemen 
in the University in 1868, the first lady graduate being Miss Mar- 
garet Boyd, in the class of 1873. 

THE BEAUTIFUL LOCATION 

of the University can not fail to excite the admiration of all lovers 
of natural scenery. The winding valley of the Hocking and the 
wooded hills beyond, together with the asylum building across 
the wide bottom on the opposite hill, with its lakes and improved 
o-rounds in front, all make a series of landscape views seldom sur- 
passed in quiet and varied beauty. The immediate site of the 
University buildings is unusually charming even for this region of 
rural beauty. The campus is an enclosed square of ten acres, 
higher than the adjacent portions of the surrounding town and 
sloping gently from the center. The buildings, grouped nearly 
in the center of this extended lawn, are partially hidden from a 
front view by the growth of forest trees, except the tower of the 
main building, which lifts its head high above and overlooks all. 
The entire grounds are carpeted with a fine growth of grass, are 
laid out with improved walks, and the north half covered with tall 
forest trees evenly distributed, and skirted along the lower edge 
by a row of magnificent elms. 

THE COLLEGE BUILDINGS 

are four in number. The main building was erected in 1817, and 
is the oldest college edifice, as the University itself is the oldest 
institution of learning, northwest of the Ohio River. This vener- 
able structure, made dear to many by a thousand strong and ten- 
der associations, and to many more by the names of eminent men 
who have studied or taught within its walls, has recently been 
remodeled, and, while retaining the same general proportions, is, 
to all intents, a new building. It is admirably planned and well 
finished. With its slate roof and massive cornice, its lengthened 
windows and handsome colors, its convenient arrangement and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 277 

pleasant appointments, it will compare favorably, in appearance 
and in adaptation to its purpose, with most college buildings in the 
West. 

The two wing buildings, erected in 1836, contain the dormito- 
ries, and will accommodate about sixty students. The west wing 
contains also the preparatory recitation-room, three music-rooms, 
and orre large room which is at present used as a chapel. On the 
completion of the new chapel, however, the last-named room will 
be devoted to other purposes. 

The new building stands on an eminence at the western side of 
the campus. In design it is unique and elegant; the material is 
brick with cut-stone trimmings. .Its dimensions are forty feet in 
width by seventy-six feet in length, and two stories in height. It 
has two fronts, one on the west toward Court street, which is the 
principal street of the town, and one on the east toward the main 
building. The first floor contains the chapel or assembly-hall, two 
corridors and stairways, and a waiting-room. The second floor 
contains two society-halls, with a committee-room attached to each. 

The University comprises only a literary department, which 
offers two courses, the classical and philosophical. The quality ot 
work done is equal to the best institutions in the West. The usual 
degrees are given. The University library, in connection with those 
of the two literary societies, is one of the best in the State. Con- 
nected with it is a large reading-room, supplied with standard 
newspapers and periodicals, which is open daily to the students. 
The long roll of graduates from this institution contains many who 
have achieved more than a local fame, and nearly all have in their 
several walks of life reflected credit upon their alma mater. 

With the recent improvements and additions in buildings, appa- 
ratus and library, for which liberal appropriations were made by 
the State, and the recent re-organization and enlargement of the 
faculty, it is generally believed that the University is about to enter 
upon a new, prosperous and more useful career than it has ever 
before known. 

Following are brief sketches of the- first preceptor and the sub- 
sequent presidents of the Ohio University: 

JACOB LINDLEY. 

Mr. Lindley, the Preceptor, was born in Pennsylvania, June 
13, 1774, graduated at Princeton in 1798, and was appointed a 



278 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 

Trustee of the Ohio University in 1805. From 1808 to 1822 he 
was President of the Board, and Preceptor of the Academy; from 
1822 to 1824, Professor of Rhetoric and Moral Philosophy; from 
1824 to 1826, Professor of Mathematics. His connection with the 
Board of Trustees continued till 1838, when it was dissolved by 
reason of his removal to the State of Mississippi. He died in 1857. 

REV. JAMES IRVINE, A. M., 

the first President of the Ohio University, was born in Washing- 
ton County, New York. Immediately after his graduation at 
Union College, he was elected Professor of Mathematics in the 
University, in 1831 ; and in the following year became the President. 
Owing to ill-health, he was the next spring allowed leave of absence 
and never returned to his post. 

REV. ROBERT G. WILSON, D. D., 

a native ot North Carolina, was born Dec. 30, 1768. He gradua- 
ted at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., and, after studying theol- 
ogy, was ordained to preach May 22, 1794. He spent the first ten 
or eleven years of his ministry in Abbeville District, S. C. ; 
removed thence, in 1805, to Chillicothe, O., where he was for 
nineteen years Pastor of the Presbyterian church. In 1S24 he 
was elected President of the Ohio University, and during the next 
fourteen years administered its affairs with ability and success. In 
1838, at the age of seventy, he resigned his position. He died 
April 17, 1851. 

REV. WILLIAM HOLMES MCGUFFEY, D. D., LL. D. 

was born in Washington County, Penn., Sept. 23, 1800. When 
he was but a child his parents removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. 
He prepared himself and entered Washington College, Pennsyl- 
vania. In March, 1826, he was elected Professor of Ancient Lan- 
guages in Miami Universit}', Ohio, and in 1832 he was transferred 
to the chair of Mental Philosophy. In 1836 he was chosen Presi- 
dent of Cincinnati College and in 1839, President of the Ohio 
University, which position he retained until 1843, when he returned 
to Cincinnati. In 1845 he was chosen Professor of Mental Philos- 
ophy in the University of Virginia, where he continued until his 
death, May 4, 1873. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 279 

KEY. ALFRED RYORS, D. D. 



■ ) 



Kev. Alfred Ryors, D. D., was born in Philadelphia, June 28, 
1812. Being left an orphan at a very early age, he was received 
into the family and select school of Rev. Robert Steel, D. D., at 
Abington, Pa. lie graduated at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1835, 
and in May, 1836, he was elected Professor of Mathematics in the 
Ohio University where he remained till 18-14. In that year he 
was called to the same chair in Indiana State University. In 1818 
he was elected President of the Ohio University, and filled the 
office for four years. 

REV. SOLOMON HOWARD, D. D., LL. D. , 

was born in Cincinnati, Nov. 11, 1811. At twenty-two he graduated 
at Augusta College, Kentucky. He was elected to a professorship 
in St. Charles College, Mo. He entered the Ohio Conference of 
the M. E. church in 1835; was elected Principal of the Preparatory 
Department of the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1843, and Princi- 
pal of Springfield High School in 1845. On leaving this position 
he became President of Springfield Female College; and in 1852 
was elected President of the Ohio University. He retained this 
office till 1872, when, on account of ill-health, he resigned. He 
died at San Jose, Cal., June 9, 1873. 

WM. H. SCOTT 

was born at Chaimcey, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1840. He entered the 
Ohio University as a student in 1859, graduating in 1862. Was 
Superintendent of the public schools of Athens from 1862 to 1864, 
and Principal of the Preparatory Department of the Ohio Univer- 
sity from 1864 to 1865. He joined the Ohio Conference of the M. 
E. church in September, 1S64; was Pastor of Main Street Church, 
Chillicothe, Ohio, from 1865 to 1867, and of Town Street Church, 
Columbus, Ohio, from 1867 to 1869. He was elected Professor of 
Greek in the Ohio University in 1869; served in that position 
three years. He was acting President of the University for 
1872-'3 and elected President of the same in 1873, still retaining 
that position. 

PRESIDENTS OF THE FACULTY. 

Rev. James Irvine, A. M., 1822-1824; Rev. Robert G. Wilson, D. 
D., 1824-1839; Rev. William H. McGuffey, D. D., LL. D., 1839- 



280 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1843; Rev. Alfred Ryors, D. D., 1848-1852; Rev. Solomon How- 
ard, D. D., LL. D.,' 1852-1872; Rev. William H. Scott, A. M., 
(acting) 1872-1873; Rev. William H. Scott, A. M., 1873. 

PROFESSORS OF ANCIENT LANGUAGES. 

Joseph Dana, A. M., 1818-1819; Rev. John B. Whittlesey, A. 
M., 1819-1821; Joseph Dana, A. M., 1822-1835; Daniel Read, A- 
M., 1836-1838; Daniel Read, A. M., Latin and Political Economy, 
1838-1843; Rev. Elisha Ballentine, A. M., Greek, 1838-1840; Rev- 
John M. Stephenson, A.M., Greek, 1840-1842; James Irwin Kubn> 
A. M., Greek, 1842-1844; Rev. Aaron Williams, D.D., 1844-1853; 
Rev. Addison Ballard, A. M., Latin, 1848-1852; Rev. E. E. E- 
Bragdon, A. M., 1853-1854; Rev. Clinton W. Sears, A. M., 1854- 
1855; Rev. John M. Leavitt, A. M., 1855-1857; Rev. Robert 
Allyn, A. M., 1857-1859; William H. Young, A. M., 1859-1869; 
Rev. William H. Scott, A. M., Greek, 1869-1872; Rev. Augustine 

C. Hirst, A. M., Latin, 1869-1870; Rev. John L. Hatfield, A. M., 
Latin, 1870-1882; Charles W. Super, A. M., Ph. D., Greek, 1879; 
David J. Evans, A. M., Latin, 1882. 

PROFESSORS OF MATHEMATICS. 

Rev. James Irvine, A. M., President, 1821-1824; Rev. Jacob 
Lindley, A. M., 1824-1826; William Wall, A. M., 1827-1836; 
Rev. Alfred Ryors, A. M., 1836-1844; Rev. Lorenzo Dow Mc. 
Cabe, A. M., 1844-1845; Rev. William J. Hoge, A. M., Rhetoric, 
1848-1851; Rev. Addison Ballard, A. JM., 1852-1854; Rev. John 
M. Leavitt, A. M., 1854-1855; William H. Young, A. M., 1855- 
1859; Eli T. Tappan, A. M., 1859-1860; Rev. Richard A. Arthur, 
A.M., 1861-1864; Eli T. Tappan, A. M., 1864-1868; William H. 
G. Adney, A. M., 1869-1872; Rev. Daniel M. Blair, A. M., pro 
tempore* 1872-1873; Russell S. Devol, A. M., 1873. 

PROFESSORS OF MORAL AND MENTAL SCIENCE. 

Rev. Jacob Lindley, A. M., 1822-1824; Rev. Robert G. Wilson, 

D. D., President, 1824-1839; Rev. William H. McGuffey, D. D., 
LL. D., President, 1839-1843; Rev. Alfred Ryors, A. M., Presi- 
dent, 1848-1852; Rev. Solomon Howard, D. D., LL.D., President, 
1857-1872; Rev. William II. Scott, A. M., President, 1873. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 281 

PROFESSORS OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 

Rev. Samuel D. Hoge, A, M., 1826, died 1826; Thomas M. 
Drake, M. D. ? 1827-1834; Rev. Frederick Merrick, A. M., 1838- 
1842; William W. Mather, A. M., 1842-1850; Rev. Joseph S. 
Tomlinson, D. D., 1851-1852; Rev. James G. Blair, M. D., D. D. , 
1852-1864; Rev. Alexander S. Gibbons, A. M., M. D., 1864-1872; 
William H. G. Adney, A. M., 1872-1873; J. McC. Martin, A. M., 
1873-1882; Carl Leo Mees, M. D., 1882, 

PROFESSORS OF HISTORY AND ENGLISH LITERATURE. 

Rev. Randolph Stone, A. M., 1838-1839; Rev. Wells Andrews, 
A. M., 1840-1842; Cynthia IT. Weld, 1882. 

PRECEPTORS AND PRINCIPALS OF THE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT. 

. Rev. Jacob Lindley, Preceptor, 1809-1822; Henry D. Ward, A. 
M., Preceptor, 1S22-1824; A. G. Brown, A. M., Preceptor, 1824- 
1825; Daniel Read, A. B., Preceptor, 1825-1836; Rev. Wells 
Andrews, A.M., Preceptor, 1837-1840; Rev. Amos Miller, A. M.> 
Principal, 1844-1845; Rev. Aaron Williams, A. M., Principal' 
1845-1847; Rev. O. M. Spencer, A. M., Principal, 1851-1852; Rev. 
James F. Given, A. M., Principal, 1852-1854; W. H. Young, A- 
B., Principal, 1854-1855; Francis Brown, A. B., Principal, 1855- 
1859; Hugh Boyd, A. B., Tutor in Mathematics, 1859-1860; Ed- 
ward H. Guthrie, A. M., Tutor in Language, Principal, 1859-1863; 
Rev. William H. Scott, A. B., Principal, 1863-1865; William H. 
G. Adney, A. M., Principal, 1865-1868; Rev. John M. Davis, A. 
B., Principal, 1872-1874; Rev. John A. White, A. B., Principal, 
1874-1877; George B. Coler, Principal, 1881-1882; L. W. Shep- 
pard, Principal, 1882. 

Trustees. — Elijah Backus, Marietta, 1804-1806; General Rufus 
Putnam, Marietta, 1804, died 1824; Hon. Dudley Woodbridge, 
Marietta, 1804, died 1823; Hon. Benjamin Tappan, Steubeuville, 
1804-1808; Bezaleel Wells, Steuben ville, 1804-1808; General Na- 
thaniel Massie, Chillicothe, 1804-1808; Hon. Daniel Symmes, Cin- 
cinnati, 1804-1808; Rev. Daniel Story, Marietta, 1804, died 1804; 
Samuel Carpenter, Lancaster, 1804, died 1821; Rev. James Kil- 
bourne, Worthington, 1804-1820; Griffith Green, Marietta, 1804- 
1808; Joseph Darlington, West Union, 1804-1815; Hon. William 
Creighton, Jr. , Chillicothe, 1805-1808 ; General Joseph Buell, Mari- 



282 HISTOBY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

etta, 1805, died 1812; Benjamin Tupper, Zanesville, 1805, died 
1814; Rev. Jacob Lindley, Waterford, 1805-1838; Michael Bald- 
win, Chillicothe, 1805-1809; Rev. Stephen Lindsley, Marietta, 
1806-1826; William Skinner, Marietta, 1806, died 1840; Dr. Eli- 
phaz Perkins, Athens, 1806-1819; Hon. Sylvanus Ames, Athens, 
1808, died 1823; Hon. Jehiel Gregory, Athens, 1808-1812; Hon. 
Abel Miller, Athens, 1808-1825; Dr. Leonard Jewett, Athens, 
1808-1813; Moses Hewett, Athens, 1808, died 1814; Rev. Robert 
G. Wilson, Chillicothe, 1809-1819, Hon. Jesup K Couch, Chilli- 
cothe, 1809, died 1821; Major J. P. R. Bureau, Gallipolis, 1809- 
1812; Hon. Elijah Hatch, Athens County, 1809, diedlS49; Henry 
Abrams, Lancaster, 1809-1814; Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth, Marietta, 
1812-1819; SethAdams,Zanesville ; 1812-1838; Hon. William Wil- 
son, Newark, 1813-1819; John Lawrence Lewis,Washington County, 
1815-1819, Joseph Wood, Washington County, 1815-1838; Rev. 
James Culbertson, Zanesville, 1815, died 1847; Hon. Charles R. 
Sherman, Lancaster, 1815-1833; Hon. Edwin Putnam, Putnam, 
1820-1839; Hon. Ephraim Cutler, Marietta, 1820-1849; Hon. 
Thomas Scott, Chillicothe, 1820-1838; Hon. Robert Linzee, Ath- 
ens, 1820-1839; Hon. Alexander Harper, Zanesville, 1821-1839; 
Hon. Return J. Meigs, Marietta, 1822, died 1825; Hon. Levi Bar- 
ber, Marietta, 1822, died 1833; William Rufus Putnam, Marietta, 
1823-1843; Rev. James Hoge,D.D., Columbus, 1823-1S52; Hon. 
Thomas Ewing, Lancaster, 1824-1832; Rev. David Young, Zanes- 
ville, 1825-1849; Rev. Dudley Woodbridge, Jr., Marietta, 1825- 
1833; Hon. Calvary Morris, Athens, 1825-1848; Hon. Lewis Sum- 
mers, Virginia, 1829, died 1843; Hon. John L. Frye, Virginia, 
1829-1839; General James T. Worthington, Chillicothe, 1830- 
1846; Rev. James McAboy, 1831, died 1833; Rev. Amos Miller, 
Athens County, 1832; Dr. A. V. Medbury,Athens County, 1834- 
1839;William B. Hubbard, Columbus, 1834, died 1865; General Sam- 
uel F. MacCracken, Lancaster, 1834, died 1857; Hon. Nathaniel C. 
Reed, Cincinnati, 1840-1845; Hon. John Brough, Columbus, 
1840-1843; Hon. William Medill, Lancaster, 1840-1847; Hon. A. 
G. Brown, Athens, 1841; Rev. James M. Brown, Virginia, 1842- 
1859; Hon. John H. Keith, Chillicothe, 1844, died 1875; Hon. V. 
B. Horton, Pomeroy, 1844; Joseph Olds, Circleville, 1844-1846; 
Rev. William Aiken, McConnelsville, 1846-1866; Rev. William 
Cox, Lancaster, 1846-1856; William H. Trimble, Hillsboro, 1846- 
1849; Benjamin F. Hickman, Somerset, 1847-1849; Hon. Samuel 
F. Vinton, Gallipolis, 1848-1859; Hon. John Welch, Athens, 1S48; 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 283 

Hon. Wm. P. Cutler, Chillicothe, 1849-1853; Hon. Leonidas Jewett, 
Athens, 1849-1881; Joseph M. Dana, Athens, 1851, died, 1881; 
Hon. Samuel B. Pruden, Athens County, 1851, died 1862; Dr. M. Z. 
Kreider, Lancaster, 1851, died 1855; Hon. Robert Wright, Logan, 
1852; Horace Wilson, Columbus, 1853; Hon. John E. Hanna, 
McConnelsville, 1854; Rev. Wm. T. Hand, Marietta, 1854, died 
1860; Hon. John McLean, LL. D., Cincinnati, 1856, died 1861; 
Hon. George M. Woodbridge, Marietta, 1857; Hon. Calvary Mor- 
ris, Athens, 1859, died 1871; Rev. J. M. Trimble, D. D.. Colum- 
bus, 1860-1876; Rev. B. N. Spahr, Columbus, 1861-1877; Rev. 
J. M. Leavitt , New York, 1861-1864; Hon. E. H. Moore, Athens, 
1861; Wm. Waddle, M. D., Chillicothe, 1864; Hon. H. S. Bundy, 
Jackson, 1864; Hon. W. P. Johnson, M. D., Philadelphia, 1866; 
Hon. Bellamy Storer, Cincinnati, 1866, died 1875; Hon. R. De 
Steiguer, Athens, 1871; Hon. Thomas Ewing, Lancaster, 1875; 
Hon. G. W. Boyce, Cincinnati, 1875; Hon. W. W. Johnson, Iron- 
ton, 1876; Hon. John Hancock, Dayton, 1877; Hon. James W. 
Bannon, Portsmouth, 1881; Hon. Perry Wiles, Zanesville, 1882. 

Presidents. — Governor Edward Tiffin, ex-officio, 1804-1806; Gen- 
eral Joseph Buel, 1806-1808; Rev.JacobLindley, A.M., 1808-1822; 
Rev. James Irvine, A. M., ex-officio, 1822-1824; Rev. Robert G.Wil- 
son, D. D., ex-officio, 1824-1839; Rev.Wm. H. McGuffey, D. D., LL. 
D., ex-officio, 1839-1843; Hon. Calvary Morris, 1845-1847; Rev. 
Alfred Ryors, D. D., ex-officio, 1848-1852; Rev. Solomon Howard, 
D. D., LL. D., ex-officio, 1852-1872; Rev. William II. Scott, A. 
M., ex-officio, 1873. 

Secretaries. — Hon. ■ Dudley Woodbridge, 1804-1808; Henry 
Bartlett, 1S0S-1841; A. G. Brown, 1841-1853; Horace Wilson, 
1853-1857; J. M.Dana, 1857-1881; R. De Steiguer, 1881. 

Treasurers. — Eliphaz Perkins, M. D., 1804-1807; Leonard Jew- 
ett, M. D., 1807-1808; Joseph B. Miles, 1808-1814; Hon. Eben- 
ezer Currier, 1814-1824; General John Brown, 1S24-1875; Hon. E. 
H. Moore, 1875. 

Auditors.— Henry Bartlett, 1813-1850; Wm. H. Bartlett, 1850, 
died 1855; Hon. Calvary Morris, 1855, died 1871; J. M. Dana, 
1871-1881; L. M. Jewett, 1881. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

INCIDENTS OF TWENTY YEARS— A GROUPING OF FACTS AND 
A BUSINESS STATEMENT. 

Insane' Asylum — Its General History — A Barbecue — Light 
Guards — Crrr Hall — Temperance Movements — From 1829 to 
1883 — A Challenge — The Whisky Insurrection, 1861 — Lynch- 
ing at Athens — Judge Lynch Decides to Hang a Murderer, 
and It is Done — Athens's Business Interests — Some Gen- 
eral Remarks — Business Houses and Enterprises — Banks — 
Gas Light Company — Telegraph — Officers of Athens, 1825- 
1883. 

ATHENS ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE. 

Through the efforts of Dr. W. P. Johnson, Representative from 
Athens County, and other citizens, the State Legislature passed an 
act which was approved April 13, 1867, providing for the erection 
of an additional lunatic asylum. It directed the appointment by 
the Governor of three trustees, to select and purchase, or receive 
by gift or donation, a lot of land, not less than fifty nor more than 
loo acres, suitably located for the erection of an asylum to contain 
400 patients. W. E. Davis, of Cincinnati, D. E. Gardner, ot 
Toledo, and Dr. C. McDermont, of Dayton, were appointed Trust- 
ees; a vacancy occurring in this committee, through the death of 
Dr. McDermont, E. H. Moore, of Athens, was appointed in his 
place. There were various competing points, and for some time 
the contest was sharp and close; but Athens finally secured the 
asylum. To carry the point, the citizens purchased and made a 
gift to the State of 150 acres of land, lying south of the town, known 
as the Coates farm. It is a magnificent site, overlooking the 
Hocking Valley, and presenting a fine view of the city on the 
opposite hill. The location was fixed by the trustees in August, 
1867, and contracts let for the various parts of the work. About 
18,500.000 bricks were used in its construction, all of which were 
made on the ground. 

(284) 







X 




2tf?^.$3fr€SL+*r£y 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 285 

The corner-stone of the asylum was laid on Thursday, Nov. 5, 
1868. The day was delightful, and the people came pouring into 
Athens until the streets were thronged with those who had come 
to witness the event. The ceremonies were conducted by the 
Masonic order, not less than 1,000 members of the order, from 
various parts of the State, being present to participate in the exer- 
cises. The people of Athens had made every preparation for the 
reception, and a cordial and generous welcome was given to all. 
The procession formed at two o'clock, on Washington street, in the 
following order, and marched to the asylum grounds: 1st, Athens 
Brass Band; 2d, Choirs of the Methodist, Episcopal, and Presby- 
terian churches; 3d, Masons; 4th, Judges, mayor, members of town 
council, magistrates, county officers, etc.; 5th, Citizens on foot; 
6th, Citizens in carriages; 7th, Citizens on horseback. This pro- 
cession was imposing in the extreme. General D. W. H. Day acted 
as Grand Marshal. 

Having arrived at the asylum grounds, the exercises of laying the 
corner-stone were performed by Howard Mathews, the Grand Mas- 
ter of the order in Ohio, assisted by the grand officers carrying 
the ^mblems of corn, wine and oil. Both vocal and instrumental 
music by the Athens Brass Band and the united choirs of the 
Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian churches added much to the 
pleasure of the occasion, while deep interest was manifested in the 
ceremonies as conducted by the Grand Lodge. The Grand Treas- 
urer made the following deposits in the corner-stone: Holy Bible; 
Constitution of Ohio and of all the States of the Union; names of 
members of the Fifty-eighth General Assembly of Ohio; names of 
State officers of Ohio; proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Ohio for 
1807; laws of Ohio, 1867; programme of this day's proceedings; roll 
of members of Paramuthia Lodge,]S[o. 25; one copy of daily Cincin- 
nati Commercial; one copy of daily Cincinnati Gazette; one copy 
of daily Cincinnati Chronicle; one copy of weekly Enquirer; one 
copy of i^thens Messenger ; specimens of coins of the United States; 
a list of grand officers of Ohio Masons. After the ceremonies at 
the asylum, the procession moved to Athenseum Hall, where Past 
Grand Master Thrall delivered the oration. It was a beautiful 
and scholarly production, and was listened to with great attention. 

The asylum was completed and furnished 'for the reception of 
patients Jan. 1, 1874. The building was 853 feet in length in a 
straight line, and it is 4,072 feet around it. It is divided into an 
administration building, with two wings for patients at the sides, 



286 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

and a series of buildings extending from it in the rear, for domes- 
tic and other purposes. The administration building is four stories 
in height, and comprises a front and rear divisions. The first in- 
cludes, on the first floor, an'entrance hall sixteen feet wide by fifty- 
five long, on each side of which are the offices of the superintendent, 
assistant physicians and steward, a general reception room for visit- 
ors, and the large stairways to the stories above. The second story of 
this division contains the apartments of the superintendent. The 
third and fourth stories comprise similar rooms for the other offi- 
cers of the institution. In the rear division of the administration 
building, a central hall twelve feet wide leads from the front to the 
rear, on either side of which are the passages to the patients' 
wards. 

In the basement of this division are placed the kitchens, scul- 
leries and other domestic rooms for the general household, and 
beneath these are cellars. On the first floor are the dining-room and 
kitchen of the officers, reception-rooms for friends of patients, 
and general store-rooms. On the second floor the central hall 
leads to the amusement room, 6Q x 42 feet, and twenty-eight 
feet in height, occupying bath second and third stories. Above 
this room, in the fourth story, is a room of similar size, sixteen 
feet high, designed for religious services. Besides these rooms, 
there are on each side of these stories two rooms for reading, sew- 
ing and other purposes, and on every floor bath-rooms. 

On either side of the administration building in the wings are 
the wards for patients. Each wing is of three stories high, except 
at the end, where a fourth story is placed over a part of the third 
section. Each wing is divided into three sections, connected to- 
gether, but receding in succession. Thus ten wards are made on 
each side, providing for the classification to that extent of each 
sex. Each ward contains a central corridor, fifteen feet wide, with 
the rooms opening into it on each side. In the center of the front 
part of each ward is the parlor, a handsome room 24 x 16, with 
bay window. A dining-room and associate dormitories, bath- 
rooms, lavatory and water-closets are attached to every ward. An 
iron stairway leads in every section from basement to attic, and 
communicates with each floor therein. The single bed-rooms are 
about 9 x 11 feet, and vary in height from twelve to fifteen feet. 
The associate dormitories vary in size from 10 x 20 to 20 x 20 feet. 

Under the wings is a basement connecting with the kitchens and 
basement of the administration building, in which is a railway for 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 287 

the conveyance of food to the dumb-waiters of the dining-rooms of 
each ward, and the chambers for the steam coils and pipes connect- 
ing them to heat the wards above. In the rear of the adminis- 
tration building are the laundry and boiler-house. The connecting 
building contains a long corridor continuous with the central 
hall of the main edifice, having on one side eight rooms for domes- 
tic or other purposes. In the basement is a similar corridor, and 
also a passage for steam pipes, etc. Below this is the air duct for 
supplying air to steam coils of main building. The laundry build- 
ing has two stories and a basement, in the center of which is situ- 
ated the water-tower, sixty-eight feet high, containing four large 
iron tanks, capable of holding 8,000 gallonsof water. Still further 
in the rear is the boiler-house, in which are located the six boilers 
for heating purposes, the entire building being heated by steam. 
The asylum contains 544 rooms at present. The original cost of 
the building was about a half million dollars, but the present needs 
of thecount}' call for an addition that will probably cost $100,000. 

The visitor to the asylum cannot fail to be favorably impressed 
at the humane methods used in the treatment of the unfortunates 
and at the absence of prison-like surroundings. 13 nt few patients 
require seclusion, and these only at times. This, too, is the only 
form of mechanical restraint in use. Patients are encouraged, and 
in many cases required to take out-door exercise. In the last re- 
port of the able and efficient Superintendent, Dr. A. B. Richard- 
son, it is stated that the daily average for some months of ti 
who were given out-door walks, equaled half the number of 
patients in the asylum; and, as a rule, on every suitable day, 
scarcely a dozen males fail to get some form of out-door exer 

The reports show that at least one fourth of the whole number 
of patients, or an average of over 150, have been allowed the 
privilege of the grounds unattended. This exhibition of confidence 
in the integrity of the patients is found to operate well. It does 
much to remove the feeling of imprisonment which is often so de- 
pressing in its influence. The instances of misplaced confidence 
have been infrequent. During the past year, out of a total of over 
250 persons who were accorded special privileges, but sixteen at- 
tempted to escape, and in not one of these cases did an}- bad results 
follow. 

Regular weekly religious services are held in the chapel, and 
opportunities are afforded the patients for social enjoyment Thurs- 
day evening of each week in the amusement hall. The health of 



288 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the patients is remarkably good, the death-riBite being from two to 
three per month, out oi' a total number of 631 patients on the 
average at the asylum. 

OFFICERS, 1880. 

II. M. Horton, Pomeroy, President; John E. Hanna, McCon- 
nelsville, S. W". Pickering. Athens, George W. Boerstler, M. D., 
Lancaster, Theo. F. Davis, Marietta. Trustees; A. B. Richard- 
son, M. D., Superintendent; E. P. Cook, M. D., Asst. Physician; 
B. W. Pickering. M.. D., Asst. Physician; Robt. E. Hamblin, 
Steward; S. 0. Adams, Store-Keeper; Mrs. J. D. Richardson. 
Matron . 

UNION SOLDIERS' BARBECUE. 

One of the greatest days Athens ever saw was the 30th of 
August. 1S66, when a grand barbecue was held, by the ex-soldiers 
and citizens of Athens County. The barbecue had its origin in a 
desire to cement more firmly the relations existing between the 
citizens and survivors of the gallant band who for so long a time 
breasted the storm of battle for love of country. The day was 
propitious, and the town of Athens, the streets having been cleaned, 
never appeared in a neater dress. The streets were thoroughly 
policed from end to end. A train often cars came from the "West 
and two loaded trains from the East, bringing over 3,000 persons. 
But from every wagon-road came, not here and there a wagon, but 
a grand unorganized series of processions which had been formed 
spontaneously on the main thoroughfares from all the smaller 
roads and paths, and tinally culminated in the grand throng, 
which tilled every nook and corner of the town. Some 15,000 
people came into Athens that day. 

The decorations were a leading feature. They were planned 
by the ladies with great taste and skill, and they with their own 
hands did most of the labor. Banners and streamers spanned the 
streets at all the principal corners, while an ingenious and beauti- 
ful arch from the court-house yard to the block opposite was the 
admiration of all. A rope was the main support of the arch, while 
smaller ropes beautifully decorated with evergreens formed the 
principal ornamentations. The likenesses of Generals Grant and 
Sherman and the mottoes "The Nation Honors her Defenders," 
and " Welcome, Brave Men, M occupied a place in the center. 
Nearly every place in town was decorated, some of them on a 
magnificent scale. 



BI8T0E1 OV BOOKING VALLEY. 289 

The dinner was served on the college green, and was a great suc- 
Vast as was the hungry throng, there was enough for all to 
eal A good idea of the amount of edibles required can be ob- 
tained by perusing a few figures showing the amount of the con- 
tributions from one or two places. A.thens Township gave L38 
pounds of bread, 26 pounds of butter, 280 pounde of mutton, 60 
pounds of cheese, 20 chickens, 50 dozen pickles, 21 large cakes, 7 
dozen tarts, 2S dozen small cakes, 167 pies and $600 in cash. 
About $200 ol this sum was invested in bread. Lodi Township 
brought 300 pounds of bread, 400 pounds of beef, 60 pounds 
of mutton, 20 chickens, 55 pounds of butter, 60 pounds <A 
cheese, 25 pies and 50 small cakes. Alexander Township gave 
II pies, 17 chickens, 9£ dozen small cakes, 15 large cake-, 250 
pounds of mutton, 71 pounds bread, 20 dozen pickles, 6 pounds of 
bntter, 1 turkey, 1 peck pop-corn, 1 cheese and $10 in cash. Rome, 
Ames, Leo, Dover and other townships all furnished their quota of 
provisions. 

Eloquent and interesting speeches were made by Governor Den- 
nison, \V. U. Gibson, Hon. T. A. Plants, Colonel W. 13. Stokes 
(ol Tennessee), Colonel T. I>. Pond, and lion. .Mr. Dundy (ot 
Jackson). The barbecue was pronounced a gram] success, and re- 
flected credit on all concerned. 

ATHENIAN LIGHT GUARDS. 

This military organization, the only one worthy of mention in 
Athens since the; war, was formed in the spring of 1878, with L. 
I'. Harper, Captain; John P. Dana, First Lieutenant, and 11. B. 
Stewart, Second Lieutenant. Three months after the organization. 
Captain Harper was elected Colonel and John P. Dana was elected 
Captain; II. I!. Stewart, First Lieutenant, and W. F. Scott, Second 
Lieutenant. In 1879 Captain Dana was appointed < c M' :u *termaster 
of the Eighteenth Regiment, O. NT. G., andH. B. Stewart was elected 
Captain; W. F. Scott, First Lieutenant, and Chas. W. Potter, Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. In L88J Stewartand Potter resigned when W. F. 
Scott was elected Captain; C. W. Harris, Rirst Lieutenant, and H. T. 
Hoyt, Second Lieutenant. The first year of the company's existence 
it was a detached company. The second year it was made Company 
C, of the Eighteenth Regiment, O. X. G., and remained so until 
the following year when the Eighteenth and Second Regiments 
were consolidated and continued under the name of the Second 
Regiment, of which the A. L. G. still formed Company C. The 
in 



290 HISTORY OP HOCKING VALLEY. 

company averaged about forty-five members, were well uniformed, 
and armed by the State with breech-loading rifles. The com- 
pany's band, also organized from Athens, was in 1879 detailed 
as a regimental band, at which time it was enlarged to 
about twenty-five pieces, being an unusually fine military 
band, of which A. B. Lowry was leader. The company went 
into camp each year of its existence at Marietta in 1878 and 
1S79; at Cambridge in 18S0, and at Barnesville in 1881. It was a 
well-drilled company, being above the average in proficiency. 
Among the evidences of the appreciation in which it was held 
by the public was the presentation of a fine silk banner in 1S78 
by the ladies of Athens. 

CITY HALL. 

The construction of the fine town hall of Athens was begun in 
the summer of 1874, Henry O'Bleness being the contracting 
architect. The following extracts from the plans are given: " Front- 
age on Washington street, fifty -four feet; depth, 104 feet; height, two 
stories; first story thirteen feet in the clear, second story, twenty- 
five feet. A corridor thirteen feet in width extends through the 
building, on each side of which corridor are three apartments suit- 
able for offices, with large closets attached." The postofnee is 
located in two of the east rooms. Two broad flights of stairs as. 
cend from the front entrance to the second story, and one staircase 
ascends from the rear of the building to the rear of the stage. 
These latter stairs are designed for private use. The entire height 
of the structure to the top of the cupola, in which latter is a fine 
town clock, with four faces, is 102 feet. The hall on the second 
floor, designed for public occasions, is fifty-one feet wide, seventy 
feet in length, and twenty-five feet in height. The stage is 16 x 26 
feet,with a private apartment 12x14 on each side. The seating 
capacity of the hall is from 500 to 000. 

The corner-stone was laid Monday, Aug. 24, 1S74, with im- 
posing ceremonies by the Masonic order, witnessed by a large con- 
course of people both from home and abroad. 

The following articles were deposited within the stone: One 
copy each of the Cincinnati Commercial, Gazette, Times and En- 
quirer,' the Athens Messt tiger and Journal, the Nelsonville Miner; 
the Prohibition Era, Western Christian Advocate, Masonic Re- 
view and Wooster Republican ; specimens of the several denomina- 
tions of fractional currency; a one dollar note on the State Bank of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 291 

Ohio, Athens Branch; a two dollar U. S. note and silver half dol- 
lar of 1874 ; roll of officers of the Athens Masonic bodies and of 
the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and municipal officers of Athens. 

This hall was completed in the spring of 1875, and opened 
formally June 8. fc 

TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 

The warfare between King Alcohol and the friends of temper- 
ance has been waged constantly for forty years with varying suc- 
cess. A detailed history of the temperance work will not bo 
attempted here, but it is deemed fitting to notice some of the prin 
cipal agitations. 

The first temperance movement of record is found in a sermon 
preached on that subject by the Rev. Robert G. "Wilson, Jan. 22, 
1829. This sermon was published in full in the Athens Mirror of 
that date. 

A society was formed, of which Dr. Wilson was President, the 
Rev. John Spaulding, Vice-President, and Prof. Joseph Dana 
Secretary, and a pledge was kept at the Mirror office for signatures 
The movement was pushed with great earnestness and success by 
the good men who inaugurated it, and doubtless there was suffi- 
cient need of reform. Some of the seed sown fell on good ground in 
Ames Township, and blossomed forth into the following unique 
advertisement, which appeared in the Mirror of April 25, 1829 : 

" A CHALLENGE. 

" ATTENTION GROG DRINKERS ! ! 

" SAMUEL L. MOHLER, of Ames Township, having been for 
sixteen years in the constant habit of drinking, and getting drunk 
on an average as often as once a month, has resolved to refrain en- 
tirely from the practice in future; and as a test of his sincerity, 
he offers to pledge the new wood work to a good wagon against 
any property of equal value that he will refrain from drinking ar- 
dent spirits longer than any other man who has been in the habit 
an equal or half the length of time ; provided both live to make 
the trial. Any person disposed to take him up can give notice to 
that effect. 

"April 10, 1829." 

Whether this interesting challenge was ever accepted or not is 
not known. 



292 HISTORY OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

The Washingtonian movement, which started in the East about 
the year 1848, became very popular throughout Athens County. 
In July, 1848, there were seven of this order organized and at work 
in this county, as follows : Philos Adelphos Division, No. 129, 
located at Athens; McArthurstown Division, No. 210, at Mc- 
Arthur, now Vinton County; Ainesville Division, No. 277, at 
Amesville; Hebbardsville Division, No. 296, at Hebbardsville; 
Nelsonville Division, No. 415, at Nelsonville; Albany Division, 
No. 487, at Albany; and Savannah Division, No. 485, at Savannah. 

" THE CRUSADE/' 

The famous temperance "crusade" produced much excitement 
in Athens. The initial step here was a meeting held in the Pres- 
byterian church Feb. 6, 1874, when a "Woman's Temperance 
League " was organized. Mrs. Angie C. Brown was elected Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Jamee L. Ballard and Mrs. Lewis Steenrod, Vice-Presi- 
dents, and Mrs. Angele C. Davis, Secretary. Daily prayer-meetings 
were held for some time. A number of pledges were prepared 
and circulated. The first was a pledge for the members, de- 
claring lasting warfare on all kinds of liquor dealing. A pledge 
of total abstinence was signed by many citizens, binding for one 
year, and another binding for life. Still another pledge Tor the 
citizens was one promising aid and sympathy to the women in 
their work. The " property -holders' pledge" promised that the 
signers would not lease any property for use in connection with 
the liquor traffic. The physicians' and druggists' pledges promised 
not to prescribe or sell liquor for medicine except when absolutely 
necessary. Most of these pledges were liberally signed. 

Tuesday, Feb. 10, a meeting was held in the Methodist church, 
when acall was made for volunteers to go upon the street and person- 
ally appeal to the druggists and saloonkeepers. Two thirds of the 
ladies present volunteered for this duty, and the rest o\' the ladies 
with a number of gentlemen remained in the church to pray. The 
crusaders went forth to visit the places where liquors were sold in 
the town, and, by singing and praying, endeavored to induce the 
proprietors to give up their business. All such places were visited, 
but the object in view was attained only with a few. Various 
promises were secured, but when the excitement subsided the 
town was but little better off in this respect than before. Nel- 
sonville and other places in the county had a similar experience. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 293 

MURPHY MOVEMENT. 

The well known "Murphy movement" of 1877 reached Athens 
May 9, of that year. A scries of meetings was held, beginning 
with that date, which almost carried Athens by storm. In ten 
days 1,000 signatures to the pledge were received. The 
meetings were attended by immense crowds. These meetings were 
held in the city hall, except a mass meeting on the college green, 
held on Saturday, May 19. Much good was doubtless effected by 
these meetings, but still the enthusiasm was comparatively short 
lived. Meetings were for a time held almost constantly all over 
the county, and several thousand persons were pledged to total 
abstinence. 

WHISKY INSURRECTION. 

On the last day of the session of. the Legislature, in the spring 
of 1861, a law was passed by an almost, if not quite, unanimous 
vote, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors within two miles 
of any encampment of soldiers, and authorizing the officers of the 
military, as well as civil officers, under certain circumstances, to 
destroy the liquor. This law was soon enforced in Athens. On 
the night of Wednesday, May 22, some of the recruits in Camp 
Jewett found the means of leaving the camp, and after visiting 
the grog shops of the town, were prepared to play the soldier on 
their own account. Mistaking gate posts for rebel officers, and the 
pickets for secession armies, they charged upon the foe, and when 
victory perched upon their banners there were fewer front fences 
in Athens than before. Of course astir was created in town, and 
no less a one in camp. It was soon ascertained where the liquor 
had been obtained, and a squad of soldiers, with muskets and bay- 
onets, were detailed to " execute the law." And they did execute 
the law with summary promptness. From shanty to saloon, and 
from doggery to hotel, the squad marched, and in their trail flowed, 
if not blood, streams of very bad whisky. 

This summary execution of a wise law was repeated in a milder 
manner, Aug. -1, 1861. The Eighteenth Infantry was at that time 
rendezvousing at Camp Wool, at Athens, for reorganization, under 
the supervision of Major C. H. Grosvenor. Certain "liquor shan- 
ty" proprietors on the outskirts of town were on several occasions 
ordered not to sell liquor to the soldiers, but this prohibition was 
persistently disregarded. Accordingly , early on the morning of 



20i HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the date above mentioned, Major Grosvenor appeared on the 
streets with a squad of soldiers, and accompanied by " Cart " Da- 
vis with his horse and dray, proceeded to gather up the whisky 
from the different places whore it was kept for sale. Several Loads 
of whisky were thus captured, and placed under lock and key. 

LYNCHING IN ATHENS ! 

The greatest event in the criminal history of Athens County was 
the crime and punishment of Christopher C. Davis, a mulatto, in 
the fall of L881. Davis was a farm-hand who had been working in 
the vicinity of Albany. He had done some Work for and was 
acquainted with a widow. Mrs. Lucinda Luckey by name, a most 
estimable lady of about fifty-two years of ago. Betweeu eight and 
nine o'clock on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, L881, Davis went to 
Mrs. Luckey 's house, which was in an isolated situation, and made 
indecent proposals to her, which were indignantly repelled. She 
succeeded in inducing him to quit the house, but he returned again 
at midnight and broke into the house with an ax. Without a 
word he assaulted the poor woman, who stood near the doorway, 
wild with terror, striking her in the face and choking her to the 
floor. It is supposed that he then forcibly outraged her person. 
Ai'ter accomplishing this hellish purpose betook the ax to com- 
plete his deadly work, and struck her with it about the head 
several times, fracturing the frontal and parietal bones of the skull, 
and cutting frightful gashes, portions of the scalp and the integu- 
ments of the head being torn completely off. Mrs. Luckey lay 
unconscious tor several hours, but in the early morning managed 
to make her way to a neighbor's house, ami tell her terrible story. 
She finally recovered. 

Davis was arrested and taken before the Justice at Albany, who 
bound him over to court in the sum of $300. lie was taken to 
Athens and imprisoned there. But when the enormity ot the 
crime charged against him became known, there were mutterings 
and threats ot' vengeance both loud and deep, which induced 
Sheriff Warden to remove him to Chillicothe for safe keeping. 
Alter a time, when the excitement had apparently subsided, he 
was brought back to the Athens jail. 

Between one and two o'clock on the morning of Monday, Nov. 
21, L881, a band of about thirty armed men from the vicinity ot' 
Albany and- other parts of the county made their appearance in 
Athens for the purpose of hanging Davis. They wore thoroughly 



BISTORT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 295 

organized, and used great care in their operations. They stationed 
guards at the residence of Marshal Scott, at the Brown House, 
where it was supposed Deputy Sheriff Sands roomed, at the 
churches and city hall, so that no alarm could be given by the 
ringing of bells. Thej then proceeded to the residence of the 
sheriff, overpowered him, got into the jail, and finding Davis, 
placed a rope around his neck, and the crowd proceeded to the 
South Bridge. Davis at first maintained his innocence, but finally 
confessed. lie was given three minutes to pray, and then, the 
rope being fastened, was cast off the bridge. Watching him till 
life was extinct, the crowd then quietly dispersed. The testimony 
before the grand jury did not show who were the leaders in this 
summary execution, and no one has ever been brought to justice 
for complicity in it. In fact, public sympathy was so strong that 
little effort was made to investigate the facts. 

A.THENS BUSINESS [NTEEE8TS. 

in the business interests of Athens can be seen better than in 
any other way her actual growth and true progress. For years 
her growth was slow, her business languishing. This was while she 
had no outlet to the busy world, but was surrounded by her ever- 
lasting hills, which looked down serenely upon the gem which 
rested so quietly upon the bosom of the valley below. The first 
impulse or movement which gave life to her sluggish nature, for it 
was becoming such from long inactivity, was the completion of the 
Hocking Valley Canal. It was the end of water route, and as 
such she received much business. She was the shipping point for 
quite an extensive scope of country, which gave her quite a name 
as a business point. It did not much, as the census shows, increase 
the population, but her mercantile class received a wonderful 
increase to their business, and one they welcomed most heartily. On 
the completion of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railway, the Hocking 
Valley and the Ohio Central, she had been placed in a commanding 
position, and her trade has advanced most rapidly. The isolated 
town among the hills is assuming a commercial look, and it will 
not be long before her business interests will be, like her University 
and Asylum, something that people can point to with pride. 

ix 1819. 

The record of the above year of Athens's business interests shows 
that she had five general stores, three taverns, and the Ohio Uni- 



296 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

versity, one of the most celebrated seminaries in the State, and the 
Hocking River. There was also stated that there were live prac- 
ticing physicians in the county. From that date the town grew, 
and further arrivals and a more extended business gathered within 
her limits, but the next record found was after a lapse of nearly a 
half a century. 

1866. 

It was not until 1866 that another statement was found of the 
business interests of Athens, and the contrast between that and 
1S19 is certainly great; while taking the half century that had 
passed into consideration, the city had nothing whatever to be 
proud of. A far greater contrast will be found between 1866 and 
1883. One other point in this last growth of seventeen years: It 
has not only grown in the number and variety of its business 
houses, but the old firms have in many instances trebled and quad- 
rupled their sales. One house in Athens now does a larger busi- 
ness than all in 1819, and has a fair margin over. There can be 
ten business houses of 1883 selected that would, in amount 
of their sales, exceed the combined mercantile interests of 1866. It 
is this business growth which has exceeded the increase of popula- 
tion. The statistics of 1866 are given below: 

There were 21S dwelling houses, 2 tanneries, 2 grist-mills in op- 
eration besides one out of repair, 2 spinning and weaving facto- 
ries, 2 carding machines, 2 wagon and buggy shops, 4 blacksmith 
shops, 13 carpenters, 2 coopers, 2 tinshops, 2 hardware stores. 2 
drug stores, 2 book and stationery stores, 1 tobacconist, 2 butchers, 
4 fresh meat sellers, 2 bakeries, 1 general land agency, 1 planing 
mill. 3 coal merchants, 2 salt works, 1 company sinking shaft for 
coal, 3 hotels, 2 barber shops, I express company, 1 telegraph of- 
fice, 5 plasterers, 1 clothing store, 5 dry-goods stores, 2 boot and 
shoe stores, 2 silversmiths, 5 groceries, 1 huckster shop, 4 saloons, 
2 millinery shops, 2 saddle and harness shops, 2 tailor shops, 2 
draymen, 2 warehouses, 1 foundry and machine shop, 3 livery sta- 
bles, 1 stage-coach line, 7 lawyers, 7 doctors, 1 bank, 2 churches 
(Methodist ami Presbyterian), jail and count}' buildings, -i passen- 
ger and 4 freight trains arriving and departing daily, I printing 
office, 1 fancy sign-painter, 2 house-painters, 2 dentists, I univer- 
sity with large and commodious buildings, a large and one of the 
finest anion school-houses in Ohio, and "an old court-house." 

There have been some changes in Athens since that time, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. L y, .»7 

decidedly for the better. The last item of the above was undoubt- 
edly a sore spot to the chronicler, "An old court-house." lia 
seemed to have an utter contempt for the '* old affair," and yet it 
rang with as much eloquence, and the law had as many great ex- 
pounders as ever will the new. There are no doubt brainy men 
at the bar <»t* Athens to-day, hut somehow their reputation is not 
national and they but till a State and local field. So we will drop 
a parting tear to the "old court-house," to Tom Ewing and his 
compeers, before the old love is thrown off for the new. 

Ill SINE6S DIEE< TOEY. 

Adams' Express Company, Frank Falloon, agent; B. F. Addle- 
man, photograph artist; Robert Arscott, brickmaker; Athens Gae 
Light Company, J. M. Welch, President, W. II. Harris, Secretary; 
Athens Water Wheel and Machine (Jo., J). B. Stewart, I 'resident, 
II. R. Mathias, Secretary; G. W. Baker, general insurance agent; 
Bank of Athens, James D. Brown, Cashier; First National Bank, 
A. Norton, President, I). II. Moore, Jr., Cashier; W. I). Bartlett, 
hardware ; Bayard, TJllura & Co., hardware; E.C. Berry, restaurant; 

E. T. Bingman, musical instruments and sewing machines; Thomas 
Bradford, barber shop; W. II. Brown & Co., wholesale groceries; 
T. W. Woodyard, proprietor Brown Eouse; Brown & BLoone, 
attorneys at law; W. R. Calkins & Bro., hardware; Wm. Caven, 
blacksmith; Pl. E. Constable, attorney at law; John Cornell, pro- 
prietor Cornell House; Jesse Cornell, restaurant; D..C. Cornwell, 
jewelry and silverware; Cushman Crippen, blacksmith; Dana & 
Ivaler, dry goods and clothing; De Steiguer & Jewett, attorneys at 
law; G. A. Dille, dentist; II. K. Dorr, drug- and medicines, two 
stores; I )avid Dyson, boots and shoes; David Edgar, brick-maker; 
J. E. Edmundson, dentist; Falloon & O'Bleness, furniture manu- 
facturers and dealers in lumber and building materials; James Far- 
rell, meat market; F. Fensel, brick-maker and saloon keeper; 
Frank E. Foster, groceries; W. B. Foster, livery stable; A. B. 
Frame, physician and Burgeon; J. A. Frame, physician and sur- 
geon; James 15. Fulton, groceries; Elmer Golden, groceries; G. 
L. Gorslene, physician and surgeon; Frank Gibbs, barber shop; 

F. P. Graham, photograph artiat; James Grim, livery stable; 
Grosvenor & Jones, attorneys at law; Henry Eagy, saloon; [saac 
Half, furniture; Frederick Ileisner, tobacco and cigars; ('. P. Een- 
derson, drugs and medicines; the Athens Herald, published by the 
Herald Company, edited by L. C. Butler; Henry Herrold, flour- 



29S HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

ing mill; T. J. Herrold & Co., groceries; Judiah Higgins, harness 
and saddles; C. C. Holmes, bakery and confectionery; The Athens 
Journal, published and edited by Jennie Jones; P. Kern ifc Son, 
boots and shoes; .fames King, blacksmith; F. M. Koons, grocer 
and dealer in lumber and building material; Kurtz & Minear, 
books, jewelry, stationery and wall paper; Justin Laird & Co., 
carriage manufacturers, and dealers in carriages, wagons, farming 
implements, harness, whips, etc.; E. R. Lash, drugs and medicines; 
H. M. Lash, physician and surgeon; A. Love, Bakery; W. F. Mann, 
saloon; J. Maxey, gunsmith; C. McLean, jewelry; W. F. Scott, 
agent M. & C. R. R. and Express Co. ; Gus. Mensler, meat market : 
The Athens Messenger, published and edited by C. E. M. Jen- 
nings; Mintun & Fuller, groceries; M. P. Murphy, cigars, 
tobacco and sample room; Henry Nelson, dry goods and cloth- 
ing; Pickering & Walsh, groceries; S. Pickering, cigar manu- 
factory; T. M. D. Pilcher, furniture; W. II. Potter, restaurant; 
John Ring, meat market; A. L. Roach & Son, groceries; 
F. S. & H. M. Roach, Jr., groceries; Harvey M. Roach, grocer 
ies; R. "W". Roach, groceries; F. Roth, tannery; Cyrus Rose, 
harness and saddles; Ryan & Bell, groceries; Jacob Snaffle r, 
merchant tailor; Chas. P. Shutt, carriage manufactory, dealer 
in carriages, wagons, etc; Singer Sewing Machine Co., sewing- 
machines and fixtures; Albert Sloan, tobacco, cigars and 
jewelry; O. B. Sloan, dry goods; Sam. Sommers, dry goods; 
W. 11. Statey, boots and shoes; D. B. Stewart, flouring mill; 
H. S. Stinson, physician and surgeon; Emmett Tompkins, at- 
torney at law; Townsend & Sleeper, attorneys at law; E. L. 
"\\ alker, boots and shoes; G. R. Walker, books and stationery; 
J. II. Walker, undertaker; C. H. Warden & Bros., produce 
shippers; Granville C. Brown, proprietor Warren House; J. E. 
Weidman, cigar manufactory; C. S. Welch, attorney at law; 
Welch & Welch, attorneys at law; Western Union Telegraph 
Co., Mrs. Ella Guerin, operator; James West, barber shop; John 
West, barber shop;* Mrs. M.C.White, milliner; J. O. Whipple, 
groceries; Wilson & Morse, marble works; C. II. Winger, con- 
fectioneries, cigars and tobacco; Wood & Wood, attorneys at 
law; D. Zenner & Co., dry goods and clothing; one new court- 
house; one new city hall and postoffice; Ohio University with 
additional building; an insane asylum; one tine public school 
building. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 299 

I5ANK8. 

The first bank in Athens, and the first in the Hocking Valley, 
except at Lancaster, was the Athens branch of the State Bank ot 
Ohio, established in 1848. For the purpose of forming this bank, a 
number of citizens met at the court-house May 17 of that year, 
over which meeting Ezra Stewart presided. Articles of association 
were adopted and signed by the forty-nine stock-holders. The 
capital stock was $100,000, divided into 1,000 shares of $100 each. 
This was the minimum amount which the law of 1845 allowed to be 
used as the capital of a branch of the State Bank. The following 
nine gentlemen were chosen as the Directors of the bank: John 
Ballard, John Welch, Ezra Stewart, A. B. Walker, Joseph M.. Dana, 
Leonidas Jewett, Douglas Putnam, Samuel Pickering, and Joseph 
K. Will. John Welch, of Athens, was elected President; Charles 
II. Cornwell, previously Teller of a bank«at Chillicothe, was chosen 
Cashier, at a salary of $800; and Enos Stimson, Jr., of Athens, 
was named as Teller, at a salary of $500. The cashier's bond was 
fixed at $20,000, and the teller's at $10,000. The bank was located 
in a brick building erected by Pickering & Carley, opposite the 
court-house, and began business in the latter part of duly, 1848. 
John Ballard was chosen President for 1849, and held the office as 
long as the bank existed as a branch of the State Bank. Mr. Corn- 
well resigned in December, 1S50, and John U. Crawford was chosen 
Cashier in his place. lie remained six years, and was succeeded 
by L. H. Stewart in ls57. Mr. Stewart's health failing him, he 
was obliged to leave in 1863, after which time A. G. Brown was 
the Cashier. The year 1803, in which was passed the law provid- 
ing for National banks, brought a revolution in banking, and the 
State banks gave way to the banks of the present day. 

The First National Bank of J.^/k?«.? was the natural successor 
of the Athens Branch of the State Bank, and was organized Dec. 
29, 1863, with a capital stock of $50,000, divided into 500 shares, 
the first owners of which were as follow.-: Noah L. Wilson, of 
Chillicothe, 62; John Welch, of Athens, 19; John Ballard, of Ath- 
ens, 110; Eliakim II. Moore, of Athens, 40; Archibald G. Brown, 
of Athens, 100; Douglas Putnam, of Marietta, 50; Charles B. Hall, 
of Marietta,.'!; David C. Skinner, of Marietta, 50; Milbury M. 
Greene, of Athens, 15. The Directors first chosen were, N. L. 
Wilson, John Welch, John Ballard, E. II. Moore, J. C. Skinner. 
Douglas Putnam, and A. G. Brown. E. JL Moore was elected 



300 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

President, a position he retained until January, 1879, when A. 
Norton became President. A. G. Brown was Cashier until 1868, 
when he was succeeded by Thomas H. Sheldon. Mr. Sheldon 
resigned in 1882, and since Jan. 1, 18S3, the position has been 
held by David II. Moore. David Kessinger was Teller from 1868 
to 1S76, in September ot which year D. H. Moore was elected 
Teller. On Mr. Moore's being promoted to Cashier, John J. 
Welch became the Teller. The present Board of Directors consists 
of A. Norton, J. M. Welch, E. EL Moore, A. G. Brown, Emmett 
Tompkins, J. M. Goodspeed, and E. W. Nye. The charter of the 
bank was renewed Feb. 24, 1SS3. The capital stock was some 
time since increased to $75,000. Since the establishment of the 
bank, it has declared over $80,000 in dividends. 

The Bank of Athens. — Messrs. John Brown and James D. Brown 
started in the banking business in Albany in 1867, under the firm 
name of John Brown & Son. In October of the following year 
they removed, with their business, to Athens, where their bank has 
since been known as the "Bank of Athens." The elder Mr. Brown 
died in October, 1875, since which time the business has been con- 
ducted by Mr. J. D. Brown. Mr. R. H. Stewart was with the bank 
as Teller for about ten years, leaving in July, 1S82. Charles W. 
Harris, the present Teller, entered the bank in January, 1876. W. 
B. Golden entered the bank in August, 18S2. The bank of Athens 
has until this year (1883) occupied one of the oldest buildings ot 
the village, having been built in 1812. This has been taken down, 
and at the present writing Mr. Brown is erecting a new building 
38x16 feet, with an L 18x19 on the same corner. The banking- 
room will be 18 x 26; private office 10 x 11. 

ATHENS GAS-LIGHT COMPANY. 

This company was organized as a joint stock company in 1872, 
its object being the manufacture of gas for lighting the city. The 
original capital was $30,000. The facilities were all completed for 
operation in the fall of 1873, since which time gas has been used 
for lighting the streets, also the public and private buildings of 
the city. The original directors of the company were : John 
Ballard, G. T. Gould, C. II. Grosvenor, D. B. Stewart and L. W. 
Brown, John Ballard being President and L.W. Brown, Secretary. 
The present Directors are : J. M. Welch, D. B. Stewart, A. W. 
rilum, Emmett Tompkins and W. D. Bartlett. J. M. Welch is 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 301 

President and W. H. Harris, Secretary. This company has also 
built up a large trade in lime and cement in which, at present, 
they are the leading dealers in the city. 

TELEGRAPH LINES. 

The first telegraph line which passed through Athens City was 
that of the New Orleans & Ohio Telegraph Company. The first 
message received at Athens was on Oct. 6, 1848, and the line is 
still a public institution for private profit. The Pomeroy & Athens 
line was the next which opened for business, in January, 1S59. 

OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF ATHENS. 

The records of the town, from the date of incorporation, 
1811, to that of 1825, inclusive, were lost. The latter year, how- 
ever, it was known that James Oilman was President of the 
Council, and Joseph B. Miles, Recorder. 

The election for town officers, March 0, 1826, gave a total poll 
of forty-three votes, and the following persons were elected mem- 
bers of the Town Council, viz.: Thomas Brice, by thirty -four votes; 
Columbus Bierce, by thirty-four votes; Ebenezer Currier, by thirty- 
one votes; John Brown, Jr., by thirty-three votes, and Joseph B- 
Miles, by twenty-three votes. The following town officers were 
elected : Samuel Knowles. Marshal; Eben Foster, Supervisor; 
A. G. Brown, Treasurer; Calvary Morris, Collector; John Gill- 
more, Assessor. The council elected Ebenezer Currier, President, 
and Joseph B. Miles, Recorder. 

March 5, 1827. — Charles Shipman, Columbus Bierce, John 
Brown, Jr., Thomas Brice and Isaac Taylor were elected Council- 
men; William "W. Bierce, Marshal; John Gillmore, Assessor; 
James J. Fuller, Collector; A. G. Brown, Treasurer; Eben Foster, 
Supervisor. The council elected Columbus Bierce, President, and 
John Brown, Jr., Recorder for the ensuing j-ear. 

March 10,1828. — An election was held, pursuant to an act of the 
Legislature, passed Jan. 24, 1828, entitled '-an act to incorporate 
the t>»wn of Athens, in the county of Athens." Nine councilmen 
were chosen, whose term of office was afterward decided by lot, as 
follows, viz.: Joseph Dana, Thomas Brice and Jeremiah Olnev. 
to serve three years; Isaac Barker, John Gillmore and Amos Crip- 
pen, to serve two years; and Fbenezer Currier, Eliphaz Perkins 
and Norman Root, to serve one year. The council elected of their 



302 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLE1. 

own number, Joseph Dana, Mayor, and Norman Root, Recorder; 
and they appointed from the citizens, A. G. Brown, Treasurer; 
John McGill, Marshal; John Porter, Surveyor of wood and lum- 
ber, and William Golden, Clerk of the market. 

March 9, 1829. — Joseph Dana was elected Mayor; Ebenezer 
Currier, Calvary Morris and Norman Root, Councilmen; and 
John McGill, Marshal. Norman Root was chosen Recorder 
for the ensuing year; A. G. Brown, Treasurer, and John Porter, 
Surveyor of wood and lumber. The mode of electing the mayor 
and marshal had been changed by an act of the Legislature, passed 
Feb. 2S, 1829, which made these officers elective by the people, 
instead of by the Town Council. 

March 8, 1830. — John Gillmore, Amos Crippen and Isaac 
Barker were elected to the Town Council, for three years, and 
John Perkins for one year; Joseph Dana was elected Mayor, and 
John Sampson, Marshal. Norman Root was appointed Recorder, 
John Porter, Surveyor of wood and lumber, and Dr. A. V. Med- 
ial rv, Treasurer. 

March 14, 1831. — Joseph Dana, Thomas Brice and John Per- 
kins were elected Councilmen; Joseph Dana was elected Mayor, 
and John Sampson, Marshal. The Council appointed Norman 
Root, Recorder; Dr. A. V. Medbnry, Treasurer, and Win. D. Bart- 
lett, Surveyor of wood and lumber for ensuing year. 

March 12, 1832.— Hull Foster, Win. D. Bartlett and Francis 
Beardsley were elected Councilmen; John Gillmore, Mayor, and 
Thomas Francis, Marshal. The Council appointed Thomas Brice, 
Recorder, and Dr. Medbury, Treasurer. 

March 11, 1833.— Samuel Miller, Oliver Childs and Isaac N. 
Norton were elected Councilmen; Samuel Miller, Mayor, and John 
Sampson, Marshal. Joseph Dana was appointed Recorder, and 
Dr. Medbury, Treasure! 1 . 

March 10, 1831. — Thomas Francis, A. B. Walker and Charles 
Cunningham were elected Councilmen; Samuel Miller, Mayor, 
and John Sampson, Marshal. A. B. Walker was appointed 
Recorder, for the ensuing year, and Dr. Medbury, Treasurer. 

March 9, 1835. — Norman Root, James J. Fuller and Francis 
Beardsley were elected Councilmen; Samuel Miller, Mayor, and 
John Sampson, Marshal. Edgar P. Jewett was appointed Treas- 
urer, and A. B. Walker, Recorder, for the ensuing year. 

March 14, 1836. — I. N. Norton, John AVelch and Leonidas 
Jewett were elected Councilmen; I. N. Norton, Mayor, and Cyrus 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 303 

Gibson, Marshal. John Welch was appointed Recorder, and P. S. 
Baker, Treasurer. 

March 13, 1837.— Henry Bartlett, John N. Dean, Cephas Car- 
penter and Thomas Francis were elected Conncilmen; Henrv 
Bartlett, Mayor, and Samuel Miller, Marshal. Norman Root, 
appointed Recorder, and P. S. Baker, Treasurer. 

Record of 1838 missing. 

March 11, 1839. — John Brown, Jr., H. R. Gillmore and 
Cephas Carpenter were elected Conncilmen for three years, and 
Norman Root, Robert McCabe and Francis Beardsley, for two- 
years. John Brown, elected Mayor, and Dr. C. Bierce, Marshal. 
Norman Root appointed Recorder, and P. S. Baker, Treasurer. 

March 9, 1810. -P. S. Baker, John N. Dean and Cephas Car- 
penter, were elected Councilmen; John Brown, Mayor, and I. 
K. Norton, Marshal. Norman Root appointed Recorder, and A. 
B. Walker, Treasurer. 

March 8, 1841. — James J. Fuller, E. Cockerill and Enos Stim- 
son, were elected Counciimen; John Brown, Mayor, and Benja- 
min Brown, Marshal. Enos Stimson appointed Recorder, and A. 
B. Walker, Treasurer. 

March 14, 1842. — Leonidas Jewett, Norman Root and J. L. Cur- 
rier were elected Councilmen; Norman Root, Mayor, and John 
Sampson, Marshal. Enos Stimson appointed Recorder, and A. B. 
Walker, Treasurer. 

March 13, 1843. — John Brown, Ezra Stewart and Francis Beards- 
ley were elected Councilmen; John Brown, Mayor, and Jacob C. 
McCabe, Marshal. 

March 11, 1844. — John Ballard, Cephas Carpenter, Sumner 
Bartlett and Dr. Win. Blackstone were elected Conncilmen; John 
Brown, Mayor, and William Smith, Marsha 1 . Leonidas Jewett 
appointed Recorder, and Benjamin Brown, Treasnrer. 

Record of 1845, missing. 

March 1', 1846. — Ezra Stewart, Francis Beardsley and John 
Brown elected Conncilmen for three years; Sumner Bartlett, Win. 
R. Smith and J. W. Bayard for two years; John Brown, Mayor, 
and Abel Stedman, Marshal. J. W. Bayard appointed Recorder. 
and O. W. Brown, Treasnrer. 

March 8, 1847. — John Ballard, Dr. Win. Blacks.one and Cephas 
Carpenter were elected Councilmen; John Brown. Mayor, and Abel 
Stedman, Marshal. J. W. Bayard appointed Recorder, and O. W. 
Brown, Treasurer. 



30-1 HISTORY OF HOCKING TALLEY. 

March 13, 1848.— Samuel Miller, Win. R. Smith and Joseph 
Jewett were elected Councilmen; Samuel Miller, Mayor, and Win. 
H. Abbott, Marshal. Joseph Jewett appointed Recorder, and O. 
W. Brown, Treasurer. 

March, 12, 1819. — John Brown, Andrew Kessinger and Wm. 
"Walker were elected councilmen; John Brown, Mayor, and Abel 
Stedman, Marshal. Joseph Jewett appointed Recorder, and O. 
W. Brown, Treasurer. 

March, 11, 1850. — Joseph M. Dana, Lot L. Smith and Samuel 
Pickering were elected Councilmen; Samuel Miller, Mayor, and 
Abel Stedman, Marshal. Joseph Jewett appointed Recorder, and 
Leonidas Jewett, Treasurer. 

March, 10, 1851. — John Brown, Joseph M. Dana, Andrew Kes- 
singer, E. P. Talpey and Wm. Walker, Councilmen; Samuel Miller, 
Mayor; Joseph Jewett, Recorder, and Leonidas Jewett, Treas- 
urer. 

March 10, 1852.— Wm. Walker, Norman Root. John B. Paul, 
Samuel Miller, J. M. Dana, Councilmen; John Brown, Mayor; 
Joseph Jewett, Recorder, and L. Jewett, Treasurer. 

April 14, 1853.— John Brown, Samuel Miller, John B. Paul, 
Joseph Jewett, Win. Walker, Councilmen; Norman Root, Mayor; 
J. M. Dana, Recorder, and L. Jewett, Treasurer. 

April 15, 1854. — John Brown, Wm. Walker, H. K. Blackstone, 
D. M. Clayton, Henry T. Hoyt, Councilmen; Norman Root, 
.Mayor; J. M. Dana, Recorder; and L. Jewett, Treasurer. 

April, 1855. — Henry T. Iloyt, Jesse Davis, J. Lawrence Currier, 
J. C. Frost, N. H. Yan Yorhes, Councilmen; Norman Root, 
Mayor; J. M. Dana, Recorder; L. Jewett, Treasurer. 

April, 1856. — II. K. Blackstone, Wm. P. Kessinger, Oliver W. 
Pickering, L. Jewett, E. H.Moore, Councilmen; Norman Root, 
Mayor; J. M. Dana, Recorder; L. Jewett, Treasurer. 

April, 1857.— Lot L. Smith, H. K. Blackstone, Wm. P. Kes- 
singer, Geo. W. Baker, O. W. Pickering, Councilmen; Norman 
Root, Mayor; J. M. Dana, Recorder; II. K. Blackstone, Treas- 
urer. 

April, 1858.— Henry T. Hoyt, N. II. Van Yorhes, Lot L. Smith, 
Hiram R. Crippen, Thomas Davis, Councilmen; N. Root, Mayor; 
J. M. Dana, Recorder; II. T. Hoyt, Treasurer. 

April, 1859.— II. T. Hoyt, L. L. Smith, Charles H. Grosvenor, 
Thomas Davis, Hiram R. Crippen, Councilmen; X. Root, Mayor; 
J. M. Dana, Recorder; H. T. Hoyt, Treasurer. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 305 

April, I860.— L. Jewett, W. P. Johnson, H. T. Hoyt, Win. Gol- 
den, Rufus P. Crippen, Councilmen; X. Root, Mayor; F. II. Sted- 
man, Recorder; II. T. Hoyt, Treasurer. 

April, 1861.— L. Jewett, W. P. Johnson, II. T. Hoyt, Win. Gol- 
den, II. S. Stimson, Councilmen; X. Root, Mayor; F. II. Sted- 
man, Recorder; II. T. Hoyt, Treasurer. 

April, 1862.— II. T. Hoyt, Wm. Golden, E. II. Moore, Josephus 
Tucker, E. C. Crippen, Councilmen; X. Root, Mayor; F. H. Sted- 
man, Recorder; 11. T. Hoyt, Treasurer. 

April, 1863.— II. T. Hoyt, E. C. Crippen, Josephus Tucker, 
Charles P. Ballard, Jesse Davis, Councilmen; N. Root, Mayor; 
F. IL Stedman, Recorder; II. T. Hoyt, Treasurer. 

April, 1861.— Abner Cooley, A. D. Brown, II. K. Blackstone, 
Josephus Tucker, R. P. Crippen, Councilmen; Joseph M. Dana, 
Mayor; Simeon W. Pickering, Recorder; A. D. Brown, Treas- 
urer. 

April, 1865.— Jesse Van Law, X. H. Van Vorhes, II. K. Black- 
stone, Elmer Golden, A. D. Brown, Councilmen; J. M. Dana, 
Mayor; S. W. Pickering, Recorder; A. D. Brown, Treasurer. 

April, 1866.— A. D. Brown, II. K. Blackstone, J. W. Harris, 
X. H. Yan Vorhes, Jesse Van Law, Councilmen; J. M. Dana, 
Mayor; S. W. Pickering, Recorder; A. M. Brown, Treasurer. 

April, 1867.— II. K. Blackstone, X. H. Van Vorhes, Jesse Van 
Law, J. H. Falloon and Wm. P. Johnson, Councilmen; George W. 
Baker, Mayor; Frederick L. Ballard, Recorder; II. II. Van Vorhes, 
Treasurer. 

April, 1868.— X. II. Van Vorhes, H. K. Blackstone, C. L. 
Wilson, H. S. Stimson and Alexander Cochran, Councilmen; J. M. 
Dana, Mayor; F. L. Ballard, Recorder; X. II. Van Vorhes, Treas- 
urer. 

1869.— Hiram C. Martin, Mayor; F. L: Ballard, Recorder; X. 
II. Van Vorhes, Treasurer; II. K. Blackstone, II. S. Stimson, 
Josephus Tucker, X. 11. Van Vorhes, C. L. Wilson and F. L. Bal- 
lard, Councilmen. 

1870.— Wm. Golden, Mayor; S. W. Pickering, Eli C. Crippen, 
H. S. Stimson, John Ring, W. W. Kurtz and W. W. Love, Coun- 
cil; C. II. Grosvenor, Solicitor; C. R. Sheldon, Clerk; James D. 
Brown, Treasurer; Robert White, Street Commissioner and Mar- 
shal. 

1871. — The same as 1870, except Elza Jones, Marshal, in place 
of R. White, resigned. 
20 



306 HISTORY OF Hot KING VALLEY. 

1872.— Win. Golden, Mayor; L. W. Brown, George T. Gould, 

Jacob G rones, W. W. Kurtz, W. W. Love and J. Ring, Council; 
C. H. Grosvenor, Solicitor; C. R. Sheldon, Clerk; James D. 
Brown, Treasurer; Robert White, Street Commissioner; M. B. 
Port, Marshal. 

1873. — Members of Council, Louis W. Brown, George T. Gould, 
J. Grones, R. P. Crippen, Judiah Higgins an 1 Xehemiah War- 
ren; other officers the same as in 1872. 

1874. — Wm. Golden, Mayor; James D. Brown, Treasurer; C. 
R. Sheldon, Clerk; L. M. Jewett, Solicitor; Robert White, Street 
Commissioner; J. Cart. Davis, Marshal. Council, J. Higgins, N. 
Warren, J. Grones, E. H. Moore, N. H. Van Vorhes and Win- 
field Scott, and George W. Baker, from Nov. 5, to fill vacancy of 
X. 1L Van Vorhes, resigned. 

1875. — Council, S. W. Pickering. J. Higgins, Winfield Scott, 
E. M. Moore, 11. K. Blackstone and J. Grones; other officers the 
same as in 1874. 

1876. — Mayor, Wm. Golden; Solicitor, Emmett Tompkins; 
Cierk, C. R. Sheldon; Treasurer, J. D. Brown; Marshal, M. B. 
Port; Street Cjmmissioner, Peter Fiusterwald; Council, Messrs. 
Leonard Brown, II. S. Stimson, E. Ii. Moore, W. H. Brown, J. 
Higgins and S. W. Pickering. 

1877.— Council, E. B. Clarke, H. M. Lash, T. B. Warden, II. S. 
Stimson, E. II. Moore and Leonard Brown; other officers held 
over from 1ST''.. 

1878. — Mayor, Emmett Tompkins; Solicitor, Evan J. Jones; 
Clerk, C. R. Sheldon; Treasurer, J. D. Brown; Marshal, M. B. 
Port; Street Commissioner, Peter Finsterwald; ^Council, Peter 
Kern, Winfield Scott, George W. Lllum, E. B. Clarke, II. M. Lash 
and T. B. Warden. 

L879. — Council, E. B. Clark, F. O. Pickering, T. II. Sheldon, 
P. Kern, G. W. Ullum and Winfield Scott; other officers held over 
from 1878. Dec 31, J. P. Wood app tinted Mayor to fill vacancy 
of Emmett Tompkin-, resigned. 

1880. J. P. Wood, Mayor; C. R. Sheldon, Clerk: C. McClain, 
Treasurer; Walter Howe, Marshal; Peter Finsterwald, Street Com- 
missioner; Ii. II. Stewart, John Graham, AN'. II. Brown, T. II. 
Sheldon. F. ( ). Pickering, E. B. Clarke, Councilnien. 

1881.— J. H. Calkins, Harry M. Roach, T. II. Shellon, W. II. 



HISTORY OK HOCKING VALLEY, 



307 



Brown, John Graham, R. H. Stewart, Councilmen; W. M. Scott, 
Marshal; other officers held over. 

1882.— Mayor, J. P. Wood; Marshal, W. M. Scott; C. R. Shel- 
don, Cierk; C. Medium Treasurer; Peter Finsterwald, Street 
Commissioner; D. L. Sleeper, Solicitor; Council, W. II. Brown. 
Conrad Josten, Peter Kern, J. II. Calkin-, T. II. Sheldon and 
H. M. Eoach. 

April 3, 1833.— Mayor, J. P. Wood; Solicitor, D. L. Sleeper; 
Cierk, C. R. Sheldon; Treasurer, C. McLean; Marshal, Peter Fin- 
sterwald; Street Commissioner, F. O. Pickering; Member- oi 
Council, Jesse II. Cornell, James 1). Brown, II. M. Roach, W. H. 
Brown, C. Josten and P. Kern. 




CHAPTER XIV. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES IX THE CITY OF ATHENS AND ATHENS 

TOWNSHIP. 

John Ackley, civil engineer and ex-County Surveyor of Athens 
County, was born in Washington County, Pa., May 31, 1825, He 
is the second of the live sons of Jehu and Elizabeth (Eaton) Ack- 
ley, who came to Ohio in 1836 and settled in Lodi Township, Ath- 
ens County. His mother died when he was eleven years old. He 
lived with his father till he was twenty years old, working on 
a farm and attending the common schools. In 18-16 he entered 
the Ohio University at Athens, taking an irregular course, study- 
ing and teaching till 1849, when he was elected Surveyor of Athens 
County, holding the position six years, and since then at intervals 
till January, 1883, although the most of his time has been spent 
in surveying and civil engineering. He has also been engaged in 
farming in the vicinity of Athens since 1868. Dec. 31, 1849, he 
married Jerusha Haning, of Lodi Township. They have five 
children — Lavinia, wife of W. F. Lewis, of Waxahachie, Ellis Co., 
Tex.; Ida; Hattie, wife of H. A. Brown, of Scioto County, Ohio; 
Eber G., and Eliakim H. Mr. Ackley is Master of Grange No. 
422, Athens, and County Deputy. 

Josiah Benton Allen, late Recording Clerk in the office of the Sec- 
retary of State at Columbus, Ohio, was born near Cadiz, Harrison 
Co., Ohio, July 14, 1842. He is the son of David and Mary 
( Wilkin) Allen. He lived with his parents until he was seventeen, 
receiving his education in the common schools and the De Camp 
Institute at Pagetown, Ohio. July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
C, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private. In April, 1862, 
he was promoted to First Orderly Sergeant. He participated in a 
number of battles and skirmishes, the most important being Giles 
Court-House, Carnitax Ferry, Second Bull Run, Centerville, South 
Mountain,Antietam, Haines's Bluff, Jackson, Champion Hill, Black 
River and Yicksburg. At the last, May 22, 1S63, while storming 
Fort Greerg, he being in command of his company at the time, all 
but fourteen of his men were killed, he himself losing his left arm. 
After submitting to two amputations of the same arm, and beins 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 309 

unfitted for service thereby, he was discharged for disability in 1861. 
He returned to Athens and attended the Ohio University until 
the close of the college year in 1S66, then went to Missouri and that 
fall was engaged in the insurance business. During the winter he 
taught school in the village of Maysville, of that State; returned to 
Athens in April, 1S67, and the following fall was, without opposi- 
tion, elected Recorder of Athens County on the Republican ticket. 
He held that office by being re-elected, for twelve years. From Jan- 
uary to June, 18S0, he held the stewardship of the Athens Asylum 
for the Insane. Losing that position through a change in the admin- 
istration, he was appointed Recording Clerk in the office of the Sec- 
retary of State at Columbus, in December, 1880, remaining there 
until January, 1883. April 11, 1871, he was married to Miss Sue E. 
Racer, of Marietta, Ohio. He is a member of J. C. McCoy Post. 
No. 1, G-. A. R., and holds a membership in the council of admin- 
istration of that order, of the State of Ohio. 

Benjamin Thomas Addleman, photographer, Athens, Ohio, was 
born near Richmond, Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 28, 1827. At the 
age of nineteen he went to Richmond and worked as an apprentice 
eighteen months to learn the gunsmith's trade. He then worked as a 
journeyman until 1849, when he opened a gunsmith shop in Rich- 
mond, remaining there until 1852, when he went to California and 
mined successfully in Canyon Creek until 1S59. He then returned 
to Ohio and purchased a farm in Preble County near New Paris, 
and farmed nearly two years, when, selling his farm, he returned 
to Richmond and dealt in iron with his brother, J. P. Addleman, 
until 1861. He then purchased another farm in "Wayne County 
and pursued farming until 1861, when he again returned to Rich- 
mond and engaged in photography until 1S69. He removed to 
Hagerstown, Ohio, and engaged in photography until 1S73 when 
he came to Athens and established his present gallery. In April, 
1S60, he married Miss Margaret Tenney, of Montgomery County, 
Ohio. They have six children — Charles L., bookkeeper for the 
Singer Sewing Machine Company of Athens; Adell; Clara Belle, 
wife of Clement H. Hooper, of Athens County; Lula, William A. 
and Frank. 

George Washington Baker, general insurance agent, Athens, 
was born near Athens, O., May 2, 1829, where he was reared, re- 
ceiving only a common-school education. His father, Nicholas 
Baker, was one of the pioneers of Athens County, and came with 
his parents from Massachusetts in 1811. His mother, Clara 



'. 10 uistoky OF HOOKING v \i i BY, 

(White) Baker, was born in Washington County, 0. The subject 
of this sketch came to A.thens when twenty years of age and was 
employed as a clerk in the drug store of John Perkins for two 
pears. He then wont to California % here he worked in the i;*'ld 
mines in Placer and Butte counties aboul two years, returning 
home in February, LS54, making his adventure a success. In 
March of the same year he became associated with his former em- 

er, John Perkins, in the drug business, under the firm name 
of Perkins A Baker, they doing business until L859. He then 
engaged in t ho clothing and merchant tailoring business with F. 
I .. Ballard under the firm name of Baker a- Ballard, they discontinu- 
ing in L861. In July of that year he entered the Union army as 
Captain of Company 0, Thiity-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer 
[nfantry, and served as such until November, 1862, when he was 
commissioned Commissary of Subsistence by President Lincoln, 
and served under General Sherman until the fall of Vicksburg in 
July, LS68, when, broken down in health, he was sent home on a 
leave of absence. In the following November he was ordered to 
report to General Stephen A. Hnlburt at Memphis, Tenn., and 
was by him ordered on duty at La Grange, Tenn., where he re 
mained until March, IS64, when he served as Commissary of Gen- 
eral A.. J. Smith's oommand during the Red River expedition, until 
May, 1864. Having returned with that command to Memphis his 
heal tli again became impaired and he was ordered by the General 
War Department to report to General Pope at Milwaukee, Wis., and 
by him to report to General Sibley at St. Paul, Minn., who ordered 
him on duty us Commissary of the Post at Fort Snelling, where he 
remained until Nov. 22, L864, when he was ordered to report to 

. ral A. J. Smith at Nashville, Tenn.. and remained with that 

mand during the battle of Nashville, and the pursuit of the 

enemy to Eastport, Miss. Soon after the oommand was ordered 

\ I 9 where it was orj into the Sixteenth Army 

Corps, and our subject was commissioned Chief Commissary with 

the raid; oi Lieutenant -Colonel, and was with that corps at 

and. capture of Mobile and Montgomery, Ala., until April, 
l^'>.">. At Montgomery he served as Chief Commissary of that de- 
partment until December, L865, when he was ordered to report at 
>uis, M i . and from there home tb Athens to await further 
orders; was mustered out of the service there Jan. L6, 1866, Dnr* 

that summer he went to West Virginia, and engaged in the 
oil business until the spring of l s »>7. when he returned to Athens 



HIMTOBY 01 IIO< i I BY ■ .'ill 

and ' - ' ! 01 ! ce i fthe Peac< 

until Septembei .I860 vhen b< , r< i • 

County and held that office by re-election for two terms. In 
he v.- elect ' lerk of the C Couni d I that 

tion for nine con ccnti months in 1881 

he owned a half interest in the AtlumH County liepublican. tvhen 
• I'l and then cstab ed Mi y 2, I "■'< i 

he married Amanda JVTahon, of Blairsville, Pa. They have four 
children Edward If., attorm Cine 0. ; na 13 

Clara A., and Rollins M . al home lie i a prominent Ma 
and member of the lodge, chapter and commandcry of At. 
Himself, wife and three of his children are membci of the 
Metl ch, 

Francis M Barker, former I >nofJo 

, and Ruth (Griffith) Barker. »rn in Athena 'I hip, 

Athen < .. Ohio, April 23, L836. At the age of I 
heb< g for himself, in 1858 he rmingforhin 

on his father's and other farm No* I 1861 ' om- 

pany I) I Fifth Ohio V< 

appointed ' 'oi poi company. I Le 

: March 20, I S02. While at 1 1 ' 
W. V r on fur- 

■ :i. and i' : until Jum 

command at Midi Va. From there he 

more, M<l.. ' 

A ag. 9, I S02. He I lome in Atl : 

In I • 

I S05. He tl farm id purchi 

',■:. II. L858, he n 
■ i )ei - • ■ d .'. ■ hip. 

'.V.. Bertha B. 
ol Lee Ti . rtntha E. an< el L. 

!I<; '.'I a member of I 

1:20, I len of I 

>. G A. I'.. Athi 

,Jv/lg> I ■"" Barh > Ji 

17!'- 

Man 



312 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

eer, that we give him a place in this chapter, but because he was 
a man of ability and accomplishments, a public man of model 
character and habits. Judge Barker was born at Long Plains, near 
New Bedford, Mass., Feb. 17, 1779, the son of Isaac and Ehoda 
(Cooke) Barker. Isaac Barker, Sr. , was a lineal descendant of Robert 
Barker, a Welshman, who emigrated to Plymouth Colony prior to 
1630, and afterward became a colonial official. In 1789 he came 
with his father's family to Ohio, where they settled on a farm near 
the present site of Belpre, a mile above the garrison soon afterward 
built and known in pioneer history as " Farmer's Castle." At the 
outbreak of the Indian war of 1790-'94r, the savages commenced war- 
fare on the settlement, killing and harrassing the field laborers and 
capturing prisoners, compelling a part of each family to stand on 
guard while the remainder worked and slept, destroying their stock 
and scanty crops until the entire settlement was compelled to take ref- 
uge in the garrison, where they suffered from disease and privation 
for two or three years, and were only relieved by the final treaty of 
peace concluded by General Wayne. Here in Belpre our subject 
spent the nine years of his pioneer life, having as companions the 
Putnams, Devols, Smiths, Danas, Rouses, Stones, Cookes, Bents, 
Brownings and many other families of more or less prominence in 
pioneer annals. In 179S the family removed to Athens, then a 
village of half a dozen cabins, and settled on a farm. Judge Bar- 
ker's education was acquired principally by private study. His 
first business on his own account after coming to Athens was that 
of hotel keeping. His hotel was on the site of the old Brown 
House, just in front of the college. After remaining here three 
years he removed to his long residence on the corner of College 
and State streets in 1818. During his residence in Athens, Judge 
Barker served ten years as Associate Judge of Common Pleas 
Court, ami held the offices of County Sheriff, County Treasurer, and 
Collector of rents for the University, each a number of years. 

James Addon Benson, Superintendent of the Hamley Run coal 
mines, was born in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1837. When 
he was live years of age his parents, Michael and Harriet (Ashton) 
Benson, removed to Sheboygan, Wis. He was educated in the 
public schools of Sheboygan and at the Lawrence University, at 
Appleton, Wis. When becoming of age he followed teaching 
school in Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties until 1862, when he 
came to Ohio and located at Nelsonville, Athens County, where he 
was employed to take charge of a store for his uncle, Charles Ash- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 313 

ton. In 1865 his uncle died, and he and A. B. Walker were ap- 
pointed administrators of the estate, requiring a year or more to 
settle it up. In February, 1865, he removed to Athens and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business until September, 1868, when he 
removed his business to Nelsonville. In 1873 he gave up mer- 
chandising and was employed as weigh-master at the coal mine of 
W. B. Brooks until 1878. He then went to Shawnee, O., where 
he carried on the mercantile business until 1882, when he returned 
to Athens and took charge of the Ilamley Run coal mines as Su- 
perintendent for H. C. Wells & Co., of Columbus, O. While re- 
siding in Nelsonville, in 1873, he was elected City Clerk and during 
1873 and 1874 served as a member of the Bjard of Education of 
that city. May 29, 1865, he was married to Aggie, daughter of 
Cornelius Steinrod, of Nelsonville. They hive three children — 
George Edwin, Ilattie and Abbie. Mr. Benson is a member of Para- 
muthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., of Athens. 

James Crawford Bower was born Jan. 30, 1835, near Pittsburg, 
Pa., where he was reared and received a common-school education. 
He was the third of seven sons of Alexander and Martha (Couch) 
Bower, with whom he lived till fifteen years of age when he was 
apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving three years and 
seven months. After working as a journeyman about a year, he, 
in March, 1855, came to Athens County, Ohio, and established him- 
self in a shop at Pleasanton, where he remained till 1862, being at 
the same time engaged in farming. In 1862 he was commissioned 
a recruiting officer with the rank of First Lieutenant, and recruited 
Company I, Ninety -second Ohio Infantry, going into the service 
with them as First Lieutenant. He served about ninj months 
when he resigned on account of sickness. In April, 1864, he 
went to Montana; worked at his trade there till October, 1866, and 
then returned to Athens County, locating in Albany, where he 
opened a shop. In 1877 he moved on to a farm, in the vicinity of 
Albany and carried on the farm in connection with blacksmithing. 
In 1S80 he came to Athens, where he is now engaged in the dairy 
business. Aug. 15, 1855, he married Louisa Cooley, of Pleasan- 
ton. They have live children — Loduska, Emma, William, Charles, 
and Ilattie. Mr. Bower has been Coroner of Athens County since 
the fall of 1878. He is a Master, Royal Arch, Council and 
Knight Templar Mason, and a member of lodge, chapter, council 
and commandery at Athens. He has served as Junior Warden of 



314 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

his lodge. He is also a member of Athenian Lodge, jS"o. 497, K. 
of P., and Columbus Golden Post, IS T o. 89, G. A. R. 

Daniel Boyd, deceased, was born in the county of Donegal, in 
the Northern part of Ireland, in September, 1794. His ancestors 
came from Scotland. His opportunities for obtaining: an education 
were limited, but by improving his spare hours while learning the 
weaver's trade, he acquired a good education. He had a natural 
love of books, and was a constant reader, and in after life whatever 
luxuries his circumstances might compel him to forego, newspapers 
and periodicals were always to be found in his home. In boyhood 
he had become familiar with the wrongs and hardships of the Irish 
people. His father, Robert Boyd, possessed a small leasehold 
estate, which he intended to divide among his four sons. But 
Daniel, having read of the rich land and free air of the western 
world set his heart on seeking a new home free from exacting 
tithes and odious rents. Succeeding in obtaining sufficient money 
with which to pay his passage he came to America, landing at 
Philadelphia in 1819. He walked over the mountains to Steuben- 
ville, Ohio, where he found employment as a teacher and after- 
ward as a weaver. In 1S27 he removed to Keene, Coshocton 
County, whore he engaged in the mercantile business, near which 
place he had located his parents and younger brothers and sisters 
who followed him to America in 1822. His business proving a 
failure he became deeply involved in debt. In 183S he removed 
to Athens County, Ohio, and settled on a farm in Carthage Town- 
ship, where he diel in 1367, an I where for nearly thirty years he 
was highly respecte 1 as'a man of the strictest integrity, warm 
sympathy, and generous impulses. Here, after many years of 
hard labor, he succeeded in paying off his indebtedness with its 
heavily accrued interest. He was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, and gave liberally of -his means for its support, and 
at his house the "itinerant" was always a welcome guest, lie 
took a deep interest in educational institutions, especia ly the com- 
mon schools of the vicinity. In 1825 he was married to Jane 
Elliott, a sister of Rev. Charles Elliott, widely known in the 
Methodist Episcopal denomination as a minister, editor and 
author. They were blessed with nine children — John Elliott, a 
physician, who died at Columbia in 1855; Mary Ann, who died in 
1S67; Jane, a prominent teacher of Athens County; Kate, Prin- 
cipal of the Athens High School; Hugh, a graduate of Ohio 
University in class of 1859, afterward a member of the Ohio Con- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 315 

Terence of the Methodist Episcopal church, and since 1S71 Pro- 
fessor of the G-reek and Latin Languages in Cornell College, Iowa; 
Lucj 7 , formerly a teacher in the Nelsonville school, but now teach- 
ing in the Orphan's Home ot'Xenia; "William Fletcher, a graduate 
of the Ohio University in the class of 1866, now attorney at law 
at Cincinnati; Fanny Blair, wife of Charles Lawrence, Esq., of 
Carthage Township; and Margaret, who taught for several years 
in the Cincinnati Wesleyan College and is now Principal of the 
High School at Martinsville, Ind. She is the first lady gradu- 
ate of the Ohio University. After the death of their father, in 
1S67, the family sold the farm and removed to Athens where they 
procured a pleasant home and where those remaining at home still 
live, and with them their mother, happily and contented at the age 
of eighty years. 

Hon. Archibald Green Brown, born at Waterford, Washing- 
ton Co., Ohio, April 16, 1798, is of Puritan stock. His father was 
Captain Benjamin Brown of Revolutionary tame, who came from 
Massachusetts in 1776, and settled in Washington County, Ohio. 
Our subject was educated in the Ohio University at Athens, gradu- 
ating in 'the close of 1822, and is now the oldest living graduate of 
that institution. In the latter part of 1S22 he went to Colum 
Ohio, where he taught in an academy until the following year, 
when he returned to Athens and taught in the preparatory depart- 
ment of his alma mater from September of that year until the 
epring of 1825. hi the summer of 1825 he established the Athens 
Mirror, the first paper published in Athens County, the publica- 
tion of which he continued until LS30. In July, 1825, he was 
appointed, by the Court of Common Pleas, Recorder of Athens 
County, which he subsequently held, by election, for a period of 
thirteen }'ears. Prior to 1*26 he was elected Justice of the Peace 
of Athens, and held that office continuously until about 1850. In 
1834, while filling the office of Justice of the Peace and County 
Recorder, he taught a private school in Athens, and, having in the 
meantime privately studied law, was admitted to the bar at Athens, 
during the same year. In April, 1850, he was elected member of 
the Constitutional Convention that trained the present Constitution 
of Ohio, and in July of the same year was appointed Presiding 
Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, to fill a vacancy, and held 
that office until February, l s .">2. Since then he has devoted his 
life to his profession and has built up an enviable reputation as a 
real-estate lawyer. In 1841 he became a Trustee of the Ohio 



316 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

University, and still fills that position. Jan. 8, 1824, he married 
Priscilla K. Crippen, by whom he had five children — Henry T., 
attorney at law, Athens; Louis W., late of Athens, who was for 
some fifceen years Clerk of the Court of Athens County, and who 
died Sept. 29, 1873, at the age of forty-two; the others died in in- 
fancy. He has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Athens since 1819 and a Ruling Elder since 1833. 

Charles Henry Brown, born Nov. 26, 1846, in Athens, Ohio, is 
the youngest of three children of Charles Pitt and Angeline Eliz- 
abeth (Crippen) Brown, and grandson of the late General W. 
Brown, an old pioneer of Athens County. He was educated in 
the'Athens High School and the Ohio University, it being his in- 
tention to graduate from the latter, in the class of 1865. He was 
suspended for a minor offense, and afterward reinstated, but con- 
sidering the suspension unjust he withdrew from the class, and 
spent the next two years in teaching. April 7,1867, he married 
Ann Eliza, daughter of Harvey and Abbie (Calvert) Carpenter, of 
Canaan Township, who died Oct. 23, 1S67. After his marriage 
he settled on a farm in Canaan Township, which he still owns and 
carries on in connection with his other business. In 1874 he was 
employed by the Adams Express Company and worked for them 
in different capacities for five years. In 1879 he received his 
present situation as bill clerk for the M. & C. R. R. In 1877 he 
married Ada Earhart, from whom he was divorced in 1880. Feb. 
7, 1881, he married Ada J., daughter of Hiram Hill, of Marietta, 
Ohio. 

General John B row .i was a resident of Athens County from 1799 
to the time of his death, March 28, 1876. lie was born in Rowe, 
Mass., Dec. 1, 1785, descended from a good family, a number of 
his ancestral relatives holding high positions, both military and 
civil. He came with his father's family to the Northwest Terri- 
tory in 1799, settling in Ames Township. He took advantage of 
the superior school advantages at that time in Ames Township, 
supplementing his education by private study. He married, in 
1811, Miss Sophia Walker, daughter of Dr. Ezra Walker, and re- 
moved to Athens in 1817, where he resided continuously to the time 
of his death. For the first year he kept a hotel on the lot after- 
ward owned by Judge Barker, and then purchased the lot and 
built the house long known as the Brown House, in front of the 
college campus. Here he kept hotel continuously until 1865, a 
period of forty-seven years. In 180 s " he was elected Captain in the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 317 

militia, was subsequently made Colonel, and in IS 17 was elected 
Brigadier-General. He was County Auditor from 1822 to 1827, and 
was Treasurer of the Ohio University from 1824 until June, 1874, 
more than half a century. He was Mayor of Athens for several 
years and held the office of Coroner two terms. He was a man uni- 
versally respected and for many } T ears kindly regarded as one of 
the most worthy fathers of the village, " who has come down to 
us from a former generation." He had a kind heart, good judg- 
ment, and perfect honor. 

Granville Currier Brown, of the firm of G. C. Brown & Co., 
proprietors of the "Warren House," Athens, was born in 
Athens, May 16, 1853, where he was reared and educated in the 
public schools. He is the son of Oscar W. and Adaline S. (Cur- 
rier) Brown. At the age of seventeen he began to clerk in the store 
of W. W. Love & Co., at Athens, remaining with them three years. 
He was then variously employed for one year, and in 1874 began 
to clerk in the Brown Hotel, for Major Elmer Golden, remaining 
with him in that and the AVarren House until November, 18S2, 
when he became associated with W. H. Brown, under the firm 
name of G. C. Brown & Co., proprietors of the Warren House, 
Athens, he having the full charge of the house. He is a Master 
Mason, and member of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, Athens. 

Henry Thomas Brown, attorney, Athens, was born in Ath- 
ens, Nov. 11, 1825. He is the oldest of two sons of Hon. Archi- 
bald Green Brown, a pioneer lawyer, and a native of Ohio. His 
mother, Priscilla King Crippen, was a native of New York. 
He was educated in Ohio University, at xVthens. He chose his 
father's profession, and at the age of nineteen began the study of law 
in his office. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at 
Pomeroy, Ohio, in 1846, and at once began to practice at Athens. 
In 1S52 he became associated with his father, under the firm name 
of A. G. & H. T. Brown. In 1S60 L. A. Koons became associated 
with them, changing the firm name to Brown & Koons. In 1864 
Mr. Brown entered the Union Army as First Lieutenant and 
Quartermaster of the One Hundred and Forty- First Regiment, 
Ohio National Guards, and served five months. Dec. 16, 1847, he 
married Charlotte M. Fuller, of Athens, by whom he has five 
children — Charlotte E., wife of Henry D. Mirick, of Athens; 
Herbert H., of Parsons, Kan.; Mabel King and Bertha B., living at 
home; and Harold, of Nebraska. They lost one son, Carlos Louis, 
who died at Athens, June 30, 187S, at the age of twenty-two. He 



3 IS HISTORY OF HOCKIXG VALLEY. 

sun Odd Fellow, and a member of Sereno Lodge, No. 479, and 

, Athens Encampment, No. 175, and has held all the positions 
ia both bodies, lie is a member of the First Presbyterian Church 
ot Athens. 

James Dickey Brown, a banker of Athens, son ot John and 
Susan (Green) Brown, was born at Albany, Athens Co., Ohio. Aug. 
27, 1845. He was cheated in the High School of his native town. 
In the spring of 1865, at the age of nineteen, he became associated 
with his father in the mercantile business at Albany, under the 
firm name of John Brown & San. They discontinued the mercan- 
tile business in the fall of 1867, and engaged ia private banking 
at Albany, under ths same firm name. In the fall of 1868 they 
removed to Athens, and established the Bank o? Athena, carrying- 
on private b inking together there, until the death of the senior 
member of the firm, Oct. 18, 1875. Since then oar subject has 
carried on the business alone. In 1835 he enlisted ia Company 
11. One Hundred and Forty-First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a 
private, and served on guard duty 100 days, at Barboursville, 
\V . Va. May 23, 1^67, he married Lizzie, daughter of Elmer 
Armstrong, Esq., of Athens County. They have two children. 
John and Jennie Jaynes. Mr. Brown and wife are members of 
the First Presbyterian Church, of Athens, of which church he has 
been a Ruling Eider since April, 1S75. Our subject is a Mason, 
a member of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., oi' Athens. 

John Brown. — The founJer of the Brown family in America wis 
"William Brown, who came to this country from England in LI 
and settled in Hatfield, Mass. Sixty years later, in 1720, the family 
r moved to Leicester. Mass., where, at an advanced age, William 
Brown died. Captain John Brown, son ot' William, came with 
the family to Leicester, and was there elected t ithe M iss ichuset - 
Legislature and served with ability for twenty successive year-. 
He was twice married and the father of nineteen children. His 
eldest son was John Brown, a Revolutionary soldier, who was 
twice wounded at the historic battle of Banker Hill. He came to 
in L797, settling in Washington C >unty. His eldest son, Sam- 
uel Brown, father of our subject, was also a Revolutionary s ddier. 
He came to Ohio with his parents in 1797, landing at Marietta, 
and settled in Alliens County. Dover Township. His wife was 
Lydia Thayre, of Taunto .. M iss. They were the parents of seven 
children, five of whom were born before and two after they came 
'liio. Their names, in the order of their birth, were— Samuel 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 319 

I'... William T.. Phoebe, Lydia, Betsey, Harriot and John. John 
Brown was born in Ames Township, Athens, (then Washington) 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1801. While he was still achildhis parents 
removed to a farm within nine miles of Marietta. In L 8 36 he mar- 
ried Susan Green, of Washington County, who was a faithful 
wife to him and a devoted m >ther to his children till her death, Aug. 
J!*, 1859. In 1838 he removed to Trimble Township, and two years 
later to Albany. In 1868 he took up his residence in Athens, where 
he remained till his death, Oct. Is, 1875. Throughout his career 
he sustained a marked character. In whatever community he lived, 
wherever his influence extended, he was recognized as a man of sa- 
gacity and strength. Without high official station and without un- 
due self-assertion, he was, by inherent superiority, a public man. 
The only public office he ever held was that of .County Commi ■- 
sioner, to which he was three times elected wirhout his consent 
and against his wishes, and he was probably the ablest, or at lea?t 
one of the ablest, that ever filled that position in Athens 
County. In any suitable notice of the man a prominent place 
must be given to his intellectual character; and first, when the 
circumstances of his life are considered, one cannot but be struck 
by his mental force and individuality. His educational advantages 
were limited. At ten years of age he went one or two terms to a 
district school, and at nineteen went ab >ut half a year to the III-. 
School in Marietta. At the former he learned little, if anything, 
beyond reading and spelling, but on this foun lati >n, slender as it 
wis, he never ceased to build. When thirteen years old he began 
the study of arithmetic at home, and having, with his mother's 
assistance, mastered the fundamental rules, he pressed on alone. 
During the six or seven months'he spent at Marietta he devoted 
eighteen hours a day to study and recitation. Not being satisfied 
with the work required in school, he took up besides both chem- 
istry and physics, and pursued them in private with his usual ex- 
actness and thoroughness. So m after leaving school he became a 
teacher, and for twelve orfourteen y jars taught in winter and worked 
on his farm in summer. To the general public he was b-'St known 
as a business man. In practical matters he displayed clear per- 
ceptions, sound judgment ami great caution, and he managed his af- 
fairs with such care and discretion that he succeeded in building up 
no inconsiderable fortune. He was a man of exact and general 
information, and made himself familiar with geology, b »tany, 
chemistry, astronomy, physics, and was also well read in medicine. 



320 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Like Terence he could say, ''I count nothing pertaining to man foreign 
to me." His moral character was as sharply delined as his intel- 
lectual character. His life was pure, temperate and honest. The 
most distinctive features of his moral character were courage and 
justice. Ilis courage had nothing ot bravado; he took a coura- 
geous position as a matter of course. In an early day to be an Abo- 
litionist was to suffer ostracism. Yet he was one of the few to 
openly and strongly avow himself a friend of the slave. Aboli- 
tionism was no mere sentiment with him; he studied the subject 
till he was more than a match for his ablest opponents. He was a 
man of much kindness and even tenderness of feeling. Toward 
cases of distress he was among the most benevolent. At the time 
of his death he was President of the Bank of Athens, his son 
James D. being Cashier. He always merited as he received the 
confidence and patronage of the public, and in his death Athens 
lost one of her best and most influential citizens. 

Eber Green Carpenter, M. D., is a native of Xew Hampshire, the 
son of Dr. Eber and Judith Green Carpenter. lie was born in 
Alstead, Cheshire County, August, 1S08, and was reared and 
educated in his native town. His father and brother being physi- 
cians, he studied medicine under them and graduated as M. D. 
from the Berkshire Medical College, an adjunct of "Williams 
College, in 1831. He then practiced at Lempster, X. H., until 1S33 
when he came to Ohio and located at Chester, the county seat of 
Meigs County. On account of impaired health during 1S36 he made 
a visit to his native State, and on returning to Ohio, permanently 
located at Athens, where he practiced continuously until March, 
1S79, when he had the misfortune to fracture the neck of his thigh 
bone, the result of a fall, which not uniting rendered him a cripple. 
Not being able to endure the fatigue of practicing, he was obliged 
to abandon it. October, 1833, he married Miss .Mary Kellogg 
Stanley, a daughter of the late Timothy Stanley', of Marietta, Ohio. 
They have had five children — Mary P., wit'e of R. De Steiger, of 
Athens; George II., deceased, a physician who was accidentia 
killed in Missouri in 1801; Helen M.. wife of J. L. Hatfield, re- 
cently a Professor in the Ohio University at Athens, but now of 
Missouri; Emma, unmarried; and Julia, wife of Dr. R. W. Erwin, 
if Bay City, Mich. Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter are members of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Athens. He was made a Master 
Mason at Alstead, N. II., in 1832. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 321 

Parker Carpenter, son of Frederick and Mary W. (Johnson) 
Carpenter, was born in Koine Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Nov. 
4, 1831. When he was four years of age his parents came to 
Athens Township, where he was reared and has spent the most of 
his life, engaged in farming. From 1803 to 1868 he combined 
tanning with his farm labor. In 1869 he was elected Assessor of 
Athens Township, serving a year. In 1872 he was nominated 
Sheriff of Athens County on the Republican ticket, but was de- 
feated. In 1874 he was again nominated by the same party and 
elected, and in 1876 was re-elected to the same office, serving con- 
tinuously four years. From 1872 to 1874 he served as Deputy 
Sheriff under Sheriff X. Warren. In 1882 he was elected Trustee 
of Athens Township, still holding that office. Oct. 12,1853, lie 
married Elizabeth C. Knowles, of Alexander Township, who died 
June 18, 1874. Feb. 26, 1876, he married Jane D. Cook, of Alex- 
ander Township. They have three children — Frederick, R. F., and 
Hattie May. Mr. Carpenter is a member of Serene Lodge, No. 479, 
1. O. (). F., Athens. 

John Porterfield Coe, Treasurer of Athens County, was born in 
Ohio County, W.Va., Oct. 5, 1842. His father, Silas Coe, was a native 
ot Pennsylvania, and his mother, Emily (Porterfield) Coe, of Ohio. 
In his seventh year he came with his parents to Athens County, 
they settling on a farm near Athens, where he lived with them 
until his nineteenth year. He was given only a common-school 
education. On leaving home, in 1861, he enlisted in the Union 
army as a private in Company C, Thirty- sixth Regiment, Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, and served during the war. In 1863 he was 
promoted to Corporal, to Sergeant in 1864, and to First or Orderly 
Sergeant in May, 1865, but had acted as Orderly Sergeant from 
May, 1864. During his time of service he was only twice on the 
sick list, once by camp fever and again by an injured ankle, caused 
by a spent ball. He participated in all the battles in which Lis 
regiment took part, the most important being South Mountain, 
Antietam, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and the battles in the 
Shenandoah Valley, during Sherman's campaign. lie was mus- 
tered out of the service in August, 1865, when he returned home 
to Athens County. In March, 1866, he went to Vinton County, 
where he engaged in farming and dealing in stock. In the fall of 
l v ''>7 he returned to Athens County, and again engaged in farming 
and dealing in stock, making sheep a specialty. In the fall of 1879 
he was the Kepublican nominee for Treasurer of Athens County, 
21 



322 illMouv OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

and was elected by a handsome majority, and was elected his own 
successor without opposition in the fall of 1881. In 1870 he was 
elected Clerk of Lee Township, which he held for nine consecutive 
years, until his election as County Treasurer in L879. Oct. 25, 
L866, he married Lucy, daughter of Edward Blake, late County 
Commissioner of Alliens County, by whom he has five children — 
Flora Alice, William Wallace. Perry (ileum Frank Edward, and 
Mary Elsa. lie isa member of Athenian Lodge, No. L04, K. of P., 
of which he is Treasurer. Himself and wife are members of the 
First Alexander Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Alexander 
Township. 

'onel Robert Albert Constable^ attorney at law, Athens, is the 
only son of the late Robert E. Constable, a prominent lawyer of 
Athens, a native of Maryland, who came to Athens in 1826, and 
died at that place Jan. l!>, L883. His mother was Elizabeth II. 
(Barker) Constable, a native of Athens. He was born at Athens 
in March, L830, where he was reared and educated in the private 
school and at the Ohio University. At the age of seventeen, in 
L847, he began the study of law in his father's office and was ad- 
mitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Delaware, 0., in dune, 
L851. However he did not enter upon the practice of law at once, 
but engaged in the mercantile business until 1^54. when he became 
associated with his father and formed the law firm o\ Constable & 
Constable. They remained together until L878 when, on account 
offailing health, his father retired from the firm. At the breaking 
«>ut of the war in L861, being a Brigadier-General of militia, his 
brigade being composed of Washington, Athens. Meigs and Gallia 
counties, he, with Captain d. M. Dana, went to Columbus and of- 
ten d his services to Governor 1 )ennison, by whom he was authorized 
to recruit 2,000 men for the United^States service, which he did and 
sent forward. In L861 he helped to raise the Seventy-fifth Regi- 
ment, Ohio Volunteer [nfantry,and was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel. Soon after, the Colonel, N.C McLane, being promoted 
to Brigadier-General, he was promoted to Colonel. At the battleof 
McDowell, Ya., in April, 1862, while >iek with typhoid fever, he 
was taken prisoner by the Confederates, and was incarcerated at 
Libby Prison and Salisbury four months, and at Belle Island one 
day. when he was exchanged under the first cartel for the exchange 
of prisoners. He then returned home on a leave of absence and 
remained until October of that year, when he rejoined his regiment 
at Fairfax CourNHouse, Ya. In 1863 he, not endorsing President 



HISTORY 01 HOCKING VALLEY. 323 

Lincoln's emancipation, like many others, resigned his commission, 
returned to Athens and resumed the practice of law. June 10, 
1851, he married Martha S., daughter of Professor Joseph Dana, 
of Athens, by whom he lias four children — Elizabeth A., wife ol 
"W. R Flinn, of North Adam-. Mich.; Ethel Dana. Anna and 
Henry Lee, at home. lie is a member of Columbus Grolden Post, 
No. 89, G. A. R., of which he is Commander, and also is a mem- 
ber of the National Council of Administration of the same order. 

Robert E. Constable was born at Chestertown, Kent Co., Md., 
Nov. 29, 1809. He began his education in Maryland, and be- 
came very thoroughly grounded in the languages before he came 
to Athens, in July, 1826. Here he entered the Ohio University, 
and remained as a student until about half through the senior year, 
when he was married to Elizabeth II. Barker, daughter of Judge 
Isaac Barker, May 5, L829. Soon after that time he was elected 
Recorder of Athens County. He studied law during his term ot 
office and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1835, at Jack- 
son, 0. lie entered upon the practice ot law in Athens County and 
was elected soon afterward Prosecuting Attorney. This position 
he resigned, in order to be able to practice as criminal lawyer and 
counselor. lie was a leading and successful lawyer in this part of 
the State until his health tailed him, when he was obliged to re- 
tire from practice. He was very active in all his undertakings. 
As a lawyer he was markedly successful in addressing a jury, and 
his ability was most specially adapted to the conducting of crim- 
inal cases. He was an orator of merit, and was chosen at different 
times as chief speaker on important occasions, being a devoted 
member of the old Whig party, in his most active days he was 
as a politician justly considered as entitled to the respect and con- 
fidence of the people. In the later years of his life he was so 
afflicted that it was impossible for him to be active in the sc< 
of public and social life. In the year 1827 Mr. Con-table became 
a Christian and joined the Methodist Episcopal church; but in 
later years he became a member of the Episcopalian society, organ- 
ized at Athens. He had been reared as an Episcopalian originally. 
He died at Athens, Jan. 19, 1883, leaving one son, R. A. Constable. 

Thomas Andrew Cooper, carpenter and joiner, was born near 
Chestnut Flat, Walker Co.,Ga., Sept. 16, 1838,. the eldest of twelve 
children of Andrew and Nancy (White) Cooper. IJe received a 
limited education in the common schools of that country, and 
worked on the farm with his father until he was nineteen vearsold. 



324 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

He continued farming for himself until March, 1S62, when circum- 
stances forced him into the service of the Confederate States, and he 
was assigned as a private to the Army of Virginia under Jackson, 
and participated in the battles of Bristow Station, second Bull Run, 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania Court-house, Mo- 
nocacy. Md., Lynchburg.Va., and in the several engagements in the 
Shenandoah Valley during the campaign of 186-L In September, 
1864, he came to Parkersburg, W. Va., and engaged to work at 
gardening for T. T. Davidson, near that place, until January, 1805, 
when he was employed by the New York Oil Company as carpenter, 
in Wood County, W. Va., until March of the same year. He then 
came to Marietta, O., and entered the employ of the Marietta & 
Cincinnati Railroad Company as bridge carpenter under S. M. 
Wright, foreman. In February, 1S68, he entered the employ of 
Gould & Smith, contractors, on the Columbus & Hocking Valley 
Railroad, as bridge carpenter, and worked for them until Novem- 
ber, 1868. He then formed a partnership with T. T. Davidson, 
near Parkersburg, W. Va., for the purpose of market gardening, 
the firm name being Davidson & Cooper. In September of same 
year they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Cooper came to Athens, 
O., and again entered the employ of Gould ife Smith and worked 
for them until the Hocking Valley Road was completed. In July, 
1870, he was employed by Gould & Wright as bridge carpenter in 
the construction of the Hope Furnace branch of the M. & C. R. R., 
and also the Straitsville branch of the Columbus & Hocking Valley 
Railroad. In November, 1870, he was employed by the Salina 
Salt and Coal Company, until July, L871; then by the Columbus & 
Hocking Valley Railroad Company until May, 1872; then by 
eph Herrold until January, 1>7:>, then by S. M. Wright at 
Eamley Run Coal Works till January, 1^74; then by G. T. Gould 
at Salina until January, 1877; and by the Hocking Valley Coal 
and Salt Company at Chauncey, Ohio, until January, 1^7 S . Dur- 
ing the years of 1878, 1879 and 1880 he was variously engaged 
at the trade in Athens, and in the spring was employed by the C. & 
1 1. V. Railroad ( lompany at Columbus, where he worked until April, 
1882. He was then employed by William Gladfelter, of Springfield, 
I >.. contractor and builder, and worked for him until Oct. 9, 1882, 
when he returned to Athens. Aug. 9, 1857, he was married to 
Miss Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Sexton and Martha Ann (Will- 



HI8T0EY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 325 

iaras) Humphres. They have five living children — Annie; Lizzie, 
wife of W. IL. McGill, Columbus, 0. ; Carrie May, Alfred Mintun 
and Leola Rosalie. Mr. Cooper is a Master Mason and member 
of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25. He has filled the office of Senior 
Deacon two years, L880 and L881. 

Levjis William Connett, proprietor of the Stewart Flouring 
Mills, Athens, whs b >rn in Dover Township, Athens County, Aug. 
23,1851, a son of George and Lydia (Dorr) Connett. He was 
educated in the schools of his native county and at the Ohio Uni- 
versity. His mother died when he was fourteen and he then began 
to work for himself. When nineteen years of age he went to 
Chauncey and clerked for J. C. McCracken a year. He then went 
to Greenfield, Ind., and engaged in the mercantile business there 
till 187-1. In ls75 he came to Athens and was employed till ls77 
as bookkeeper in the Grange store. He then engaged in the gro- 
cery business till 1881, when he rented the Stewart Flouring Mill, 
lb- was married May 1, 1881, to Mary, daughter of Henry Brown, 
of Athens. They have one child — Lewis Henry. Mr. Connett is 
a member of the Methodist and his wife of the First Presbyterian 
Church, of Athens. He is a member of Lodge .No. 101, K. of P., 
of which he is Chancellor Commander. 

John Everett Cornell, proprietor of the Cornell House, Athens. 
Ohio, was born at Chester. Meigs Co., Ohio, July 5, 1817. 
He lived with his parents, Frank and Amelia (Branch) Cornell, 
until his sixteenth year, when he was employed as a clerk in the 
wholesale hardware house of R. W. Booth & Co., Cincinnati, 
Ohio, one year, and then as cashier in Hunt's dining rooms of 
the same city for nearly two years. He then went to Guysville, 
Ohio, where he clerked in the store of his father and uncle until 
1868, when he removed with his father to New Vienna, Ohio, 
where he clerked for him until 1869. At that time he was employed 
as bookkeeper in the office of the C, H. & D. R. It. Company at 
Cincinnati until 1870. He then came to Athens County and 
engaged in farming in the vicinity of Athens until 1871, when he 
went to "Washington C.-H., Fayette Co., Ohio, and kept a con- 
fectionery store and restaurant until August, 1872, when he 
returned to Athens and opened the Cornell House with his father. 
as F. Cornell & Son. In 1881 his father retired from the firm and 
he became sole proprietor. March 29, 1870, he was married to 
Miss Lizzie West, of Martinsville, Ohio. They have two chil- 
dren — Blanch and Adine. 



326 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

William Cornell, farmer, is the second son of Eli and Eliza- 
beth (Dilley) Cornell, and was born near Elizabethtown, Wood 
Co., W. Va., Aug. 17, 1S36. When a small boy his parents 
came to Athens County, O., and purchased a farm near Salina, 
where he was reared, and was educated in the common schools. 
He began business for himself, mining coal at Salina, O., and was 
thus engaged for six years. In 1S59 and 1860 he and his brother 
Rufus were engaged in farming. April, 1861, they enlisted in 
Company A, Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as privates, 
for three months. At the expiration ot his term of enlistment 
he was mustered out at Athens, O., and returned home, his brother 
Rufus enlisting in the First West Yirgina Cavalry for three years. 
After remaining at home for a few months, he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Chillicothe, for 
three years, or during the war, as a private. At the organi- 
zation of his regiment, he was elected First Lieutenant of his 
company, and served as such until July. 1S63, when he was pro- 
moted to Captain of Company D, same regiment, and commanded 
the company until their term of service expired, Dec. 21, 1864. 
He was engaged in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Fort 
Pillow, Farmington, Parker's Cross Roads, Iuka, and Corinth, 
Miss. He was with Sherman to the sea, and was in the battles of 
Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Siege of Atlanta, and all the battles to 
Savannah, where his regiment was discharged. He has served as 
Trustee of his township for four years, lie is a Master Mason 
and member of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., Athens, O. 
He has been twice married. May, 1860, he married Sarah, daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Barbara (Young) Wilson, of Athens Township. 
January, 1861, his wife died. Nov. 11,1866, he was married to 
Annie C, daughter of Isaac and Christie Ann (Harper) Matheny. 
They have live children — AngieB., Cora D., Mauley G., Russel R., 
Stella M., all living at home. Their daughter, Ella W., died April 
9, 1SS2, in her eleventh year. Himself and wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. His brother Rufus, of the West 
Virginia Cavalry, was killed while reconnoitering in front of the 
enemy near Antietam, Md., Sept. 4, 1862. 

David Col man ComwdL jeweler, of Athens, was born near 
Athens, Oct. 15, 1S44. He lived with his parents, John and Ann 
(Cowell), Cornwell, until manhood, and learned the jeweler's trade 
in his father's shop in Athens. After becoming of age he engaged 
in farming near Athens two years, when he went to Xelsonville 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 327 

and worked at his trade nearly two years, which, not agreeing 
with his health, he abandoned and again pursued farming for two 
years. In 1871 he established hie present business at Athens. He 
has been twice married. He married his first 'wife, Mary A. 
Ted row. of Athens, March 21,1865. She died June 15, 1868, 
leaving two children — Mary Luella and Eber II. May 21. l v 73. 
he married Sarah J., daughter of James Thomas, of Londonderry, 
Ross Co., Ohio. They have four children — David B., Alma 
E., Sadie T. and Clifford. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. lie is a member of Sereno 
Lodge. No. 479, I. O.O. F.. of which he is Secretary. Politically 
he is an avowed Prohibitionist. During the late Rebellion, in 
L865, he enlisted in Company B. One Hundred and Forty-first, O. 
N. G.,for 100 days, and served on guard duty at Barbonrsville, Ky. 
John Cornwell was born in Hallowell, Prince Edward Co., 
Upper Canada, May 17. L812. He is of English ancestry. His 
father. David Cornwell, and his mother, Phoebe Gilbert Goldsmith, 
emigrated from England and settled in Canada in early times. 
When five years of age our subject came, with his parents, to 
Ohio, settling near Gallipolis, where he lived with them until he 
was seventeen. Afcer living in Meigs County two years, he, in 
1831, came to Athens, where, after attending the Ohio University 
one year, he settled, and engaged in the jewelry business till 1852, 
when he went to California and mine 1 for gold, and was variously 
employed until 1856. He then returned to Athens and resumed 
the jeweler's business, remaining here till 1871, when he remove 1 
t'j McArthur, Vinton County. April 20, 1837, he married Ann 
Cowell, who was born in Berkshire. England, Sept. 20, 1815. 
When four years of age she immigrated to America with her 
mother and relatives, her father being dead. They had nine 
children, five sons and four daughters. He resided at McArthur 
until the death of his wife. Feb. l' ». 1 V 7S when he began to live 
with his children. He is now living with his son. David C. Corn- 
well, at Athens. He experienced religion in 1830 and joined the 
Presbyterian church, from which he withdrew in 1 83 1 and joined the 
Methodist church. In ,1 851 he was ordained a Deacon. He has 
been a member of the church at Athens since 1868. 

Alansoa Courtney, farmer, was born near Newport. Washing- 
ton Co., Ohio, Aug. 26, 1797. He is the- oldest son of Neal 
and Mary (MeLane) Cjurtney. lie lived with his parents until 
manhood, receiving a common-school education. At the age of 



328 HISTORY OF HOCK I NO VALLKY. 

twenty-one years he purchased a farm in Dover Township, 
Athens Co., Ohio, and has farmed it up to the present time. 
May, 1818, he married Nancy, daughter of Samuel and Mary 
Camby, of Athens County. They had nine children, seven now 
living- — Mary, wife of Joseph Eten, of Chauncey, Ohio; Caroline' 
wife of Peter Hixson, Ames Township; Louisa, wife of Robert 
Carpenter, of Monroe County, Ohio; Allen V. M., Rufus, Hen- 
rietta and Zimrode. His son, Alonzo Courtney, enlisted in Com- 
pany A, Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, Oct. 20, 1861, as First 
Sergeant, and was with his regiment in all the battles from New 
Madrid, Mo., to Atlanta, Ga., and re-onlisted as a veteran in the same 
regiment, Dec. 22, 1863, as a private. He was taken prisoner near 
Atlanta, Gi., July 22, 1864, and was confined in Aniersmville 
Prison for a time, and from there to Floreuce, where he died Feb. 
5. 1865, at the age ot twenty-four years. His son William died 
May 21, 1875, at the age of forty-eight years. His wife died Aug. 
31, 1851. March 24, 1856, he married Mrs. Mary Pyle, widow 
of Jesse Pyle, of Belmont County, Ohio. They had no children. 
She died May 10, 1861. 

Allen V. M. Courtney, farmer, of Djver Township, second son 
of Alanson and Nancy (Camby) Courtney, was born in Dover 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, O^t. 22, 1828, and has lived with 
his father up to the present time. He was educated in the common 
schools. In May, 1863, he enlisted in the Fourty-fourth Regiment, 
Ohio Home Guards, Company A; remained with the regiment 
until Nov. 10, 1863, when he enlisted in Company II, Eighteenth 
Ohio Infantry, as a private, and served a short time, when he was 
transferred to Company A, same regiment. In July, 1864, 
he was appointed Military Postmaster's Clerk at Chattanooga, Tenn., 
and tilled that position until Aug. I, 1865. lie then reported to 
hi; regiment at Augusta, Ga., where he was mustered out, receiv- 
ing his discharge at Camp Chase, Ohio, O^t. 9, 1865. He then 
returned home and has continued farming up to this time. He is 
a Master Mason and member of Paramnthi i Lodge, No. 25, F. & 
A. M., Athens, Ohio, and is also a member of the chapter. Ee 
is a member of the Methodist church. 

El< Cushman Cripp //, an "1 1 resident of Athens, was bom 
Dee. 28, 1811, in that city, where he was reared and has lived all 
his life. Bis parents were Amos and Amelia (Stea Imam Crippen. 
His father was a man of some prominence, being at one time As- 
sociate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Athens County, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 329 

and having served as Treasurer of the same county for eight years. 
He was also Postmaster of Athens a number of years. He was 
by trade a blacksmith, Eli learning the trade of him when a boy. 
Afcer attaining his majority our subject becam3 associated with his 
father in the business, under the firm name of Agios Crip pen & Son. 
The firm existed until tin death of the senior member, in Feb- 
ruary, 1856. Since then our subject has carried on the business 
alone. In 1S65 he was appointed Postmaster of Athens by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, and served as such three years, when, not meeting 
with approbation during President Johnson's administration, he 
was removed from office. Dec. 2, 1841, he married Kate C. Whip- 
ple, daughter of Jeremiah Whipple, residing near Athens. Mr. 
and Mrs. Crippen have three children living — Henry C, mail 
agent on the M. & C. K. R. ; Carrie, wife of Rev. Silas Prulen, of 
Brownsville, Cal., and Celia A., wife of Rev. David Morgan, 
of St. Paul, Minn. They have lost two children — Willie C, who 
died in infancy, and Frank M., who died Feb. 4, 1875, at the age 
of seventeen. Mr. Crippen is a member of the Universalist 
church at Rutland, Meigs Co., Ohio; his wife, of the First Presby- 
terian Church at Athens. 

John K. Cuckler. son of W. II. and Elizabeth Cuckler, was 
born in Belmont County, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1840. When he was 
eleven years of age his parents came to Athens County and located 
in Athens Township. During the late war he enlisted in Company 
B, One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Infantry, and served four 
months. He was married Oct. 20, 1870, to Jennie Bartley, of Pike 
County, Ohio. They have three children — Minnie L., William B., 
and Maggie J. Mr. Cuckler has a fine farm of 150 aires and a 
good residence and farm buildings. He has one of the best orchards 
in this township. He has been Township Trustee four years. He 
is a member of the Methodist church. 

Judge Ebenezer Currier came to Athen3 in 1806, where he was 
a leading citizen until his death, March 2, 1851. He was promi- 
nently connected with every laudable public enterprise during his 
time; was possessed of ample means, and was a most reliable man, 
especially in his time, when most of those about him were in poor 
circumstances. By his generosity and the interest he took in 
aiding the pioneer settlers to secure permanent homes he soon 
became known as the poor man's friend, to whom all looked with 
confidence when substantial aid was needed. We give an example 
of the way this man helped to promote the early development of the 



330 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

country: He would furnish poor men the money to pay for 
land, and although securing himself with a mortgage, would 
accept, in some cases, 50 cents on the dollar or let the debts run 
forty years, or as he did some, until after his death, without fore- 
closing the mortgage. To such men as this too much credit can 
hardly be given for the success of new countries, and we feel justi- 
fied in saying that no man deserves more credit for the success of 
Athena County than Judge Currier. lie was born at Hempstead, 
Rockingham Co., N. II., Dec. 15, 1772. His early education was 
received at the public schools, afterward completed at Exeter, Mass., 
where he was a schoolmate of General Lewis Cass. He came to 
Marietta in 1804, and to Athens in 1S06. His permanent business 
was that of a merchant, doing a large wholesale and retail business. 
Besides this he owned and superintended a farm and carried on a pri- 
vate banking business. He tilled, during his lifetime, a number of 
minor offices, among them Justice of the Peace, County Treasurer 
and County Commissioner. lie was for many years Treasurer of the 
Ohio Universitv. taking great interest in the success of that insti- 
tution. He was four times elected to the State Legislature, serving 
both as Senator and Member of the Lower House, and was Associate 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for about twenty-one year.-. 
He was a great reader, devoting much of his time to the study ot 
the science of government and to American politics. He took an 
active interest in both local and national politics, being the recog- 
nized leader of his party in his own county. He was married in 
1S07 to Miss Olive Crippen, who, with her mother, came from the 
East to Ohio in its earliest settlement. She survived her husband 
seventeen years 

John Perkins D<uou merchant. Athens, was born at Athens, 
Aug. i } 7. 1846, and is the son of Captain Joseph M. and Catharine 
F. (Perkins) Dana. His mother died when he was two years old. 
He lived with his father until manhood, and was educated at the 
Ohio University, at Athens, graduating in the class of 1S67. When 
becoming of age, in 1867, he was employed as traveling salesman by 
the wholesale house of J. N. Harris & Co., of Cincinnati^ and, with 
the exception of one year that he traveled for D. M. Ferry & Co., 
Detroit, Mich., was employed by them until June, 1876, That 
year he visited the Centennial, at Philadelphia. In the fall of 1877 
he was employed as clerk in the First National Bank, of Athens, 
where he remained until 1878, when he received the appointment 
of Deputy Revenue Collector, of the Fifteenth Revenue District, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 331 

of Ohio, and served until 1880. In 1863, while a student at the 
university, he became a member of Company B, One Hundred and 
Forty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served 100 
days on picket duty at Barboursville, Va. At the expiration 
of his time of service he served as First Lieutenant of a com- 
pany in the Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and after- 
ward as Captain of Company C. Second Regiment, Ohio National 
Guards, acting as Quartermaster until it was disbanded in 1881. 
He 18 a Master, Royal Arch, and Knight Templar Mason and 
member of the lodge, chapter, and commandery at Athens. He 
is a charter member of Columbus Golden Post, 'No. 89, G. A. R,, 
and is one of the staff of the command of the State, as District 
Inspector, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. 

Captain Joseph M. Dana, a descendant of an old Huguenot family, 
of which Richard Dana, who settled at Cambridge, Mass., about 
twenty years after the landing of the Mayflower, was the first 
representative in this country, was the son of Professor Joseph 
Dana, who long occupied the Chair of Languages in the Ohio Uni- 
versity, and Anna C. Dana. He was born in Athens, Ohio, March 
22, 1822, and this continued his place of residence during a life ex- 
tending to nearly sixty years. Captain Dana was as favorably as he 
was widely known in this county and throughout this portion of 
the State. The warm, generous and social qualities which he early 
developed and which notably characterized his whole life, en- 
listed and preserved the friendly regard of all who had personal 
business relations with him. Beginning active business at the 
early age of sixteen as Deputy in the office of his father, the then 
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, entire charge of the affairs 
of the office soon devolved upon him. Feb. 22, 1*43, he was ap- 
pointed his father's successor and retained the office, with great 
popularity, for a period of fifteen successive years, during which 
time he married Miss Catherine F. Perkins, daughter of one of 
the pioneers of the State, John Perkins, Esq., of Athens, Ohio, in 
September, 1845, who died in the faith of Christ, Jan. 28, L848, 
regretted by all who knew her, leaving one child. John Perkins 
Dana. On the first day of May, 1851, he again married, Miss Ann 
E. Colwell, daughter of Judge A. R. Colwell, of Urbana, Ohio, 
by whom he had five children. Two died in infancy and three 
are still living — Mrs. Kate D. Cramer, Emma K. Dana and Jo- 
seph 11. Dana. During his term in the clerk's office he studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He formed hislfirst 



332 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

partnership with Hon. Horace Wilson, now of Columbus, Ohio. 
In L859 he was electe 1 Treasurer of the county, daring which in- 
cu nbency and thereafter tie continued to practice law until the 
breaking out of the Rebellion, when he promptly entere 1 the mili- 
tary service of the United States, tendering the services of the 
Ohio State Guard, alocal company of which he had been for sev- 
eral years in com nan 1, which was accepted, and had the honor of 
being the first company from the county sending more soldiers 
to the war according to the population, than any in the State. 
Captain Dana's company was assigned to the Thirteenth Regiment, 
Ohio Infantry, and afterward, prior to leaving the State, was 
transferred to and became Company C, Third Regiment, Ohio In- 
fantry. At the en 1 of eight m uths, his health proving in id jquate 
to the physical demands of active military service, he resigned his 
commission and resumed his law practice. In 1866 he entere I 
into a law partnership with General 0. II. Grosvenor, which contin- 
ued fourteen or lift jen years. Among the positions in civil life which 
he honorably and creditably filled were those of Director of the 
Athens branch oi the State Bank of Ohio; member of the Board 
of Education for twenty years or m >re, an 1 Treasurer of the same for 
a long term ofyears ; Mayor for many consecutive terms: member of 
th s Board of Trustees of the Ohio University, b3ing Secretary an 1 
Auditor of that time-honored institution many years, resignin g 
finally on ace >u at of infirm health, which rendered him unable to 
attend to the responsibility of its position. One of his most prom- 
inent and distinguished traits was his sterling and uncompromising 
integrity and honesty, which m irked his every dealing in pro- 
fessional and business life, equally in small asin large affairs. As a 
Mason he waszealous and prominent, presiding many times in 
the different bodies. Was High Priest oi Athens K. A. Chapter fif- 
teen years, and Treasurer of all the bodies many ye irs. lie was a char- 
ter mambir of Athens Commandery of Knights Templar, No. 15, 
and for many years represente 1 the different orders in the Grand 
Bodies, and took a very active part in their proceedings, usually 
being assigned to positions upon the m >st important committees. 
Captain Dana was a member of the Methodisl Episcopal church, 
and was a zealous Republican. Of friends he had legions; of ene- 
mies none. He died at Athens, O., July 10, 18S1. 

Jesse Davis was born in Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio, Jan. 30, 
L828. When ten years oi age he came with his brother Thomas 
to Athens, where he has since resided. His mother died when he 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 333 

was five, and his father when lie was twelve years ot age. lie 
was thus early thrown on his own resource?. He received a com- 
mon-school education, and when twelve years of age was appren- 
ticed to learn the wool-carding business; but, not liking the 
business, at the end of his three years, began to learn the shoe- 
maker's trade, which he afterward worked at ten years. Since then 
he has been in the grocery and mercantile business. July 3, 1850, 
he married Elizabeth Warren, of Canaan Township. They have 
eight children — Ambrose, George W., Fred, Lancaster, Lou 
Jesse, Ida and Bee. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Methodist 
church of Athens. Mr. Davis is a member of Paramuthia Lodtre. 
No. 25, Athens. He has served as Trustee of Athens Township 
four years, and as a member of the City Council two years. 

William Eben Dean, stone-mason, was born in Athens, Aug. 2, 
1840, where he has lived all his life, excepting when serving in 
the Union army. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 
Third Ohio Infantry, and served three months, when he again en. 
listed in Company D, Fourth W. Va. Infantry, and served until 
the spring of 1803, when he re-enlisted in the same company and 
regiment as a veteran and served until the close of the war, being 
discharged at Wheeling, Va., in March, 1805. He then returned 
to Athens, and was soon after appointed Postal Clerk in the House 
of Representatives at Washington, D. C, under Colonel Given, the 
Postmaster of that body, and served as such until the close of the 
session in 1867, when he returned to Athens, and has pursued the 
vocation of a stone-mason ever since. May 2, 1868, he was 
married to Miss Martha Gabriel, daughter of William Gabriel, of 
Athens. They have two children — Frank C. and Minnie F. Mi\ 
Dean is a member of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R. 

Gtorge Albert Dille, a dentist of Athens, was born near the vil- 
lage of Ontario, Ohio, May 3, 1849. He is the son of John R. 
and Nancy (Rogers) Dille, with whom he lived until he was 
twenty, and was given a good education. In his nineteenth year 
he began teaching school and taught for two years, when, in 1870, 
he began the study of dentistry in the office of Dr. F. D. Coleman, 
at La Salle, 111., and studied under his tutorship eighteen months. 
He then went to Mansfield, Ohio, and studied eighteen months un- 
der Dr. L. W. Nevins, forming a co-partnership with him in 
dentistry at the end ot that time, under the firm name of Nevins 
& Dille. The co-partnership was dissolved Nov. 1, 1875, Mr. 
Dille going to Lima, Ohio, where he practiced until June, 1879, 



834 BISTORT OF BOOKING VALLET. 

when he came to Athens and established his present practice. 
Oct. 14, L875, he married Lou (\, daughter of Esau W. Num- 
bers, of Iberia, Ohio. They have three children — John Mar. [va 
Pauline and Anna Helen. Mr. Dille and wife are members of 
the First Presbyterian Church at Athens, of which he is a Ruling 
Elder, and also Superintendent oi the Sabbath-school. 

Hadley King Dorr, druggist of Athens, is a son of Joseph ami 
Dorcas (Mathena) Dorr, lie was horn near Athens. Sept. 1". L852; 
there lived with his parents until ho was seventeen, ami was educa- 
ted, in the common sohooland Ohio University. On leaving home, 
which he did in 1870, he became associated with his brother, Dr. 
Eber Q-. Dorr, in the drug business at Athens, under the firm name 
of E. Gh DorrA Co. In l^To the linn name was changed to H. K 
Dorr & Co., his brother, though still associated with him, opening 
a drug store at Columbus, Ohio. In L876 his brother retired from 
the firm. Since that time he has continued the business alone, at 
Athens. Mr. Dorr is a Mason and a member ot' Paramuthia 
Lodge, No. 25, and an Odd Fellow, and member of Serene Lodge, 
No. 479, oi Athens. 

Joseph Dorr, a resident of Athens, was born in the vicinity ot 
Athens. J une 1, L816. He was reared a tanner and has pursued 
that avocation all his life in Athens Township, excepting one year, 
during which he lived in Hover Township. He worked as a farm- 
hand until IM 1. when he purchased a farm on Sugar Creek, three 
miles north ot' Athens, on which he lived until L854, when he sold 
it and purchased a farm onWolf's Plains, three miles west of Athens. 
There he lived until 1ST I; since that year he has had if fanned by 
tenants and he himself has resided in Athens. March 1. 1M1. 
he married Dorcas, daughter ot' John Mathena, ot' Athens. 
They have four children — Dr. Eber Q-., of Texas; Lucy C, now 
wife of David C. Oasto, "( West Virginia; Hadley K., druggist oi 
Athens, and Laura Frances. Mr. Dorr is a member ot' the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church ot' Wolfs Plains. v 

Jos Edmundson, dentist at Athens, was born July 

L840, in Pittsburg, Fa., where he was reared, and educated in the 
common schools until he was fifteen, lie then attended the Iron 
City College ot' Pittsburg, for three years, and Duff's College, of 
the same city, one year. He then taught bookkeeping and pen 
mauship in Ohio about one year, and then began the study k>{ med 
icine and dentistry in private. In lStil he entered the dental office 
of Dr. Jacob Qreenawalt, of Pittsburg, and was under his tutor- 




togg 



i 




4^ ^ 



s K 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 335 

ship some four years, in the meantime acting as an assistant in the 
surgical hospital at Pittsburg. In 1865 he located on Smithfield 
street, Pittsburg, having formed a partnership in dentistry with Dr. 
Hoffman, under the firm name of Edmundson & Hoffman. Six 
months later he retired from the firm and traveled through Ohio 
and Pennsylvania until the spring of 1866, when he located at 
Plymouth, Ohio. In the spring of 1870 he removed to Athens and 
established his present dental practice. March 7, 1867, he married 
Margaret Black, of Pittsburg, six children being born to them — 
Mary E., William T., James L., Charles G., Clyde M. and Edith. 
Mr. Edmundson and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Athens. Our subject is an Odd Fellow, and a member 
of Sereno Lodge, No. 479, of Athens. 

Alexander Ewing, assistant in the Auditors office at Athens, 
was born in Lancaster County, Pa., Aug. 23, 1824. When he was 
two years old his parents, Thomas and Mary (Gallaway) Ewing, 
removed to the region of Mount Pleasant, Ohio, where he was 
reared, receiving a common-school education. At the age of fifteen 
he began the woolen manufacturing trade in McKei's woolen 
mills near Mount Pleasant, where he worked until 1S48. From 
1849 until 1857 he was engaged in the livery business at Warren- 
ton, Ohio. In 1858 he was elected County Recorder of Jefferson 
County, and re-elected in 1861. From 1865 to 1868 he acted as 
insurance agent and traveling salesman. He came to Athens in 
April, 1868, and rented the Herrold Woolen Mills, manufactur- 
ing woolen goods until 1872. He entered the County Auditor's 
office at Athens as an assistant, December, 1872, and has remained 
there ever since. In March, 1849, he was married to Mary A. 
Moore, of Mount Pleasant, Ohio, three children being born to 
them — George Y., now station agent at McArthur's Junction; 
Jane, still at home, and John A., now telegraph operator at Big 
Springs, Texas. Mr. Ewing is an Odd Fellow, a member of Good- 
will Lodge, No. 143, Steubenville, Ohio, also a charter member of 
Athens Encampment, No. 17.">, of Athens. 

John Finsterwald, a farmer of Athens Township, was born in 
Ames Township, Athens County, Jan. 1, 1820. His parents, John 
and Catherine (Stalder) Finsterwald, came from Switzerland in 
1819, and settled in Ames Township, where he was born. His 
father died when he was fifteen years of age and he lived with his 
mother until manhood. In April, 1842, he was married to Man- 
Ann, daughter of Jonathan Hill, of Ames Township. He farmed 



336 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

as a renter until 1844:, when he was employed by Judge B. Pruden 
to work in his salt works near Athens, nine years. He then 
purchased a farm in the vicinity of Athens and followed 
farming until 1S58, when he was employed in the Ballard Salt 
Works until 1867. lie then went to McCuneville, in Perry 
County, and worked in the McCune Salt Works until 1S70, when 
he returned to his farm, where he still resides. lie has been Road 
Supervisor of Athens Township seven years. He has eight children 
—Catherine, wife of Pearson Duffy, of Perry County; Lucy, wife of 
Spence Hill, of the same county; Eliza, Ada, Peter, Marshall, of 
Athens; Henry, of Ludlow Grove, Onio; Charles, of Athens 
Township, and John, an attendant of Athens Asylum for the 
Insane. 

Peter Finxterwald, Marshal of Athens, was born in Ames Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, Feb. 23, 184:3. He was reared a farmer 
and lived with his parents, John and Mary ( Hill ) Finsterwald. 
until he was nineteen years of age, when, in 1S62, he enlisted in 
Company A, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, as a private. He partic- 
ipated in the battles of Mission Ridge, Chickamauga, Dalton, 
Kennesaw Mountain, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savan- 
nah, Charleston and Bentonville. He was discharged as a Ser- 
geant at the expiration of his term of service at Washington, 
D. C, June 20, 1865. He then returned home and worked on 
the farm with his father until 1S67, when he rented a farm 
where he lived till 1871. He then came to Athens and followed 
teaming until the spring of 1875, when he was elected Street Commis- 
sioner, and has held the office by re-election ever since. In 1S82 he 
received the appointment of Marshal of Athens. He has been twice 
married. I lis first wife was Emma M. Bing, of Athens, whom he 
married in August, 1867, and who died in 1873, leaving four chil- 
dren — Frederick, Elsie, Carlos and William. In October, 1876, 
he was married to Mary O. Crippen, of Rome Township, Athens 
County. They have two children — Artemus and Gertrude. Mr. 
Finsterwald is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of Colum- 
bus Golden Post, No. S9, G. A. R. 

Adolphus Benjamin Frame, M. D., was born in Coolville, Ath- 
ens Co., Ohio, Jan. 4, 1840. He is the son of John and Mary 
( Nesmith) Frame. He remained at home until September, 1859, 
at which time he entered Marietta College, attending there until 
the fall of 1862, when he entered the Union Army as Second Lieu- 
tenant of Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 337 

Infantry, being commissioned by Governor David Todd, Aug. L6, 
1862. He was promoted to Fir^t Lieutenant, Jan. 31, LS63, and to 
Captain, Dec. 27, 1864. He served witii his regiment in the Shenan- 
doah Valley, under Generals Melroy, Seigle, Hunter, Crook and 
Sheridan, until December, 1864, when it was transferred to the 
Army of the James. March 1, L865, he was honorably discharged, 
by order of the War Department, and on the following day was 
commissioned Adjutant of the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. He served with this regiment in the Army of 
the Cumberland from March, 1865, until September of the same 
year, when the regiment was mustered out, at the close of the 
war. Immediately after quitting the service, he began the study 
of medicine witli Dr. A. P>. Monahan, at Jackson, Ohio. lie 
graduated from the medical college .at Cincinnati, in March, 
1 368, after taking two full courses of lectures. He then prac- 
ticed at Coolville, Ohio, until May. 1872, when he came to Ath- 
ens. Dec. 21, 1868, he married Miss Mary Elizabeth Morris, 
daughter <>f Charles Morris, of Athens. They have one child — 
Mary Lydia. Jan. 5, 1S74, Mr. Frame was appointed United 
States Pension Examining Surgeon, by the Government. March 
7, 1S77, he was appointed a Trustee of the Athens Asylum for the 
Insane, by Governor Thomas L. Young. lie is a member of the 
Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M.,at Athens, and also one of 
the charter members of the Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. 
U., he being Surgeon of the post and Deputy of Ohio. 

John Adrian Frame, M. D., was born at Coolville, Athens 
County, Feb. 26, 1850, and is a son of John and Mary (Nesmith) 
Frame. He lived, with his parents until manhood at his birth, 
place, and was educated in the High School of that place. In 
October, 1879, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. 
G. W. Ilarman, at Coolville, and was under his preceptorship for 
three years. He graduated as M. D. from the Ohio Medical Col- 
lege at Cincinnati — after taking two courses — in 1872. He then 
began his practice in Coolville, where he remained until L875,when 
he went to Jacksonville, Ohio, and practiced nine months. He 
then came to Athens and established himself in his present prac- 
tice. June 3, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth Morrison, daughter 
of Alfred Morrison, of Athens County. They have one child — 
Adrienne. 

John Friday, of the firm of D. Zenner & Co , merchants oi 
Athens, was born near Nuremberg, Bavaria, June 11,1834. He 
22 



338 HISTORY OF HOCKIXG VALLEY. 

was educated in the schools of Nuremberg up to the year 1849, 
when, at the age of fourteen, he emigrated to America. He was 
employed as clerk in store* at Cincinnati. Ohio, and Rushville, 
Ind., until 1853. He then'engaged in the mercantile business at 
Salem, Ohio, Rochester, Ind.. and Wellsville, Ohio, until 1858, 
when he removed to Steubenville, Ohio. Here he engaged in the 
mercantile business until 1867, when he came to. Athens and 
became associated with D. Zenner, under the firm name of D. 
Zeuner & Co. In October, 186S, he married Miss Rebecca Zenner, 
daughter of D. Zenner, of Athens. He is a demitted Mason, a 
member of Good Will Lodge, No. 113, and Nimrod Encampment, 
No. 3, I. O. O. F., at Steubenville, Ohio. 

Leopold Friday, of the firm of D. Zenner & Co., of Athens, 
was born near Nuremberg, Bavaria, July 13, 1812. At the age 
of fifteen he was apprenticed to learn the mercantile business at 
Bayreuth, serving three years. He then clerked for his father until 
he reached his majority. In 1861 he emigrated to America. He 
was employed as stockman in a wholesale house at Cincinnati for 
about six months, at very low wages; then went to Nashville, Tenn., 
and clerked one year. He then went to Memphis and thence to 
St. Louis; not finding employment, went to Dakota Territory, 
where he worked at manual labor, enduring all the hardships and 
privations of a frontier life for three years. He returned to Ohio 
in 1869 and was employed for some six mouths as a farm hand by 
D. Zenner, living near Athens, when by the advice of his relatives 
and friends he entered, as a clerk, the store of D. Zenner & Co., 
his brother being the company. By hard work and attention to 
business he became a member of the firm in 1875. June 11. L876, 
he was married to Julia, daughter of D. Zenner. He is a Master, 
Royal Arch and Council Mason, and a member of the lodge, 
chapter and council at Logan, Ohio, lie is a member of Sereno 
Lodge, No. 479, and Athenian Encampment, No. 175, I. O.O. F.. at 
Athens, and lias passed all the chairs in both subordinate lodges 
and encampments. Be is also a member of Hockhocking Lodge, 
No. 1,880, K. of P., of Logan. 

James B. Fulton, grocer, Athens, was born in Athens Town- 
ship, Nov. 10, 1855, where he was reared and educated. He is the 
youngest of three sons of Robert and Elizabeth (Robinson) Fulton. 
tie begin business for himself in 1878, by dealing in wool. Dur- 
ing JS80 lie was employed as clerk in the grocery store of J. O. 
Whipple, Athens. In 18S2 he opened the store where he is now 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 339 

doing a good business. Nov. 8, 18S2, he married Etta Wilson, of 
Vinton County, O. They are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. Mr. Fulton is a member of Sereno Lodge, No. 470, 
I. O. O. F., Athens. 

Reason Gabriel, born Sept. 28, 1815, in Alexander Township, 
Athens Co., Ohio, is the third of four sons of Abram and 
Polly (Higgins) Gabriel. Dec. 31, L835, he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Tederman Allen, of Philadelphia, Pa. He purchased 
a farm in Waterloo Township where he lived three years; then sold 
it and bought one in Athens Township, which he still owns. In 
1855 he moved into Athens, where he still resides, his farm being 
carried on by tenants. Mrs. Gabriel died Oct. 25, 1S62. They 
had seven children — Sarah A., now Mrs. Asa Love, of Athens; 
Abram, of Athens; Mary M., now Mrs. C. S. Rose, of Columbus; 
Orpha, now Mrs. John Wyland, of Columbus; Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Henry Kilburn, of Columbus; Charles, of Columbus, and one 
who died in infancy. Jan. 10, 1875, Mr. Gabriel married Eliza- 
beth, daughter of John and Serena (Andrew) Clutter, of Washing- 
ton, Pa. Mrs. Gabriel is a member of the First Presbyterian 
Church, Athens. 

James Gilly, son of William and Frances Gilly, was born 
Nov. 22, 1S15, on the farm where he now resides. His youth was 
spent in working on the farm and attending the common schools of 
the neighborhood. He was married when twenty years of age to 
Sarah Johnson, of this township. They have two children — 
Luella and Tabitha. Mr. and Mrs. Gilly are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Gilly has a good farm of 11^ 
acres, all well improved, 

William Gilly, son of William and Sarah Gilly, was born 
in Pennsylvania, Dec. 15, 1816. When he was twelve years of 
age his parents came to Ohio, settling in Alexander Township, 
Athens County. He was married when twenty years of age to 
Frances Hill, of Athens County. Their children are — Calvin, 
Frank, Henry. William, Becky, Frances, James and Elizabeth. 
Mr. Gilly has a line farm of 710 acres, which he has acquired by 
his frugality and industry. 

0. Dent Gist was born Muskingum County, O., Jan. 13, 1811. 
He is the second son of Charles W. and Melinda (Wilson) Gist, 
his father a native of Frederick County, Md., and his mother of 
Muskingum County. Our subject was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools, and completed it 



140 HISTORY OF 110CKINO VALLEY. 

at Now Plymouth Academy, Vinton County. lie enlisted as a 
private in Company F. One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, 
Aug. 22, L862, and during his service was promoted to Commissary 
Sergeant. lie participated in many ot' the hard-fought battles of 
the Rebellion, and bravely performed the duties of a soldieruntil 
the closeof the war. and was mustered out at Houston, Texas, July 
17. L865. He then returned home and became engaged in the 
mercantile business, which he has since pursued, lie was married 
Nov. 30, 1ST 1. to Susie Allen, daughter ofDavid and Mary J. Allen, 
who were among the pioneers of Athens. By this union are three* 
children — Dollie, born Sept. 1. L872; Gracie, born March 28, L875; 
John D., born Oct. 7, 1878. Air. Gist is a member of the G. A. II . 
Columbus Golden Tost. No. 89, which is located at Athens, Ohio. 
Major Elmer Golden, grocer, was bom in Alexander Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, April 12, L835, the son of William and 
Jane (Crossen) Golden. He was reared in Athens County. At 
the age of twelve years he began to clerk in the store of Oliver 
Pickering, and afterward clerked in different stores in Athens 
until L855, when he became associated with D. Zenner in the mer- 
cantile business, the firm name being Zenner & Golden. In July, 
L862, he received a recruiting commission as Captain, and in ten 
days' time recruited 143 men; out of that number Company A. 
Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, was organized, of which he was elected 
Captain. The excess o( men were transferred to other companies, 
lie served as Captain until March, L863, when he was promoted to 
Major o( his regiment, lie was discharged Dee. 8, L863, for 
disability, and returned to Athens. He participated in the battles 
of Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and others vt' less importance. 
In L865 he retired from the firm (<( Zenner & Golden and 
was employed as salesman in the wholesale dry goods house of 
Thompson & lveen, ol! Cincinnati. In 1866 he engaged in the 
hardware business at Jackson, Ohio. In 1868 he removed with 
his stock o( hardware to Garnett, Kan., where he remained until 
March, 1>74, when, discontinuing the business, he returned to 
Athens and became proprietor o( the Brown Hotel. In May, 
L878, he took charge ^t the Warren House, which he kept until 
November, L882. March t, 1 S S'2. he engaged in his present gro- 
cery business. Dec 6, 1856, he was married to Miss Mary B- 
Cooley, of Athens, who died March L3, L862, leaving two children — 
Will B., a clerk in the Bank of Athens, and Bessie P., wife of Dr. 
Charles A. Cable, of Logan. He was again married. Sept 20, 18 



HI8T0EY OF HO< KING VALLEY. '.'A\ 

to Miss Hattie A. Butin, of Logan, Ohio. Major Golden is a Free- 
mason, deniitted from the lodge at -. ; Ohio. He is a mem- 
ber of Columbue G-olden Post,No. 89, G. A. K, of Athens, of 
which he is Junior V^ce-Commander. 

William Golden, Esq., Justice ol the Peace of Athens, was born 
near Lewis town, Pa., Oct. 5, 1799. He is the son of Barnabas and 
Mary (Campbell) Golden. Hi-, mother died when he was an in- 
fant and lie was left in the care of an uncle in Mifflin County, J'a.. 
with whom he lived, receiving a common-school education, until 
lie was fourteen; at thai age he began to maintain himself by vari- 
ous employments. In his seventeenth year he went to Allenville, 
Mifflin C unity, and waa apprenticed to learn the tra le of plasterer, 
ing three years, when, in 181 3, he came to Ohio and worked at 
his trade in Woo3ter, Wayne County, until ls20. During the win- 
ter, when he could not work at his trade, he taught 8 ihool. He 
then went to Perry County, living there until 1823, when he came 
to Athens, working there as a plasterer till L829, when he pur- 
chased a farm in Alexan ler Township, live miles south of Athi 
where he farmed until L8i3. Being at that time elected Sheriff of 
Athens County, he removed to Athens. He held this office two 
terms of two year- each. In 1847 lie was elected Treasurer of 
Athens County, and held this position, by re-election, for six years. 
While living in Alexander Township he- served a- Justice of the 
Peace for six year-. He is now Justice of the Peace of At! 
Township, an 1 has hold that position sine- 1864. He a 
served as Mayor of Athens eight years. Nov.28, 1822, he married 
Miss Jane Crossen, of Perry County. O. She died at Athens, 
April 17, 1876. Tliey had nine children, only three of whom 
are now living — John C, of Texas; Sarah A., wife of Le 1 
Steinrod, of Nelsonville, and Major Elmer Golden, of Athens. 
Hi- children all lived to maturity excepting one tint died in 
infancy. His son, Cjlumbus Golden, in honor of whom the 
Grand Army of the Republic ol' Athens named their post, died 
from wound- received ir Creek, Ark., in l-'!2. He was the 

first resident of Athens County who fell in that war. Mr. Golden 
is the oldest Freemason in Athena C >unty. lie has taken the Mas 
ter, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar degrees, and is a 
member of the lodge, chapter, council and commandery at Athens. 
He has also held high p >sitions in these bodies for many y< 

lion. William Reed Golden^ career was among the men of to-day. 
As a lawyer and a politician his abilities have b Med, 



uisreKY OF HOCKING VAU BY. 

if ever, In this portion of the State. He was born at Athens, April 
u, 1827, where he died Feb, 17, 1880, aged nearly fifty-three years, 
He passed his boyhood on his father's farm in Alexander Township, 
where he attended the district school. He afterward, for three years 
following 1846, attended the Ohio University. He then studied 
Athens with Hon. Lot L Smith, and after two terms in 
\ ional Law School at Ballston, N. V., graduated from it and 
admitted to the bar in 1851. He at once began the pra< 
of law in Athens, meeting with good success from the start. He 
was married in May, 1859, to Miss Kate K. Foster, to whom was 
born si\ children, five of them survivingthe father. He was twice 
ted to the ' State Senate, in 1865 and L868, serving four 
years, representing the district composed of Athens, Hocking and 
Fairfield counties. In this body he was an able and important 
member-. In the dark days of the Republic, although from a nat- 
ural defect unable to take up arms, he was, in sympathy, true to 
- country. His career as a politician was that of an honorable, 
patriotic and shrewd gentleman. For many wars he was the lead- 
spirit in his, the Democratic, party in this part of the State, and 
whether on the stump or in the committee room was a formidable 
adversary to his party opponents. A.S a lawyer he was polite to 
those about him, and exceptionally shrewd in the conduct ot a ease, 
lie was not only shrewd, but well informed on the substantial prin- 
ciples of the science of law, being able to conduct his business in a 
prompt and masterly way. His natural ability was, however, s 
erally supposed to be far in advance of his real attainments. Being 
of a careless disposition, he let his impulsive nature take its course, 
unrestrained by a desire for self-improvement or by moral precept. 
But for all this, he never forgot the instincts of honor to his fellow- 
men and. WS if his country, lie wasot a genial andeordial 

disposition, steadfast to his friends and honorable toward all. lis 
taults were the weaknesses of human nature, in which he injured 
so much as himself, lie made no pretension to be other than 
what he was —equally as honorable and outspoken in this as in his 
public and professional business, lie was highly respected and 
honored as an able and genial companion by his assoeiates at the 

- - a farmer o( Athens Township, 

where he was born Sep^. 17, m ^( David and Clai 

(Baker) Goodspeed. After becoming ^t' age he lived on the 

d with his parents until his mar: Nancy Coats. 



HI6TOB* 01 H0< KING GALLEY. 343 

daughter of Arthur Coats, of Athens, June 27. L858, when he 
settled on a farm he had purchased in Athens Township, on which 
ived twelve yean-. In 1870 he returned to the homestead, 
which he now owns. His farm, in all, embraces 500 acres. With 
farming he does an extensive teaming bug contract. lie - 

now a Trustee of At] vnship and hi veral 

He- lias served nine e year as 

Land Appraiser. He has three children — George Elza and 

la (twins), and Mattie 1 . all still aJt home. lie is a 

ter, Royal Arch. Council and Knight Templai 
member oft! chapter, council and commandery at At! 

Joseph McKendree Goodspeed, £ i endent of the Dnion 

Public Se »f Athens, was bom near Athens 

He rily son of Ezra and Matilda (Rose) Goodf-peed, with 

m he lived until manhood, and v.. eal educal 

lie graduated from the Ohio ' ity in the class of 1859. lie 

had, however, taught school several terms before his graduation, 
and afterward, during chool in 

ounty. In September, I860, hei the po 

sition of Principal of the Carrollt< i rro'.lton, K y 

the breaking out of the war. id 1861, he resigned his position and, 
returning to Ohi sioned a Second Lieutenant and 

recruited Company E, Seventy-fifth Infantry, Ohio Volunte< 
Upon the _•■ zation of the company he wa- Firsf Lieu- 

nt and so commie eh until November, 1 

when he on on account of failing health. 

While serving he participated in th< . ments at McDowell, 

sburgh, S r Mounti Ford and Second Bull 

with the On< Hundred and 
fir • !:• - Adjutant. He served 100 di 

and then served with his regiment on guard duty at Barbours- 
vilie, W. Va., until 1 'ation of his term of 

fall oi 1864 he was employed in the commission house of R. II. 

vart at Cincinnati, and while there. Jan. 14. 1865, he was mar- 
ried to Mary C. Clark, daughter of Rev. .). W. Clark, of that c 
He then returned to At] nty and farmed his father's farm 

until September, 1866, when he -■ rintendent oi 

n Publi< Ls of Athens, by the Athens Board ol 

tion. and has filled that position -• April 1, 1874, 

wife died at Ath< ing him 

children — Gertrude and Eliza, th dying 



344 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Mr. Goodspeed is a prominent Mason and has taken the degrees 
np to thirty-second of the Scottish rite. From 1S691 to 1S75 he 
was Worshipful Master of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, of Athens; 
II gh Priest of Athens Chapter, No. 39, from 1^74 to the present 
time; Eminent Commander of Athens Commandery from L874 to 
1 876, also from 1877 to the present time (1883). Daring 1880 and 
1881 he was Most Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Ohio, 
and during the same years was Senior Grand Warden of the 
Grand Lodge of Ohio. In 1882 he was elected Deput} r Grand 
Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and now holds that position. 
Mr. Goodspeed is a Director of the First National Bank of Athens, 
and President of both the Citizens Building and Loan Association 
and the Home Building Association, of Athens. 

Granville Lucius Gorslene, M. D., of Athens, was born at Ath- 
ens, July 16, 1837. He is the son of James M. and Maria (Qui m by) 
Gorslene. He was educated by taking an irregular course at 
the Manual Labor School, at Albany, now the Atwood Institute. 
At the age of twenty he bsgan the study of medicine under the 
tutorship of Dr. C. L. Wilson, at Albany, with whom he studied 
and practiced four years. He then practiced and studied at Ham- 
den, Vinton County. He graduated as M. D. from the Starling 
Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1865. He continued 
his practice at Ilamden until 1873, when he came to Athens and 
became associated with Dr. EL M. Lash, under the firm name of 
Lash & Gorslene. Two years later he withdrew from the firm 
and practiced alone until 1S76, when he removed to Austin, Texas, 
and practiced there one year, when, on account of impaired health, 
he returned to Ohio and practiced at Hamden until 1ST'.', when he 
again came to Athens and established his present practice. In 
April, 1882. he was appointed one of the Board of Examiners at 
Athens by the Pension Commissioner. May 20, 1862, he mar- 
ried Miss Mary Charlotte Strahl, daughter of John and Hannah 
(Snitt) Strahl. They have two children — James M., a student 
of the Ohio University, and Clara Lula. He is a member of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Athens and has served as Ruling 
Elder since 1874. He is a Mister, Royal Arch and Council 
Mason, and a member of the lodge at Hamden and of the chap- 
ter and council at Athens. 

George T. Gould, of Athens, was born at Kennebunk Po:% a 
coast town in the State of Maine, Nov. 24, 1825. His father, 
Thomas F. Gould, of Scotch ancestry, was a sea captain and finally 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 34:} 

lost at sea. His mother, Lyntha Miller, was of English descent. 
George T. Gould was educated in the public schools at Lewiston, 
Maine, where the family moved when he was yet a child. He came 
*o Ohio in November, 1852, brought hither by the construction of 
the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, on which he was a contrac- 
tor. After the completion of this road, he, in connection with M. 
M. Green, of Columbus, engaged in business at Salina, where they 
invested a large amount of capital and carried on various businesses, 
including salt-making, coal-mining, pork-packing, and dealing in 
grain, wool and general merchandise. After a residence at Salina 
of twelve or fourteen years he removed to Lancaster when the Co- 
lumbus & Hocking Valley Railroad was being built, and on 
which he had a contract for the construction from Lancaster to Ath- 
ens. A number of years previous to the close of business at Salimt, 
Mr. Green had withdrawn and Mr. Gould was alone. In 1878 
he went to South America, where he was, for a time, superin- 
tendent of the mines of the Telimb'a Mining Company, of which 
he was a member. For a few years following this he was 
in California superintending mines, a part of the time havi g 
as many as four different mines under his control. For the 
last few years he has been engaged in various pursuits. Few 
men have had so wide an experience in business pursuits as Mr. 
Gould. To mention in detail all of his business relations would, 
in his own language, " make a book of itself. " In this short 
sketch we have only noticed those pursuits in which he was more 
permanently established. More than as many more in which he 
has been to a great or less extent engaged, might be mentioned. In 
his business pursuits lie has traveled through more than two thirds 
of the States and Territories of the Union, and through a greater 
part of both Upper and Lower Canada and parts of South America. 
He was married Oct. 24, 1855, to Miss Minerva Brown, daughter 
of the late John B. Brown, of Ames Township. They have six 
children, live; daughters and one son, all living. 

Fliiley Perrij Graham, photographer at Athens, was born near 
McKeesport, Pa., Nov. 2s, 1842. He lived with his parents, 
George and Mary Jane (Maines) Graham, until he was nineteen, 
when he joined the Union army, enlisting in Company F, Thirty - 
sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three years. He partici- 
pated in a number of battles and skirmishes, the most important 
being South Mountain, Antietam (being wounded at the battle), 
Hoover's Gap and Kernstown. At the battle of Kernstown he was 



346 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

taken prisoner and imprisoned at Winchester, Lynchburg, Dan- 
ville and Libby Prison, making in all seven months of imprison- 
ment; at the end of this time he was exchanged at Annapolis. He 
was then granted a furlough, his health being impaired by his 
prison life, when he returned to Ohio to gain strength. He re- 
joined his regiment at Winchester, Va., and served until his 
discharge at the expiration of his term of service, June, 1865. He 
then returned to his father, at Plymouth, Washington Co., 
Ohio. The following August he went to Chesterfield, Ohio, and 
began learning the art of photographing, with his uncle, William 
S. Waugh, remaining with him four months, when he returned to 
Plymouth, where he did photographing until 1S72. He afterward 
carried on the same business at Lexington and Logan until 1874> 
when he came to Athens and established his present gallery. Nov. 
8, 1866, he married Hattie T. Selby, of Athens County, Ohio. 
They have four children — George II., Clarence Arthur, Mabel L. 
and Lulu Selby. They lost one by death — Ida A., who died at 
Logan, Aug. 5, 1873, at the age of nine months. Mr. Graham 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Athens. Our subject is a member of Columbus Golden Post, No- 
89, G. A. E. 

James Grim was born April -i, 1835, near New Lisbon, Ohio. 
When fifteen years of age he went to Salem and learned the mold- 
er's trade, serving an apprenticeship with Samuel Taylor. In 
1853 he went to Cleveland and worked in the foundry- of Merchant 
& Ingersoll a year. In 1S5' 1 ) he came to Athens and was employed 
as molder in the foundry of W. W. Love until 1SG6, being absent 
only 100 days, while serving in Company B, One Hundred and 
Forty-first Regiment, O. N. G. In 1867 he engaged in the huck- 
stering business with John Davis, under the name of Davis & Grim. 
In L868 Mr. Davis withdrew and Mr. Grim continued the business 
till 1872. From 1872 to 1877 he was in the grocery business, but 
sold out and was variously employed till August, 1SS0, when he 
became established in the livery business. In September, 1862, he 
married Eliza J. Pierce, of Athens. They have seven children — 
Emma F.. Robert T., Charles A., James C, Eliza J., Myrtle A., 
and Holly II., all living at home. 

Hon. Charles H. Grosvenor, attorney at law and a member of 
the law firm of Grosvenor & Jones, at Athens, and Grosvenor 
& Vorhes, at Pomeroy, wis born at Pomfret, Conn., Sept. 20, 
lb33. At the age of live he came with his parents, Peter and Ann 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 347 

(Chase) Grosvenor, into Athens County, where they settled in 
1838. He is of English ancestry, being a descendant of John 
Grosvenor, who died at Roxbury, Mass., in 1690, from whom, it js 
believed, have descended all who bear his name in America. His 
grandfather, Thomas Grosvenor, served on the personal staff of 
General Washington during the Revolutionary War, with the rank 
of Colonel, lie was afterward Judge of the Circuit Court of Con- 
necticut. His father served in the war of 1812, and was promoter! 
to the rank of Major of Militia. Our subject received his rudi- 
mentary education in the district schools of Athens County, and, 
being thrown upon his own resources at an early age, he was 
obliged to teacli school, tend store and work on a farm in order to 
obtain means to further pursue his studies. In his private study 
he was assisted by his mother, an amiable and intelligent lady, to 
whom the marked characteristics that distinguish Air. Grosvenor 
as a lawyer and advocate are largely due Ee studied law under 
the tutorship of Hon. Lot L. Smith, and was admitted to the bar 
by the District Court at Athens in 1857, and at once -began the 
practice of his profession. In 1858 he formed a law partnership 
with Hon. S. S. Knowles. During the war he enlisted in the Eight- 
eenth Ohio Infantry, and was soon promoted to Major of his 
regiment. In June, L863, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and in April, 1865, to Colonel, with the brevet title of Brigadier- 
General, he having commanded a brigade at the battle of Nash- 
ville, and having been recommended by General Steedman, on 
account of gallant action on the field. The recommendation was 
endorsed by General George II. Thomas as follows : 

"Respectfully forwarded and earnestly recommended. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Grosvenor has served under my command since November, 18G2, and has on all 
occasions performed his duties with intelligence and zeal. " 

At the close of the war he returned to Athens and resumed the 
practice of law, becoming associated with J. M. Dana, Esq., under 
the firm name of Grosvenor cV Dana, this co-partnership lasting 
nearly fourteen years. Besides being a prominent lawyer, with an 
extensive practice in the Supreme Court of Ohio, and all the lower 
courts in this section of the State, he has the reputation of being 
an eloquent orator, a successful campaign speaker and a formidable 
opponent. During the hotly contested Maine campaign of l v 7'.» 
his assistance was earnestly requested by Hon. James G. Blaine 
and other distinguished Republicans of that State. Accepting the 



348 HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

invitation, he made his first speech at Portland, Aug. 13. He 
made in all thirty speeches, his stay covering a period of several 
weeks, he fully vindicating his reputation as an eloquent and popu- 
lar speaker. In 1872 he was elected one of the Republican 
Presidential Electors, and was chosen to carry the returns from 
Ohio to Washington. In 1880 he was elected Presidential Elector 
at large on the Republican ticket, and took an active part in that 
campaign, making speeches in five States. Dec. 2 of that year 
the Republican Presidential Electors and other distinguished 
citizens of Ohio visited President-elect Garfield to tender him their 
congratulations on the successful issue of the campaign just closed, 
and Mr. Grosvenor was choseu spokesman. In 1873 he was elected 
a member of the House of Representatives, from Athens County, 
and while a member of that body formed one of several important 
committees. He was re-elected in 1875, and at its organization 
was chosen Speaker of the House. Mr. Grosvenor is now a mem- 
ber of the law firms of Grosvenor & Jones, Athens, and Grosvenor 
& Vorhees, Pomeroy; the latter firm has existed since 186S. Dec. 
1, 1858, he married Samantha Stewart, of Athens County. She 
died April 2, 1866, leaving one daughter. He was again married, 
May 21, 1867, to Louise H. Currier, also a native of Athens County. 
They have two daughters. 

Isaac Half, upholsterer and dealer in furniture and carpet ings, of 
Athens, was born in Hagueneaw, Alsace, July 17, 1812. He was 
educated in the schools of his native city and Strasbourg, where he 
went at the age of thirteen, and attended the Industrial School four 
years. He then, 1S60, emigrated to the United States, landing in 
New York City, July 4. He was first employed in the upholstery 
house of M. Sfceinhous, where he remained until the fall of 1861, 
when he came to Athens and was employed as a clerk in the store 
of I. Selig & Co. He was employed by the same at Athens, 
Albany and Logan until 1861, when he, with L. Selig. purchased 
the stock of I. Selig & Co., and established themselves in the 
mercantile business at Athens, under the firm name of L. Selig & 
Co. In L868 M. and A. Selig became associated with them, chang- 
ing the firm name to M. Selig & Cj. The firm dissolving in 
D-cember, 1882, Mr. Half, the following February, established 
himself in his present business. He has been a member of the 
Board of Education of Athens for seven years. He is a Master. 
Royal Arch and Council Mason and also an Odd Fellow. He is, by 
birth and education, a Hebrew, and has always adhered to that 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 34$ 

faith. February, 1865, he married Eva Selig, of Philadelphia, 
seven children being born to them — Filx, Gertrude, Rodolph, 
Morris, Samuel, Sophia and Leopold. 

Robert Emmett Hamblin, Steward and Financial Manager of 
the Athens Asylum for the Insane, born in Logan, Hockino- 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 14, 1852, is the son of Emmett and Celestia 
(Cook) Hamblin. He received his literary education in the schools 
of Logan and took a commercial course in the Zanesville Business 
College in 1872. At the age of nineteen he began to teach school, 
and taught until July, 1874, when he received the appointment of 
Steward of the Athens Asylum for the Insane. In May, 1878, on 
account of a change of administration, he was superseded by an- 
other. In May, 1880, without being solicited, he was again 
appointed Steward of the asylum and still holds the position. He 
is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason and member 
ot the lodge, chapter and commandery at Athens. 

William Hunter Harris, Superintendent and Secretary of the 
Athens Gas Light Company, was born at Clarksville, W. Va., 
Sept. 8, 1845, where he lived with his parents, James W. and Per- 
melia (Burton) Harris, until he was eighteen years of age. He 
attended schools in Clarksville until his sixteenth year, when he 
was employed as a clerk in the store of B. F. Shuttleworth for two 
years. He then came to Athens with his parents and, with his 
father, engaged in the marble business until 1873, when he became 
Superintendent and Secretary of the Athens Gas Light Company 
and has since held that position. Oct. 27, 1869, he married Miss 
Bettie, daughter of the late George Putnam, of Athens. They had 
two children — May Putnam and Bessie. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are 
members of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens. He is a 
member of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. &. A. M. 

Lafayette Hawk, Recorder of Athens, was born at Wilksville, 
Vinton Co., Ohio, Aug. 24, 1S43, where he was reared, and 
lived with his parents until his seventeenth year. He was educated 
in the common schools. When first leaving home he enlisted in 
Company C, Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry* he 
served as a private about two years, when he was promoted to Cor- 
poral, and three months alter, in July, 1863, to Duty Sergeant. 
July 18, 1864, he was detailed as Sergeant- Major of his regiment. 
In September of that jjear he was taken prisoner while in an engage- 
ment at Kernstown, in the Shenandoah Valley, and was imprisoned 
at Danville,Va., until Oct. 10, when he, with others, made his escape 



350 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and returned to the Union lines at Gauley Bridge, Va., being out 
twenty-eight days. He was returned to his regiment at Oumber- 
land,Md., in January, 1865; he was soon after promoted to Orderly or 
First Sergeant, May 16, 1865, he was commissioned Second Lieu- 
tenant of Company A, of the same regiment; in July, 1865, he was 
mustered out of the service at Columbus, Ohio, when he Returned 
home to Vinton County. During 1866 he farmed his father's home- 
stead, and in 1867 he came to Marshfield, Athens County, and en- 
gaged in merchandising until 1871, when he engaged in shipping 
produce at the same place until 1872. He was then employed as 
a traveling salesman by wholesale houses in Chillicothe and Ports- 
mouth, Ohio, which he followed, with the exception of three years, 
until August, 1881. For a short time he was employed as a clerk 
at Guysville, Athens County. In the fall of 1882 he was elected 
by the Republican party, Recorder of Athens County, and has just 
entered upon the duties of that office. Oct. 18, 1866, he married 
Jennie, daughter of James Maylmgh,of Marshfield, Athens County. 
They have two children living — Eva and Nellie; they lost one — 
Nettie — who died June 1, 1879, at the age of twelve years. Mr. 
Hawk is a Master Mason and member of Constitution Lodge, No. 
426, Marshfield, and of Columbus Golden Post, G. A. R., No. 89, 
Athens. 

S'das Elson Hedges, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of 
Athens County, is the son of William F. and Sarah (McElhiney) 
Hedges, and was born in Homer Township, Morgan Co., Ohio. 
Sept. 26, 1817. He was educated in the common school, besides 
attending one term at Mount Auburn, Ohio. In 1S68 he took a 
commercial course at Small's Business College, at Zauesville, Ohio, 
lie was associated with his father, who was a merchant, as clerk 
and partner until the death of his father in 1880. After this event 
he did not engage in any particular occupation until the fall of 
1881 when lie was elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of 
Athens County by the Republican party. Sept. 18, 1871, lie mar- 
ried Miss Sarah J., daughter of Jackson Franklin, of Morgan 
County, Ohio. They have three children — William F., Flora II. 
and Fred A. 

Charles Booth Henderson, druggist, Athens, was born Feb. 23, 
1856, at Parkersburg, W. Va., a son of Richard H. and Anna W. 
(Shanklin) Eenderson. His parents removed to Wheeling and 
from there to Belpre, Ohio, and when he was twelve years of age, 
to Marietta, Ohio. He was educated in the schools of Belpre and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 351 

Marietta. When nineteen years of age he returned to Belpre and 
entered the drug store ot C. II. Johnson, with whom he learned 
the business, clerking for him three years, till 1878. During 1879 
he was employed as bookkeeper for J. W. Moore, of Harmar, 
Ohio, six months, returning to Athens in December, 1879, when 
he was employed as clerk by F. E. Waterman a year. In January, 
1881, he, in company with P. Carpenter, purchased the drug store 
of Mr. Waterman and carried on the business under the firm name 
of Carpenter & Henderson. In January, 1882, he withdrew from 
the firm, and in February established his present business. Mr. 
Henderson is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason, 
and a member of lodge, chapter and commandery at Athens. 

Joseph Herrold, a farmer and mill owner of Athens Township, 
was born in Ames Township, Athens County (then Washington 
County), Feb. 2, 1809. He is the son of Christopher and Martha 
(Cable) Herrold, who came to Washington County in 1798. His 
father dying when our subject was only thirteen years of age he 
began to support himself at that age by working as a farm hand at 
$8 per month. Ln 1833 he worked, under a contractor, on the 
Ohio Canal for $24 per month. In the latter part of that year he 
returned to Athens Cjunty and worked for Captain Bingham for $20 
per month, and while with him, in 1834, built a fiat-boat and ran 
it to Cairo for him. In 1836 he began to work as a bridge-builder 
and continued so until 1849. Many of the bridges built by him 
are still standing. In 1840 he purchased the mills now known as 
Hen-old's Mill, on Hocking River, which he rebuilt in 1858 with a 
run of five pairs of burrs. In 1850 he went to California for his 
health, accompanied by C. II. Armitage, Isaac Deshler and Isaiah 
Baker. While in California they established a mercantile house in 
a mining district, and he was to receive a percentage of their 
profits for the first eighteen months. He then cruised on the 
Pacific and Atlantic coasts and returned home during the latter 
part of 1S50. In 1854 he built the Woolen Mills at Athens, which 
lie ran up to 1873. In 1858 he purchased 400 acres of coal lands 
at the mouth of Monday Creek, in York Township, and opened up 
the Herrold coal mines, employing many miners and shipping his 
coal to various places on the Hocking Valley Canal up to 1873. 
In 1860 he purchased the Ballard Salt Works, Athens County, 
which he enlarged and worked till 1880. In 1857 he again went 
to California, having been appointed administrator of the estate of 
C. H. Armitage, who was murdered at Virgin Bay, on the Pacific 



352 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Coast, when on a return trip to Athens; and while there, pros- 
pected on the North Fork of the American River and returned to 
Athens in 1858. He has been twice married. His first wife was 
Elizabeth Barker, whom he married in 1830, who died in January, 
1849, from the effects of injuries received by a falling bridge near 
Pomeroy. They had eleven children, five of whom are still living. 
He married his second wife, Mrs. Orpha Baker, in December, 
1849. In 1871 he built his present residence near Athens, it 
being one of the finest in Athens County. He is a Master, Royal 
Arch and Knight Templar Mason and member of the lodge, chap- 
ter and commandery at Athens. He has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church since 1837 and an exhorter for many 
years. 

William Henry Herrold, proprietor of Herrold's Mills, is the 
son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Barker) Herrold, and was born near 
Athens, April 8, 1833, where he was reared, and received a com- 
mon-school education. When seventeen years of age he commenced 
to assist his father in his extensive coal mining, milling and salt 
manufacturing business. He worked for his father till 1876, when 
he became associated with him in the milling business. In 18S0 his 
father gave him two thirds of the mill as his share of the estate, 
and sold him the remaining third. Mr. Herrold is a practical 
business man, having received a business education in boyhood, 
and entered upon a business career before reaching manhoo 1. 
He was married June 16, 1862, to Orpha Reynolds, of Athens. They 
have one daughter — Rosa. 

Joseph S. IL'ggins, farmer, stock dealer and market gardener, 
Athens Township, second son of Michael and Mary (McClintick) 
Iliggins, was born in Athens Township, June 30, 1828, and lived 
with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age; then con- 
tinued in business with his father until 1862, when he purchased 
the farm en which he now resides, and was engaged in farming 
until July 28, 1863; he then enlisted in the Independent Battery 
of Ohio Volunteer Artillery for sixty days; was appointed Corporal 
and served as such with his battery through the Morgan invasion 
of the State. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he was 
discharged at Camp Denison, Ohio, in November, 1863, and 
returned home, and has been actively engaged in farming, garden- 
ing and stock-dealing to the present time. He has served as As- 
sessor of his township several years. He has been a member of the 
Board of Agriculture of Athens County for twenty years, serving 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 353 

as Vice-President eight years, and President two years. He is a 
Master Mason and member of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, F. & 
A. M., Athens, Ohio. Sept. 2, 1851, he married Hannah W., 
daughter of John M. and Amity L. (Lyons) Hibbard, of Athens 
Township; they have had ten children, nine living — Charlotte E., 
wife of William H. Wood, of Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio; 
Joseph W., married and living near his father; Cyrus M., Daniel 
N., John M., Charles II., Mary E., Hannah E., Nettie A. A., all 
at home. They lost their second child, Sarah E., who died Feb. 
22, 1874, at the age of twenty years. Mrs. Mary (McClintick) Hig- 
gins, his mother, now resides with him. on the farm she settled on 
in the year 1817. 

Judiah Biggins, harness-maker, was born near Cadiz, Ohio, 
May 7,1837. When he was two years old his parents, Edward and 
Nancy (Collins) Higgins, removed to Athens Township, Athens 
County. When fifteen he came to Athens and was apprenticed to 
J. W. Bayard to learn the harness-making trade and served three 
years. He worked as a journeyman until 1867, when he estab- 
lished his present shop at Athens. In 1873 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the Council at Athens and re-eleeted in 1875. In 1873 he 
was also elected Township Trustee of Athens Township and held 
the office by re-election for three years. In 1878 he was elected 
Treasurer of Athens Township and re-elected in 1879. In 1880 he 
was elected a member of the Board of Education of Athens and 
still holds that office. In 1858 he was married to Miss Jane 
Umbowers, ot Athens. They have two children — William Ed- 
wards and Katy K. Mr. Higgins is a member of the Masonic and 
Odd Fellows fraternities at Athens. 

Amsey Hooper, manufacturer of the Gem bed-springs, Athens, 
was born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Feb. 11, 
1856. He is the fourth of five s^ns of Clement and Rhoda (Axtel) 
Hooper, with whom he lived till twenty-one years of age. March 
8, 1877, he married Maggie Angel, of Lodi Township, and went to 
finning, following that occupation till 1881, when be came to 
Athens and was emplo} T ed as a clerk in the grocery of John Gra- 
ham for eighteen months; then clerked for J. B. Fulton till Jan. 
1, 18S3. He is now engaged in the manufacture of the Gem bed- 
springs, for which there is at present a market in Athens and 
adjoining counties, with the demand constantly increasing. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hooper have one child — Ola. 
23 



354 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Cliarles E M. Jennings was born March 9, 1837, at Catawissa, 
Columbia Co., Pa., and was brought by his parents the same year 
to Ohio. They located in Fairfield County, where he lived with 
them on a farm till the fifteenth year of his age. In 1852 he went 
into the office of the Lancaster Gazette to learn the trade of a 
printer. In 185T he went to Loj;an, and assumed the editorial 
control of the Hocking Valley Republican. Daring the war of 
the Rebellion lie was Chief Clerk to the Provost Marshal General 
of Ohio, serving with Colonel Edward A. Parrott of the First Ohio 
Infantry and Colonel Joseph H. Potter of the regular army. For 
some time after the war he was the Columbus correspondent of the 
Cincinnati Gazette, relinquishing the position in 1868, when he 
purchased the Athens Messenger, of which he has since been editor 
and proprietor. The Messenger is the old established Repub- 
lican paper of the county and now, under the editorialship of 
Mr. Jennings, continues to be one of the most influential papers 
of Southeastern Ohio. He is an able and easy writer, fearless of all 
contemporaries, and dauntless in advocating the principles of truth 
and justice. 

Robert Malcolm Jennings was born in Cairo, 111., Oct. 17, 
1861. His father, Robert M. Jennings, was a son of Junia Jen. 
nin°rs, of Marietta and was well known along the Ohio River, he 
having been prominent in steamboat circles for many years. The 
mother of the subject of this sketch was a grand-daughter of Elijah 
Ilayward, who held the office of Commissioner of the Laud Office 
during Jackson's administration, and who subsequently held various 
offices in Ohio. Mr. Jennings received a grammar-school educa- 
tion and learned the printer's trade at the Messenger office in 
Athens. In October of 1882, shortly after the establishment of 
the Athens Herald, he became a member of the company publish- 
ing that paper and has since been connected with it as Associate 
Editor. 

Evan J. Jones, of the law firm of Grosvenor & Jones, Athens, 
was born near Centerville, Gallia Co., Ohio, Oct. 3. 1S40. Ilia 
mother dying when he was about eight years old, he remained in 
his father's family until his sixteenth year, when he went to Ewing- 
ton and attended the Ewington Academy one year, he defraying 
the expenses by teaching district school at Portland and Madison 
Furnace, Jackson Co., Ohio. In the spring of 1S69 he went to 
Lebanon, Ohio, and attended the National Normal School for 
four months, when he came to Athens and entered the Ohio Uni- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 355 

versity and graduated in the class of 1873, in the mean time hav- 
ing in 1S72 and 1873 taught at Burlington, Ohio. Immediately 
after his graduation he accepted the Principalship of the Grammar 
School at Norwalk, Ohio, where he taught one year, at the 
same time privately studying law. In December, 1874, he was ad- 
mitted to the bar by the Supreme Court, at Columbus, and in 
August, 1875, became associated with Hon. Charles Townsend, 
forming the law firm of Townsend & Jones, at Athens. In 1878 
he became associated with Hon. Charles H. Grosvenor and formed 
the present law firm of Grosvenor & Jones. In 1878 he was 
elected City Solicitor of Athens, and by subsequent election held 
the position for four years. In the fall of 1881 he was appointed 
to fill a vacancy in the School Board of Athens and was elected to 
the same position in 1882. Dec. 17, 1879, he married Miss Lucy 
Johnson, of Pennsylvania. They have one child — Helen. Mr. 
Jones is a member of Sereno Lodge, No. 179, I. O. O. F., of 
Athens, and of the Delta Tau Delta Society, a fraternity of Ohio 
University. He is a member of the Baptist church at Norwalk, 
Ohio. 

Conrad Josten, of the firm of Laird, Josten & Co., manufacturers 
of wagons and carriages, and dealers in agricultural implements at 
Athens, was born in Wheeling, Va., July 1, 1850. When eight 
years of age became to Athens County with his parents, Mathias 
and Elizabeth (Bricker) Josten, settling in Lodi Township, where 
he lived with them until he was sixteen years old, when he went 
to Gallipolis and learned the blacksmith trade with Louis Munzt, 
being with him four years. He then worked at blacksmithing at 
various places until 1878, when he became associated with Arm- 
strong Laird at Athens, the firm being Laird & Josten, and engaged 
in manufacturing carriages and general repairing. In 1882 his 
father became associated with them, changing the firm to Laird, 
Josten & Co. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Council of 
Athens. May 3, 1880, he married Miss Maggie Shay, of Athens. 
They have one child — James M. Mr. Josten is a member of St. 
Paul's Catholic Church at Athens. 

Mathias Josten, of the firm of Laird, Josten & Co., was born in 
Prussia, Oct. 1, 1820. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to 
learn the trade of calico printer, at Mettlock. He afterward worked 
in print factories in Austria, Bavaria and Prussia until 1816, except- 
ing two years he served in the Prussian army. In 1816 he came 
to America and settled in Pottsville, Pa., where he was variously 



356 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

employed until 1849, when he removed to Wheeling, W. Ya. ; 
thence to Athens County, Ohio, in 1857, where he settled on a farm 
in Lodi Township, and pursued farming for twenty-live years. In 
1882 he sold his farm and came to Athens and became associated 
with A. Laird, and his son, Conrad Josten, in manufacturing wag- 
ons and carriages, and dealing in farming implements. Feb. 17, 
1848, he married Elizabeth Bricker, of Armstrong, Pa. They have 
four children — Conrad, Peter, Mary and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. 
Josten are members of St. Paul's Catholic Church of Athens. 

Frederick Lewis Junod was born in Canaan Township, Athens 
Co., Ohio, Jan. 30, 1832. When he was an infant his parents, 
Frederick Lewis and Ursula (Stalder) Junod, removed to Ames 
Township, where he was reared. Tlis father died June, 1852, and 
he remained on the homestead farm with his mother till 1867, 
when he bought the farm in Dover Township, where he now resides. 
Mr. Junod was Trustee and Justice of the Peace in Ames Town- 
ship several years. He has been a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation in Ames and Dover townships the most of the time since 
1854, and has also been a Trustee in Dover Township. In 18S0 he 
was elected one of the Directors of the Athens County Infirmary. 
Nov. 30, 1852, he married Lydia Ajin Stephenson. They have ten 
children, seven sons and three daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Junod 
are members of the Sugar Creek Methodist Episcopal church. 

Herbert Augustus Junod, son of Frederick L. and Lydia (Stephen- 
son) Junod, was born in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Sept. 
17, 1854. When he was thirteen } T ears old his parents removed to 
Dover Township. He was educated in the district schools of the 
county, and at the Ohio University, Athens, after which he taught 
school two years. He then was a salesman for the Singer Manu- 
facturing Company a year, and then was employed by F. M. Ivoons, 
lumber dealer, two years. In 1883 he accepted the situation as 
salesman lor O. D. Jackson, proprietor of the coal mines at Jackson- 
ville, Athens County. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church at Sugar Creek, and of Sereno Lodge, No .479, 1. O. O. F., 
Athens. 

Peter Kern, dealer in and manufacturer of boots and shoes, was 
born near Chambersburg, Pa., Oct. 10, 1837. When two and one- 
half years old his parents removed to Ohio and settled at Logan, 
Hocking County, where his father died when he was about four 
years old. He lived with his mother at Logan until he was nineteen. 
At the age'of sixteen he began to learn the trade of a shoe maker. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 357 

serving three years. He then worked as a journeyman at Logan 
and Pella, Iowa, until 1863, when he came to Athens and engaged 
in manufacturing and in dealing in boots and shoes, He was asso- 
ciated with several parties at different times, under various firm 
names, up to 1879, when he became sole proprietor and carried on 
business alone until August, 1882, when his son, Harry R., became 
associated with him, under the firm name of Peter Kern & Son. 
In April, 1879, he was elected a member of the Council of Athens 
for a term of two years, and re-elected in April, 1882. Oct. 18, 
1860, he was married to Annie M. Reynolds, of Athens County. 
They have two children — Lizzie and Harry Ellsworth. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken the degrees as 
high as Knight Templar. * 

Andrevj Kessenger, deceased, was a native of Virginia, born in 
Rockingham County in 1800. He came to Ohio with his mother 
in 1812, and lived in Muskingum and Fairfield counties till 1812, 
when he came to Athens County, and engaged in merchandising 
and milling at Athens, until his death in 1853. He was an enter- 
prising business man and one of the substantial citizens of the 
county. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church 
from his boyhood. 

Theodore Koerner, born in Milwaukee, Wis., Feb. 25, 1845, is a 
son of Frederick Hugo and Amelia Margaret (Rampmire) Koerner. 
In August, 1862, he enlisted as a drummer in Company K, Twen- 
ty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry, and served till the close of the war. 
He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mis- 
sion Ridge, Atlanta, and was with Sherman from Atlanta to the 
sea. He was discharged June 29, 1865. After his return to Mil- 
waukee he was apprenticed to learn the trade of an iron-molder, 
serving over two years. In 1868 he started out as a journeyman 
and worked in towns in Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, New York and 
West Virginia. In 1875 he came to Athens, and is now employed 
in the foundry of the Athens Water-wheel and Machine Company. 
Aug. 22, 1872, he married Mary Priscena Baker. They have three 
children — Anna Lee, Julia Belle and Louisa. Mr. Koerner is a 
member of Paramathia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M. ; Sereno 
Lodge, No. 479, I. O. O. F., of which he is Past Grand, and ot Co- 
lumbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R. 

Francis Marion Koons, grocer and dealer in lumber and build- 
ing hardware at Athens, was born in Dover Township, Athens 
Co., Ohio, Nov. 9, 1848. His parents were George S. and 



358 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Chloe A. (Weramer) Koons. His father died when he was an in- 
fant, and he remained with his mother until he was fourteen, when 
he began to maintain himself. Up to that time he had received a 
limited education. After becoming of age he attended two terms 
at a select school in Dover Township. In 1864, at the age of six- 
teen, he went to Mount Pleasant, Mich., and was employed on farms 
or in lumber camps until 1S67, when he returned to Athens County, 
remaining there until the winter of 1868-'9. He then returned to 
Michigan and worked in the pineries until 1870, when he again 
returned to Athens County, In 1871 he began to sell goods by 
peddling in Athens and adjoining counties, at first carrying a pack 
and afterward running a wagon. He followed this business for two 
years. In the fall of 1873 he purchased a farm in Dover Township, 
where he pursued farming until 1878, and during that period 
taught four terms of school. Selling his farm in 1879, he purchased 
a tract of timber land in the vicinity of Chauncey, Athens County, 
where he manufactured lumber until 1880, when he removed to 
Athens and opened a lumber yard. January, 1S82, he added to 
his lumber business that of groceries and building hardware. In 

1880, before removing to Athens, he was elected Land Appraiser 
of Dover Township, and also Census Enumerator of the same town- 
ship. Nov. 12, 1873, he married Martha J. Orme, of Dover Town- 
ship. They have five children — Stella Irene, Leopold Wordworth, 
Inez Leona, Eva Maud and George Wilmarth. Mr. Koons is a 
Master, Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason, and a member 
of the lodge, chapter and commandery at Athens. 

Honorable Charles Lindly Kurtz, member of the Ohio State 
Legislature and senior member of the firm of Kurtz & Minear, 
booksellers, stationers and jewelers, Athens, is the son of W. W. 
Kurtz, the present Postmaster of Athens, and Isabella, nee McEllroy, 
Kurtz. He was born in Albany, Athens County, May 4, 185L In 
1865 he came with his parents to Athens where he received a com- 
mon-school education. At the age of fourteen he was employed 
as a clerk in the book store of J. & T. W. Van Law. Some time 
after his father and C. D. Norris became the Messrs. Van Law's suc- 
cessors, and our subject had the management of the business until 

1881, when he became associated with A. W. S. Minear, and they 
became the successors of his father and Mr. Norris, and now con- 
tinue the business under the firm name of Kurtz & Minear. In 
1880 he was elected by the Republican party of Athens County for 
member of the Sixty-fourth General Assembly of the State of Ohio, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 359 

to fill a vacancy caused by the election of Major Charles Townsend 
as Secretary of State. He was re-elected in 1881, and is the present 
Representative of Athens County. Sept. 11, 1878, he married An- 
nie, daughter of Edgar P. Jewett, Esq., of Athens County. They 
have two daughters, lone and Eleanor. Mr. Kurtz is a member 
of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens. 

William Wyland Kurtz, Postmaster of Athens, is the son of 
George A. and Mary (Divender) Kurtz. He was born near New 
Vienna, Clinton Co., Ohio, March 16, 1833. When he was 
an infant his parents removed to Allegheny City, Pa., where he 
was reared and given a common school education. He lived with 
his parents until manhood, and when a youth learned the carpenter 
trade. In 1851 he came to Athens County and settled near Albany 
where he pursued farming and working at his trade until the fall 
of 1865. During three years of that time he was Postmaster of 
Albany, and also served as Clerk of Lee Township about six 
years, and Township Trustee three years. lie came to Athens 
in 1865, and engaged in dealing in drugs, books and stationery 
with a silent partner, under the firm name of W. W. Kurtz & Co., 
until 1868, when he became associated with C. D. Norris as book- 
sellers, jewelers and stationers, under the firm name of Kurtz & 
Norris. In 1870 he received the appointment of Postmaster ot 
Athens. His son. Charles L., was the manager of the business 
until 1881, when the same son and A. W. S. Minear became the 
successors of Kurtz & Norris. Since that time he has devoted his 
time wholly to the Athens postofiice. During 1861 he was com- 
missioned Captain of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-first 
Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and served at Barboursville, 
W. Ya., nearly four months. Since living in Athens he has 
served on the City Council three years. June 8, 1848, he mar- 
ried Isabella, daughter of William McEllroy, then editor of the 
daily 1 l itt slur g her , of Pittsburg, Pa., by whom he has seven 
living children — William M., of Columbus, Ohio; Mary Ellen, 
wife of John W. Doud, Superintendent of the schools of Toledo, 
Ohio; George A., Hon. Charles L. and Oscar II., all of 
Athens; Edward B., of Columbus, and Jennie A., attending the 
Ohio University. They lost one, Benjamin F., a twin brother to 
Jennie, who died at Athens, Feb. 7, 1882, at the age of eighteen. 
Himself and wife are members of the Free Baptist church, of 
Albany, Athens County. 



360 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Armstrong Zaird,[semor member of the firm Laird, Josten & 
Company, manufacturers of wagons and carriages, and dealers in 
farm implements, Athens, was born near Athens, May 16, 1852, son 
of John and Susannah (Hooks) Laird. He attended school until six- 
teen years of age, and then commenced to learn the carriage-mak- 
er's trade of J. Gr. Cornwell, serving an apprenticeship of three 
years, after which he worked on a farm a year. Nov. 30, 1872, he 
married Rebecca M. Sams, of Canaan Township, Athens County, 
and came to Athens and rented a small shop where he made and 
repaired carriages and wagons. In the fall ot 1871: he formed a 
partnership with John Graham, under the firm name of Laird & 
Graham, increasing his stock. In the spring of 1877 they sold 
out and established themselves in the grocery business under the 
firm name of Graham &, Laird, but the following fall Mr. Laird 
withdrew his interest and engaged again in the manufacturing o* 
wagons, etc., with Conrad Josten, under the name of Laird & 
Josten. In 1882 Mr. Josten's father, M. Josten, was admitted to 
the firm, the name changing to Laird, Josten & Co. Mr. and 
Mrs. Laird have two children — H. A. and Mattie A. Three chil- 
dren died in infancy. Mr. Laird is a member of Athenian Lodge, 
No. 104, K. of P., Athens. He has filled all the chairs, being at 
the present time Prelate. 

Mi Reynolds Lash, a druggist at Athens, was born in Alex- 
ander Township, Athens County, Nov. 20, 1818. He is the son 
of Jacob and Susan (Morrison) Lash, with whom he lived until 
he became of age. He then left home, in 1869, and entered the 
Ohio University at Athens, attending two years. In 1871 he was 
employed as a druggist's clerk by Dr. E. G. Dorr, with whom he 
remained until 1S73, when he purchased the drug store of John 
Perkins and established himself in the drug business at Athens. 
In November, 1875, he married Alice, daughter of James M. John.-, 
of Athens. They have two children — Rey and Florence. Mr. 
Lash is a Master, Royal Arch, Council, and Knight Templar 
Mason. He is also an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias; has 
held important positions in all these bodies, and represented his 
lodge in the Grand Lodge, K. of P., of Ohio, in 1879. 

Peter Fisher Martin, tanner, is the eldest of two sons ot 
A\' illiani and Mary Ann (Bodine) Martin, and was born in Blooms- 
bury, Hunterdon Co., N. J., Sept. 28, 1832. After arriving at 
manhood he was employed by his father at home on the farm, 
until they removed to Ohio. In 1851 he came to Ohio with his 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 361 

parents, and settled in Athens Township, Athens County, and per- 
sued farming there until 1856. In the fall of 1856 he moved to 
Henry County, 111., and was there employed in improving a 
new farm for five years. In the fall of 1861 he returned to 
Athens County, purchased the Willis farm, and lived there two 
years. He then worked on the Jewett farm one year. In the 
spring he moved on the Zenner farm where he lived seventeen 
years. In the spring of 1880 he purchased the Leonidas Jewett 
farm, on which he now resides. March 11, 1851, he married Mary 
Ann, daughter of John and Margaret (Hacket) Hoppock, of New 
Jersey. They have had five children, three now living — Isabel, 
wife of Gafcton Coe, of Dover Township; John II., married, living 
in Dover Township; Walter II., at home. William W. was 
drowned in the Hocking Canal at the age of nine years; George W. 
died in infancy. In February, 1865, he obtained a divorce from his 
wife. April 20, 1865, he married Charetta II., daughter of David 
and Margaret (Sidders) Shafer, of Athens County. They have one 
son — Curtis James. Himself and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

Loving Glazier Matheny, farmer, Athens Township, oldest son 
of Isaac and Chistia Ann (Harper) Matheny, was born June 1, 
1840, in Tyler, Dover Township, Athens County. He lived with 
his parents until manhood. He was educated in the common 
schools, the Albany Manual Laboring Institute, and attended the 
Ohio University at Athens three terms. He began teaching school 
at the age of eighteen. Oct. 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 
Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, as a private, and was mustered into the 
service at Chillicothe, Ohio. He was appointed First Sergeant of his 
company, Feb. 20, 1862, and served as such until June 27, 1S63, 
when he was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company P, 
same regiment. He participated with his command in the battles 
of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Farmington, Tenn., 
Iuka, Corinth and Parker's Cross Roads, Tenn. He was with Sher- 
man from Chattanooga to the sea, and participated in all the battles 
in which his regiment was engaged. He was mustered out of the 
service and discharged near Savannah, Ga., Dec. 21, 1864. He then 
returned to his home in Athens County, Ohio. During the year 
1865 he was in the employ of the Hocking Valley < >il Company. 
May, 1866, he removed to Johnson County, Mo., and there engaged 
in school teaching 'until the fall of 1868, when he returned to 
Athens County and taught until the spring of 1870. He then en- 



36*2 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

gaged in farming until March, 1877, when lie removed to Scotland 
County, Mo., and there engaged in farming. March, 1879, he return- 
ed to Athens County, and has/ollowed farming to the present time. 
Nov. 17, 1869, he was married to Hannah M., daughter of William 
and Mary Ann (Bodine) Martin, of Athens Township. They 
have six children — Edward L., Gertrude M., Charles M., Luella, 
William M., and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Matheny and two 
oldest children are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and he is Steward of the church and local preacher. lie is a mem- 
ber of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., of Athens. 

Alexander Watts Shaw Minear, of the firm of Kurtz & Mi near, 
booksellers, stationers and jewelers, Athens, was born in Harrison 
County, W. Va., Dec. 6, 1835. He came to Ohio with his parents, 
Jonathan and Nancy (Parrill) Minear, when he was in his fifth 
year, they settling near Coolville, in the southern part of Athens 
County, where he lived with them until his twentieth year, 
when he went to California and was employed as a clerk in a store 
for nearly two years. He then went to the gold diggings at the 
junction of the North and South Yuba rivers and mined until the 
spring of 1859, when he returned home. After his return, the 
same year, he purchased a half interest in the Coolville flouring- 
mill. Selling the same in 1860, he became associated with his 
brother, E. R. Minear, in the mercantile business at Guysville, 
Athens County. The war breaking out soon after, he sold his 
interest in the store to his brother and entered the Union army as 
First Lieutenant of Company C, Eighteenth Regiment, Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry, he having assisted in raising the company. At 
the battle of Stone River he was shot through the body, the ball 
penetrating his left lung. The wound was received while making 
a charge through a cedar thicket. It being considered fatal, his 
wife left her home to visit him, and although it was the order of 
the War Department not to let any one pass through the lines on 
account of a scarcity of provisions, she, by secreting herself among 
a load of pork-barrels covered with a large tarpaulin, succeeded in 
passing through the line. She remained until his convalescence, 
in March. 1863, when he returned home with her. Being entirely 
disabled for service he resigned his commission in the following 
April, and in the fall of that year he was elected Treasurer of 
Athens County, and re-elected in the fall of 18''.."). At the expira- 
tion of the term, having held the office for two consecutive terms, 
he was ineligible for re-election. In 1868 he became associated 




^tf^-^, <Jtvfa<^?-cr>^^ 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 363 

with Drs. Johnson and "Wilson in the drug business, under the firm 
name of A. W. S. Minear & Company. They discontinuing the 
business in 1870, he was not especially engaged in any business 
until the fall of 1871, when he was elected County Auditor, which 
he held by re-election for nine consecutive years, up to November, 
1880. In the spring of 1881 he became associated with C. L. 
Kurtz in his present business, as Kurtz & Minear. April 20, 1860, 
he married Fannie, daughter of X. O. Warren, of Athens County. 
They have two daughters — Minnie and Rosa. He is a Master and 
Royal Arch Mason, and a member of the lodge and chapter at 
Athens. 

Thomas Leazeriby Mlntun, ex-Probate Judge of Athens County, 
was born in Hampshire County, Va., June 11, 1809. When he was 
about six months old his parents, John and Sarah (Leazenby) Min- . 

tun, removed to Parkersburg, where his mother died about three 
months later. In 1812 he came with his father, who married again 
that year, to Athens County, O., and settled near Wolf's Plains, 
where he lived until he was seventeen. Having no opportunities 
to go to school, he received but a meager education. On leaving 
home, which he did in 1826, he came to Athens and became ap- 
prenticed to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, which trade he 
followed until 1855. In 1837 he removed to Nelsonville, where 
he lived until 1876. In*1850 he was elected Justice of the Peace 
of York Township, and filled that office at Nelsonville. by re-elec- 
tion, until 1863. In 1863 he was appointed Postmaster at Nel- 
sonville, and served as such until 1867. h\ the spring of 1867 he 
was again elected Justice of the Peace of York Township, and 
served until 1876. In the fall of 1867 he was elected one of the 
County Commissioners of Athens County for two terms of three 
years each. He also served as Mayor of Nelsonville several terms. 
In October, 1875, he was elected Probate Judge of Athens Com i 
and served as such for two terms of three years each. In 1876 he 
removed to Athens, where he still resides. Jan. 14, 1830, he mar- 4 

ried Miss Nancy E. Ilerrold, of Athens. They have six children ^ 

living — Thomas, now living in Illinois; William II., now in Cin- 
cinnati, O.; Charles H., now residing in Athens; Sarah, now wife 
of J. F. Welch, of Nelsonville; Lucinda E., now wife of Dr. D. 
G. Gillian, of Columbus, O. ; and Emma, now wile of G. B. Rain, 
of Nelsonville. Mr. Mintun is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. In 1842 he was licensed to preach the gospel, and 
was ordained as Deacon by Bishop Janes. 



364 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Henry Dustin Mirick, son of Augustus and Caroline Dustin 
(Prichard) Mirick, was born March 3, 1S36, in Worcester, Mass. 
His father was by trade a printer, and during his life was a promi- 
nent journalist and publisher in Massachusetts. At the time of 
his death, Feb. 1, 1864, he was doing a general book and job print- 
ing business in Greenfield, Mass. His mother is a descendant of 
the Dustins and Prichards, families of prominence, of whom men- 
tion is made in the early histories of Massachusetts. Henry D. 
Mirick received a good common-school and some academical 
education, and learned the printer's trade of his father, being 
in business with him from March, 1857, till August, 1862, when 
he went to Cincinnati and was in the wholesale boot and shoe store 
of Prichard, Alter & Co. until June, 1867. He then went to Des 
Moines, la., where he was in the boot and shoe business about two 
years. In April, 1869, he sold out and was an agent for the Cran- 
berry Iron property at Cranberry Forge, X. C, till the following 
November, when he was offered a position in the land office of the 
Union Pacific Railroad Company, at Humboldt, Kas. In April, 
1870, he was appointed general freight and ticket agent of the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad (which had assumed control 
of the Union Pacific), with headquarters at Junction City, Kas. 
July 1, 1870, owing to the increase of business, this double office 
was divided, Mr. Mirick retaining the position of general freight 
agent, with headquarters at Sedalia, Mo. In March, 1873, he was 
appointed assistant to the general manager of the road. lie left 
this position in December, 1875, to take the one of assignee of 
the Land Grant Railway vfe Trust Company, headquarters still at 
Sedalia, filling this position till January, L878. In addition to 
this and other business he was Auditor of the Hannibal & St. Jo- 
seph Railroad from February, 1876, to January, 1877, and was 
afterward extensively engaged in Southern Kansas and Northern 
Texas. From 1878 to 1879 he was Secretary and Treasurer of 
the Dennison A' Pacific Railroad Company. In 1880 he became 
connected with the Osage Coal-Mining Company at Parsons, 
Kas., being its Vice-President and Treasurer, and at the same 
time became Vice-President of the First National Bank, of Par- 
sons. In 1881 he came to Athens with the intention of making 
this his permanent home. Oct. 14, ^71, Mr. Mirick married 
11 irriet S., daughter of John Brown, of Athens. She died at Se- 
dalia. Mo., Dec. 23, L875, leaving an infant son, and her remains 
were brought to Athens tor burial. July 22, 1879, Mr. Mirick 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 365 

married Charlotte E., daughter of Henry T. Brown, of Athens. 
They have one child — Carlos Brown. 

John A. Mc Cathran, manufacturer of carriages and buggies, 
Athens Township, second son of John and Mary (Stevens) Mc Cath- 
ran, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, April 3, 1840. He 
lived with his parents until manhood, receiving a common-school 
education. When about eight years old his parents removed to 
Pennsylvania, and remained there near seven years. He then 
went to Virginia, near Holiday's Cove, and remained nearly two 
years, when he went to Stenbenville, Ohio, where he learned the 
trade of cabinet-maker. He remained at Steubenville some eight- 
een months, and then went to Cambridge, Ohio, where he resided 
two years. He then went to Bishopville, Morgan Co., Ohio, and 
remained there three years, when he came to Athens County. May 
2, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One-hundred and Forty-first 
Regiment National Guards, at Athens, Ohio, as First Sergeant 
of his company for 1 « >0 days, and served for four months; was 
mustered out and discharged at Gallipolis, Ohio, Sept. 1,1864, 
and returned to Athens, Ohio. He then entered the employ of 
T. M. D. Pilcher in his furniture factory and worked for him about 
eighteen months, when he went to Ilebbardsville and purchased 
property and began manufacturing carriages. In 1870 he sold his 
Ilebbardsville property and purchased property near Athens and 
continued the manufacture of carriages there until 1876, when he 
sold out and purchased property near Wolf's Plains. In February, 
1882, he removed to Nelsonville, Ohio, and remained four months, 
returning to the Plains, where he now resides. March 27, 1864, 
he married Fannie F., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fierce), 
Stage, of Athens Township. They have two children — Nettie R., 
and Lizzie L. Their oldest daughter, Eva M., died July 30, 1SG5. 
Himself and wife are members of the Free Methodist church. 

John Russell MoGune was born in Lycoming County, Pa., 
June 24, 1795, a son of James and Martha (Russell) McCune, who 
emigrated to America from Ireland in 1790. When six years of 
age his friends removed to Fayette County, Pa. After arriving 
of age he worked the homestead farm till 1824, when, Nov. 24, 
he married Maria King, of Somerset County, Pa., and purchased 
a farm, where he lived till 1838, when he sold out and came to 
Athens County, Ohio, and settled on a farm two miles south ot 
Athens. In 1861 he moved into Athens and lived four years, re- 
turning to the farm in 1865. In 1879 lie retired from farm life 



366 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and moved into Athens to spend the remainder of his days. Mrs. 
McOune died Jan. 5, 18S2. He has six children — Harriet, now 
Mrs. W. P. Wilkin, of Missouri; Maria, now Mrs. J. N. Patter- 
son; Ellen, now Mrs. W. A. Thomas; Ann, now Mrs. W. AY. 
McVey; John King, and Samuel. The latter son is supposed to 
be living somewhere in the West. In 1S51 he went to California 
and remained till 1857, when he went to Oregon, a volunteer in 
the war against the Indians. After serving about eighteen months 
he was taken prisoner by the Indians, by whom he was kept in 
bondage three years, and then exchanged to another tribe and 
kept by them three years. He made his escape in 1863 and 
reached Fort Hall, where he first heard of the Rebellion. From 
there he went to Salt Lake City and engaged in teaching school 
and acting as Indian interpreter, since which he has never been 
heard from. Mr. McCune has been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church over fifty years. In 1883 he visited Fayette 
County, Pa., where he spent his boyhood and early manhood, and 
married his wife, and was cordially received by relatives and 
friends. 

Cinney McLean, jeweler, was born in Washington, Fayette 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 17, 1816, a son of Samuel and Eliza (Robin- 
son) McLean, with whom he lived at his birthplace until maturity. 
At the age of nineteen he began to learn the jeweler's trade, serv- 
ing four years. Sept. 15,1868, he came to Athens and estab- 
lished his present business. In 1SS0 he was elected Treasurer 
of Athens City, and re-elected in 18S2, the term of office being 
two years. Feb. 29, 1880, he was married to Miss Annie, a 
daughter of William Edwards, of Athens. They have two chil- 
dren — Ben and Willie. Mr. McLean is a Master, Royal Arch, 
Council, and Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the lodge, 
chapter, council anl cominanlery at Athens. 

Hon. Calvary Morris was born near Charleston, W. Ya., in 
1798, and spent his youth in the Kanawha Yalley, laboring on a 
farm, and battling with the hardships of pioneer life. In 1818 he 
married the eldest daughter of Dr. Leonard Jewett. of Athens, 
and in the spring of 1819 located permanently in that town. 
"Finding myself, " said Mr. Morris, "a stranger in a strange 
land, and obliged to make provision tor the support of my family, 
my first step was to rent five acres of ground, upon which to raise 
a crop of corn. While cultivating that ground, during the sum- 
mer of 1819, the Rev. Jacob Lindley (then acting president of the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 367 

Ohio University) came to me and said that a school teacher was 
much needed in our town, and proposed that I undertake it. I 
informed him that I was not at all qualified — that reading, writing, 
spelling, and a limited knowledge of arithmetic was the extent of 
my education. He said that the wants of the community required 
that arithmetic, geography, and English grammar be taught in the 
school, and 'now,' said he, 'I will tell you what to do. I have 
the books and you have brains; take my books, go to studying, 
and recite to me every day for three weeks, and by that time I will 
have a school made up for you; you will then find no difficulty in 
keeping ahead of your scholars so as to give satisfaction in teach- 
ing, and no one will ever suspect your present lack of qualifica- 
tions.' I consented, went to work, and at the end of three weeks 
went into the school. I taught and studied during the day, and 
cultivated my corn-field part of the time by moonlight, and if 
there was ever any complaint of my Lick of qualifications as a 
teacher, it never came to my knowledge." 

In 1823 Mr. Morris was elected Sheriff of Athens County, and 
re-elected by an almost unanimous vote in 1825. In 1827, at the 
close of his term as Sheriff, he was elected to the lower branch of 
the State Legislature, and re-elected in 1828. In 1829 he was 
elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1S33. In 1835, when 
the project of the Hocking canal was being warmly agitated, Mr. 
Morris was elected again to the popular branch of the Assemblv 
from Athens and Hocking counties, as the avowed friend of that 
measure, and in the belief that he was the best man to engineer it 
through. To his adroit management and indefatigable efforts the 
measure was mainly indebted for success, as he had to overcome 
the almost unanimous opposition of both branches of the Legislat- 
ure and the whole Board of Canal Commissioners. He had the 
i>leasureof seeing the bill triumphantly passed a few days before 
the close of the session, and on his return home his constituents 
tendered him a public dinner. 

In 1S36 Mr. Morris was elected to Congress, and re-elected in 
1838 and '40. In 1S43 he retired from public life and engaged, 
to some extent, in w r ool growing and in the introduction of fine- 
wooled sheep into the county, in which business he rendered great 
service to the farming community. In 1847 he removed to Cin- 
cinnati and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which finally proving 
unfortunate, he returned to Athens in 1854, and in 1S55 was 
elected Probate Judge of the county. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING V \ J 

Few m o county have ti led a Larger part in its official 

nan Jui. M ind, during his varied services, he 

charged i ast with honor and fidelity. In his latter days, 

niidence and respeol is neighbors, he had 

. and happy fortune of being able to review his whole 
it shamo and without remorse, 
Jndge Morris was a brother of the Reverend Bishop Morris of the 
Methodist Episcopal church; William D, Morris, of Illinois, and 
Levi Morris, of Louisiai •.. were the other brothers, lie died at 
\' -. is: i. 

. SOW of Joseph and Susan Morrison, \v:is born 
efiferson County, Ohio, A.ug. 91, 1820, lie was the sixth of a 
children, and when only four years old his father 
. then took her children to Belmont Cow 

rears C - \ ens C >unty and 

e same farm where Mr. Morrison new lives. Nov, 15, 

e married Minerva Benson, of Monroe County, C iej 

en — Joseph, Emma J., Susan, Elizabeth, K. B., 

. \ MM -v. son lias a tine farm of 220 acres, 

is a Dam- 
He has been School\Director many years, and takes an aet- 
e and eduoation of the young. He is a 

\\> 25, Athens, 
~ < \ \ ttional Bank of 

ph 11. and Rosannah (Johnson) 
\ He was born \ ans, Pee. 19, 1887, where he was 

v. [n early boyhood he 
uning of 
er in the mercantile bus ess ander 
J, EI, N a Son, and so continued until the 

In dune. 1861, he enlisted in the Ul 
v i Volunteer ( 

V' tl a of his - - Lieutenant. 

P erpoint. lie 391 
- - 1862, when he resigned and I to 

A ised C tnpany [, Seventh 

«t - tnmiss ad 

t Sept 2, LS62, [ S enth 
mpany b 



■ V 

■ 

Coi ""' '" B 

'.'.■ 

' > \'> 11': 

■ 

■ 

Hem >/ BU ■■■ 

■ 



370 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

New York City, Much 15, 1771. Ee was married in the city oi 
Now York, May 15, L796, to Rachel (Rickman) Davenport, a 
widow. He emigrated to Ohio in L817, ami settled LnWashington 
County, near M irietta. To them was born John Vark, at Kings- 
bridge, near Now York City. Aug. 21, 1309, who came with his 
parents to Ohi i in 1817. lie was married in Lawrence Township, 
Washington Co., <>., Oct. 29, 1829, to Susan Hoff, and settled 
at Newport, near Marietta, where the subject of this sketch was 
born to them, June 10, 1842. He lived with his parents until lie 
was nineteen and learned his father's trade, that of carpenter and 
joiner. He enlisted in L861 in Company F, Eighty-fifth Ohio In- 
fantry, to serve three months. Alter being discharged at the ex 
piraticn of his term of service he went to Marietta and worked at 
the carpenter's trade until May 2, 1864, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany G, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio National Guards, to 
serve 100 days, goingout as a Sergeant. When discharged from ser- 
vice he again returned t i Marietta and resumed the carpenter's 
trade, in the spring o{ L865 he returned to Newport and engaged in 
contracting and building, also in dealing in lumber until the spring 
i>\' 1869, when he came to Adieus ami became associated with W. 
W. McCoy, as McCoy & O'Bleness, and t >ok the contract to con- 
struct the wood work of Alliens Asylum for the Insane, he having 
the full charge of the business. Mr. McCoy remained with him for 
three years. Mr. O'B.eness completed the contract, requiring a 
period o( live years, after which ho determined to remain a! Athens 
and his either superintended or built by contract the city hall, 
court-house, university building and mmy of the business houses 
and private residences ^f Athens. March 7. 1871, he was married 
t i Josephine M. S learer, of Belpre, Washington Co., Ohio. Thev 
have tour children — II airy Clifford, Caarles G-arnett, Ralph Al- 
phonso and Mary Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. O'Bleness are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Master and Royal Arch 
Mason and memb -v o\' the lodge ami chapter at Athens. 

Matthew Putriek, son of -Jacob an 1 Sarah (JSpicer) Patrick, was 
born Jan. 28, 1811, in Sullivan Township, Malison Co., N. Y., 
where he was reared and received a common-school education. 
W .en sixteen years of age he went t> Lyons, N. Y., and clerked 
in his brother's store five years. In 1832 he came to Ohio to sell 
fauuing-mills for his brother-in-law, Zalmon Rice, traveling for him 
three years. In 1835 he went into the mercantile business at 
Lithopolis, Ohio, and in 1837 removed his stock of goods to Athens, 



HISTORY OF HOCKrNG VALLEY. 371 

and was one of the leading merchants here several years. In 1856 
he bought a farm in the vicinity of Athens where he lived till 1866, 
when lie again m^ved to Athen3. Mr. Patrick was married May 
1, 1830, to Lydia S., daughter of John Walker, of Athens. One 
son was born to them — John J., who died Sep f . 7. 1861, aged 
twenty-one years. Mrs. Patrick died Feb. J. 1 S79. Aug. 10, 
1880, Mr. Patrick married Mrs. Martha A. Davis, widow of John 
Davis, who died at Athens, Dec. 30, 1871. Mrs. Patrick has had 
two children — Ella, who died Feb. U, 1S73, aged nineteen, and 
Mary Ilattie. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are members of the Method- 
ist church, of which he has been Steward and Trustee for forty 
years. 

Richard Phillips, a native of Hunterdon County, N. J., born 
Jan. 11, 1807, was a son of Thomas and Mary (Angell) Phillips, 
natives of England. He lived on a farm till seventeen years of 
age and then went to learn the boot and shoe maker's trade, an 
occupation he followed many years. In December, 1831, he mar- 
ried Leah Bishop. They had ten children — John B., Mary, 
Thomas. Wilson, Kate, Elizabeth, David, W. II. L., Jane and 
Belle. In May, 1842, Mr. Phillips started for Athens County, 
with his family and household goods. lie was on the road a month, 
arriving in Athens, June 4. He settled in Lodi Township on the 
farm now owned by Thomas Angell. Here, with the assistance of 
his sons, he cleared 160 acres of timbered land. In 1856 he sold 
the farm and removed to Canaan Township. He lived there till 
L870 and then bought his present home, where he has fifty acres 
of good land and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. His 
wife died in October, 1868, and June 6, 1870, he married Jane 
Robinson, a native of England. Mr. Phillips is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and has been a Steward and Class- 
Leader. He started in life poor, and by his own exertions has 
acquired the property he now has. 

Belford Wood Pickering, M. P., assistant physician in the 
Athens Asylum for the Insane, a son of Samuel and Cather- 
ine (Wood) Pickering, was born at Athens, July 26, 1853. He was ed- 
ucated in the Union schools of Athens and the Ohio University. 
In the fall of 1873 he began the study of medicine in the office ot 
Dr. A. B. Frame, and was under his preceptowhip three years. He 
graluated from the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, in the 
spring of 1875, after taking two courses of lectures. In 1878 he 
began to practice at Stewart, O.. and in the fall of 1880 he was ap- 



372 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

pointed assistant physician of the Athens Asylum for the Insane. 
April 23, 1879, he married Miss Susie D. Foster, of Washington 
County, O. They have one child — Julia D. Dr. Pickering is a 
Master, Royal Arch, and Knight Templar Mason, and member 
of the lodge, chapter and commandery at Athens. 

Francis 0. Pichring, born near St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., 
O., Dec. 26, 1837. is the eldest of eight sons of Levi and Susannah 
(Spiller) Pickering. He was given a common-school education, 
living with his parents till he was of age, and coming with them 
to Athens Township in 1854. In 1858 he went to Wheeling, Va., 
and purchased a stock of notions and stationery, which he sold by 
running a peddler's wagon through Athens, Meigs, Washington 
and Morgan counties. He followed that business till August, 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio 
Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He enlisted as' a 
private and after serving as such a year was promoted to Commis- 
sary Sergeant. The most important battles in which he partici- 
pated were Moorefield, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, 
Lynchburg, siege and capture of Petersburg, and Richmond; was 
present at the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court-House. 
He was discharged in June, 1865, and returned to Athens, where 
he has followed farming together with dealing extensively in coal. 
He has been twice married. His first wife was Hannah E. Tedrow, 
whom he married March 9, 1860. She died in December, 1861, 
leaving one son — William F., who was drowned in the Hocking 
River, in July, 1S67, aged six years. June 7, 1866, he married 
Mary Jane, daughter of Robert C. Clark, of Athens Township. 
They have had six children, only five now living — Francis C, War- 
rington Addison, Thomas O. , Charles G., and Sarah May. Clar- 
ence Edward died March 26, 1873, aged six years. Mr. Pickering 
was a member of the City Council from L880 to 1881. He is a 
member of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., of which he 
has been Vice-Commander. 

Joseph L. Picker rug, postal clerk on the Columbus & Athens 
route on the C, H. V. & T. Railroad, is a son of Samuel and 
Catherine (Wood) Pickering, and wasjborn in Athens, Aug. 11, 
1^4i'., where he was reared, and educated in the Ohio University. 
When fifteen, in 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-seventh 
Ohio Infantry, to serve three months, but serve<l five, as a Corporal. 
His company was under a siege of tour days at Harper's Ferry, 
when they were taken prisoners in September, 1802, and released 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. ' 373 

on parole. He was discharged with his regiment at Delaware, 
O., in October, 1S62, but still under parole, and was not exchanged 
until the following February. In July, 1863, when Morgan made 
his raid through the border counties of Ohio, he, with other citizen 
soldiers, shouldered his musket and joined in the pursuit, and 
while on duty near Cheshire, Gallia County, was slightly wounded. 
In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Fourteenth Ohio Na- 
tional Guards, to serve 100 days, and with his regiment was on 
detached duty as guard in the Fort at Barboursville, W. Va., and 
was discharged Sept. 3, 1864. Soon after, being a member of the 
Athens Light Artillery, he was called out for duty at Camp Den- 
nison, O., and served three months. He then attended Ohio 
University until the spring of 1866, when he went to Mary ville, 
Mo., and engaged in the insurance business until November, and 
during the winter of 1S66-'6T he taught school at Xenia, returning 
home in the following spring. In the spring of 1868 he was em- 
ployed as an engineer in the coal regions in the vicinity of White 
Oak, W. Va., where he remained until January, 1869. He then 
returned to Athens and was variously employed until 1872, when, 
with his father and brother, he engaged in the grocery business at 
Athens, under the firm name of S. Pickering & Sons. They re- 
mained in the business until 1876. While in the grocery business, 
in 1875, he was appointed express agent for the Adams Express 
Company and held this position until March, 1882, when he was 
appointed Postal Clerk on the C, H. V. & T. Railroad, between 
Athens and Columbus. He is a Master, Royal Arch, Council and 
Knight Templar Mason. 

Levi Pickering, Assessor of Athens Township, was born in St. 
Clairsville, Belmont Co., Ohio, March 24, 1S15. He was the 
second of five sons of Levi and Susannah (Crozier) Pickering. He 
remained on the homestead farm till 1S40 when he came to Athens, 
and was employed a year by Pickering & Corley (his brother 
Samuel being a member of the firm) to superintend the construc- 
tion of a section of the Hocking Valley canal. He then returned 
to Belmont County and purchased a farm, living there till 1853, 
when he sold out and came again to Athens County, buying a farm 
in the vicinity of Athens, where he still resides. In 1851 he was 
elected Assessor of xVthens Township and has held the office by 
re-election ever since, with the exception of four years. During 
the war he was appointed by Captain Barber, Provost Marshal, 
Special Agent of the Fifteenth Provost District of Ohio. In 



374 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLETf. 

1837 he married Susannah Spiller, of Belmont County. They have 
had fourteen children, twelve of whom, seven sons and five daugh- 
ters, are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Pickering are members of the 
Methodist church, of which he has been a Class-Leader and 
Steward for twenty- five years. He is an ancient Odd Fellow, hold- 
ing a card but a member of no lodge. 

Samuel Pickering, manufacturer of cigars and dealer in wool at 
Athens, was born near St. Clairsville, Ohio, June 24, 1811. He 
lived with his parents, Levi and Susannah (Crozier) Pickering, 
until his nineteenth year, and was given a good common-school 
education. On leaving home he taught school two years, when, i n 
1832, he engaged in the mercantile business at St. Clairsville, until 

the fall of 1836. He then removed his business to Concord, Ohio 

> 

where he remained until 1838 when he came to Athens, still con- 
tinuing the mercantile business until 1854. Upon being elected 
Treasurer of Athens County he gave up his business. In connection 
with his merchandising he also, in 1S38, became associated with R. 
W. Corley as Corley & Pickering, and built two locks on the Hock- 
ing Valley canal, requiring three years to complete the contract. 
During the winters of 1847 and 1S48 he engaged extensively in pack- 
ing pork at Beardstown, 111. He was also a dealer in stock in connec- 
tion with his mercantile business, driving horses, cattle and sheep to 
the Eastern markets. h\ 1S56 he was re-elected Treasurer of Athens 
County, holding the office for two terms, until 1S59. lie then 
engaged in farming and bred and dealt in sheep for several years, 
and during the late war bought horses for the Government. In 
1872 he engaged in the grocery business, his sons, Joseph L. and 
Ernest C, being associated with him, under the firm name of S. 
Pickering & Sons. They also constructed a section of the Balti- 
more & Ohio Shortline R. R. under contract. They discontinued 
the grocery business in 1876. h\ 1882 he began to manufacture 
cigars at Athens. He has served several years in the City Council 
of Athens, and at the organization of the First National Bank he 
was chosen one of its Directors and served three years. He was 
the first President of the Athens Loan & Building Association. In 
May, 1842, he was married to Catherine G. Wood, of Athens. 
They have four living children — William B., of Carthage, Tenn.; 
Joseph L., a postal clerk on the C, II. V. & T. Railroad; Ernest 
C, express messenger on the Ohio & Virginia R. R. ; and Belford 
W., a physician in the Athens Asylum tor the Insane. They have 
lost two children — Frank Belmont, who died Oct. 8, 1853, at the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 375 

age of three years, and Levi C, who was killed at the battle of 
Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862. Mr. Pickering is a Master, Royal 
Arch and Knight Templar Mason. 

Simon Woodrow Pickering, son of Levi and Susannah (Crozicr) 
Pickering, was born in St. Clairsville, Belmont Co., O., Feb. 
4, 1819. He received his education in the common schools of his 
native town and at the Franklin Institute, Harrison Co., O. 
He lived at home until he arrived at manhood, clerking, when a 
boy, at intervals, in his father's store. After becoming of age he 
clerked for his father till 1815, when he became associated with 
him as a partner, under the firm name of L. Pickering & Son. In 
1851 he withdrew his interest and came to Athens and formed a 
partnership with his brother, S; muel Pickering, and R. W. Corley, 
the firm name being Pickering, Corley & Co. In 1856 W. L. 
Brown succeeded Messrs. Corley and Samuel Pickering, changing 
the firm to Pickering & Brown. In 1858 he withdrew f n in the 
mercantile business and became connected with the Big Sand Fur- 
nace Company in Vinton Count}'. In 1860 he was elected Auditor 
of Athens County, and held that office by re-election till 1871. 
From that time till 18S1 he was connected with the Columbus & 
Hocking Valley Railroad Company, being one of the Directors. 
During the same time, from 1875, he was engaged in the milling 
business at Zanesville, O., a member of the firm of Pickering, 
Grant & Co., proprietors of the Casel Flouring Mills. In 1881 he 
retired from business, except dealing in real estate and being a 
stockholder in the JS r elsonville Coal & Coke Company. He has 
served several terms in the City Council of Athens, and also as a 
member of the School Board. Since 1880 he has been a Trustee 
of the Athens Asylum for the Insane. June 20, 184-3, Mr. Pick- 
ering married Miss Elizabeth Collins, of St. Clairsville, 0. They 
have three children — Charles C, in business at Columbus, O.; 
Ella, wife of II. C. Will, of Columbus, and Woodrow S., Assistant 
Paymaster of the Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad Company. 
Mr. Pickering is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, a member of 
lodge and chapter at Athens. 

Theodore Marcus Pickering, born April 7, 1814, near St. Clairs- 
ville, Belmont Co., Ohio, is the second of eight sons of Levi and 
Susannah (Spiller) Pickering. In September, 1864, he enlisted in 
Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, and 
served till the close of the war. A month after going out he was 
promoted to Corporal. He participated in the battles of Murfrees- 



376 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

boro, Overall's Creek and Kingston; was discharged at Columbus, 
O., July 5, 1865, and returned to Athens County, and attended the 
Ohio University ^nearly four years. Aug. 20, 1870, he married Sa- 
rah J. Talbott, of Ashley, O., who died June 29, 1875, leaving one 
child — Pearl. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Athens 
Township, where he lived till 1875, when he came to Athens and 
engaged in the coal business with his brother, Francis O., at the 
same time carrying on his farm. From 1878 to 1880 he carried on 
the coal business alone, and since that time has been dealing largely 
in produce in Athens. March 15, 1877, he married Charlotte 
White, of Athens. They have one child — Mary Nellie. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pickering are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Athens. He is a member of Athenian Lodge, No. 104, K. of P., 
of which he is Past Chancellor, and of Columbus Golden Post, 
No. 89, G. A. ft. 

Thomas Murray Drake Pilcher, manufacturer of sashes, blinds 
and furniture, and dealer in furniture, at Athens, was born in the 
vicinity of Athens, April 22, 1832. His parents, John and Laura 
(Warren) Pilcher, both died before he had reached the age of six- 
teen. At that age he came to Athens and was apprenticed to 
W. B. Bartlett, to learn the trade of cabinet-maker, serving three 
years. He then engaged in furniture-making at Athens, remaining 
in the business one year, when, in December, 1851, he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he mined and worked at the carpenter's trade at Jack- 
sonville until September, 1854. He then returned to Athens and 
soon after went to Logan, Hocking County, engaging in the clothing 
business for about six months, when he sold out and again went to 
Jacksonville, Cal., working at the carpenter's trade until 1856, when 
he returned to Athens, and the same year became associated with 
W. B. Bartlett in the furniture business, under the firm name of 
Bartlett & Pilcher. Our subject retired from the firm in 1S57, 
and went to Logan, engaging in the furniture business there until 
Nov. 8, 1801, when he received a recruiting commission as Second 
Lieutenant, and assisted in recruiting Company H, Seventy -fifth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Upon the organization of the company 
he was selected for Captain, and so commissioned by Governor 
Tod. He served until May, 1862, when he resigned on account 
of ill health. He returned to Logan and was soon after employed 
by Joseph Herrold as superintendent of his coal mine at the mouth 
of Monday Creek, in Athens County. h\ 1S66, he became associ- 
ated with Mr. Herrold in a planing-mill at Athens, under the firm 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. " 377 

name of Herrold & Pilcher. In 1867 Mr. E. H. Moore became 
Mr. Herrold's successor, the firm name being changed to T. M. D. 
Pilcher & Co. They built an extensive factory, which was burned 
down in March, 1879. The following April Mr. Pilcher built his 
present commodious factory at Athens, and has continued in the 
manufacturing business ever since. May 20, 1856, he married 
Martha B. Herrold, daughter of Joseph Herrold, of Athens. 
They have three children — Charles A., now an employe in his 
father's factory; Thomas Milroy, now a student in Ohio University ; 
and Hastings Moore. Mr. Pilcher and wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Athens. Our subject has served as 
Ciass-Leader, Trustee and Steward many years. He is a member 
of Sereno Lodge, No. -±79, I. O. O. F.; and of Columbus Golden 
Post, No. 89, G. A. R., at Athens. 

William Bull Potter, grocer, Athens, was born at Providence, 
R. I., Feb. 9, 1818, where he was reared and educated in the pri- 
vate schools. At the age of sixteen he went to Edwardsville, 111., 
and clerked in the store of S. Kidmore & Hall for a short time, 
when he returned to Providence and entered his father's store as a 
clerk, and was so employed until his father's death in 1839, when 
he became his successor. He discontinued the business in 1843, 
and in 1844 he removed to Pittsburg, Pa., and engaged in manu- 
facturing cigars until 1845. He enlisted in Company K, First 
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, called the De Quense Greys, 
Colonel Wyncoop, and served during the Mexican war. He -par- 
ticipated in the besiegement and capture of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, 
lluamanta and the investment of the city of Mexico. After be- 
ing mustered out of the service at Pittsburg, Aug. 22, 1847, he 
resumed manufacturing cigars. The following year he came to 
Athens and engaged in the same business until 1852, when he 
discontinued it, and since then has been in the grocery business. 
June 24, 1839, he married Eliza, daughter of Jeremiah Whipple, 
of Providence, R. I., who died at Athens, Feb. 5, 1855. They 
had six children, two of whom are living — Lizzie, wife of C. D. 
Norris, Superintendent of the Ohio & West Virginia Railroad, 
at Cincinnati; and Charles W., insurance agent of Athens. He is 
an ancient Odd Fellow, and one of the charter members of Sereno 
Lodge, at Athens. 

Judge Samuel B. Pruden spent forty-eight years of his manhood 
a resident of Athens County. His wealth, all acquired by honor- 
able industry, his great business ability and his public enterprise 



378 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

justly place him in position of eminence in this work. He was 
the son of Silas and Rebecca Pruden, born near Morristown, N. J., 
Jan. 17, 1798. Of his early education there, little is definitely 
known, but he never graduated from any institution of learning, 
having acquired his education principally by private study and 
reading. The family came to Athens County, O., in 1S15, where 
they became well known, one of the daughters becoming the wife 
of Governor Brongh. Samuel B. Pruden was married to Miss 
Mary Cranston, of Athens, in 1821. On entering business he was 
careful and industrious, and successful from the first. Among 
other business interests his attention was principally given to the 
milling and wool-carding business in the Bingham Mills, west of 
Athens, for ten years following 1826. In 1836 he transferred his 
business to his own permanent establishments about two miles 
south of Athens, on the bank of the Hocking River, the location be- 
ing since known as Harmony. Here he erected an oil-mill, a 
grist and saw mill and in 1840 bored wells and began the manu- 
facture of salt. A coal bank was opened for the use of the s*lt 
furnaces and for years the product of salt here and at Mr. Pruden's 
works at Chauncey was many thousand bushels annually. His 
business at Harmony gradually extended until a village grew up 
around him, occupied mostly by people in his own employ. He 
was elected by the State Legislature a Trustee of the Ohio 
University in 1851. As was his habit in his own business, he was 
punctual and judicious in the discharge of this trust, taking a deep 
interest in the welfare of the institution to the end of his life. 
Thongh not a man of collegiate education, yet by much reading, 
his literary, and especially his scientific, attainments were highly 
creditable. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature to represent 
Athens County during its second session under the new constitu- 
tion in the winter of 1854-'5, and served one term as Associate 
Judge on the Common Pleas bench. He also held a number of 
minor office?, among tin. m that of County Surveyor for a number of 
years. In the Masonic fraternity he passed through the succes- 
sive degrees until he became Commander of Athens Encampment 
of Knights Templar. He was ever gentlemanly in his bearing, and 
in every position honorable in the highest sense of the term, lie 
died Dee. 10, 1863. 

Monzo Blair Richardson, M. D.< Superintendent of the Ath- 
ens Asylum for the Insane was born near Portsmouth, Scioto Co., 
Ohio. S< pt. 11. L852, a son of Edward W. and Mary (Blair) Rich- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 379 

ardson. He was educated in the public schools of his neighbor- 
hood, and the Ohio University, at Athens. At the age of sixteen 
he began to teach school and taught while pursuing his literary and 
professional studies, and while pursuing his medical studies, in 
1873, taught as Principal of the public schools at Ravenswood, W. 
Va. In the fall of 1872, immediately after leaving the University, 
he began the study of medicine under Dr. D. B. Cotton, at Porta" 
mouth. He graduated as M. D. from the Bellevue Hospital Medi- 
cal College of New York, in the spring of 1876, after taking two 
courses of lectures. He afterward also graduated from the Hel- 
ical College of Ohio at Cincinnati. In March, 1877, he received 
the appointment of assistant physician in the Athens Asylum for 
the Insane and filled that position until May, 1878. He then went 
to Portsmouth and practiced until March, 1881, when he was 
appointed Superintendent of the Athens Asylum for the Insane. 
Oct. 25, 1876, he was married to Miss Julia D., daughter of J. W. 
Harris, of Chillicothe, Ohio. They have three children — William 
Waddle, Mary Bertha and Edith. Dr. and Mrs. Richardson are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Athens. 

John Ring, born in Somersetshire, England, June 30, 1814, was 
a son of John and Bridget (Long) Ring. His parents removed to 
Devonshire when he was still an infant, where they both died 
before he was seven years old. He then lived with his grand- 
father, William Ring, till he was fifteen years old when he went to 
Taunton, Somersetshire, and was apprenticed to learn the butcher's 
trade, serving four years, after which he remained with his master 
as an employe about ten years. From 1842 to 1856 he pursued 
tanning and butchering at Creech St. Michael, near Taunton. He 
then came to America, settling in Athens, Ohio, where he was 
employed by Abraham Newton two years. h\ ls58 he bought Mr. 
Newton's interest and established his present business. May ii4, 
1812, he married Amelia Watson, of Taunton. They have two 
children — William and Ellen (Mrs. Ezra Phillips, of Amesville). 
Mr. and Mrs. Ring are by education Episcopalians, but Mrs. Ring 
is now a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Athens. Mr. 
Ring has served twice in the Athens City Council. 

Alonzo Lawrence Roach, grocer of Athens, was born near Low- 
ell, Ohio, Aug. 22, 1828. His parents were John and Anna 
(Roach) Roach. His father dying when he was but two years old, 
he remained with his mother until he was seventeen, when he was 
employed as cabin-boy on a steamboat on the Muskingum River. 



380 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

He passed through all the grades of steamer-life, from cabin-boy to 
second mate. In 1859 he quit steamboating and attended school, 
and was variously employed until October, 1853, when he came to 
Athens, where he worked at the carriage trade until February 
1859; then engaged in the hardware, stoves and tinware business 
at Athens. He followed this business until 1869, and during that 
time was in partnership, at different periods with H. J. Topky* 
Oliver Childs and James Ballard. In January, 1869, he estab- 
lished himself in his present business, his sons, Frank S. and 
Harry M., being associated with him, they keeping two groceries in 
Athens. He married Maria Louisa, daughter of Oliver Childs, of 
Athens, Oct. 5, 1853, three children being born to them — Frank 
Spencer, Emma Louisa and Harry Milton. Feb. 1,1858, he mar- 
ried his second wife, Mrs. Clarissa Eleanor Post, daughter of 
David Goodspeed, of Athens County, and widow of the late John 
Post, Esq., who left two daughters — Lizzie Noble, who died at 
Athens, March 20, 1865, at the age of five years, and Cora Anna. 
Charles Perry Rose, born July 4, 1840, in Canaanville, Athens 
Co., Ohio, is the youngest of the five sons of Mathias and Lydia M. 
(Dewey) .Rose. When an infant his parents removed to Coolville. 
and when he was nine years of age they went to Barlow Township, 
Washington County. When fifteen years of age he came to 
Athens and went into his brother Cyrus's shop, with the inten- 
tion of learning the saddler's trade, but was obliged to abandon it 
on account of weak eyes. He then attended the High School a 
year, defraying his expenses by serving as janitor. He afterward 
attended the Ohio University a year, receiving the free tuition due 
one from each county in the State. He then returned to Washing- 
ton County, and remained till the breaking out of the Rebellion, 
when, in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, First West 
Virginia Cavalry, re-enlisting in November,18C>4, and serving till the 
close of the war, being nattered out July 9, 1S65. He was in the 
battles of Winchester, second Bull Run, Culpeper, Hagerstown, Mon- 
terey and numerous others. After his return home he attended the 
Atwood Institute, at Albany, four months. He then came to Athens ' 
where he was variously employed until 1873, and since then has 
been foreman of the stables at the Athens Asylum for the Insane. 
June 14, 1867, he married Matilda Duncan, of Athens Township, 
who died Nov. 6, 1882. He has three children — Jessie L., Alice 
Irene and Mattie May. Mr. Rose is a Master Mason, a member of 
Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, Athens; is Past Chancellor of Athe- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 381 

nian Lodge, No. 104, K. of P., arid a member of Columbus Golden 
Post, No. 89, G. A. R., Athens. 

Cyrus Rose, saddler and harness-maker, was born near Water- 
town, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1831. His parents came to Ohio when he 
was four years of age, living at Athens, Chillicothe and Coolville. 
When he was fifteen he went to Marietta and learned the saddle 
and harness-maker's trade with Charles Cambers & Co., serving an 
apprenticeship of four years, after which he attended the Harmar 
Academy a year and the Wesleyan University at Delaware two 
years. He then worked at his trade in Harmar a year, and in 

1853 he came to Athens and worked for E. P. Jewett a year. In 

1854 he established his present shop, where he is doing a good busi- 
ness. He was married Sept. 20, 1853, to Cornelia S., daughter of 
Major Reed, Esq., of Reedsville, Meigs County. They have six: 
children — Edward T., Justice of the Peace, Athens; Alice L., 
graduate of the Athens Union School, class of 1877; Charles Otis, 
Belle, Frank C. and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are both mem- 
bers of the Methodist church. He is a local preacher; was or- 
dained Deacon by Bishop Thomas A. Morris, Sept. 30, 1866. 

Frederick Moth, proprietor of Athens Tannery, was born in 
Mecklenburg Schwerin, , Germany, Oct. 23, 1838. When sixteen 
years of age he came with his father to America, going first to 
Hfirmony, near Springfield, Ohio, where thej' worked in a tannery 
about three years. In the meantime his mother and the remainder 
of the family had followed them to America. They then went to 
Jeffersonville and established a small tan yard, working together 
about twelve years. In 1870 Frederick withdrew his interest in 
the business and went to farming near Jeffersonville. In 1S75 he 
sold his farm and came to Athens, where he is now extensively en- 
gaged in the tanning business. June 16, 1869, he married Mar- 
garet Coons, of Fayette County, Ohio. Mr. Roth is by birth and 
education a Lutheran, and though a member of no church adheres 
to the faith of the Lutheran church. 

James W. Sands, Deputy Sheriff of Athens County, was born 
Oct. 22, 1854, in Ogle County, 111., son of William H. B. and 
Nancy A. (Sanderson) Sands. When he was eight years old his 
parents removed to Zaleski, Vinton Co., Ohio. He received his 
education in the schools of his native town, New Plymouth, Ohio, 
and the Ohio University, graduating from the latter in the class of 
1879. He was employed in the freight and telegraph offices of the 
M. & C. R. R., at Zaleski and Roxabell, a short time, and in the 



382 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

fall of 1879 came to Athens and commenced the study of law, un- 
der the preceptorship of Hon. C. H. Grosvenor. In January, 1880, 
he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, by Sheriff Tim. B. Warden, and 
is now serving in that capacity, still pursuing the study of law. 
He is a Master, Koyal Arch, and Knight Templar Mason, and a 
member of the lodge, chapter and commandery at Athens. 

Jacob Shafler, merchant tailor, Athens, born in Munich, 
Germany, Feb. 23, 1S47, is a son of Nicholas and Madlaine (Moore) 
Shafler. He was educated in the business college of his native 
city and learned the trade of a tailor. In 1879 he came to Amer- 
ica, first stopping in New York City about three months. He 
then came to Athens and worked for Enneking & Bnnnemire four 
months, after which lie went to Portsmouth, Ohio, and from there 
to Rushville, Ind., returning to Athens Oct. 1, 1880, when he es- 
tablished his present business. Sept. 1, 1881, Mr. Shafler mar- 
ried Miss Lionne Bodine, of Rushville, Ind. He is a member of 
the Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M. ; Portsmouth Lodge, 
No. 416, I. O. O. F., and Athenian Lodge, No. 104, K. of P. 
Jan. 1, 1883, he was elected a member of the Board of Direct >rs 
of the People's Building and Loan Company, of Athens. 

Christopher Remington Sheldon, City. Clerk of Athens, was 
bom at Pawtuxet, R. I., July 15, 1823, the son of Christopher and 
Amelia (Holmes) Sheldon, with whom he came to Athens County, 
Ohio, in 1835. Previous to that time he had attenied the schools 
of his native town, and after arriving at Athens he attended school 
two terms. In 1S37 ( then being fourteen years old ) he went to 
Coshocton, Ohio, and clerked two and a half years when he returned 
to his father and pursued farming on the homestead farm until 
1852. lie then removed to Athens where he worked at the car- 
penter's trade until 1861, after which he was in the grocery busi- 
ness until ISso. In April, 1861, he was elected a Trustee of Athens 
Township, and being re-elected served four years. In 1866 he 
\va- appointed Clerk of Athens Township, to fill a vacancy, and in 
the subsequent spring was elected to the same office. Since 1870 
he has been City Clerk of Athens. He has been twice married. 
His first wife wis Miss Melvina Rice, of Athens, whom he mar- 
ried Nov. 3<», L846, and who died in September, 1S50, leaving him 
two sons — Thomas II., of Colorado, who has been Teller and Cash- 
ier of the First National Bank seventeen years, and Charles A., 
now a farmer of Athens Township. He married his second wife, 
Miss Ann E. Childs, of Athens, Oct. 12, 1851. They have three 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 383 

children— George F., of West Libert}', Iowa; Christopher C, 
Cashier for Selig & Co. , of Athens, and Ida C, wife of H. E. 
Dickason, Cashier of the First National Bank, of Jackson, Ohio. 

Frank C. Steadman, junior member of the firm of W. H. 
Brown & Co., wholesale grocers, Athens, was born in this city 
March 13, 1853, where he was reared and educated. He is a son 
of Frederick and Louisa (Golden) Steadman. When sixteen years 
of age he commenced to clerk for W. II. Brown, and in 1873 be- 
came associated with his employer, under the firm name of Brown 
& Steadman. In 1876 he withdrew his interest and went to Phila- 
delphia and carried on a hotel for the National Surgical Institute 
till 1880, when he returned to Athens and again became associated 
with W. II. Brown in the wholesale grocery business, under the 
firm name of W. H. Brown & Co. Aug. 1, 1880, he married Etta 
Crouse, of Philadelphia. Mr. Steadman is a member of Paramu 
thia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., Athens. 

Holt Spencer Stimson, M. D., son of Dr. Stephen and Abigail 
(Shaw) Stimson, was born March IS, 1823, in Jericho, Chittenden 
Co., Va. When he was nine years of age his parents came to 
Ohio, living a year at Mt. Vernon and then going to Homer, Lick- 
ing County. He received his education at the High School in Homer, 
and a seminary in Delaware, Ohio. His father being a physician 
he early had a desire to study the same profession, and spent con- 
siderable time in his father's office. When seventeen years of aare 
he began the actual study of the profession, remaining under the 
preceptorship of his father till twenty years of age. In 1843 he 
went to Nelsonville and was associated with his brother, Dr. B. C. 
Stimson, three years. He then went to Guysville and practiced 
three years, and in 1849 came to Athens, where he has built up a 
large practice. Nov. 20, 1816, he married Amanda, daughter of 
Abraham and Lydia (Lawrence) Cornish. Dr. Stimson has serve>l 
a- a member of the City Council of Athens seven years. 

John Leign Strahl, proprietor of South Planing Mill, Athens, 
was born in Athens County, Ohio, April 12, 1854, a son of John 
and Hannah Jane (Smith) Strahl. When he was two years of age 
his parents removed to Vinton County and lived three years; then 
removed to Albany, Athens County, where he grew to manhood. 
When nineteen years of age he engaged in the cabinet and under- 
taking business, following it till 1876. In 1875 he added a plan- 
ing mill to his other business. In 1880 he moved his mill to 
Athens. Nov. 20, 1880, he married Phcebe Aurilla Rigg, of Al- 



384 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

bany. They have one child — Fred, Mr. and Mrs. Strahl are mem- 
bers of the Baptist church at Albany. 

Alexander Bothwell Scott, deceased, was born at Putnam, Ohio, 
in October, 1808, of Scotch-Irish parents, they both emigrating 
from Ireland when very young. When lie was quite young his 
parents removed from Putnam to Harmar, thence to Belpre, Ohio, 
and later to McConnelsville, where he lived until 1858, and was 
variously employed. At one time he ran a general store, and 
during that time carried on the mercantile business one year (1840) 
at Chauncey. In 1842 he took charge of the flouring mill of Doster 
& Cassel at McConnelsville, and was so employed for thirteen 
years. He was again variously employed until the spring of 1S5n 
when he took charge of the Herrold Mills, of Athens, removing his 
family to that city in the spring of 1859. He remained in that po- 
sition until the spring of 1864 when he took charge of Stewart's Mill 
near Athens. He died Jan. 3, 1866, at his home in Athens, having 
been in failing health for two years. Dec. 29, 1S39, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Susan Rutledge, of McConnelsville. They had four 
children — William H., President of Ohio University; John R. 
Winfield, freight and ticket agent for the Washington & Baltimore 
R. R., at Athens; Anna M., who died in infancy, and Wilbur F., 
express agent at Athens. Mr. Scott was a member of the M. E. 
church the greater part of his life. He was well informed, being 
a great reader, and above the average in intelligence. He was de- 
voted to his family and took great pains to educate his sons, placing 
in their hands the best literature. 

Wilbur Fish Scott was born at McConnelsville, Morgan Co., 
Ohio, Dec. 25, 1850, the youngest son of Alexander B. and Susan 
(Rutledge) Scott. Soon after his birth his parents came to Athens, 
where his father died when he was fifteen years old. He received 
a common-school education and was variously employed until his 
twentieth year, when he entered the M. & C. R. R. office as clerk 
under his brother, W. Scott. He was married March 3, 1881, to 
Sadie, daughter of George E. and Eliza (Carpenter) Whipple, of 
Athens. They have one child — Nellie. Mr. Scott is a member of 
Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., Athens. 

Rev. William Henry Scott, Professor of Mental, Moral and 
Political Science and President of Ohio University, Athens, was 
born in Chauncey, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1840. When about one year old 
his parents, Alexander B. and Susan (Rutledge) Scott, removed to 
McConnelsville, Ohio, where he attended school until he was six- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 385 

teen. At that age he began t) teach school and taught two years 
in the meantime preparing himself, by private study, to enter col- 
lege. In the spring of 1859 he entered Ohio University, from 
which he graduated in the class of 1862. The last two years of 
his attendance at the University he taught in the Preparatory 
Department. Immediately after graduating he was elected Super 
intendent of the Union Schools of Athens and filled that position 
until February, 1864, when he was appointed by the Executive 
Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio University tem- 
porary Principal of the Preparatory Department, to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of Prof. E H. Guthrie. In the folio win «• 
June he was chosen as permanent Principal by the B mrd of Trus- 
tees. In June, 1865, he resigned that position to enter iipm the 
ministry, having previously, in October, 1864, been ordained by 
Bishop Ames, and connected himself with the Ohio Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first charge was the Main 
Street M. E. Church, of Chillicothe, Ohio, where he officiated until 
the fall of 1867, when he was sent by his conference to the Towns 
Street Church, Columbus, O no. In the summer of 1S69 he was 
elected Professor of Greek by the B >ard of Trustees of Ohio Uni- 
versity. He filled that chair until the summer of 1872 when he 
was appointed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trus- 
tees, Acting President, vice Dr. Solomon Howard, resigned. At 
the next meeting of the Board of Trustees he was elected Presi- 
dent and still holds that position. Aug. 9, 1863, he was married 
to Miss Sarah A. Felton, of Athens. They have six children — 
Charles Felton and Emma, students at the Ohio University; Ber- 
tha, Herbert, Ernest and Dudley. 

Winjield Scott, freight and ticket a^entof the Cincinnati, Wash- 
ington & Baltimore R R , at Athens, was born at McConnelsville, 
()., Feb. 3, 1846. When twelve years of age he removed to Athens 
with his parents, Alexander and Susan (Rutledge) Scott, living 
there until he was seventeen. He was educated in the schools of 
his native town and Athens. He left home in January, 1863, en- 
listing in Company A, Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a 
private, serving until August, 1865. He was with his company in 
the engagement at Atlanta, Ga., and also in Sherman's "march 
from Atlanta to the sea." After his discharge at the expiration of 
his term, he returned to Athens and became associated withjhis 
father in the milling business, remaining in the business until 1868, 
when he obtained the appointment of freight and ticket agimt for 
25 



386 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY, 

the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore R. R. Company, and he 
has held this position ever since. Nov. 15, 1870, he was married 
to Miss Anna F., daughter of George E. Whipple, of Athens, six 
children being born to them — Guy, Anna, Winfield, Jr., Paul, 
Grace and Homer. Himself and wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. He is an Odd Fellow, a member of Se- 
reno Lodge, No. 479, and Encampment, No. 175, at Athens; also a 
member of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., at Athens. 

William Austin Thomas, Superintendent of the Athens County 
Children's Home, was born near Chillicothe, O., Sept. 9, 1835, the 
youngest of seven sons of James and Tamzon (Wilkins) Thomas. 
His mother died when he was five years old. He received his ru- 
dimentary education in the common schools, completing it at the 
Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, and Ohio University, Athens. 
In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Regimental Band of the Sixty- 
ninth Ohio Infantry, and served nearly a year, when, by an order 
from the War Department, all regimental bands were disbanded. 
He then returned to Ohio and taught in Ross County till Decem- 
ber, 1862, when he came to Athens and engaged in the grocery 
business two years. Feb. 25, 1864, he married Ella A., daughter 
of John R. and Maria (King) McCune, of Athens. In May, 1864, 
he enlisted to serve 100 days, in Company C, One Hundred and 
Forty -first Regiment Ohio National Guards. At the organization 
of the regiment, his company having an excess of men, he was 
transferred to Company G, and promoted to Orderly Sergeant, but 
served as Post-Adjutant at Guyandotte most of his time of service. 
At the expiration of bis time he returned to Athens and the same 
year was elected Justice of the Peace, holding the office six years. 
During this time he studied law with Knowles & Martin, and was 
admitted to the bar at Marietta in 1867. He soon after went to 
Hamilton, Butler County, and with his brother B. F. formed the 
law firm of B. F. & W. A. Thomas, but did not remain there long. 
II turning to Athens, he dealt in musical instruments and taught 
vocal and instrumental music till January, 1883, when he accepted 
the Supcrintendency of the Athens County Children's Home. Mr. 
anl Mrs. Thomas have one child — -Mab >1. They and their daugh- 
ter arc members of the Methodist church, Mr. Thomas having 
been a local preacher since 187<>. He is a member of Sereno Lodge, 
No. 479, I. O. O. F., Athens. 

Enimett Tompkins, Prosecuting Attorney of Athens County, 
was born in McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, Sept. 1, 1853. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 387 

His parents were Hon. Cydnor B. and Mary A. (Fouts) Tompkins; 
both died before his eleventh year. In his twelfth year he came 
to Athens County and was reared by his guardian, W. B. Vorhest, 
with whom he lived until manhood. He was educated in the Ohio 
University at Athens. After leaving the University he began the 
study of law with Hon. C. H. Grosvenor. He was admitted to 
the bar by the District Court of Yin ton County, Sept. 7, 1875. 
He then established himself in the law practice at Athens. In the 
spring of 1876 he was elected City Solicitor of Athens and served 
the term of two years. In 1878 lie was elected Mayor of Athens, 
which office he resigned in 1879 to accept the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney, to which he was elected that year. He was elected his 
own successor in 1881 and is still the incumbent of that office. 
Sept. 21, 1875, he married Martha L., daughter of John M. 
Welch and granddaughter of Hon. John Welch, late Judge of 
the Supreme Court of Ohio. They have one child — Cydnor Welch. 
Politically, he is a Republican. He is a Master Mason and mem- 
ber of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, Athens, and of the Phi Delta 
Theta, a college fraternity. 

lion. Ohas. Toivnsend, ex-Secretary of State and attorney at law, 
Athens, Ohio, was born Dec. 22, 1834, at Harrisville, Belmont Co., 
Ohio, but was reared on a farm in the vicinity of Athens. In his 
seventeenth year he entered the Ohio University from which he 
graduated in the class of 1861. He defrayed the expenses of his 
education by teaching, receiving no assistance. He had substan- 
tially completed his college course in 1857, but graduated at the 
term before mentioned. At the breaking out of the late war he 
was Principal of the Decamp Institute, Meigs County, Ohio, but 
relinquished his position, and, without appointment or commis- 
sion, recruited 120 men for the Union service, who were enlisted in 
Company C, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, and mustered in at Camp 
Chase, Ohio, in July, 1861. On the organization of the company 
he was elected Captain and received his commission from the Gov- 
ernor of Ohio. He was immediately assigned to duty with his 
company under General Poseerans in West Virginia, and next 
under General Pope, with whom he served until after the second 
battle of Ball Pun. He then served under General Geo. B. 
McClellan until the battle of Antietam, when his regiment was 
transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, where he served in 
Sherman's corps until the siege of Vicksburg and the battles 
around and about that city. He served with his regiment in the 



388 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

same corps in Georgia, having been promoted to Major. He was 
tendered a Colonel's commission to take charge of another regi- 
ment, but preferred to remain with his own. He was through the 
Atlanta campaign, and while storming a battery at Nickajack was 
seriously injured by the explosion of a shell from which he was so 
disabled that he was obliged to leave the service and return home 
just as the war was about to close. In 1866 he graduated from the 
Law Department of the University at Cincinnati, Ohio, and imme- 
diately entered upon the practice of law at Athens. In October, 
1869, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Athens County and 
re-elected in 1871 and 1873. In 1876 he was elected a .Representa- 
tive in the Ohio Legislature and re-elected in 1878. In 1880 he 
was elected Secretary of State of Ohio, his term of office expiring 
January, 18S3. In October, 1859, he was married to Miss Mar- 
garet J. Allen. Thev have three children — Helen M., Charles H. 
and Mary. Mr. Townsend is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight 
Templar Mason. 

Franklin Tichenor Towsley, eldest son of Darius and Mary E. 
(Clogston) Towsley, was born Aug. 5, 1813, in Marietta, O. He 
worked with his father at the trade of carpenter and bridge-builder 
from his eleventh year till after the breaking out of the late war. 
March 26, 1862, he enlisted in Battery K, First Ohio Light Artil- 
lery. During his three years' service he participated in many 
prominent battles and forced marches, among which are the battles 
of McDowell, Franklin, Shenandoah Valley, Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain. Sept. 1, 1861, he was appointed by General Thomas 
Postmaster at Stevenson, Ala. On one occasion the mail agents 
refused to take the mail to Huntsville, a distance of seventy miles, 
on account of the danger, the road having been in the possession of 
the rebels for some time. He telegraphed to General Thomas at 
Nashville, offering his services, which were accepted, and with a loco- 
motive, tender, and one box car, and no guards, he made a successful 
run down and back. March 11, 1865, he was discharged at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., and returned to Marietta, O., and again took up his 
former occupation. The latter part of that year he, with throe 
other mechanics, loaded a flat-boat with the materials for building 
a dwelling in Memphis, and after a pleasant voyage arrived in that 
city during the great riot between the ex-slaves and rebels. He 
was an eye-witness to the murder of several negroes, and twice re- 
fused to fall into the ranks of the rebel mob. For more than a 
week the city was illuminated with the burning of the Government 



HISTORY OF HOCKIKG VALLEY. 380 

barracks occupied by the negroes. After his return to Marietta lie 
was employed as carpenter on several of the river boats. He has, 
since then, built or helped to build a number of river steamers now- 
plying the Ohio, Cumberland and Kanawha rivers. In March, 
1873, while making a trip on the Arkansas River, the boat struck 
a snag at midnight, and sank in thirteen feet of water and imme- 
diately caught tire, burning to the water's edge. Of fifty-one souls 
on board seventeen were lost. F. T. Towsley was highly compli- 
mented by all the river newspapers from Pittsburg to New Or- 
leans for his heroic conduct in saving the lives of the passengers 
and crew. Having lost all his clothes and tools he returned to Mari- 
etta and worked at his trade until November, when he came to 
Athens and assisted in finishing the asylum for the insane. Since 
then he has assisted in building many of the finest buildings in 
the State. June 24, 1S81, Columbus Golden Post, G. A. P., was 
mustered in at Athens, and he was appointed Sergeant-Major, 
holding the position till 1883, when he was appointed Adjutant. 
Feb. 9, 1882, he was appointed mustering officer of the Thirteenth 
District, composing the counties of Athens and Morgan, and since 
then he has mustered in T. P. Stanley Post, Zaleski; Stewart 
Johnson Post, McConnelsville; Wesley Weller Post, Deavertown ; 
Thomas Dew Post, Buchtel. Previous to this he had assisted in 
mustering in Hill Post, at New Straits ville. In February, 1883, 
he was appointed mustering officer of the Ninth District, com- 
prising Athens and Hocking counties, and has re organized Phil. 
Kearney Post, Nelsonville; Chilcotte Post, South Bloomingville; 
and mustered in the Thomas F. Wildes Post, Coolville, and Luther 
Devoe Post, Carbon Hill. He was a delegate from Athens to the 
Departmental Encampment at Youngstown. Jan. 1, 1883, he 
married Jennie F. Ulmer, and is now living on the McGill property 
recentl} T purchased by his father-in-law. 

George Weaver Toivsley, contractor and builder, of Athens, a 
son of Darius and Man- E. (Clogston) Towsley, was born at Ma- 
rietta, Ohio, Jane 23, 1850. He was educated in the* schools of 
Marietta. His patriotism developed itself at an early age, as when 
only eleven years of age, in 1861, he went out with the Eightj'-sev- 
enth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as drummer boy and served six 
months. While out he was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, 
when General Miles surrendered that post to the Confederates, 
and was released on parol. In 1862, with his drum, he aided in 
producing martial music that inspired young patriots to enlist in 



390 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he 
himself enlisting as Drum-Major. His father objecting, he reluc- 
tantly yielded to parental authority and remained at home. How- 
ever, in 1864, after earnest entreaties, he was permitted to enlist 
in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Ohio National Guards, as a 
drummer boy, for 100 days, and was on duty in front of Petersburg 
during his whole time of service. After his discharge he returned 
home and began to work at the carpenter and joiners trade under 
his father, remaining with him until 1870. He then came to Ath- 
ens and worked for Henry O'Bleness as journeyman and foreman 
until 1877, when he began to contract for himself. April 15, 1871, 
he was married to Mary M., daughter of W. M. Vorhess, of Ath- 
ens. They have two children — Mabel and Jessie. Mr. Towsley is 
a member of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., at Athens. 
He is a member of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., of 
Athens. 

Peter Ulmer, carpenter and joiner, was born in Nockamixon 
Township, Bucks Co., Penn., Aug. 17, 1824. His mother dy- 
ing while he was an infant, he was adopted by Jacob Bougher, 
with whom he lived in Bucks and Allegheny counties until 1844, 
when he came with him to Ohio and settled in Lodi Township,* Ath- 
ens County, remaining with him until attaining his majority in 
1 845. In boyhood he worked in the cooper shop of a son of his foster 
father and learned that trade. In 1846 he built a shop in Lodi 
Township and carried on coopering there until the fall of 1860, 
when he removed to Harmony, Athens Co., and worked for S. B. 
Pruden until 1868. In the latter year he came to Athens and 
opened a shop and worked at the cooper's trade during the winter 
months, and at the carpenter and joiner's trade during the remain- 
der of the year until 1878, when he abandoned the cooper's trade. 
April 12, 1847, he married Miss Mary Jane Saddler, of Lodi Town- 
ship. They have four children — Jacob, Josephine, Jennie and 
Effieanettie. 

Ron. Nelson II. Van Vorhes. — Among the eminent dead of the 
Hocking Valley, Nelson II. Van Vorhes stands in the front rank, 
doubtless the foremost in public life. From the time he was a 
young man up to the date of his death, Dec. 4, 1S82, he has been 
held in high esteem, regarded as worthy of filling almost any posi- 
tion of trust. Not only has he been worthy of the public honors 
conferred upon him, but by the faithful and honorable discharge of 
every trust he has deserved the perfect confidence of his fellowmen 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 391 

and his life has been well honored with public positions. At the 
age of twenty-one he assumed the editorial control of a newspaper; 
at twenty-six was a member of the Ohio Legislature, having been 
nominated without oppesition, and elected by a majority exceeding 
that of his ticket. At thirty-four he was Speaker of the House and 
the choice of his party for a seat in the National Congress, and 
though failing of election at this time, he was, later in life, twice 
elected to that body. He was born in Washington County, Pa., 
Jan. 23, 1822, whence he removed with his father's family to 
Athens County at tea years of age. His father, Abraham Van 
Vorhes, was a man of unusual strength of mind and character, and, 
like his son, had been honored with public positions, among them a 
seat in the State Legislature. He first settled on the present site 
of Hebbardsville, which town he founded. After four years' resi- 
dence here he became the proprietor and editor of the Western 
Spectator, published at Athens, and removed to that place. At 
this time young Nelson entered the newspaper office as an ap- 
prentice, having had but little schooling and that only such as was 
then afforded by the district schools. While in this position his ' 
father became a member of the House of Representatives, and he 
was left in control of the paper. In 1844 he and his brother, A. J. 
Yan Vorhes, purchased the paper, the Athens Messenger and 
Hocking Valley Gazette as it was then called, and he became the 
leading editor and manager. A few years later S. N. Miller 
bought one third of the paper when the firm name became N. II. 
Yan Vorhes & Co. Mr. Miller withdrew in a short time, as did 
also Mr. Van Vorhes a few years later, but only temporarily on a - 
count of failing health. He returned to the paper again in IS56 
and continued its editor and proprietor until 1861, when he sold 
out and entered the Union army. He was one of the first to re- 
spond to the call for troops, entering the first company organized 
at Athens, as a private. He was in active duty nearly two years 
when his failing health compelled him to resign. During this 
time he was successively promoted through a number of subordi- 
nate offices to that of Colonel, which he held at the time of his 
resignation. In 1865 he formed a partnership with W. D. Bart- 
lett in the hardware business, the business and the partnership 
continuing up to within a few months of his death. His entrance 
into public life was in 1850 when he was elected by the Whigs to 
represent Athens and Meigs counties in the State Legislature. He 
continued to represent Athens County until 1854. In 1853 he was 



398 BISTORT OF HOOKING V Ai.l.KY. 

nominated by his party for Secretary oi tho State, but was defeated 
with the rest of the ticket The following year he was elected 
Probate Judge, but before the ezpiratiou of his term he resigned, to 
enter the House of Representatives, having been again elected in 
1855. During this term he served for the first time as Speaker. 
in L857 he was again elected a Member of the House. The fol- 
|< w ng year he was a candidate for Congress from his district hut. 
although running ahead 1 1 his ticket, was not elected. In L869 
he was again chosen to the Ohio Souse of Representatives, and 
still again in 1871, when he was a second time made Speaker. In 
1874 he was elected to Congress and in L876 was re-elected. Much 
against his own inclination he was made a candidate tor a third elec- 
tion in 1>78 hut, the district having recently been made Strongly 
Democratic, he tailed of election. General Warner, o( Marietta, being 
the successful candidate. Duringall his public career he was never 
even suspected of complicity in anything the least dishonorable. 
He retired from public life with clean hands, as much a public 
favorite as ever. Throughout life he was feeble in health, having 
a delicate constitution, but by his upright and mild nature and his 
C( rdial fidelity to all, he secured and retained the confidence and 
friendship o\ all with whom he became associated. Mr. Van 
Vorhes was married to Elizabeth B. Foster, Oct 23, L845. lie 
was the lather o\ three children— Charles, who died in L851; 
Louis A. and Nellie 11. who, with their mother, still survive him. 
. section boss ^( theC, 11. Y. & T, U. K.. was born 
in Galway County, Inland, Nov. i>, 1821, and is the eldest oi live 
sons of Martin and Bridget (Gilmore) Varley. When twenty 
years of age became to America, Landing at New Fork City, April. 
It'., 1841. lie first went to Morrison County, N. J., where he was 
employed as foreman stone cutter, but not liking the climate he 
went to Portland, Me., and was foreman on the Maine Central li. 
R. two years. He then went to Hartford, Conn., and worked in 
the same capacity on the Hartford & Waterbury Railroad eighteen 
months. From this time till 1856 he was at Bridgeport, Fort 
Chester. White Plains, llaverstraw, Philadelphia, Baltimore, 
Pittsburg and Parkersburg. In 1856 he came to Ohio, and during 
that year was employed as foreman of the stone cutting on the M. 
a C \l. R. In l < r> 7 be purchased a farm near Fleming, where 
he lived till L864, being during that time employed a- foreman 
o\ the hands that du^ the four-mile tunnel on the M. & 0. R. 
K. From L 865 to 1868 he was section boss on the same road. 



HISTORY <>V HOCKING VAl.l.hV. 

During 1868 ho had charge of the B 

( einnati Junction to r i .'-•'- to 187 

employed by the i • 

Hocking Valley B ! 

ame road. Aug. 4, 1853, he I Ann < 

Fork ' 
train dispatcher of the C. & \\. V. R. k. at < 

graph ope rid Willia n 

and 
VTar ';■•■ • 
rhich he i Trn >( -<:. 
Archibald B. Walker. - >n of Dr Ezra Wi 
Ponltney, Rutland Oo.,Vt., Oct. L5, J- 
Township with his father's fam 
cellent neighborhood he e the advantag 

ar in 
i -..'nail farm, thus form 
_ 
eer life. In 1825 he married 
vanus Ame>, and in L826 1 

•: resided contin 
reared a fam and four 

to Athens, Mr. W ■ I a few the clerk's offio 

jtant Clerk '.viii-jfi p a £ ) him in all 

- tb sequent life. T . • ■ I 
fort/. with his b v. Mr. James J, . in- 

cluding pork-pack „ ee. To 

added, al fur- 

nace opp Chaui . 

soon after they '■, Is and erected the fui 

e owned by M. M. Greene & Co. For a- 
- the firm name of I • Walke] I and fa 

ealley and in the central and so parts of the 

] partnership . sd in ] 853. Since that 1 

Mr. Walker hasnotengag 
During the county he 

to embrace and a 

At home and abroad, in personal ' 
■] ready and 
• of the county, and presenting ms. He 

one of the oi D tor of the 



394 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, and an early and strenuous advo- 
cate for the construction of the Hocking Valley Railroad, which 
has been subsequently built under the energetic control of younger 
men, and which he is gratified to have been spared to see com- 
pleted, and witness its wonderful success. Those who are familiar 
with the history of Athens County and the Hocking Valley 
are unanimous in according to Mr. Walker a large measure of 
credit for the faithfulness with which he has worked for the welfare 
of the valley in all things, lie is universally respected as an 
upright citizen and a true Christian. Mr. Walker has had, as is 
stated above, two sons and four daughters. Of the sons, the eld- 
est is Charles M., editorof the Indianapolis Times, who is men- 
tioned more fully in connection with " Walker's History of Athens 
County." The second son is Ezra M., a merchant of Athens at 
the present time. He is unmarried, and resides with his father. 
The eldest daughter, Laura, is now Mrs. James Ballard, residing 
in Athens. Miss Augusta resides at home. Alice is now Mrs. 
Frederick L. Ballard, of Philadelphia; and Helen, the youngest, 
also resides at home. 

George Ralph Walker, dealer in books, stationery, pictures and 
picture frames, and musical instruments, was born in Athens, Dec. 
29, 1850. His parents were William and Matilda (Claxton) 
Walker, with whom he lived until manhood. He was educated at 
the Ohio University, graduating in the class of 1872. He then 
began the study of medicine, and after studying some eighteen 
months was obliged to abandon it on account of too close applica- 
tion impairing his eye-sight. In October, 1873, he established 
himself in his present business at Athens. Dec. 9, 1874, he was 
married to Miss Ida M. Mingus, daughter of Gideon Mingus, of Bow- 
ling Green, Ky., by whom he has one child — Lelia M. Mr. and 
Mrs. Walker are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Athens. He is a member of Paramuthia Lodge, iSTo. 25, A. F. 
& A. M., of which he is Secretary. He is also an Odd Fellow and 
member of the subordinate lodge and encampment at Athens, 
and is Past Grand and Past Patriarch. 

John Henry Walker, undertaker, was born in Athens, Feb. •;, 
1836, a son oi' William and Matilda (Claxton) Walker, lie was 
reared and educated at Athens and lived with his parents until his 
sixteenth year, when he went to Coolville to serve an apprentice- 
ship of three years with Isaac A. Dinsmore, to learn the carpen- 
ter's trade. He then worked at the trade until the spring of 1859, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 395 

when, in connection with carpentering, he took charge of his father's 
farm in the vicinity of Athens, until 1862. In September of 
that year he enlisted in Company I, Seventh I. V. Cavalry, under 
Captain A. Norton, going out as a Corporal. Feb. 28, 1863, lie 
was promoted to Sergeant, but acted as First or Orderly Sergeant 
from September, 1863, to April, 1864. He participated in the 
battles of Dutton Hill, West Farm, Monticello, Mount Sterling, 
Blue Spring, Raytown, and many ethers. He was discharged at 
Nashville, July 8, 1865, and returned to Athens and worked at the 
carpenter's trade until 1867, when he was employed in the Pilcher 
Furniture Factory at Athens, in which he worked eight years. In 
1875 he established his present business. March 7, 1860, he mar- 
ried Amelia Crippen Higgins, of Athens County. They have 
six living children — Adie M., Nettie M., Edward II. , Frederick 
B., Bertha C. and Nellie PI. They have lost one, "William II., 
who died June 30, 1879, at the age of eighteen years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Walker are members of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Athens. lie is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, and member of 
the lodge and chapter at Athens. He is a Past Master of his 
lodge. He is an Odd Fellow and member of Sereno Lodge, No. 
479, of which he is a Past Grand. He is a charter member of 
Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., and has filled the posi- 
tion of Officer of the Day since its organization. 

William Walker, deceased, was born in Yorkshire, England, 
Dec. 30, 1808. In 1819, when eleven years old, became with his 
parents to the United States, settling at Athens. His lather being 
a horse-shoer by trade, William learned that part of the black- 
smith's trade with him. When nineteen years of age, with only $6 
in his pocket, he went on foot to Cincinnati and completed his 
trade, and returned to Athens when he was twenty-one. He then 
established himself in the blacksinithing business anl followed it 
until 1856, when he removed to a farm one mile south of Athens, 
where with farming he also carried on blacksinithing until 1857, 
when he had the misfortune to lose his right arm in a threshing 
machine. He then pursued finning until 1866, when, retiring 
from business, he returned to Athens where he lived until his death, 
Dec. 3, lb77. He was noted for his skill in blacksinithing, espe- 
cially in making edged tools. Sept. 8, 1831, he married Matilda 
Claxton, daughter of Thomas and Mary J. (Blatch) Claxton. She 
was born in the Northern part of London, England, June 24, 1810. 
When an infant her parents emigrated to the United States, set- 



396 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tling at Baltimore. At the breaking out of the war of 1812 they 
came to Ohio and settled at Chillicothe, and lived there until 1820, 
when they came to Logan where she lived with them until her mar- 
riage. Mr. and Mrs. Walker had six children, only three now 
living. Mr. Walker became a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church when he was nineteen years of age, and was a consistent 
member of that church until his death, and for many years officiated 
as Class-Leader. His wife, who still survives him, is also a member 
of that church . 

Thomas Walsh, a farmer and resident of Athens and lately a 
merchant of that city, was born in County Longford, Ireland, in 
May, 1811. When he was four years of age his parents, James 
and Catherine (O'Rile}^) Walsh, came to the United States. They 
settled in Athens Township, Athens Co., Ohio, where he was 
reared a farmer and given a good common-school education. His 
father dying when he was fourteen years of age, he continued to 
live with his mother and had charge of the farm for her until 
becoming of age. He remained on the homestead farm until 1875, 
when he came to Athens and engaged in merchant tailoring until 
1879. He is now engaged in overseeing his farm in Canaan 
Township, but resides in Athens. Sept. 5, 1878, he was married 
to Uphema McGrravy, of Logan, by whom he has two children 
— Katy Estella and Jessie Genevieve. Himself and wife are mem- 
bers of St. Paul's Catholic Church, of Athens. 

Timothy Burr Warden, Sheriff of Athens County, was born at 
Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., O., Aug. 25, 1818. He is the son of Henry 
P. Warden, who was for some fifteen years freight agent for the 
Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark Railroad, via the Baltimore cV' 
Ohio, at Sandusky. lie lived with his parents at his birthplace 
until his fifteenth year, when he removed with them to Sandusky. 
At the age of twenty, in 1868, he came to Amesville, Athens 
County and became associated with his brother, C. H. AVarden, in 
the mercantile business, under the firm name of C. H. Warden & 
Brother. In 1871 they removed to Athens where they engaged in 
shipping produce, and are doing an extensive business. In 1879 
Mr. Warden was elected Sheriff of Athens County on the Repub- 
lican ticket. The election was warmly contested, there being four 
candidates in the field, he receiving a majority of 267 votes. He 
was re-elected in 1881 by a majority of nearly 1,500 votes. During 
his term of office in 1881, the lynching of the notorious Charles C. 
Davis by a furious mob took place at Athens, a history of which 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 397 

can be found elsewhere in this volume. Sept. 15, 1871, he mar- 
ried Miss Augusta, daughter of Dr. Lorenzo Fulton, of Ames- 
ville, bj whom he has four children — Harry F., Ella W., Mary E. 
and Winnie A. He is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight Temp- 
lar Mason, and member of lodge, chapter and commandery at 
Athens. He is also an Odd Fellow and member of Sereno Lodge. 
No. 479, Athens. 

Hon. John Welch, ex-Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, belongs 
pre-eminently in the honorable rank of self-made men. He shared 
the hardships of pioneer life, struggled against ill health, and 
wrenched success out of the hard hand of poverty. He was born in 
Harrison County, Ohio, Oct. 28, 1805. The region was then, to a 
great extent, a wilderness, and John's father was one of the earliest 
pioneers who undertook the task of subduing it, and converting it into 
a cultivated and productive land. He was a poor man with a large 
family, consisting of seven sons and four daughters. The child of 
such a household who would have prosperity, manifestly must 
work it out for himself. It certainly would not be thrust upon 
him, no matter how ardent the parental love, or how strong the 
parental wish to have things better than they are, for those who 
come after. John Welch was one to work out results for himself. 
He had early set his heart on success, and his purpose never fal- 
tered, no matter how discouraging the obstacles that presented 
themselves. He worked with his father upon the family farm until 
he was eighteen years of age, and during that time he acquired 
such education as was to be gained by attending the country district 
school during the winter months. These opportunities were not 
very great for scholastic attainments. Meager as were the facilities 
offered in the common schools of that day, and the short period of 
three months out of each year for attendance, does not mean much 
compared with the school privileges of the present day. Such op- 
portunities were made the most of in this case. When he was 
eighteen years of age he was "given his time " by his father, and 
then he began in serious earnest to obtain the education he had 
early determined to procure. He taught school, that he might 
earn money, and the money earned was spent in the prosecu- 
tion of liberal studies, under the best auspices within his reach. 
He had entered Franklin College, Ohio, and for five years, by this 
system of alternate teaching and attendance upon school, he main- 
tained himself in that institution, and in September, 1828, 
graduated from that college with honors. He had decided upon 



39S HISTORY OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

the law as his future profession, and in January, 1829, com- 
menced his legal studies under Hon. Joseph Dana, of Athens, Ohio. 
Excessive study and sedentary habits impaired his health long be- 
fore his course of study had been completed, and for a time it 
seemed as if his cherished purpose of becoming a lawyer must be 
abandoned. His physician assured him that the surest means of 
restoring his broken health was to resume the active and laborious 
habits of his boyhood. In compliance with this assurance, he 
accordingly engaged in attending a saw and grist mill. This 
engagement offered a double advantage: It. not only promised to 
restore his lost health, but would also, in a very desirable manner, 
reinforce the finances of the young student, who was in great need 
of such reinforcement. The mill work did not come altogether as 
an interruption either of his legal studies, as it is said that the 
studious mill-hand would " set the saw and then read Hlackstone 
while it was running through the log." Be this as it may, he 
continued his legal studies in connection with his mill work; and 
so, while he was gaining new health and renewing his store of 
money, he was also drawing nearer to the object of his endeavors. 
lie continued thus to work and study, until 1833, and in the mean- 
time he had taken a wife, marrying Martha Starr, daughter of 
Captain James Starr, formerly of Connecticut, but at this time a 
resident of Ohio. The marriage took place soon after he engaged 
in the milling business, and on the 3d of June. 1833, when he 
gave up that business, his family consisted of a wife and two 
children. With this family he removed to the town of Athens. 
where he established his residence and where he has ever since 
continued to reside. In the month of November of the same 
year he was admitted to the bar, and at once began the practice 
of his profession. His practice grew rapidly, and he was soon 
established as a prosperous lawyer, with important and laborious 
work always on his hands. He brought to the practice of his 
profession the same ability, diligence, energy and fidelity that had 
marked his preparatory career, and they are qualities which win 
ready recognition and yield material results. In his case they 
were recognized, and yielded results outside the immediate circle 
of his profession. In L845 he was elected a member of the State 
Senate of Ohio, and served a term of two years in that body. In 
L850 he was elected to ( a- the successor of Hon. Samuel 

F. Vinton. Daring his term the Congressional District from which 
he was elected was changed, and, in consequence of this fact, he 



HI8T0ET OF HOCKING VALLEY. 399 

failed of re-election in 1852. Daring his sitting in the National 
Legislature lie made two important speeches, one on the Tariff, 
the other on the Public Land Question. Both were able, thorough, 
and marked by the clear sagacity and the straightforward honesty 
that characterized the man. The speech on the Public-Land 
Question attained the honor of a publication in full in the columns 
of the National Intelligencer, of Washington. In the year \^:>-i 
he served as a delegate in the Baltimore Convention which Domi- 
nated General Winfield Scott for President of the United States, 
and in L856 ho was a member of the Electoral College which cast 
the vote of Ohio for John C. Fremont. In 1802 he was called from 
the bar to the bench, having been, in February of that year elected 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He sat upon the bench of 
the Common Pleas Court until February, 1865, when he was ap 
pointed Judge of the Supreme Court, vice Eon. Rufus P. Ranney, 
resigned, lie remained upon the Supreme bench until 1878, hav- 
ing been re-elected to the position three times. Since his retire- 
ment from the bench. Judge Welch has continued to practice law 
up to the present time. He now spends the mast of his time in his 
library and garden, but continues to take an active part in politics 
and the affairs of life, lie has been an industrious reader all hie 
life, and has a very extended knowledge of literary and scientific 
subjects. He attends a reading club in Athens, occasionally de- 
livers a lecture in the University Chapel on "Mathematics," on 
"Religion, and Morality," on " .Mob Law," etc. He lately wrote 
a "History and Memorial" of the Amestown Library, the first 
library established in the Northwest Territory. He has now in the 
hands of the printers for publication a work to be entitled "Math- 
ematical curiosities," consisting mainly of new and original rules, 
puzzles and surprises, and including an interest table on an entire- 
ly new plan. Soon after his first election as Judge of the Supreme 
Court, his alma mater, Franklin College, conferred upon him the 
honorary degree of LL. D. As a writer, Judge Welch has an easy 
and elegant style, and his productions, by their clearness and 
originality, are always full of interest. His opinions while on the 
Supreme bench take rank among the first authorities on legal 
questions. 

Johnson Morton Welch, of the law firm of Welch & Welch, 
Athens, was born in Rome Township, Athens Co., Ohio, April 20, 
1832. He is the son of Hon. John and Martha L. (Starr) Welch. 
When he was fifteen months old his parents removed to Athens, 



400 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

where lie was reared and educated at the Ohio University, gradu- 
ating at the age of twenty, in the class of 1852. Immediately 
after graduating he made a sea voyage for the benefit of his health. 
In 1856 he entered his father's office to study law, and was admit- 
ted to the bar at Athens in 1858, and at once became associated 
with his father, under the firm name of Welch & Son. In 1861 he 
entered the Union army as Captain of Company C, Eighteenth Reg- 
iment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Major of his 
regiment in 1863 and, was soon after appointed a member of General 
James S. Negley's staff, in command of Second Division of the 
Fourteenth Army Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. He 
took command of his regiment immediately after the battle of 
Chickamanga and commanded it until the spring of 1864, when 
he was made Provost-Marshal of the city of Chickamauga and 
served as such until the expiration of his term of service in October 
of that year. He was mustered out Nov. 9, 1864, when he returned 
to Athens and resumed his law practice. In February, 1878, he 
became associated with his father and formed the present law firm 
<>f Welch & Welch. In 1881 he was chosen President by the stock- 
holders of the Athens Gas-Light Company, and in 1882 became 
Vice-President of the First National Bank of Athens, both of 
which positions he still holds. He has been twice married. His 
first wife was Miss Adaline Carpenter, daughter of Harvey Car- 
penter, of Athens County, whom he married Sept. 14, 1853, and 
who died at Athens, July 25, 1866. They had five children — 
Martha, afterward wife of Emmet Tompkins, attorney at Athens ; 
Jessie, wife of Dr. E. C. De Steiguer, of Logan, Ohio; Charles, now 
of Abiline, Kan.; John, Teller of the First National Bank of 
Athens, and George, a student of Ohio University. June 15, 1873, 
he married his second wife, Miss Ella Cadwallader, daughter of 
the late Alfred Cadwallader, of Zanesville, Ohio. They have four 
sons — Edward Guy, Dudley W., Thomas C. and Philip. 

Jeremiah Ouey Wliipple, grocer, was born in Athens, Ohio, 
April 16, 1849, where he was reared and educated in the Union 
Public Schools. His parents are George E. and Eliza (Carpenter) 
Whipple. At the age of fifteen he was employed as a clerk in the 
store of his uncle, W. II. Potter, and remained with him three 
years. In 1868 he went toParkersburg,W.Va., and was, for a short 
time, employed in the same capacity by the Oak Oil Company. 
He was then employed in the grocery store of II. II. Welch, at Cin- 
cinnati, until 1871, when he returned to Athens, and was em- 
ployed in the dry -goods house of M. Selig <k Co. until 1873. Ee 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 401 

then clerked in the hardware store ot H. J. Topky until the latter 
part of 1876, and in 1877 he went to Columbus, Ohio, and engaged 
in the grocery business until 1879, when he returned to Athens 
and established his present grocery. May 12, 1873, he married 
Miss Mary Ellen, daughter of John Vernoy, of Columbus, Ohio. 
They have three children — Abbie, George E. and Dana. He is a 
member of Sereno Lodge, No. 179, I. O. O. F., of Athens. 

James Perry Wood, attorney at law and Mayor of Athens, is the 
eon of James Perry and Rebecca (Mauk) Wood. He is the young- 
est of nine children and was born at Rio Grande, Gallia Co., 
Ohio, April 21, 1S54. In 1861 his mother, then a widow, removed 
with her family to Cheshire, Gallia County. In 1870 he became a 
member of the family of his uncle , Joseph Mauk. He was educated 
at Cheshire Academy and Hillsdale College, Michigan. In 1874 he 
commenced teaching in Atwood Institute at Albany, Athens County, 
and was made Principal of that school in the fall of 1876, which 
position he resigned in 1877 in order to take charge of the graded 
schools at Detroit, Ohio. While teaching he studied law privately, 
and in April, 1878, was admitted to the bar by the District Court 
at Pomeroy, Ohio. The following August he formed a law part- 
nership with Charles Townsend, under the firm name of Townsend 
& Wood. In July, 1880, he withdrew from the firm, and asso- 
ciated himself with his brother, J. M. Wood, in the law practice, 
forming the present law firm of Wood & Wood. In January, 1880, 
he was appointed Mayor of Athens in the place of Emmett Tomp- 
kins who resigned. The following April he was elected to that 
office, and in April, 1882, was re-elected. Nov. 14, 1876, he mar- 
ried Florence Ellen Vorhes, daughter of John and Ellen Vorhes, of 
Albany. Athens Co., Ohio. They have one child — John Vorhes, 
born Jan. 14, 1S80. 

Joseph Mauk Wood, senior member of the law firm of Wood & 
Wood of Athens, is the second son of James Perry and Rebecca 
(Mauk) Wood. He was born on a farm near Rio Grande, Gallia 
Co., O., July 28, 1850. On the death of his father, Aug. 15, 1863, 
he was the oldest child at home. lie remained on the farm two 
years, when his mother removed with her family to Cheshire in the 
same county. He attended the academy at that place for about 
two years, when he went to live with his brother-in-law. Rev. I. Z. 
Han ing, at Albany, Athens Co., O., where he completed his edu- 
cation in the Atwood Institute. March 22, 1871, he was married at 
Albany to Miss Emily Bingham Pullins, daughter of Samuel and 
26 



402 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Margaret Pullins. They have four children — Augustus Palmer, 
Mary Ellen, James Perry, and one unnamed. In the fall of 1871 he 
was elected Principal of Atwood Institute, at Albany, and held that 
position four years, when he resigned in order to accept the Super- 
intendency of the public schools at Clifton. West Va., where he 
remained two years. In the spring of 1876 he began the study of 
law, in private, and was admitted to the bar at Athens in the fall 
of 1878. He then became associated with A. H. and II. T. Brown 
in the law practice, at Athens, under the firm name of Brown & 
Wood. In July, 1880, he withdrew from that firm and became as- 
sociated with his brother, J. P. Wood, and formed the present law 
firm of Wood & Wood. He is a member of the Free Baptist 
church. 

Merrill Wood ruff, son of Samuel and Phosbe (Sharp) Woodruff, 
was born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., O., April 4, 1841, 
where he was reared and educated. He followed farming till 1863, 
when he enlisted in Company K, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, and 
served till the close of the war. He enlisted as private and was 
promoted to Duty Sergeant, Drill Master and Forage Master. He 
was discharged at Munfordville, Ivy., May 18, 1865, and returned 
to Athens County, resuming farming. In 1873 he began to deal in 
stock, and in December, 1881, came to Athens, where he is exten- 
sively engaged, both selling at home and shipping abroad. Dec. 
23, 1862, he married Lucinda J., daughter of A. C. Murphy, of 
Alexander Township. They have had eight children — seven now 
living — Albert, Columbia, Cora B., Mary E., Mattie, Charles and 
Joseph. Nellie died at the age of seven months. Mr. and Mrs. 
Woodruff have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at Pleasanton for fourteen years. He is a member of Columbus 
Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R, of Athens. 

Jeremiah Chase Woodyard, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Chase 
Woodyard, was born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., 0.,Oct. 
21, 1832. He attended and taught school till 1861, when he en- 
listed in Company II, Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, to serve three 
months. He served four months and then re-enlisted in Company 
II, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry, and served three years and three 
months, being mustered out at Columbus, in January, 1865. The 
last eight months he was detailed Mail Messenger by General 
Sherman. He participated in the battles of Culpeper Court- 
House, secondJBull Run (where he was captured and imprisoned 
at Belle Isle eighteen days), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 403 

many others. After his discharge lie returned to Athens County 
and began to deal in live-stock and wool at Albany. In May, 1882, 
he came to Athens where he carries on the same line of trade. 
Oct. 15, 1867, he married Ella M., daughter of John Brown, late 
of Athens. They have one sun — John 13. Mr. and Mrs. Wood- 
yard are both members of the Free-Will Baptist church of Albany, 
of which he is a Deacon. He is a Master, Royal Arch, and 
Knight Templar Mason, and a member ot the lodge, chapter and 
commandery at Athens. 

Sylvester Young, carpenter and joiner, was born in Canaan 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Sept. 20, 1826. His parents were 
Ephraim and Driscilla(Bean) Ybnng, with whom he lived until at- 
taining his majority. His father being a carpenter and joiner, he 
learned his trade with him. He came to Athens in April, 1861, 
and permanently settled. Sept. 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 
Seventh Ohio Cavalry, as a private, to serve three years. In the 
following March he was promoted to Corporal. With his com- 
pany he participated in the battles of Sherman's campaigns from 
Buzzard's Roost to the close of the seige of Atlanta. He met with 
many narrow escapes but was never absent from his company on 
account of wounds or sickness, excepting being laid up in camp a 
short time on account of an injury received by his horse falling. 
He was discharged at Nashville, Tenn., July 4, 1865, when he re- 
turned to Athens and resumed his trade. Aug. 10, 1848, he 
married Mary Jane Kincade, of Canaan Township, Athens County, 
who died at Athens, Feb. 26, 1856, leaving two children — Mary 
Alice, wife of Dr. John Armatage, of Portland, Ohio, and William 
Le Roy of Rainier, Oregon. He was married again, April 22, 1858, 
to Ann H. Matheny, of Athens. They have two children — Charles 
Henry and John Clifford. Mr. Young is a member of Sereno 
Lodge, No. 479, and Encampment, No. 175, I. 0. O. F., of Athens. 
He has passed all the chairs in both bodies and is now the Treasurer 
of his encampment. 




CHAPTER XV. 

YORK TOWNSHIP— A TOWNSHIP OF INEXHAUSTIBLE MINERAL 

WEALTH. 

Taken from Ames in 1811, Six Miles Square — It is Bounded by — 
Population and Transportation — Canal and Railroad — Min- 
ing its Principal Industry — Some Rich Yalley Lands — The 
Hills Good Sheep Pastures — Development — Official Statis- 
tics. 

a part of ames till 1811. 

The territory which composes York Township was a portion 
of Ames until 1811. When Dover Township was organized it 
included all the territory to the west line of the county. This re- 
mained Dover Township until June, 1818, when the present York 
Township was organized with 23,040 acres of land, or a congres- 
sional township six miles square. It is bounded on the east by 
Dover Township, south by Waterloo Township, and west and north 
by Hocking County. Topographically speaking, it is mostly hills 
with about one fourth valleys, very rough and broken, but the hills 
while not all of grazing value are mostly so, while the small valleys, 
running from twenty acres to perhaps a 100 each, are fair agricult- 
ural lands. Those that lie immediately upon streams of living 
water are rich and fertile; the others, small ones which seem to be 
simply indentures of the surface, are not so productive, the erodings 
of the hill covering the original soil too deep for cultivation, and 
this covering being of little agricultural value. It is, in fact, one 
of the richest mining regions in this or any other State, and its 
resources in both coal and iron are simply inexhaustible. Fruit 
could be bountifully raised, for these side hills could be made very 
valuable with but little labor in making them into orchards. It is 
also a good stock township, especially for sheep. Its great indus- 
try, however, is mining. 

TRANSPORTATION AND POPULATION. 

Its transportation facilities are good because it became a neces- 
sity. The Hocking Yalley Railroad, called the 0., H. Y. & T. Rail- 
way, passes through the township from the northwest to the south- 

(404) 



HISTORY OF HOCKIXG VALLEY. 405 

east, bearing, however, to the north of the center of the township, 
but following the river, which also traverses the township from 
northwest to southeast. In addition to this the Monday Creek 
Branch of this railroad is started from Nelsonville and passes 
through Bessemer and other points, giving freighting facilities to 
the several mining towns located in this rich mineral country. The 
Hocking Valley Canal, although now in but little use, also passes 
through the township and was at one time the only medium of trans- 
portation. It will be thus seen that her mining interest will not 
suffer for want of transportation. This interest has given the town- 
ship a wonderful growth, both rapid and permanent, and while other 
townships in the county have felt the hands of decay or stagnation 
upon them, York has gone forward with rapid strides, not only in 
population but in wealth. 

While in 1820 York Township could boast of a population of 
341 only, in 1850 it had risen to 1,399. Here was the doubling ot 
the original number for three successive decades. In 1860 it was 
2,563, and in 1870, 2,652, which showed a slow advance caused by 
the civil war, but the last decade it more than doubled its popula- 
tion, having in 1880 no less than 5,438. Since the census was 
taken the growth has been equally marked, and it will without 
doubt again double itself the present decade, and in 1890 it 
will show a population of from 10,000 to 12,000. As has been 
remarked above, the leading industry of the township, and the 
one which has given it such rapid growth, is mining. The easy 
access to the upper coal beds which crop out of the hills and the 
valuable quality of the coal has always designated this local- 
ity as particularly attractive to enterprising men. Besides the 
coal deposits, the iron ore in the hills has attracted the attention of 
iron men, and a number of iron furnaces have been built within 
the last few years. 

NEW TOWNS. 

There are a number of villages in the township besides the 
towns of Nelsonville and Buchtel, but they are so dependent upon 
the operations of the miners and of such a temporary nature as to 
hardly deserve the name of village. It has therefore followed that 
wherever the capitalists have designated a convenient place to 
open a mine, they have at once constructed a number of cheap 
dwellings for the use of their employes. It enables the miner to 
more closely attend to his work, and being erected in close proxim- 



406 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ity to the mine, is of a great convenience to those who labor at 
or in the mines. They generally remain in the possession of the 
operator, but in some cases a few of the more thrifty laborers have 
preferred owning their houses to paying rent, and have bought of 
their emploj'ers, paying in labor. All such operators have a store, 
out of which they pay for labor. Merchandise, and generally a 
postoffice, is kept in the store. Such in York Township are Flood- 
wood. New and Old; Lick Run, Laurel Hill and Doanville. The 
most important of these is Floodwood, situated on the river about 
three miles below j^elsonville. It has sprung up within the last 
three years and, should the anticipations of the proprietors be ful- 
filled, will soon be a seat of considerable industry. Two large iron 
furnaces have been built, a large store building and about 600 
wooden dwellings. But as yet the furnaces are cold and the houses 
without inhabitants. Just across the river is the older village des- 
ignated as Old Floodwood. It has about fifty houses. Laurel 
Hill and Lick Run are owned by different companies, but are near 
enough together to be accommodated with one postoffice. They 
are situated near the river, in the northwestern corner of the town- 
ship, and contain about 150 houses. 

DEVELOPMENT. 

The township has shown much progress outside of its mining 
interests, and has developed much interest in schools, churches 
and societies. It has also a fair amount of stock within its borders. 
It is a well-watered township, and peculiarly adapted to sheep- 
raising. Beside the valley of the Hocking, which is rich and fer- 
tile, and the Hocking River, there is Monday Creek, a fine stream 
of pure water, and several branches, and Minker Run on the 
south side of the Hocking River. Springs, besides, are abundant. 

OFFICIAL STATISTICS. 

The organization of the township required township elections, 
and the first was held in 1819, and the voting precinct was at the 
house of Ebenezer Blackstone, and there the voting was done. The 
following is a list of the township officers from 1844. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

1844. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and James II. 
Devore; Clerk, Robert Miller; Treasurer, Cornelius Steenrod; 
Justice of the Peace, Win, E. Brown. 



HISTORY OP" HOCKING VALLEY. 407 

1845.— Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. 
Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, 0. Steenrod; Justice of 
the Peace, Noah Wilder. 

1846.— Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. 
Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of 
the Peace, Christian Harmon. 

1847. —Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. 
Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of 
the Peace, Christian Harmon. 

1848.— Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, T. M. Boyles and W. W. 
Poston; Clerk, Noah Wilder; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice ot 
he Peace, B. F. Harper. 

1849. — Trustees, Alvin Baker, L. D. Poston and Piers on Vore; 
Clerk, Thomas L. Mintun; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the 
Peace, Noah Wilder. 

1850. — Trustees, Alvin Baker, L. D. Poston and John Dow; 
Clerk, John Cheshire; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justice of the Peace, 
Thomas L. Mintun. 

1851. — Trustees, Thomas Dew, Joseph Brett and A. H. Cowen; 
Clerk, J. B. Harper; Treasurer, J. E. Price; Justice of the Peace, 
Alvin Baker. 

1852. — Trustees, J. G. Myers, Joseph Brett and A. IT. Cowen; 
Clerk, C. Steenrod; Treasurer, J. E. Price; Justice of the Peace, 
Alvin Baker. 

1S53. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, Joseph Brett and A. H. 
Cowen; Clerk, John Cheshire; Treasurer, J. E. Price; Justice of 
the Peace, Joseph Brett. 

1854. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, Aaron Lewis, and J. G. 
Myers; Clerk, Lewis Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of 
the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 

L855. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John Hull and Thomas L. 
Mintun; Clerk. L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the 
Peace, Joshua Sheffield, and Thomas L. Mintun. 

1856. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John Hull and Aaron Lewis, 
Clerk, L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, 
Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 

1857. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John Hull and Aaron Lewis; 
Clerk, L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of the Peace, 
Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 

1858. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, M. D. Socie and Ashtord 
Poston; Clerk, L. Steenrod; Treasurer, C. Steenrod: Justices of 
the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. .Mintun. 



408 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

1859. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, John G. Myers and John 
Hull; Clerk, Ashtbrd Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of 
the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L. Mintun. 

1860. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, G. L. Cooley, and Moses 
Lewis; Clerk, Ashford Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices ol 
the Peace, Joshua Sheffield and Thomas L Mintun. 

1861. — Trustees, Joshua Sheffield, G. L. Cooley and Moses 
Lewis; Clerk, Ashford Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices of 
the Peace, Robert R. Patterson. 

1862. — Trustees, Richard Matheny, G. L. Cooley and Win. 
Allbright; Clerk, Samuel K. Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Jus- 
tice ot* the Peace, Joseph Brett. 

1863. —Trustees, Richard Matheny, G. L. Cooley and J. G. 
Meyers; Clerk, Samuel N. Poston; Treasurer, C. Steenrod; Justices 
of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 

1864. — Trustees, Richard Matheny, Ashford Poston and J. G. 
Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justices 
of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 

1865. — Trustees, Richard Matheny, Ashford Poston and J. G. 
Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justices 
of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 

1866. — Trustees, Richard Matheny, Ashford Poston and J. G. 
Meyers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justices 
of the Peace, Ashford Poston and Robert Patterson. 

1867. — Trustees, Aaron Lewis, P. H. Moore and J. G. Meyers; 
Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justice of the 
Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 

1868. — Trustees, Moses Lewis, R. R. Patterson and J. G. Mey- 
ers; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justice of 
the Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 

1869.— Trustees, Wm. Comstock, S. N. Poston and John Beck- 
ler; Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, John W. Scott; Justice of the 
Peace, W. C. Hickman. 

1870.— Trustees, P. H. Moore, C. Steenrod and J. S. Butt; 
Clerk, John Harrison; Treasurer, J. S. Scott; Justice of the 
Peace, Thomas L. Mintun. 

18'71. — Trustees, J. G. Meyers, John Thompson and Harrison 
Atwood; Clerk, L. S. Aisles; Treasurer, J. S. Scott. 

1872. — Trustees, John G. Meyers, Chas. A. Cable and John 
Beckler; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. S. Scott. 

1873.— Trustees, J. G. Meyers, Chas. A. Cable and John Beck- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 409 

ler; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. S. Scott; Justices of the 
Peace, Thomas L. Mintun and Moses Lewis. 

1874.— Trustees, J. G. Meyers, John Beckler and Win. W. Pos- 
ton; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. S. Scott. 

1875. — Trustees, fin. W. Poston, K. R. Patterson and A. H. 
Wells; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, John C. Parker; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Wesley C. Hickman and P. R Patterson. 

1876.— Trustees, J. G. Meyers, Win. W. Poston and A. H. 
Wells; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justice of 
the Peace, Moses Lewis. 

1877. — Trustees, A. H. Wells, Mason Andrews and Chas. A. 
Cable; Clerk, John F. Camp; Treasurer, J. C. Parker. 

1878.— Trustees, Chas. A. Cable, Thomas P. Scott and Mason 
Andrews; Clerk, John F. Camp; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justices 
of the Peace, David Putnam and R. R. Patterson. 

1879. — Trustees, W. G. Hickman, James Dew and J. G. Mey- 
ers; Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker. 

1880. — Trustees, W. G. Hickman, James Six and A. H. Wells; 
Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justice of the 
Peace, John Grimm. 

1881. — Trustees, A. II. Comes, James Six and A. H. Wells; 
Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justices of the 
Peace, J. A. Stick and W. C. Hickman. 

1882.— Trustees, James Six, W. J. Hayburn and A. II. Wells; 
Clerk, J. R. Hickman; Treasurer, J. C. Parker; Justice of the 
Peace, John F. Camp. 

BUCHTEL VILLAGE. 

The village of Buchtel is situated in the northern part of York 
Township, part of it being across the line in Hocking County. It 
is situated near Snow Fork, a branch of Monday Creek, and 
on the Monday Creek branch of the C, 11. V. & T. Rail- 
way. The village was laid out by John R. Buchtel, of Akron, 
Ohio, in the spring of 1876, having a short time before, as 
representative of the Akron Iron Company, purchased upward 
of 2,000 acres of mineral land in Athens and Hocking counties. 
The same year the furnace at this place was built, which, in all 
its departments, immediately offered employment to over 600 
men. The village grew rapidly, and in the course of a few 
months nearly 200 houses had sprung up, most of which were 
built by the Akron Iron Co. This company still owns 178 



410 HISTORY OF HOOKING \ ai i IV. 

of the houses, at least one half of which are occupied by two or 
more families. The inhabitants are almost all laborers and clerks 
in the employ of the company. It has, at present, two physicians, 
11. T. Lee and V. C. Armstrong-, with about 1,500 inhabitants. 
Two ohurches are in course of erection, a Roman Catholic and a 
M thodist Episcopal. The store at this place, I by the 

oompanyin 1831, is decidedly the most extensive mercantile estab 
lishment in the Hooking Valley. Sinoe the early history of the vil- 
lage a store had existed whioh was controlled by the company, but 
managed by Mr. D. Jackson, who was an independent partner 
in the store. The present store is a massive brick structure, 60 x 130 
feet in dimensions, two stories high, with a oellar under the entire 
building. It handles nearly everything known to the mercantile 
business and comprises tour departments, each of which occupies a 
large store-room, the average stock carried being worth $70,000. 
The store building and fixtures cost over $30,000. On the second 
floor, besides a large store-room, is an opera hall with a seating 
capacity of 500, a hall occupied by the Odd-Fellows lodge, and a 
doctor's otliee. The furnace at Buchtel is one of the largest in the 
valley, and this, together with the evil mining at this place, makes 
it an important mining- center. The postoffioe was established in 
the fall of LS77 by Mr. O. IV Jackson, he being the first Postmas- 
ter, serving until April. 1882, when Mr. W. J. Hamilton was ap- 
pointed, Mr. Jackson having gone out of business at this place and 
left the village. 

[E riES. 

. ZVo. 712, /. O. O. /*.. was instituted July 6, 
1882. The charter members were: Thos. N. Black, X. Q . , Win. 
Palmer, V. G.; W.N Black, R. S.; L. A. Whitmore, P.S.; J.J. 
Lane, G lorge Sowers,Wm. Snyder, Wesley Duffee, Thomas Clark, 
Littlejohn, W. B. Gilmore, Nicholas Brown, E. A. Petty, 
Samuel Campbell, Theo lore Hedge and Henry G-aver. The mem- 
bership, at present, is about seventy-four. The present officers are: 
J. J. Lane. N\ G.; Henry Gaver, Y. G.; 1>. W. Conner, Et S ; 
and 11. W. Veon, P.S. 

A' - [sse ' . No. 1,516, A', of L.. located at Buchtel, 

was established April 15, 1880, with twenty charter members. The 

nal officers were: John McMahon, M. W.; Robert Bradley, 

W, V.\ Ebeuezer Moses, li. S, The present officers are: S. D. 

Hannah. M. Wo. Jacob Kin; :, W. V. ; Charles Covert, Et S. The 



HISTi VALLEY. J 11 

'ijt, membership of tl An- 

other assembly of the ame order, the 

Humboldt Assembly, a German ociety, holds its meetings in 
the hall owned by the ab< 

York Lodge, . \ ■ K oj I '. . 
from Nelsonville in the fall of L882. I' then had 
and I . ad ing officers are: VV. D. 

B. C; E. W. Woody, C. C, and A. J. Horton, V ' 

'/'/"■ Tom Dew Post, (J. A. /.'. located 
lished Jan. charter \iK:in\><; 

are as follows: .1. .1. Lane, Commander; Joseph Etobison, V 

C )mmander; W. R. 
Gilmore. Q G den, Adjutant; Ferd Conner, 

Officer of the D; th Guard, and W. D 

McLai a, CI aplain. 







CHAPTER XVI. 

CITY OF NELSONVILLE, THE MINERA.L CITY OF THE HOCKING 

VALLEY. 

The Mineral City — Rather Elongated — Hills of Coal and 
Iron — Where Located — Some Account of its Early Settlers 
— First Bridge over the Hocking River — First Library and 
Society — Some old Papers of Value — Settlers in 1827 — J as. 
Knight's Prophecy — Letter to Dr. Hildreth — The Comple- 
tion of the Canal — Coal Operators — Heavy Work — Manu- 
factures — City Officers — Churches — Public Schools — 
Lodges and Societies — Business Interests — 1866 — 1883. 

the mineral city of the valley. 

Nelsonville is not only the largest city in the Hocking Valley, 
but is also the most important point in mining interests in South- 
eastern and Southern Ohio. It is located on the Hocking River, 
in the midst of one of its most fertile portions, and extends back 
to the hills, which rear their majestic proportions, giving from 
their bold outlines a pleasing view in contrast to the valley in 
which the town lies, and which has extended itself for nearly a 
mile in length — still growing and still elongating, with but little 
prospect of stopping until another mile or so of the valley is 
wrapped in its loving embrace. It is so rich in its mineral sur- 
rounding, so inexhaustible in its coal supply, and so fertile is the 
valley upon whose bosom it lies, that Nelsonville is destined to re- 
tain the prestige she now holds of being the largest and most 
important city in the rich and beautiful valley of the Hocking 
River. She has not so commanding a site as Athens, neither 
can she show so wide a plain, gentle elevations and handsome 
drives as Logan, but the wonderful wealth of those massive hills 
which surround her gives a very beautiful look to the eye of the 
man of business and practical knowledge when he gazes upon 
them, which, with but a flimsy covering of a few feet of earth, hold 
within their embrace a world of wealth. So Nelsonville, confined 
in the narrow valley, will gradually extend herself up and down for 

(412) 








'■'■■ ■'. 



vt 



\ 



^v 7 / /Pit-^Ciri^^ 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 413 

miles, while her breadth will scarcely, at any point, exceed a 
quarter of a mile. And under her black and unprepossessing look 
she carries a warm heart, and he who wishes to make a home here 
is received with open arms, and the race for a competency or 
wealth is opened to him, free, to exercise his own best talent and 
judgment to win the prize. Nelsonville is situated in the north- 
ern part of York Township, a small portion of the incorporated 
land lying over the border in Hocking County. It lies on the left 
bank of the Hocking River, on the line of the C, H. Y. & T. Rail- 
way, and the Hocking Canal. The Monday Creek branch of the 
C, H. Y. & T. Railway leaves the main line at this point, connect- 
ing it with New Straitsville and other mining towns in Perry and 
Hocking counties. 

EARLY DAYS. 

Prior to 1814 two families, named Johnson and Hurlbert, had 
settled in the wilderness of the Hocking Yalley, building their 
log cabins within sight of each other, very near to the present 
site of Nelsonville. This was the only interruption to an un- 
broken wilderness between the then scanty settlement of Athens 
and the early settlements near Logan. In 1814 Mr. Daniel Nel- 
son, an intelligent and prosperous citizen of Shrewsbury, Mass., 
purchased a large tract of land from an agent of the Ohio Com- 
pany, and came with his family to settle and improve it. He 
reached the site of Nelsonville in August, 1814, and, as soon as 
possible, erected a double log-cabin for a dwelling, on the ground 
where now stands the dwelling of Mr. John Burberry, just west of 
W. B. Brooks's store. 

The following is from the Centennial address of W. C. Hickman 
at Nelsonville, July 4, 1876. " In June, 1818, York Township was 
organized, and on the 16th of the same month Daniel Nelson laid out 
the village of Nelsonville, which was properly named in honor of 
the founder, who well deserved that and greater acknowledgment, 
for his public-spirted energy of character, and for his foresight and 
generosity to the then weak, struggling village. Let me say 
here, that no selfish act nor an instance of close exacting dealing- 
is shown, by such items of history as we can now gather, to have 
been perpetrated by Daniel Nelson toward the village he 
founded, or toward those who had cast their lot in it. He has 
long since passed to his final account; but these words can truth- 
fully be said of him, and it is his due that they be thus publicly 



414 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

expressed. His death occurred on the 20th of May, 1835. The 
original plat comprised fifty-seven lots, numbering from one to 
fitty -seven. Two streets were named — Columbus and Mulberry. 
In the month of October, 3d day, 1825, Mr. Nelson laid out twenty 
additional town lots, numbering from fifty-eight to sevent} T -seven, 
both inclusive. At that time the town had not developed to any 
great extent; but those who lived here had taith in its future, and 
were getting ready for its growth. When Captain John Hull came 
there were but eight houses here. The oldest of these, a cabin, be- 
longing to Johnson, stood south of Steenrod ife Poston's mill, 

between the present bed of the canal and the railroad. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Mr. Nelson was a man of great energy, and was soon making 
more permanent improvements than were common to new settle- 
ments, and drawing about him men of an enterprising disposition. 
In 1816 Mr. Josiah Coe located near and built a flouring mill on 
the river bank, the same one now owned by Mr. Chas. Bobbins. 
Soon after, in about 1820, Mr. Thomas Thompson came and kept 
a hotel on the south side of the public square, only a few rods from 
the present Dew House. He was succeeded in the hotel business 
by Mr. Claudius L. Fisk, who built a brick tavern on the site ot 
Mr. Chas. A. Cable's residence. Mr. James Knight, an ener 
getic and enterprising Englishman, came in 1822 and inaugurated 
the mercantile business, bringing a small stock of goods with him 
on his first arrival. His store was a small frame building, stand- 
ing on the lot now occupied by his son, Wallace W. Knight, the 
building now being attached to and forming a part of the store 
of Mr. A. H. Carnes. Thus gradually but slowly the infant settle- 
ment grew. Although but a few people had gathered in, a town 
was laid out by Mr. Nelson in 1823, he at that time deeding to the 
village the public square and the lot on which now stands the pub- 
lic school building, the latter to be used for a church and school lot. 
Between 1816 and 1820 Mr. George Conrtauld, a wealthy Eng- 
lishman, purchased land and settled on what is now a part of 
Longstreth's Addition, about one mile from the original village ot 
Nelsonville. He brought with him among others a family of 
grown children, some of whom were married, all of whom began 
earnestly to prosecute the plan of establishing a village. Consid- 
erable land was cleared,a store was kept by Mr. Courtauld, and 
through his efforts a postoffice was established in 1821, which he 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 415 

kept in his store. This community prospered and bid fair to ful- 
fill the anticipations of its proprietor, until, when on a business trip 
to the East, Mr. Courtauld suddenly died and the remainder of the 
company soon gave up the enterprise and returned to England. 
Coal was known to exist in the hills about Nelsonville even at this 
date, but it was not mined and did nothing toward developing the 
village until several years later. Inhabitants were attracted by 
the beauty and convenience of location, and the fertilitv of the soil. 
The principal industry was clearing and cultivating the land and 
transporting the products to market. An avenue tor this nurpose 
was supplied by the Hocking River, on which plied the flatboats 
of active tradesmen, transporting goods to and from the greater 
markets. The growth of the village in its early days was due, how- 
ever, in a great measure to the efforts of Mr. Nelson and a few 
others; through their efforts roads were opened connecting the 
village with other settlements in this part of the State, a bridge 
was built across the river, said to be the first to span the Hocking 
and many other efforts were put forth to secure prosperity and 
growth. 

After the death of Mr. Courtauld in 1823, Mr. Nelson was ap- 
pointed to succeed him as Postmaster, and he removed the office 
to his own village Jan. 1, 1824, the name of the office being 
changed to Nelsonville. 

FIRST BRIDGE OVER THE HOCKIIOCKING. 

The next move of importance was the building of a bridge across 
the Hocking River. This was started in 1827. May 21 of that 
year an advertisement was put up on trees and other places, say- 
ing a committee of four persons would receive proposals to build 
a bridge across the Hocking River, and that plans, etc., would be 
found in the hands of Mr. James Knight. The plans and spec- 
ifications of this, the first bridge ever built across the Hocking 
River, is now in the hands of W. W. Knight, his son, and 
are well worthy of examination. A subscription paper was taken 
around for contributions. The largest donation was $20, and the 
smallest 50 cents. The subscription paper read, that those wish- 
ing to pay their subscriptions in labor could do so, and they would 
be allowed the munificent sum of 50 cents per day, and they board 
themselves. Corn would be received at 25 cents per bushel, wheat 
at 50 cents per bushel, whisky at 25 cents per gallon, and pork at 



416 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

$2 per 100 pounds. There was one man from Columbus who 
subscribed $5, one from Marietta $5, four from Lancaster, in 
all $10, being two of $5 each and two of $3, and the township of 
York $10 from the road fund. There were some four bids, but 
Mr. Nelson secured the job by agreeing to take the subscription 
paper at par and do his own collecting. The subscription amounted 
to $442.50, and Mr. Nelson got $400 out of it, and made to the 
commissioners the following statement : Bridge, per contract, 
$410; extra work, $85; total $495; subscription list, $440.50; bad, 
$40.50; net, $400; out of pocket, $95. The bridge was completed 
and accepted by the commissioners Oct. 23, 1828, and on May 5, 
1829, that bridge started down the Hocking River on a vojage ot 
discovery, and, so far as the people of Nelsonville know to the 
contrary, is still prosecuting its search. It was to stand one year, 
and resulted in a lawsuit and loss to the contractor. Some years 
later, in 1832, another bridge was erected. 

FIRST LIBRARY. 

In 1827 there was also a movement for the establishment of a 
village or town library, and a report of this was made Sept. 7, 
1828, when it was shown they had forty-seven volumes of miscel- 
laneous works in their possession. 

Mr. Knight has in his possession, in the original, an i : ; . 
several of them, headed, "An Essay on the Deity of Jesus 
Christ," by Thos. Scott, Rector of Aston Sanford, and dated Nov. 
5, 1774. Part of these writings are in short-hand, and some of 
the passages are strikingly original. Some of the reverend gen- 
tlemen of Athens County might find food for thought in perusing 
this manuscript, or at least get some idea of what was the belief 
or the doctrine held over 100 years ago. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

The first settlers of Nelsonville have been given, but the follow- 
ing named persons were residing in the village Jan. 1, 1827, as 
their names were found on the subscription paper in January aud 
February of that year, to the Hocking Bridge: Jas. Knight, C. L. 
Fisk, Win. Biggerstaff, Wm. Harper, Robert Thompson, Amorn 
Entsminger, Jas. Pickett, Jos. Brett, Saul Pickett, Jonathan 
White, Daniel Nelson, Jas. Tenants, Wm. Long, John Rochester, 
M. B. Lovewell, Samuel K. Harrington, Jacob Feirce, Jacob 



BISTORT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 417 

Skeiver, Calvin Thompson, Richard Mills, Thos. Thompson, Geo. 
Mills, Win. Gleason, John McKeye, Abijah Weaver, Martin L. 
Sheppard, Thos. Campbell, F. Billinghurst, John Ilnme, E. Stew- 
art, David Robert. Thos. Brien, John Brown, B. Brice, Chas. Ship- 
man, Robt. Callis, Isaac Barker, Hocking H. Huhler. Wm. Stew- 
art, G. Kincannon, Harry Henshaw, Harvey Weill, Geo. Walker, 
Christian Eby, Justus Reynold, Leroy Allen, Norman Root, John 
Beach, Jos. B. Miles, A. Cormac, David Johnson, Calvary Morris, 
Solomon Finney, Dwight Jarvis, John Wight, A. Brown, John 
Noble, G. Browning, E. Hibbard, John Wright, Henry Bartlett, 
Thos. Irvin, Ebenezer Carrier, R. E. Constable, Jno. Dana, Cephas 
Carpenter, J. J. Fuller, Emery Newton, E. Burnett, Thos. Harris, 
Chas. O'Neil, S. F. McCracken, S. B. Pruden, C. F. Perkins, Sam- 
uel Entsminger, Benjamin Johnson, Jacob Claypool, David Skiver, 
John Graham, John S. Putman, Elias Spencer, Nicholas Bates, 
George French, Elijah Watkins, Samuel Lewis, John Council, 
Daniel Jacob, Thos. Watkins, Jas. Coe, Jos. S. Rollins, John Ent- 
sminger, David Dunham, Solomon Tuttle. Rufus P. Danir, Peter 
M. Dodd, John Conrad, John Weavin, Daniel Boomer, Moses 
Lewis, Edmund Terry, John Samson, Jacob Benjamin, Henry 
Hansen, Edmund Weavin, Thos. Snider, Solomon Roberts, John 
Roberts, John Chamberlin, John Dodd, Michael Weavin, John Per- 
kins, Amos Crippin, Wilmarth Allen, Seth Morge. 

ORIGINAL TAPERS OF VALDE. 

The first society organized in Nelsonville was in the fall of 1823, 
and was called the " York Township Amicable Library Society." 
No person living outside of York Township was allowed to become 
a member. It flourished for several years, held debates on various 
subjects, and was really the foundation of what was called the 
" Nelsonville Library," which assumed the name in 1827. The 
original papers of this library are in the hands of W. W. Knight, 
left him by his father, Mr. James Knight. Mr. Knight has man} 7 
other papers of interest left him by his father, but there is one of 
singular importance and prophesy, a copy of a letter written to 
Dr. Hildreth, of Marietta, Ohio, by Mr. Knight, which shows him 
to have been one of the shrewdest men of his time, and had he 
lived (he died Aug. 26, 1836) would have held a prominent, 
if not the foremost, one, in the history of the town and county. 
He at that day, 1833-'34, had alread^v divined the future of Nel- 
sonville and the Hocking Valley, and he prophesied truly when he 



418 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

said, "These hills were not placed here without design, nor without 
their uses; man has not yet found out their value." He was in- 
deed a prophet, a man of clear sense, a mind given to analj r sis and 
tracing effects from causes. In the light of the facts which have 
been developed the past few years, and the future which may now 
be considered known of this great valley, Mr. Knight's prophesy 
has come true, and only his observing eye and clear mind were able 
at that time to grasp the future of the valley of the great Hock- 
hocking. Here is the letter, and it is well worthy a place in the 
historic pages of Ohio history : 

COPY OF A LETTER SENT TO DR. HILDRETH, OF MARIETTA, OHIO, 

JAN. 17, 1834. 

This letter was dated Jan. 14, 1834, but filed on the 17th as 
sent at that time. 

Nelsonville, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1834. 

"Dr. S. P. Hildreth, Dear Sir: — Yours of the 25tli of December 
came safely to hand. I have to thank you for your very compli- 
mentary communication. I assure you nothing would give me 
more pleasure than to give you a reply in full to all your queries, 
did I feel myself sufficiently qualified to answer them in such a 
scientific manner as would be understood. The only answer I 
could possibly give you at this time is in general terms, as the 
time (1st of February) which you wish to have all the queries an- 
swered is so near at hand, and the season of the year so unpropi- 
tious for actual observation or research, as to render it impossible 
with me to do half justice to so interesting an enquiry. I thought 
it best to give a general answer without delay, and at the same 
time to say that as soon as the season of the year will allow you to 
leave home with any degree of comfort, to just take your horse and 
ride out here and pass a few days with me. In the interval I will 
make minutes where will be found the most interesting spots for 
our attention to be directed. I shall take great pleasure in spend- 
ing a few days in this way — it is what I have long wished to do 
in company with some person of science. I believe here will be 
more found that relates to the mineral kingdoms worthy of partic- 
ular notice than is generally known, or than you can form any cor- 
rect idea of. 

" In the first place we have the coal strata, aud those which are 
most particularly known to us are such as have presented them- 
selves by the washings ot runs and hollows in the hills. Veins are 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 419 

to be found from one to ten feet thick, in this vicinity, above 
the level of the bottom land. I believe I could show you at least 
100 that have presented themselves. I opened a bank the other 
day, on the side of a hill (at a lick), which was certainly from 
twenty to twenty-five feet higher in the strata than one which I knew 
only about one quarter of a mile distant. The one I opened was only 
two feet to two feet, three inches in thickness. The one referred to 
a quarter of a mile distant has a strata of from five to six feet. The 
quality of our coal is better than I ever had on my fire in England. 
I learn also that in sinking the salt well on Sunday Creek, that the 
first strata of coal was a few feet below the surface, and that an- 
other was passed through eleven feet thick, 100 feet below the 
first. My personal observation has not been sufficiently particular 
to state for a fact on what level the thickest stratas are to be found, 
but I believe it is to be in general just above the bottom lands 
level. 

" We have limestone, also, on most of our hills, in some places in 
considerable quantity, and I have observed it, also, in several gul- 
leys that are far below the usual line of level of the hill-tops. 

"Iron Ore, I believe in quantity inexhaustible will be found 
here. My impression is, that in the hills there are large quantities, 
from the pieces that have presented themselves in plowing, etc. 
In many other places not far distant I know it exists in large 
quantities and easily attainable. 

" The large sandstone rocks are generally found near the top of the 
hills, and frequently below them is a kind of shelly soapstone, of- 
ten impregnated strongly with alum; then layers of freestone, say 
ten inches to a foot in thickness, which will, in time, be uncom- 
monly valuable. In some instances large flat stones of two inches 
thick, suitable for paving, are found. It is under these the coal gen- 
erally presents itelf — though not iu all cases. I am fully persuaded 
that there is slate in this vicinity, of a hardness sufficient to cover 
a house. 

" I know a place, also, where thin fine stone, say from one-third 
to one-half inch in thickness, can be found that could be dressed 
for the same purpose — it would be worked profitably were it in 
England. 

""Alum, salt-peter and copperas are known to exist in many 
places. These I will endeavor to get full information of by the 
time you visit us. I believe I could introduce you to a spring that 
possesses all the virtues of the Saratoga. 



420 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

" Here is also a fire-clay, when dry perfectly white, and apparent- 
ly free from any impure admixture. It does not appear to possess 
the virtue of marl. I think fine earthenware could be made of it. 

" In short, Nature has been so bountiful in this part of the coun- 
try that we know not yet how to appreciate the value. A week's 
research of a few scientific men would discover more than all that 
is yet known. I have always been of the opinion, and daily experi- 
ence tends to confirm it, that this will be in a very few years the 
richest section of the State of Ohio. These hills were not placed 
here without design, nor without their uses. Man has not yet 
found out their value. We merely stir a little of their surface 
with no enterprise to go farther, but the time is not far distant 
when all our lands will be explored, and these hills which have so 
long been considered as of no value, and not worth paying taxes 
for, will be the most carefully sought. Excuse this hasty and un- 
connected communication. 

" I am very respectfully yours, 

" James Knight." 

Mr. Knight had been in correspondence with Mr. Hildreth over 
two years previous to this date, back in 1832, and had been stren- 
uous in his efforts to get a few scientific men and geologists to 
thoroughly examine the countr\ T around. He had divined its 
wealth and he wished for a full exploration to test his belief. 
Whether Prof. Hildreth came and examined the country or not, as 
this letter seems to carry out the idea that he promised to do, we 
know not, but it was nut long after this that the country began to 
attract attention in regard to its coal deposits and its iron ores and 
fire-clay, etc. This brought forward the canal project to ship this 
coal, and this, having been started and every prospect of its being 
completed in a few years, brought capitalists who largely invested 
in the coal lands. 

CANAL COMPLETED. 

On the completion of the canal in 1840 an efficient means of 
transportation was offered and Nelsonville was soon transformed 
into an active and growing mining town. While mining and ship- 
ping coal was a new business it was engaged in by almost every 
one who owned land or was able to lease mines, but on a small 
scale, as the modern facilities for extensive mining were not known, 
or if known could n<>t lie afforded. Of course the completion of 
the canal was the placing of Nelsonville upon a secure foundation. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 421 

The mining operations began to increase largely and rapidly, and 
it was not many years before it passed into the hands of capitalists 
who could combine and carry out larger business interests. 

The first coal put to use in Nelsonville was taken from the river 
bed, but the use was very limited, being confined almost entirely 
to the blacksmith shops. Two wagon loads of this river coal were 
hauled to Columbus in April, 1830, the first being a six-horse load, 
fifty-eight bushels, sold by James Knight to Gill and Greer, of 
Columbus, at four cents a bushel, delivered. But little coal was 
taken to market until the canal was finished, when it began to be 
mined and shipped in small quantities, although a bank had 
been opened on the north side of Johnson's Hill to supply the local 
demand, which is believed to be the first mine opened in the valley. 

COAL OPERATORS. 

Soon after the location of the Hocking Valley Canal Eastern cap- 
italists and others of our own State made extensive purchases of 
land along the line of the canal from Lick Run to Chauncey. 
Among the most extensive purchasers were Thomas Ewing and 
Samuel F. Yinton, who shortly afterward associated with them- 
selves Nicholas Biddle and Elihu Chauncey, of Philadelphia, un- 
der the name of Ewing, Vinton & Co. The firm made an opening 
for coal about the time of the completion of the canal to Nelson- 
ville. Their mine was located in the hillside on the Nelsonville 
seam of coal, at the Dorr Run canal basin, on what is now the 
west end of the incorporated village of Nelsonville. 

Shortly after the mine of Biddle, Ewing & Vinton was opened 
another opening by Fuller & Walker (James Fuller and A. B. 
Walker, of Athens,) was made a little further up the river. Then 
C. Fay, John Crothers, C. Steenrod, Launcelot Scott. J. F. Som- 
ers and L. Steenrod were found among the pioneer miners of the 
valley. Their mines were situated on both sides of the flocking 
River, at Nelsonville, and the coal was hauled in wagons from the 
mouth of the mines to the canal, dumped on the wharf and loaded 
on the boats with wheelbarrows. 

Steenrod & Scott operated in what is known as the old Steenrod 
works, just below the village. They were in p irtnership, but 
soon after dissolved, Steenrod keeping the old works and Scott 
opening new mines in what is now known as Robbin's Hill. These 
mines were successfully worked by Mr. Scott for a number of years 



422 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

when, on his death, the business passed into the hands of Mr. L. 
D. Poston, a son-in-law, who followed it up on a more extended 
scale. Among the more prominent early operators were also Mr. 
Mathew Yanwormer, of Boston, who conducted a mine just back 
of the village, and Dr. Robert Fulton, who operated across the 
river in what was afterward known as Brooks's mines. The com- 
pletion of the C. & H. Y. Railway gave another great impetus to 
the coal trade in the valley, and consequently added much to the 
business and growth of Nelsonville. Since the village has been 
until recently dependent upon the operations in coal, and its growth 
virtually governed by such operations.it is deemed proper to trace, 
in a brief way, a history of the business of some ot the leading en- 
terprises as identical with the growth of the village. Mr. W. B. 
Brooks, though a resident of Columbus, has done much to assist 
the growth of Nelsonville and secure the development of its natu- 
ral wealth. He came to Nelsonville in 1859 and, with Mathew 
Yanwormer, under the style of Yanwormer & Brooks, purchased 
300 acres of land all across the river from the town. They opened 
mines and conducted the coal trade on a large scale until June, 
1860, when Yanwormer withdrew and the business passed under 
the control of W. B. Brooks. 

These mines were supplied with an ice-breaking machine and 
continued shipping the year round. From the first the coal was 
transferred from the mine to the canal in cars, and there loaded 
into their own boats, for shipment. In 1869 Mr. Brooks purchased 
another tract of 600 acres immediately back of and north of Nel- 
sonville, known as section 19. Mines were opened on this land; 
the two works were run together until within a few years back, 
when the old mine became nearly exhausted. In the new mines 
were placed all the latest facilities for rapid and successful mining, 
including mining machines, an improved set of screens, and a sys- 
tem of pumps tor relieving the mine of water. The mining ma- 
chines and pumps are run by compressed air power, the pumps 
being automatic in their actions. Mr. Brooks, as one of the lead- 
ing citizens, has been liberal in the support of worthy enterprises. 
lie has been also largely in the mercantile business since he came 
to Nelsonville to inaugurate his mining enterprises, and erected 
the large brick store on the corner of the square, now occupied by 
the firm, in 1872. Mr. Brooks has recently taken his son into part- 
nership, under the firm name of W. B. Brooks ifc Son, they are 
doing a large business, and now put out some 200,000 tons of coal 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 423 

annually. Their largest day's work was the loading and shipping 
of 105 cars. 

L. D. Poston began operating in coal soon after the completion 
of the canal in 1840. His first business was in connection with Mr. 
Launcelot Scott, who, as already stated, operated in Robbin's 
Hill. When on the death of Mr. Scott the business fell into the 
hands of Mr. Poston, he greatly improved and enlarged the facili- 
ties, soon becoming one of the foremost operators in the valley. At 
this time the coal was wagoned from the mines to the wharf. The 
business steadily increased and the works became gradually more 
extensive by the application of new methods until the late war of 
the Rebellion, when the business sprang to double its former pro- 
portions. A short time previous to the war Mr. Poston had pur- 
chased the lands in which he had operated, having had them leased 
up to this time. When the C. & H. V. Railway was built the 
business was again enlarged, large quantities being shipped both 
by railroad and canal. 

In 1872 he bought a tract of 250 acres of land lying just east of 
the town and opened the mines. Having made all the prepara- 
tions for extensive mining the property was leased to his sons, C. 
L. and Wm. W. Poston, and a son-in-law, E. P. Pendleton, for 
twenty years, himself retiring entirely from the business in 1875. 
The business was continued under the firm name of Poston & 
Pendleton. In 1880 Wm. W. Poston and Pendleton sold their 
interest to McClintick and Smith, of Chillicothe, Ohio, who are 
the present partners of C. L. Poston, under the firm name of C. L. 
Poston & Co. This firm recently purchased 400 acres of mineral 
land in the Monday Creek Valley, and are mining about 100,000 
tons of coal a year, having constantly in its employ about 165 men. 
They own a large store on the public square, doing a business of 
about $50,000 a year. 

Thaddeus Longstreth. — This gentleman began operating in coal 
at Nelsonville in the summer of 1867. He came from Warren 
County, Ohio, and bought an interest in the coal works of W. G. 
Power & Co., who were working mines leased of Rhodes & Phil- 
lips. In 1869 Mr. Longstreth bought out his partners and about 
the same time bought the land on which the works were situated. 
Since that time he has been operating alone, the business con 
stantly increasing. In December, 1878, he purchased a large tract 
of coal land in Hocking County and opened extensive works on 
it. He employs, at Nelsonville, about 200 men and ships about 



424 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

120,000 tons of coal a year. In 1871 he laid out the eastern part 
of Nelsonville, known as Longstreth's addition, which consists of 
17S lots laid out on improved and well-laying ground. This addi- 
tion is already mostly taken up by dwellings, and will probably be, 
in a few years, a valuable portion of the city. The store owned by 
Mr. Longstreth is a large and substantial brick building situated 
in the addition. It was built in 1874, is 30 x 90 feet in dimensions, 
with a cellar under the whole of it. Mr. Longstreth, by support- 
ing public enterprises, and by the extent of his individual business 
interests, has done much for the welfare and growth of Nelsonville. 
These are the largest and oldest of coal interests, but there are 
several other operators well deserving of mention, both in the 
extent of their mining operation and their energy and enterprise. 
Among these are Johnson Bros. & Co., Juniper Brothers, Nelson- 
ville Mining Company, L. Steenrod and W. A. Shoemaker & Co. 
There are between 1,000 and 1,200 miners at work in these several 
mines, and very many of them are owners of their own dwellings. 
The price now paid for mining is 80 cents per ton. 

NOT ALL MINING. 

Nelsonville has, beside her mining and manufacturing inter- 
ests, a number of elegant and substantial public buildings, among 
them the Methodist Episcopal church, which is an exceptionally 
fine and substantial structure; the Opera House, a substantial 
structure situated on the public square, and a number of very line 
store buildings. She has at present a population of about four 
thousand inhabitants. 

The town was incorporated by act of the Legislature in 183S. 
The first election for town officers was held April 27, 1S39, when 
Charles Cable was elected Mayor; A. J. Bond, Recorder; John 
Coe, S. M. Shepard, John Hull, W. "W. Poston and James Rusk, 
Trustees. Luther Burt was appointed Marshal of the village, and 
Robert Miller, Treasurer. James Rusk declining to serve as Trus- 
tee, Thomas L. Mintun was appointed in his place. Since then 
the following persons have filled the town offices; up to 1870 
only the Mayors arc named: Charles Cable, elected in 1S3S; Wm. 
Burlingame, 1840; Ebenezer Fenimore, 1811; Solomon Roberts, 
1842; James Denver, 1843; R. G. McLean, 1815, 184b'-'47, no 
record; Lewis Steenrod, 1848 (Mr. Steenrod resigning, A. J. 
Guitteau was appointed for his unexpired term); I>. A. Lincoln, 
1850; Thomas L. Mintun, 1S52; L. Hutchins, 1853; II. II. Myers, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 425 

1S54; A. M. Burgess, 1855; C. T. Hyde, 1856; J. E. Price, 
1858; A. H. Burrell, 1859; J. E. Howe, 1861; M. A. Stewart, 
1862; James Eddington, 1864; H. H. Myers, 1865; Jacob C. 
Frost, 1866; R. R Patterson, 1867; John F. Welch, 1868. 

1870. — Mayor, John F. Welch; Clerk, W. C. Hickman; Treas- 
urer, John C. Parker; Council, Win. Coins toe k, James Edding- 
ton, S. C. Koutner and C. Steenrod. 

1871.— Mayor, S. W. Butt; Clerk, J. A. Benson; Council, Geo. 
Sotners, A. N. Bull, S. Spencer, James Verity and Frank Jones. 

1872.— Mayor. Thomas L. Mintun; Clerk, A. D. Miller; Coun- 
cil, A. 1ST. Bull, S. Spencer, A. Poston, James Verify and J. F. 
Welch. 

1873. — Mayor, Thomas L. Mintun; Clerk, L. L. Scott; Coun- 
cil, J. F. Welch, S. N. Poston, Thomas Berry, Geo. Soiners and 
S. C. Koutner. 

1874. — Mayor, Wm. Gilliam; Clerk, James Verity; Council, 
W. W. Poston, J. W. Scott, J. M. Martin, Geo. Somers and S. 
C. Koutner. 

1875. — Mayor, A. J. Schrader; Clerk, James Verity; Council, 
JohnT. Gray. B. C. Lefevre, S. C. Koutner, J. M. Martin, J. W. 
Scott and W. W. Poston. 

1876.— Mayor, R.R.Ellis; Clerk, J. D. Jackson; Council, C. 

A. Cable, J. T. Gray, J. F. Welch, B. C. Lefevre, S. C. Koutner 
and W. W. Poston. 

1877.— Mayor, R. R. Ellis; Clerk, L. C. Steenrod; Council, J. 
F. Brodt, John T. Gray, S. F. Robinet, C. A. Cable, J. F. Welch 
and AV. W. Poston. 

1878. — Mayor, John F. Camp (R. R. Patterson filling out un- 
expired term); Clerk, L. C. Steenrod; Council, C. A. Cable, W. 

B. Devore, T. R. Blake, J. F. Brodt, John T. Gray and S. F. Rob- 
inet. 

1879 — Mayor, Asher Buckley; Clerk, L. C. Steeurod; Council, 
Wm. Comstock, Geo. F. Gardner, Branson Poston, C. A. Cable, 
W. B. Devore and T. R. Blake. 

1880. — Mayor, Asher Buckley; Clerk, Wm. Fisner; Council, 
Frank Cooley, Calvin Haines, T. P. .Marshall, John T.Gray, 
Branson Poston and G. F. Gardner. 

1881. — Mayor, Asher Buckley; Clerk, Win. Fisner; Council, 
Branson Poston, I. P. Primrose, T. R. Blake, T. P. Marshall, 
John F. Gray and Frank Cooley. 



426 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1882.— Mayor, James A. Tobin; Clerk, J. W. Bates; Council. 
E. H. Davis, W. P. Sliepard, Jacob Stoneburner, I. P. Primrose, 
T. R. Blake and Branson Poston. 

1883. — Mayor, James A. Tobin; Clerk, Eben Wilson; Council, 
T. R. Blake, E. H. Davis, Jacob Stoneburner, I. P. Primrose, 
John Hill and W. P. Sheparcl. 

THE POSTOFFICE. 

The office was established Aug. 7, 1821, by Mr. George Court- 
aulcl, who was appointed Postmaster, and who kept the office in 
his store, in what is now Longstreth's Addition. The office was 
called Englishtown while kept at this place until Jan. 1, 1S24, 
when it was removed to Nelsonville and the name changed. Mr. 
Daniel Nelson was at this time appointed Postmaster, holding the 
position until 1832, although the business of the office was done 
by Mr. James Knight, who acted as Mr. Nelson's clerk, and in 
1832 became his successor. Since then the Postmasters have been 
as follows: James Knight, 1832 to 1836; John Lillabridge, 1836 
to 1839; Henry Parkson, 1839 to 1840; L. D. Poston, 1840 to 
1848; John H. Tucker, 1848 to 1850; Charles Cable, 1850 to 1852; 
Alfred Condon, 1852 to 1855; C. A. Cable, 1855 to 1857; M. A. 
Stuart, 1857 (two quarters); Joseph Brett, 1857 to 1862; T. L. 
Mintun, 1862 to 1866; John F. Welch, 1866 to 1871; Elliott Gard- 
ner, Dec. 9, 1871, to 1878; J. W. Frost, 1S78 to present time. It 
was made a money-order office Aug. 1, 1870, the first order being 
issued on that day to John Mankoph, payable to the Times Chron- 
icle Co., Cincinnati, O., for the amount of $2.00. Up to the 
present date, March 29, 1883, 1,635 orders have been issued. It was 
changed from a fourth to a third class office Jan. 1, 1882. The 
sale of stamps for the year 1882 amounted to $2,826.96. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodist Episcopal. — This societ} 7, was first organized 
about 1836. Prior to this time the only church society which ex- 
isted here was the United Brethren, who held meetings in the 
school-house or in a dwelling, as opportunity was afforded. This 
society was of short duration, being to a great extent absorbed by 
the Methodist society when it was formed. For a time this society 
used for its meetings dwellings and new buildings until they 
erected a building in 1838. It was a frame building 40 x 60 feet in 
dimensions, situated where the present church building now 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 427 

stands. The first regular preacher was Ezekiel Gavet. Until 1868 
the appointment belonged to a circuit, when it became a station 
belonging to the Ohio Conference. The successive pastors after it 
became a station have been Revs. Richard Doughty, I. Sminger, 
Samuel Bright, Jr., George W. Burns, Z. Fagan, II. B. Wester - 
velt and J. H. Gardner, the present Pastor. The old church was 
replaced by a new one in 1877, which is a very fine structure, 
costing about $20,000. Besides an auditorium it has a large Sab- 
bath-school room. 

The Presbyterian Church at Nelsonville was founded by Rev. 
Thomas J. Downie, Nov. 1, 1868, he being engaged to locate as 
Pastor the same year. The church at this time, and for a number 
of years after, held its meetings in the hall of the Odd Fellows so- 
ciety. On the first organization of the society the following offi- 
cers were elected: 

Elders, Jacob C. Frost, John G. Myers, Samuel N. Po:-ton, 
Charles A. Cable. Deacons, W. II. Burrill, John T. Gray, J. H. 
E. Howe, J. F. Brodt. Trustees, John W. Scott, William Coin- 
stock, John C. Barrow, William J. Power, J. F. Brodt. 

Mr. Downie remained Pastor up to the time of his death, March 
31, 1869. For a time, the church being without a pastor, Thomas L. 
Mintun occasionally filled the pulpit until Rev. W. L. S. Clark, of 
Western Missouri, visited the society in November of the same year, 
and he was engaged to officiate as Pastor unti March, 1870. The 
church was again without a pastor until Aug. 1 of the same year, 
when James Stickle, of Cincinnati, O., was chosen Pastor, remain- 
ing one year, when he resigned on account of poor health, and the 
Rev. Julius Straus succeeded him, who remained until Oct. 7, 1874, 
when he, too* resigned. Jan. 1, 1875, Rev. Silas Cooke, of Can- 
onsburg, Pa., became Pastor, he and also Mr. Straus having been 
regularly installed pastors. Mr. Cooke resigned in December, 1877, 
and was succeeded by the Rev. A. B. Rice, of Beverly, O., March 
13, 1878, and tilled the pulpit until April 13, 1881. Rev. A. A. 
Jameson, of Fairmount, W. Ya., was then engaged as a supply 
for one year, resigning July 23, 1882, being followed by the 
Rev. James II. Hawk, of Franklin, O., who is the present Pastor. 
In the fall of 1873 the First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville, 
was begun, and made ready for occupation in 1876. It was dedi- 
cated April 2, 1876, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. 
A. B. Boyd, of Lancaster, O. It is a fine brick building worth 



428 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

about $12,000. It is 40 x 60 feet in dimensions, has a Sabbath- 
school room, and is tarnished with steam heating apparatus. 

The Church of Christ. — This church was established in Nelson- 
ville in 1S57 by Rev. L. M. Harvey. The organization took 
place in the residence of W. P. Roberts, and for some time after 
the meetings were held in private houses and school-houses. In 
1859 a small house was built by the societj' on the hill-side now 
called Madison street. This building was sold for a private resi- 
dence in 1873, and a new church, the present one, was built on 
Fort street. The church property also includes a parsonage on 
the same lot with the church. The church building is not large 
but it is elegantly finished on the inside, and well located. It cost 
about $6,000. The Pastors during the church's history have been, 
Revs. L. M. Harvey, Nathan Moody, John Moody. A. P. Frost, 
W. B. Thompson, A. B. Wade, A. W. Dean, M. A. Harvey and 
A. P. Frost, whose second pastorate began Nov. 19, 1882. Prom- 
inent among the evangelists who have labored with this church 
are: B. F. Franklin, T. D. Garvin, T. J. Clark, Elisha White, 
S. H. Bingman, Daniel Sweeney, R. G. White and Ira J. Chase, 
the latter having conducted three successful meetings during the 
last twelve years. The church is out of debt and in a very pros- 
perous condition, claiming among its membership some of the most 
cultivated and influential residents of the city. 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

One of the early and most prominent features of the village was 
its strong desire for educational advantages. To this end Daniel 
Nelson donated the school lot upon which the present plain but sub- 
stantial three-story brick school-house now stands. The school inter- 
est has grown with its growth, and there is probably no better 
graded school in Southeastern Ohio than that of Nelsonville, un- 
der, at this time, the superintendency of Prof. F. S. Coultrap. 
The growth of Nelsonville compelled the erection of the brick 
building above mentioned in 1856, but there was very little record 
kept until since the late civil war. A portion of that also is miss- 
ing. In the year 1865 the School Board was composed of B. F. 
Harper, A. Poston and C. Steenrod, the latter acting as clerk. In 
1866 it was C. Steenrod, A. Poston and C. A. Cable, the latter 
also assuming the duty of clerk. This continued to be the number 
of the members of the board for a few years, when it changed to 
six members, with an addition of a treasurer and secretary. The 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 429 

brick school-house of three stories has been for several years too 
small for the growth of the town, and there are now three other 
buildings used. In the meantime while the population of school 
age was rapidly increasing and increased expenses occurring for 
more room and a greater number of efficient teachers, the start- 
ling fact became apparent that the source of taxation and supply 
for school purposes was rapidly diminishing. So long as the prop- 
erty was in the hands of small operators, each being assessed, the 
valuation of real and personal estate was rather advancing than re- 
ceding, but consolidation and large holdings were returned for tax- 
ation at so much less than their true or honest value that the real 
estate and personal property of Nelsonville decreased on the assess- 
or's books no less than $246,378 within six years, to wit: Assessed 
valuation of real and personal property for the year 1875, $821,390; 
1880, $575,012; total loss, $246,378; and in 1881 that assessment was 
still further reduced, net, $85,028. As above remarked, expenses 
and children of school age increased, and thus it was cutting both 
ways. Eight teachers only were employed in 1875, and fifteen 
were found necessary in 1881. In 1875 there were 708 pu- 
pils in attendance, and in 1880, 1,001, while the annual levy, in 
amount was exactly the same in 1880 as in 1S75, notwithstanding 
the large increase. 

SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE. 

A meeting was called in May, 1881, to take into consideration 
the proposal to vote a three-mill tax, or 30 cents on the $100 val- 
uation for school purposes, in excess of the State fund, and in that 
call the Board of Education submitted to the people a carefully 
prepared circular compiled by Prof. Coultrap of the facts above 
given, and from which this paragraph' has been taken, in substance. 
The same circular gave a comparison of teachers' salaries in Nel- 
sonville and Logan not very flattering to the citizens of the 
former town. 

The statement made seemed to have a beneficial effect, for it 
aroused the people to the fact that a long-cherished institution was 
not receiving that care and nourishment to sustain it with vigor- 
ous life, and which in early years had been the pride of the city. 

There are now seventeen teachers employed in the public 
schools of Nelsonville, name and position as follows: F. S. Coul- 
trap, Superintendent; Alice 0. Pierce, Principal; Lucy A. Bell, 
Assistant; Meda Riddill, Helen T. Musser, Sarah Washburn, Mat- 



430 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tie Warren, Ida B. Maxwell, Kate Gabriel, Callie Carnes, Retta 
Eckles, Elta Riddill, Emily Saumenig, Mary Weihr, Mrs. S. S. 
Keyser, Lizzie M. Howe and Lillie M. Butterworth, teachers. 

There are 1,084 children of school age, and an average enroll- 
ment of 780. The State school fund the past school year 
amounted in all to $1,666.00, and there is a school fund tax levy 
of ten mills. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS, 1883. 

T. P. Marshall, President; Dr. 1. P. Primrose, Josiah Wilson, 
W. G. Hickman, W. W. Poston, Geo. W. Devore; J. C. Parker, 
Treasurer; F. S. Coultrap, Secretary. 

LODGES AND SOCIETIES. 

Philodorean Lodge, JVb. 157, A. JP. & A. M. — This lodge was 
instituted May 20, 18-18, and its charter is of date Sept. 28, 
1848. The following were its charter members: Lincoln D. 
Chamberlain, W. P. Johnson, Jas. E. Price, Noah Wilder, Thos. 
Miller, R. G. McLean, Obediah J. Eckley and Jas. Pugsley. The 
officers who received their appointment by this charter were, Wm. 
P. Johnson, 1st Master; Jas. E. Price, 1st Senior Warden; Obediah 
J. Eckley, 1st Junior Warden. At the time the charter was given 
them M. Z. Kreeder was M. W. G. M. of the State, and his signa- 
ture was affixed to the charter. 

It has been for many years supposed that Lincoln D. Chamber- 
lain was the first Past Master, but this is a mistake, W. P. John- 
son held that position. Mr. Chamberlain's name is the first written 
of the charter members. These facts are taken from the origi- 
nal charter, and of course are correct. The Past Masters would 
then be the same as published, leaving out the first name. They 
were given us as follows: W. P. Johnson, 1849; J. E. Price, 1850; 
Thomas Shannon, 1851; J. E. Price, 1853; B. A. Lincoln, 1854; 
Thomas Shannon, 1856; William Gilliam, 1857; Thomas Shannon, 
1859; Jos. II. Butterworth, 1864; S. S. McDivitt, 1865; Thomas 
Older, 1866; W. P. Roberts, 1867; S. S. McDivitt, 1868; J. F. 
Camp, 1869; H. S. Preston, 1872; J. F. Camp, 1874; H. S.Pres- 
ton, 1875; John T. Gray, 1876. 

Officers, 1*83: John T. Gray, W. M. ; Chas. H. Decker, S. W.; 
Wm. Hay burn, J. W. ; J. F. Brodt, Treasurer; E. S. Jennings, 
Secretary; Calvin Haynes, S. I).; P. P. Andrews, J. D.; B. F. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VAXLEY. 431 

Martin, Tyler; Alexander Beattie and Thomas Johnson. Stewards. 
Unity Lodge, No. 568, /. 0. O. F., located at Nelson ville, 
Ohio, was instituted June the 5th, 1874. The charter members 
and first officers installed were as follows: Joseph Barnecut, N. G. ; 
W. G. Hickman, Y. G. ; T. B. Prichard, R S. ; M. W. Davis, P. S. ; 
James M. Riddle, Treasurer; S. F. Robinet, Samuel C. Breakev, 
J. S. Speelman, J. J. Hoodlet, Henry A. Harris, John S. Wilson, 
Calvin Millinger, G. W. Mitchell, Joseph Smith, Win. Barnes, 
Thomas C. Wilson, Joseph P. Dean, J. M. Parker, Frederic Wend 
and Paul Cummins. The Past Grands are: J. J. Hoodlet, 1876; 
Win. Barnes, 1876; S. C. Breakey, 1877; Joseph P. Dean, 1878; 
S. F. Robinet, 1878; W. C. Sidman, 1879; James Six, 1879; James 
M. Riddle, 1880; John S. Wright, 1S80; Calvin Millinger, 1881; 
George V. Shaffer, 1881; Nathan Coy, 1882; Charles Ellwanger, 
1882. The present membership is about 104. The present offi- 
cers are: Wm. E. Evans, N. G.; W. F. Brandon, V. G. ; Win. J. 
Daniels, R. P. ; W. H. Barnes, P. S., and S. F. Robinet, Treasurer. 

The Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, was chartered July 16, 1880, 
with the following charter members: Chas. E. Cutler, Wm. M. 
Phillips, James Hart'y, C. K. Lansley, Jacob Hammond, Thomas 
R. Blake, Wm. Rankin, Wm. Justice, I. P. Primrose, Albert 
Woody, Wm. A. Worley, Hi ram Rosser, John F. Welch. The 
following roster of officers was duly elected, and installed by 
Chief Mustering Officer P. W. Stanhope: Chas. E. Cutler, Post 
Commander; Hiram Rosser, S. V. 0.- T. R Blake, J. V. C. ; Wm. 
A. Worley, Post Adj.; C. K. Lansley, Q. M.; Albert Woody, 
Chaplain; I. P. Primrose, Surgeon; Wm. Rankin, O. of the 
day; Wm. Justice, O. of the Guard; James Hartley, 1st G., and 
Wm. Phillips, 2d G. The following year was a prosperous one 
for the post. Roster for 1883: John O. Burrell, P. C; Alonzo 
Newton, J. Y. ; Lemuel Cline, Surgeon; I. P. Primrose, Chaplain; 
Jas. A. Wilson, P. A.; Albert Woody, Q. M. ; O. of the D., 
Frank Morgan; John Figgins, O. of the Guard. At this date. 
March 24, 1883, the post seems to be imbued with new life, and is 
on the road to prosperity, with all dues paid and some money in 
hands of Quartermaster. 

Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, /. O. 0. F. — This lodge has had its 
records lost or mislaid and but little could be had of its previous 
history. 

Thursday, July 8, 1858, Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, 1. O. O. F., 
was permanently organized here. The charter members were : 



432 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Messrs. C. A. Cable, E. W. Poston, E. C. Washburn, J. W. Fulton 
and John Burberry. That this lodge has been prosperous we have 
abundant evidence. Precisely eleven years afterward (in July, 
1869), Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121, was instituted. The 
charter members were: S. N. Poston, Wm. Comstock, Smith Spen- 
cer, I. P. Primrose, E. W. Newton and others. At this time, May, 
1883, Joseph Barnicut is N. G., and T. P. Marshall, Secretary. 
A further history was promised us, but has failed to come to hand. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

Nelsonville grew slowly until an impetus was given by the open- 
ing of railroad transportation. While the canal had been a great 
help, it was not as capable of moving the mineral wealth when mined 
as capital was ready to dig out this w T ealth, and on the 1st of Feb- 
ruary, 1866, the year following the close of the war, it had but the 
following houses: 137 dwelling houses, 2 churches, 1 school-house, 4 
schools, 5 dry-goods stores, 10 groceries, 1 drug store, 1 saddler 
shop, 2 shoe shops, 1 cabinet shop, 3 carpenter shops, 2 barber 
shops, 3 blacksmith shops, 1 wagon-shop, 1 millinery store, 2 dress- 
makers, 2 mills, 1 hotel, 2 boarding houses, 2 bark yards, 3 doc- 
tors, 1 dry-dock, 2 lodges (I. O. O. F. and A. F. & A. M.j, 1 tan- 
nery, 1 silversmith, a canal and several of the finest coal banks in 
the country. 

This amount of business with a population of between 800 and 
900 was Nelsonville in the spring of 1866. 

In 1870 Nelsonville had a population of 1,080, and in 1880 of 
3,095, or a gain of nearly 200 per cent. The completion of the 
railroads gave an impetus that is yet pressing her forward, and in 
1890 she may show another gain of 200 per cent, or a population of 
10,000. Her business interest now is composed of 13 general stores, 
8 exclusive grocery stores, 4 drug stores, 2 boot and shoe stores, 1 
clothing store, 2 jewelry stores, 1 furniture and stove store, 2 sew- 
ing-machine agencies, 3 hardware stores, 1 furniture store, 4 res- 
taurants, 2 confectionery stores, 2 bakeries, 17 saloons, 2 livery 
stables, 1 flour and feed store, 4 meat markets, 3 barber shops, 3 
millinery stores, 1 cigar manufactory, 1 tanvard, 2 tailors, 2 painters, 
7 carpenters, 2 planing mills, 1 lumber yard, 2 dealers in plaster 
and cement, 1 foundry and machine shop, 2 flouring mills, 1 saw-mill, 
L bank, churches, schools and lodges, newspaper and job offices, etc. 

The Times was started in September, 1872, and the Mirror, now 
Gazette, in September, 1873, by Geo. Cook. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 433 

PROFESSIONS. 

Lawyers — James A. Tobin, Asher Buckley, W. C. Hickman, 
A. J. Schrader. Fire Insurance Agents — Asher Buckley, W. C. 
Hickman, Wilson Kessinger. Physicians — Aaron Shepard, I. P. 
Primrose, W. N. Alderman, W. E. W. & S. M. Shepard, K. 
Tinker, C. F. Gilliam & S. E. Butt, J. W. Johnson, A. J. Shrader. 

It is possible that some few items of business interest have been 
overlooked, but the showing for 1883 is sufficiently wonderful to 
satisfy the most extravagant wishes or views of the people. Add 
to the above the mining interest and the railroad and there is some- 
thing to excite extravagant hopes, also, for the future. It only 
needs capital and brawn to double the present output of the mines, 
and transportation will be found for it all. 

Iron furnaces are what is wanted, and rolling mills, in fact ma- 
chinery of all kinds. Coal and iron at hand, and where, with such 
means of shipment, can the workers of iron find a cheaper place 
for manufactures or a better market than what can be easily reached 
by rail and water? 

MERCHANTS AND MINERS' BANK. 

This is the only bank in Nelson ville; was organized in 1873, 
opening business Sept. 9, on an individual liability. At the 
first election of officers, Charles Robbins was elected President, 
John W. Scott, Vice-President, and Charles A. Cable, Cashier. 
The original stockholders were Charles Robbins, John G. Myers, 
John W. Scott, Charles A. Cable, W. B. Brooks, of Columbus, 
and E. H. Moore, of Athens. The entire stock is now owned by 
Charles Robbins, Charles A. Cable, E. H. Moore and Eugene J. 
Cable. Mr. Robbins is the President, and Mr. C. A. Cable, 
Cashier. 

NEWSPAPERS OF NELSONVILLE. 

Times. — The first paper started in Nelsonville was called the 
Nelsonville Times. It was a six-column weekly paper, but only 
lived a short time. In the following year (1873) the 

Nelsonville Miner was published by George Cook. He made a 
lively and progressive paper of it, and always took the laborer's 
part. The coal operators got down on him for his independent 
spirit, and he closed out in December, 1875, to J. A. Straight, 
after publishing as good a paper as was ever seen in Nelsonville. 
28 



434 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Mr. Straight kept up the wide-awake spirit of the paper. This 
was followed by the Mirror, and it was succeeded by the News. 

The NelsonvilJe News.— The Nelsonville News may be said to 
be the successor of the Nelsonville Mirror, although the latter was 
of short life. The News was established by John A. Tullis in 
1879. On his coining to Nelsonville in 1878 he purchased the 
press and office supplies from the proprietor of the Mirror, but 
used the press only for job work. The first number of the News 
was issued Jan. 16, 1879. It was a seven-column paper, 24x36 
inches, and so continued up to the 26th of the following Juue, 
when it was changed to an eight-column paper. Mr. Tullis has 
been its sole editor and proprietor from the start. The career of 
this paper has been as prosperous as could be expected under the 
circumstances. It has been steadily growing in strength, and is 
now on a firm basis, being not only self-supporting but producing 
a reasonable profit to its proprietor. It is neutral in politics, the 
editors motto being: "An independent journal, devoted to the 
interest of its patrons."" It is issued every Thursday, the sub- 
scription price being $1.50. 

John A. Tullis, editor of the Nelsonville News, was born Nov. 
11, 1836, near Donnelsville, Clarke Co., O. His father was a 
farmer in moderate circumstances, keeping his son on the farm 
with him. In 1844 the family removed to Champaign County, O., 
still remaining on a farm. His father being unable to send him 
to college, young Tullis obtained what education he could at the 
public schools. He afterward attended a seminary in Clarke 
County, but was not able to continue until completing the course. 
When he became a man, his health being delicate, he decided to 
go into a life of business. He consequently engaged in and fol- 
lowed for a number of vears, as long as his health permitted, 
wholesale produce shipping to New York and Philadelphia mar- 
kets. The last tour years he was in this business he was located 
at St. Paris, O., where he was also engaged in the printing busi- 
ness. "When he retired from business there, he came to Nelson- 
ville and established his paper, on which he has worked faithfully 
ever since. Great credit is due to his perseverance and good 
management, as he is the first man who succeeded in permanently 
establishing a newspaper in Nelsonville, although numerous at- 
tempts had been made. He has well maintained the reputation 
of his profession, by endeavoring to infuse new and animated life 
in his fellow citizens. He has advocated public and private im- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 435 

provements, and it is not at all improbable that some of this seed 
has fallen in good soil, since at no time in the town's history has 
the progress of improvement been so great as at the present 
time. 

He was married to Miss Susan E. Deaton. of Addison, Cham- 
paign County, March 31, 1859. Of this union there are three chil- 
dren, all daughters and all living — Addie A. was born Feb. 5, 
1800; Anna V., April 23, 1875, and Mabel, April 5, 1878. 

Athens County Republican. — The Athens County Republican, 
published at Nelsonville. O., was founded by James A. Miller and 
Charles Logan, at Athens, 0.,in May, 1881. The first issue ap- 
peared June 1, 1881, the name of the paper at that time, and for 
several months after, being the Athens Republican. Miller & 
Logan were the proprietors and editors up to Jan. 11, 1882, when 
the paper appeared with the name of James A. Miller as sole edi- 
tor, Mr. Logan continuing to be part owner. As the name indi- 
cates, the paper is Republican in politics, its public statement 
being, "To be devoted to the promotion and interests of the Re- 
publican party." In February, 1882, Mr. Miller became the sole 
proprietor. By the next issue the paper had again changed hands, 
the names of G. W. Baker, J. M. Wood and J. P. Wood appear- 
ing as proprietors, and that of G. W. Baker as editor and manager. 
The last number issued at Athens is dated Aug. 30, 1882, it having 
been sold to Charles P. Reid, its present owner, and taken at 
once to Nelsonville. Originally the Republican was a six-column 
four-page paper. It was subsequently enlarged, Aug. 3, 1881, to 
seven columns, and May 10, 1882, to eight columns, its present 
size. It was purchased by Charles P. Reid, who took possession 
Sept. 1, 1882, removing it to Nelsonville, where he issued the first 
number the following Thursday. Mr. Reid's name has appeared 
from that time to the present as sole editor and proprietor. It is 
issued regularly every Thursday, the subscription price being 
$1.50. 

Charles P. Reid, editor of the Athens County Republican, was 
born Aug. 18, 1858, at Piqua, Miami Co., O. He received a 
good school education, finishing at Wapakoneta, ()., in April, 
1875, at which time he apprenticed himself to O. J. Powell, pub- 
lisher of the Wapakoneta Republican. He removed with Mr. 
Powell to Chicago Junction, Huron Co., O., in the winter of 
1875-'6, but returned to Wapakoneta in about one month, and im- 
mediately accepted a situation as foreman with Davis & Mc- 



436 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Murray, publishers of the Auglaize County Democrat. In No- 
vember, 1879, he became associated with Trego & Binkley, pub- 
lishers of the Sidney (O.) Journal, and later went to Piqua and 
took the foremanship and local chair on the Piqna Journal. In 
July, 1880, he accepted a situation with Colonel R. W. Jones, 
publisher of the Athens Journal. He remained but seven weeks, 
when he returned to his old situation as foreman of the Auglaize 
County Democrat, and in December, 1880, when Mr. Davis, the 
publisher, was taken with hemorrhage of the lungs, he assumed 
editorial control of the Democrat, being then only twenty-three 
years old. He continued in that capacity until after Mr. Davis's 
death, June 19, 1881, when the office was sold by Mrs. C. P. Da. 
vis, and he returned to the position of foreman, and so continued 
until he purchased the Athens County Republican, Aug. 26, 1882, 
from Baker & "Woods. He was married to Miss Carrie E. Davis, 
daughter of C. P. Davis, Jan. 10, 1882. Immediately after taking 
charge of the Republican, Sept. 1, 1882, he removed to Nelson- 
ville, issuing the paper the following week, as usual, without 
missing a number. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The manufacturing interests of Nelsonville are as follows: 

Nelsonville Foundry and Machine Co's works, established 
April, 1880. They are owned by a joint stock company, the Pres- 
ident being John P. Buchtel, of Akron, O. Among the products 
are steam-pipes and steam-fittings, and mining cars are a spe- 
cialty. 

Two Flouring Mills, a water mill, owned by Charles Bobbins, 
and a steam mill, owned by C. Steenrod & Co. 

Two Planing Mills, owned by M. Craig & Sons, and the Nel- 
sonville Planing Mill Company, Asher Poston, President. 

This closes the history of the largest city in the valley of the 
Hocking, and its future destiny is very bright and promising. En- 
ergy, enterprise and morality will give her a prestige that no city 
in the valley can rival. May this be her lot. 










i 



^J(Z^xtumia^oCC.£) . 



CHAPTER XVII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF YORK TOWNSHIP, INCLUDING 
THE CITY OF NELSONVILLE. 

William Nelson Alderman, M. D., was born in Oxford, Morgan 
Co., Ohio, Nov. 27, 1853, a son of Nelson J. and Susannah ( Wei- 
mer) Alderman. He received a common-school education, remain- 
ing at home till eighteen years of age. On leaving home in 1871, 
he became associated with his brother, S. J. Alderman, in the 
mercantile business, in Bishopville, Ohio, under the hrui name of 
S. J. Alderman & Bro. In 1874 he retired from the firm and 
began the study of medicine with Dr. George E. Carpenter, of 
Athens; was under his preceptorship one year and then went to 
Oxford and studied with Dr. H. D. Dantford, remaining with him 
until his graduation from the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincin- 
nati, Feb. 28, 1877. He practiced with his preceptor till the fol- 
lowing September, when he went to New York and took a course 
of lectures in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduating in 
February, 1878. In July, 1878, he located in Nelsonville, and in 
the spring of 1879, became associated with Dr. I. P. Primrose. 
Feb. 25, 1S80, he married Sarah A., daughter of Dr. Primrose. 
They have one daughter — Addie P. Dr. Alderman is a member 
of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., Nelsonville. 

Mason Andrews was born in Ames Township, Athens County, 
May 27, 1814, a son of David and Christiana ( Mowery ) Andrews. 
He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school, liv- 
ing with his mother until he grew to manhood. He was married 
Dec. 29, 1863, to Miss Eve Howard, only daughter of Loyd and 
Elizabeth (Weimer) Howard. They are the parents of five chil- 
dren— Loyd R., Emma V.. William M., Ira E. and Hulda E. In 
1874 Mr. Andrews purchased his present farm containing 114 acres 
of good land, under a high state of cultivation. He and his wife 
are members of the M. E. church. He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F., Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339. 

Frank C. Armstrong, M. D., physician and surgeon, was horn in 
the city of Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1859, a son of Thomas and Jane 

(437) 



438 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

(Chadwick) Armstrong. His youth was spent in attending school. 
He began the study of medicine with Dr. S. W. Fowler, of Dela- 
ware, Ohio, and graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan Seminary in the 
summer of 1S80, and at the Columbus Medical College in the win- 
ter of 1881 and 1882. He first commenced to practice with his 
preceptor in Delaware, and, in the fall of 1882, located in Buchtel, 
where he has met with good success. He is a member of the K. 
of P., York Lodge, No. 75. 

William Bowies was born in Wirt County, W. Va., June 15, 
1842, a son of Nathan and Mary (Cornell) Barnes. When he was 
an infant his parents came to Ohio, and settled at Chauncey, Ath- 
ens County, where he was reared and educated. In April, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company H, Twenty-second Ohio Infantry, for three 
months, but served four months, and the following August re-enlist- 
ed in Company A, same regiment, for three years. In January, 1862, 
his regiment was consolidated with the Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, his 
company retaining the same letter. In January, 1864, lie re-enlisted 
in the same company and regiment as a veteran to serve till the close 
of the war. July 22, 1S64, he was taken prisoner at Decatur, Ga., 
and confined at Andersonville eight months. He was then taken 
to a parol camp, at Vicksburg, and kept a month, and then, April 
22, 1865, was released on parol and taken with 2,200 released pris- 
oners on board the transport steamboat Sultana, en route for Camp 
Chase, Columbus, Ohio, then a camp of distribution. When a 
few miles above the city of Memphis, on the morning of April 27, 
the boiler exploded, completely destroying the vessel and killing 
1,600 men. Mr. Barnes was rescued at Memphis by clinging to a 
bale of hay. He and 400 or 500 of his comrades lay three days at 
Memphis awaiting transportation and recovering from the effects 
of the disaster. May 1, 1865, he was taken on board the mail boat 
Belle Memphis and arrived at Cairo the following morning, and 
May 4 arrived at Camp Chase, where he was discharged May 18, 
the war closing. He returned to Athens, remaining there till 
1871, when he came to Nelsonville, and a greater part of the time 
since then has been in the employ of W. B. Brooks. April 5, 
l s 77, he married Mary A. Shannon, of Nelsonville. They have one 
child — Mary F. Mr. Barnes is an Odd Fellow, a member of 
Unity Lodge, No. 56s, mid of Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121. 

George Henry Barrows, proprietor of Barrows's saloon and bill- 
iard hall, of Nelsonville, was born in Albany, Maine, July 14, 
1833, in which place he lived with his parents, Harvey and Han- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 439 

nah (Beckley) Barrows, until he was eighteen years of age. His 
school opportunities were very limited. On leaving home he went 
to Yarmouth, Maine, where he was employed in a saw-mill nearly 
a year, when he went to Abington, Mass., and drove an express 
wagon for L. A. Ford for the same length of time. In 1853 he 
began to learn the shoemaker's trade at Abington, at which he 
worked till Nov. 14, 1851, when he went to New Bedford, Mass., 
and embarked on the whaling vessel, Benjamin Cummings, on 
which he cruised on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans until June, 
1859, a period of nearly five years. During 1860 he worked as a 
section hand on the Grand Trunk Railroad until July when he 
worked on the farm and in the saw-mill of Peter C. Fickett at 
West Paris. In 1801 he was employed in the same town in a chair 
factory until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the war of the 
Rebellion, in Company F, Twenty-third Regiment of the Ohio 
Infantry, and at the end of nine months was discharged with his 
regiment. While out, he was on duty in guarding Washington 
City, D. C. After his discharge he again worked on the Grand 
Trunk Railroad as section foreman until the spring of 1801, when 
he went to Bath, Maine, and was employed in a saw-mill there until 
December, 1865. In March, 1860, he came to Ohio and was 
engaged as foreman of the switch yard at Piqua for the C, C. & I. 
C. R. R. Company until March, 1867, after which he was employed 
in the same yard as fireman on a switch engine until the summer 
of 1869. He then went to Fairfield County and was employed by 
Dodge, Case & Co., contractors on the C. & H. V. Railroad as fore- 
man of the track layers until November. He was then engaged as 
engine dispatcher by the C. & H. Y. R. R. Company at Nelsonville, 
after which he was employed at Athens in the same capacity until 
June, 1871, when he was placed in charge of a switch engine at 
Nelsonville until September, 1872, after which he engaged in his 
present business. Dec. 25, 1870, he was married to Miss Martha 
Smith, of Nelsonville. They have seven children, viz. : Harvey 
A., Peter, George A., John, Charles, Alonzo and James M. 

Alexander Beattie, Marshal of Nelsonville, was born in Ayr, 
Scotland, Aug. 15,1851. When two years of age he came with 
his parents, Alex, and Sarah (Robinson) Beattie, to the United 
States, settling in Johnstown, Pa. He lived with them there, and 
in McKeysport, Pa., and Pomeroy, Ohio, and Sharon, Pa., until 
manhood, and was educated in the schools of those places. In 1872 
he came to Nelsonville and was employed in the coal mines of W. 



440 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

B. Brooks & Son until 1879, when he was appointed one of the 
policemen of Nelsonville and served as such until April, 1882, 
when he was elected Marshal. Sept. 23, 1874, he was married to 
Miss Christiana A. Laird, of Sharon, Pa. They have two chil- 
dren — Estella May and Eva L. Mr. Beattie is a Master Mason 
and member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, of Nelsonville, of 
which he has filled the station of Junior Warden. 

John W. Bennett, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Balti- 
more, Md., Aug. 17, 1849, a son of James and Priscilla C. (Luken) 
Bennett. In 1859 his parents came to Ohio and located in York 
Township, Athens County, near Nelsonville, where he resided till 
manhood. ' He was married April 20, 1871, to Mary L. Thornton, 
daughter of Madison and Sarah C. (Hicks) Thornton.- They have 
had six children, only four now living — Loring R., Frank N., 
Charles W. and John M. Mr. Bennett's father was born in Balti- 
more County, Md., March 24, 1801. When eighteen years of age 
he was employed in the Patterson Rolling Mills near Baltimore, 
and remained there thirty-seven years. Sept. 23, 1844, he married 
Priscilla C. Luken, a native of Hartford County, Md., but reared 
in Baltimore County. They were the parents of seven children, 
six now living. They came to Athens County in 1859, and located 
near Nelsonville, where Mr Bennett died Nov. 18, 1865. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bennett were members of the Christian church, he having 
been Deacon over thirty-five years. 

Thomas Berry, Superintendent C. & H. Coal and Iron Com- 
pany, is a native of Allegheny County, Pa., born April 3, 1837, 
and reared near the city of Pittsburg. His youth was spent in 
mining coal which he has since followed, coming to Nelsonville 
Sept, 23, 1858. He was married Nov. 27, 1859, to Miss Hannah 
Charlton, a native of England, but reared in Ohio. During the 
late civil war he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Six- 
teenth Ohio Infantry, Aug. 21,1862. He participated in many hard- 
fought battles, among them, Winchester, Va., in June, 1863; 
Piedmont, in June, 1864; Cedar Creek, Lynchburg, and Petersburg. 
He was captured Feb. 16, 1863, but was soon after paroled. After 
the close of the war he returned to Ohio and settled in Nelsonville 
where he has since made his home. He secnred his present posi- 
tion as Superintendent, July 1, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are the 
parents of five children, only four living — Charles M., born Sept- 
23,1860; Josephine Elizabeth, born Nov. 7. L862; Inez Estella, 
born July 15, 1867; Thaddeus lluxly. born July 24, L875, died 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 441 

Nov. 18, 1879; Ethel May, born Dec. 27, 1882. Mr. Berry is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., Philodorean Lodge, No. 157. 

Albert Slater Bethel, merchant and farmer, Nelsonville, was 
born in Guernsey County, Ohio, near Cambridge, June 19, 1846. 
"When about nine years of age he came with his parents, Lemuel 
T. and Rebecca (Slater) Bethel, to Athens County, settling in 
Trimble Township, where he lived with them until his twenty-second 
year, and received a common-school education. Being reared a 
farmer he followed that avocation until 1874, when, selling his farm, 
he was employed in the store of John W. Scott, a coal operator at 
Lick Run, Athens County, and was in his employ until 1878, when 
he came to Nelsonville and engaged in the mercantile business 
with his brother, J. C. Bethel, "under the firm name of Bethel 
Brothers. In April, 1882, his brother retired from the linn. In 
connection with his mercantile business he also carried on farming 
to some extent. He has been twice married. His first wife was 
Miss Hannah Ann Anderson, of Athens County, whom he married 
Nov. 22, 1866, and who died in Trimble Township, Aug. 17, 1870, 
leaving him two children— George Lemuel and William J. June 
6, 1876, he married Miss Sarah Luetta Anderson, of Ames Town, 
ship, Athens County. They have three children — Charles Sher- 
man, Lucy May and Webster Garfield. Mr. Bethel is a Master, 
Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason, and member ot 
Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, Nelsonville, and the chapter and 
council at Logan, and Commandery No. 15, at Athens. 

Thomas N. Black was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Oct. 12, 
1829. In 1847 he came to the United States and located in Alle- 
gheny County, Pa., where he followed coal-mining until 1860, 
when he came to Ohio, and located in Zanesville, In June, 1877, 
he came to Buchtel, where he has since resided. He is Superin- 
tendent of the coal and iron mines of the Akron Iron Company. 
He was first married, April 18, 1854, to Margaret McKinnel, a 
native of Edinboro, Scotland; three children were born to them 
— William N., Elizabeth and Isabella. His wife died May 14, 
1865. lie was again married, Oct. 21, 1806, to Louisa Romine, a 
native of Muskingum County, Ohio. They have six children — 
Louisa, Mary, Annie, Jennie, Margaret and Flora. Mr. Black is 
a member of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities. 
He has been an Odd Fellow over thirty years, and is now a member 
of the Buchtel Lodge. No. 712. 



442 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

James Rider Blake, a coil-miner in the Johnson Brothers & 
Patterson's coal mines, at Nelsonville, was born in Devonshire, 
England, April 3. 1823, where he lived until he was twenty years of 
age. He lived with his parents, Nathaniel and Joannah (JRider) 
Blake, until his ninth year when he was put out to a farmer, with 
whom he lived until April 25, 1843, when he enlisted in the Ply month 
Division of the Royal Marines, and, after being drilled in the in- 
fantry and ship gun drill, embarked on board Her Majesty's ship 
Vanguard, in February, 1845. In the following May, on account 
of receiving an injury, he was placed in the Hasslar Hospital, at 
Gosport, England, where he remained four months, when he was 
transferred to the Marine Barracks at Portsmouth, where he re- 
mained a short time, after which he embarked on board Her Maj- 
esty's ship Superb, on which he served two months, when he was 
sent to the Stone House Barracks, and from there on board Her 
Majesty's ship Nimrod, on which he served four years and cruised 
around the Peak of Teneriff to Island of Ascension, thence to Si- 
erra Leone, thence to Cape Mount, Cape Miserata, thence to the 
Cape of Good Hope. He cruised off the southeast coast of Africa, 
visiting all the ports, and thence through the channel of Mozambique 
to the Islands of Mozambique and Madagascar. He then cruised 
back to the Cape of Good Hope, the Island of St. Helena, thence to 
the East Indies and then back to England, making a cruise of nearly 
four years. He afterward embarked on Her Majestj-'s ship Bella 
Ropher. After serving as a marine eight years and six months he, 
in September, 1851, bought his discharge, and until the following 
January served as convict keeper at Dartmoor Prison. Feb. 18, 
1852, he started to the United States, landing at New York City, 
March 29. He first went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he mined coal 
four months, and from there he went to Tuscarawas Valley, where 
he worked in the mines of G. TV. Mcllvain until 1853. He after- 
ward followed mining in Illinois, Missouri and West Virginia un- 
til August, 1857, when he came to Nelson ville and permanently 
settled. Feb. 8, 1855, he married Rebecca Prout, of Suffolk County, 
England. They have six children — Mary E., wife of Albert 
Michem; Sarah Jane, Nathaniel R., Susannah, Addie (deceased), 
Hester M. and Cora B. Oct. 20, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a piivate, to 
serve three years, and during his service participated in many bat- 
tles, the most important being Athens, La Vergne, Stone River, 
Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Davis Cross Roads, Lookout Mountain 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 443 

and Mission Bidge. From Oct. 17, 1863, to Feb. 14, 1864, he was 
detailed to take charge of the watch on the transport Paint Rock 
on the Tennessee River. He was discharged Nov. 10, 1864, being 
mustered out as First or Orderly Sergeant, having served as such 
for one year, and part of the last year being in command of his com- 
pany, his superior officers being detailed to different posts of duty. 
After his return home he was immediately afflicted with blindness, 
the result of overwork and exposure while in the service, and had 
to be lead for three years. He finally recovered the partial sight 
of one eye through the skill of Dr. E. Williams, of Cincinnati. 
He has been elected twice and held the office of Councilman ol'Nel- 
sonville, and is now an incumbent of that office. He is a member 
of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R., and lias served as Jun- 
ior Vice-Commander. 

Asher Buckley, attorney at law, Nelsonvilie, was born in 
Canaan Township, Athens County, July 6, 1828, where he lived 
with his parents, Aratus and Margaret (Long) Buckley, until his 
fourteenth year, when he went to Clarksburgh, Harrison Co., Va., 
and learned the trade of saddle and harness making with Edward 
Link, working with him six years. In 1848 he returned to Athens 
County and engaged in the saddle and harness business at Gnys- 
ville until 1853, when he removed his business to Coolville. 
While carrying on his business at Coolville he studied law under 
the preceptorship of the Hon. Charles Townsend, of Athens, and 
was admitted to the bar by the District Court at Athens, Sept. 1, 
1876. In the spring of 1875 he came to Nelsonvilie and began the 
practice of law. While living in Coolville he was Mayor of that 
village four years. In the spring of 1878 he was elected Mayor of 
Nelsonvilie for a term of two years, and re-elected in the spring of 
1880, holding the position for four years. In August, 1862, he 
enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment, 
Ohio Infantry, to serve three years, and was discharged at the 
close of war, at Camp Dennison, July 2, 1865. He partici- 
pated in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, under Generals 
Sheridan, Hunter and Sigle, and at the siege and capture of Peters- 
burg. April 25, 1852, while at Clarksburgh, Va., he married 
Miss Margaret Southworth. They have three living children — 
Harry C, a farmer, of Jackson County, W. Va. ; Leverett K., of 
Youngstown, Ohio, and Gertrude, still at home. Mr. Iiuckley is 
a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157; Ilockhocking Lodge, 
No. 339, and Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121. 



444 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

John Burberry, shipping clerk for C. L. Poston & Company, 
coal operators of Nelsonville, was born in Sussex County, Eng- 
land, Dec. 1, 1816, where he lived witli his parents, John and 
Rebecca (Peskitt) Burberry, until his sixteenth year, receiving his 
education in the common school, when he immigrated with them 
to the United States, they arriving at Nelsonville, July 31, 1832. 
In 1833 he went to Lancaster, Ohio, where he learned the tailor's 
trade with George H. Smith, serving an apprenticeship of four 
years, after which he did journey work for a short time. About the 
year 1837 he began business for himself at Lancaster, continuing 
till the spring of 1841, when he removed to Bremen, Ohio, re- 
maining there till 1844, and while there he served as Constable 
and Assessor for two years, holding both offices at the same time. 
Leaving Bremen he returned to Lancaster, where he continued 
the tailoring business till 1849, after which he was engaged in the 
store of L. D. Poston, of Nelsonville, for the following eight years. 
In 1857 he became associated with Mr. Poston as a coal operator, 
and after several years he was employed as a general manager of 
Mr. Poston's coal business, staving with him till 1875. Since 
then he has been employed by Mr. Poston's successor, C. L. 
Poston & Company, in various branches of their extensive business. 
May 14, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of William 
and Mary Ann (Hampshire) Thayer. She was a native of Sussex 
County, England, and came with her parents to this country at the 
same time and on the same ship as our subject. Mr. and Mrs. 
Burberry are members of the M. E. church, of Nelsonville, of 
which ho is Steward and Trustee. 

John Oscar Bwrrell, carpenter and stair-builder, of Nelsonville, 
was born in Newport, Maine, Oct. 12, 1837. When he was an 
infant his parents, Almond II. and Almira P. (Wilson) Burrell, 
came to Ohio and located in Alexander Township, Athens County. 
When he was twelve years of age the} r moved to Nelsonville. 
When eighteen years of age, in 1856, he went to Marietta and began 
to work in the Marietta Republican office under A. W. McCormick, 
to learn the printer's trade. He worked about one year, when, not 
liking the trade, he left the office and for a short time was employed 
on a steamboat on the Ohio River as a " Texas Tender. " In the 
fall of 1858 he returned to Nelsonville, and in the Bpring of 1859 
began to work at the carpenter's trade. In June, 18(52, he enlisted 
in Company H, Eighty -fifth Ohio Infantry, to serve three months. 
At the expiration of that term he re-enlisted in Company A, One 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 445 

Hundred and Twenty -eighth Ohio Infantry, for three years, serving 
as Quartermaster-Sergeant. His company participated in the capt- 
ure of Cumberland Gap and siege of Knoxville. After his discharge 
he returned to Nelsonville and resumed work at the carpenter's 
trade, which he still follows. April 19, 1865, he was married to 
Maria P. Wilson, of Wolfs Plain, Athens Co., Ohio, who died Jan. 
25, 1883, leaving one child — Amos Guv. Mr. Burrell is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church of Nelson vi lie. He is a mem- 
ber of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. E., of which he is Com- 
mander. 

Peter Matthew Butt, proprietor of the Home saloon, Nelson- 
ville, was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Feb. 24, 1837. When 
fourteen years of age he began to maintain himself, and came to 
Nelsonville and began to work in and about the coal mines. In 
the spring of 1861 he went to California and engaged in gold 
mining in Placer County, until the fall of 1863, when he returned 
to Nelsonville and again engaged in coal mining until the fall of 
1866, when he became established in his present business. He 
has served one term in the City Council of Nelsonville. He has 
been twice married; his first wife was Miss Irene Butt, a cousin, of 
Nelsonville, whom he married in December, 1855, and who died at 
Nelsonville, in November, 1858, leavingone child — Samuel Edgar, 
a physician of Nelsonville. Oct. 2, 1864, he married Miss Maria 
Lytle, of Logan, Ohio. They have five living children — Frank, 
Kate, Fred, Eugene and George, all living at home. They have 
lost two children — Emma M., who died Aug. 8, 1880; Mertie 
Blanch, who died Dec. 20, 1880. 

Samuel Edgar Butt, M. D., Nelsonville, was born in that city 
April 12, 1857, and was educated in the common and High School. 
He is the son of Peter M. and Irene (Butt) Butt. His mother 
dying before he was two years old, he was taken by his grand- 
mother and lived with her until he was seven years old, when his 
father married again and took him to live with him. When about 
seventeen he was employed as a surveyor, filling that position two 
years, when he took up the study of medicine under Dr. W. E.W. 
Sheppard, of Nelsonville, studying with him three years and grad- 
uating from the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, in March, 
1880. He then became associated with Dr. C. F. Gilliam at Nel- 
sonville in the practice of medicine, they mutually dissolving in 
1882. He was City Physician of Nelsonville during 1880-'81. 
Oct. 26, 1881, he married Miss Addie Koutner, daughter of S. C. 



446 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Koutner, of Nelsonville. She was formerly a teacher for some 
time in the Nelsonville public schools. They have one child — 
Solomon Edgar. 

Charles Augustus Cable, Cashier of the Merchants and Miners' 
Bank of Nelsonville, and a member of the firm of C. A. Cable & 
Co., hardware, stoves, tinware and furniture dealers, was born in 
Nelsonville, April 6, 1831, where he was reared. He was educa- 
ted in the public schools of JSelsonville and a select school at Ath- 
ens. He is the son of Charles and Julia G. (Nye) Cable, with 
whom he lived until manhood. At the age of fifteen, while 
making his home with his parents, he engaged in the grocery and 
provision business at Nelsonville for about two years, when, in 
1851, he became associated with his father in the general merchan- 
dising business. His father dying one year after, he carried on the 
business with his mother until 1856. He then carried on the busi- 
ness alone until 1858, when he discontinued it. From that time until 
1861 he was employed as traveling salesman for the wholesale gro- 
cery house of Mead & Co., of New York City, and as clerk by 
Charles Ashton and Charles Robbins, at Nelsonville. Sept. 27, 
1861, he enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry. On 
the organization of the company he was elected First Lieutenant. 
His regiment served in the Army of the Cumberland. From Jan- 
uary to May, 1863, he was Acting Adjutant of his regiment, and 
as Quartermaster from May to June, 1863, when he was promoted 
to Captain and took charge of his company until after the battle of 
Ohickamauga, when he became Acting Assistant Adjutant-General 
on the staff of Colonel T. R. Stanley, commanding an engi- 
neers' brigade at Chattanooga, Tenn. In the spring of 1864 Colo- 
nel Stanley was relieved from the command of the engineer bri- 
gade and assigned to the command of the post of Chattanooga, 
Tenn., our subject still holding the position of Acting Assistant 
Adjutant-General under hini until Oct. 20, 1861, when, at the expi- 
ration of his term of service, he returned home with his regiment 
and was mustered out. He participated in a number of battles, 
the most important being Athens, Ala.; La Yergne, Tenn. ; 
Stone River, Davis Cross Roads, Ga.; Chickamauga, Brown Ferry 
and Mission Ridge. In March, 1865, he engaged in the grocery 
and provision business at Nelsonville, following it one year when 
he estalished the hardware store, adding furniture to it in the 
spring of 1870. In that year his brother, Eugene J., became asso- 
ciated with him under the present firm name. In the fall of 1873 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 447 

he was one of the stockholders that organized the Merchants and 
Miners' Bank of Nelsonville, and was appointed its Cashier. Dar- 
ing 1854-'55 he was Postmaster of Nelson ville, appointed under 
President Pierce. He was City Clerk of Nelsonville in 1855-'56, 
and has served as member of the City Council and Board of Edu- 
cation of Nelsonville and Trustee of York Township, several years 
each. In 1875-'76 he was one of the Trustees of the Athens Asy- 
lum for the Insane, at Athens. April 23, 1857, he married Miss 
Sarah A. Scott, daughter of Launcelot Scott, of JSTelsonville. 
They have four children — Charles W., a physician of Logan, Ohio; 
Don Carlos, Teller in Merchants and Miners' Bank; and Eugene 
W. and Edith G., attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Cable are mem- 
bers of the First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville, of which he 
is a Ruling Elder and a Trustee. He is a member of the Hock- 
hocking Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F., and is now Past Grand. He 
is a member of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R., Nelsonville. 
Charles Cable (deceased), one of Nelsonville's old pioneers, was 
born at Jefferson, New York, Jan. 31, 1809. He came to Ohio 
about 1816 with his father, who settled at Athens. At the age of 
twelve he was apprenticed to learn the tanner's trade, and with the 
exception of one year he worked at his trade at Athens till 1833 
when he went to Nelsonville, where he engaged in tanning till his 
death, which occurred April 2, 1852. During 1848 and 1849, in 
connection with his other business, he kept a hotel known as the 
Cable House, and at the time of his death was engaged in the gen- 
eral mercantile business and had dealt extensively in real estate. 
In 1838, when Nelsonville was first incorporated, he was elected its 
first Mayor. He has filled the positions of member of the Council 
and Township Trustee, besides various others during his life. Jan. 
1, 1833, he was married to Julia G. Nye, of Dover Township, 
Athens County, by whom he had two sons — Charles A. and Eugene 
J. In the spring of 1851 his son, Charles A., then seventeen years 
of age, became associated with him in the general mercantile 
business and continued with him till his death. From 184!' to the 
end of 1851 he was Postmaster of Nelsonville. His wife survived 
him nearly twelve years, she dying Jan. 12, 1862. She had 
belonged to the Christian church since girlhood, always taking an 
active part in church affairs. Mr. Cable, although not a member, 
always took an active part in promoting the growth of the church 
work. He was a man of great endurance and strength until 1846, 
when his health became broken down by over work. 



448 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Charles Walter Cable, M. Z>., Nelsonville, was born July 25, 
1859. He is the oldest of four children of Charles A. and Sarah A. 
(Scott) Cable, with whom he lived until manhood and received a 
High School education in his native city. At the age of seventeen 
he began the study of medicine under Dr. Richard Gundry, Super- 
intendent of the Columbus Hospital for the Insane at Columbus, 
and was under his preceptorship eighteen months, when he went 
to Athens and studied under Dr. A. B. Frame eighteen months. 
He graduated from the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, 
March 2, 1880. He then continued his studies until the following 
winter when he went to New York City and attended a course of 
lectures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, from which he 
graduated March 10, 1881. He then began the practice of medi- 
cine at Nelsonville. Oct. 12, 1881, he married Bessie, daughter 
of Elmor and Mary (Cooley) Golden, of Athens. They are both 
members of the First Presbyterian Church of Nelsonville. 

John French Camp, real estate agent, Nelsonville, and Justice 
of the Peace of York Township, was born in Alexander Township, 
Athens Co., Ohio, March 11, 1.829. He is the youngest of two 
sons of Edward and Charlotte (Taylor) Camp. His father dying 
when he was two years of age, he lived with his mother until he 
was twelve, when he began to maintain himself by working as a 
farmer's boy. At the age of sixteen he apprenticed himself to J. 
C. Frost, of Athens, to learn the tailor's trade, and remained with 
him two years, receiving his board and $40 per year for his servi- 
ces as an apprentice. He then, feeling the importance of having 
an education, entered the Preparatory Department of the Ohio 
University at Athens and attended two years, defraying the 
expenses of his board and tuition by working during the hours he 
was not in school and during vacations. In 1851 he engaged in 
teaching in the public schools and taught in Athens and Hocking 
counties until 1861, and in the meantime was Superintendent of 
the schools of Nelsonville for several terms. Oct. 2, 1861, he 
enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, as a private. In 
the following November he was promoted to First, or Orderly Ser- 
geant, and served as such until April 1, 1864, when he was com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant of Company C, same regiment, and 
served in that capacity until he was mustered out at the expiration 
of his term of enlistment in 1861. He was in fourteen battles. 
The most important were Stone River, Ohickamauga and Davis 
Cross Roads. After his discharge he returned to Athens County 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 440 

and taught until 1877. He located at Nelsonville in 1866 where 
he has since resided. He has been elected to and filled the office 
of Mayor of Nelsonville two terras, and has also served as Clerk 
of York Township two terms. In 1882 he was elected Justice of 
the Peace of York Township. In 1882 he became associated with 
Alexander W. Nelson in the real estate business, under the firm 
name of Camp & Nelson. April 25, 1851, he was married to Miss 
Mary Lutitia, daughter of Rev. John W. Brown, of Nelsonville. 
They have four children — Florence Iota, Julius French, William 
Preston and Angie Charlotta. They have lost one, Eva Sophia, who 
died July 22, 1864, at the age of nine years. Mr. Camp is a 
demitted Master Mason and also a demitted Odd Fellow, and has 
filled all the stations in both orders. 

Alfred Harrison Carnes, senior member of the firm of Carnes 
& Shepard, merchants of Nelsonville, was born near Leesburgh, 
Loudoun Co., Va., Aug. 10, 1824. When he was seven years 
old he came with his parents, James and Mary (Scatteday) Carnes, 
to Ohio, settling near McConnelsville, Morgan County, and from 
there came to Athens County when he was thirteen. His parents 
both died the year before he was fifteen and he was thrown on his 
own resources. The first year after their death he lived with Will- 
iam Jolliffe in what is now Ward Township, Hocking County, work- 
ing for him and attending school one year. He then went to Eggles- 
ton salt works on Sunday Creek, Athens County, and was engaged 
as fireman and engineer for two years, when, in 1842, he came to 
Nelsonville and located. He worked in the coal mines until the 
spring of 1856, when, by the request of a friend, Matthew Van 
Wormer, he entcrecl his store as a clerk, remaining with him until 
the fall of 1860, when W. B. Brooks became Mr. Van Wormer's 
successor. He worked for Mr. Brooks until the tall of 1871, when 
he purchased the business house and stock of Lewis Steenrod and 
engaged in the mercantile business, W. P. Shepard being asso- 
ciated with him under the firm name of Carnes & Shepard. He 
has been a Trustee of York Township one year; a inerabe 1 * 
of the Council three years, and of the School Board of Nclson- 
ville. He has been twice married; his first wife was Miss Sarah 
A. Crothers, of Nelsonville, whom he married in the spring of 
1S50, and who died Oct. 21, 1858, leaving five children, three of 
whom are living — Sarah L., wife of W. P. Shepard; Nancy V., 
wife of Robert J. Hickman, and Mary Z., wife of Thomas Johnson; 
Charles A. died Sept. 5, 1873, at the age of eighteen, and Emily 
29 



45<» HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Effie, wife of Winfield Scott, died Dec. 6, 1882, at the age of thirty 
years. May 23, 1860, Mr. Carnes married Miss Emily M. Bridge, 
of Nelson ville. They have two children — Ina May and Clara 
Amanda. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church of Nelsonville. 

Frank Gideon Cooley, only living son of Gideon L. and Har- 
riet (Hull) Cooley, was born Feb. 23, 1852, at Nelsonville, Ohio, 
where he was reared and educated in the Union School of that 
place. When nineteen years old he began to clerk in his father's 
store, and on attaining his majority he became a partner of the 
present mercantile firm of G. L. Cooley & Son, of Nelsonville. 
He was married Dec. 15, 1872, to Miss S. J. Kiddle of Nelson- 
ville. They are the parents of the following children — Hattie 
Olive, Sylvia Winnie, Lew Pierce and James Garfield. Mr. Cooley 
is a Master Mason and member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, at 
Nelsonville. 

Gideon Leonard Cooley, of the firm of Cooley & Son, merchants, 
of Nelsonville, Ohio, was born at Springfield, Mass., March 1, 1816. 
He is the son of Jesse and Polly (Leonard) Cooley. His father dying 
before he was eight years old, he went to Allegany County, N. Y., 
near Angelica, where he lived with strangers until he was eighteen, 
when he returned to his birthplace in Massachusetts and remained 
a year. He then went to Troy, Bradford Co., Penn., where he 
lived over two years, employed on a farm. In the spring of 1839 
he came to Ohio, and located at Nelsonville. He followed farming 
two years, and then worked in the coal mines thirty years. He 
then, in 1872, engaged in the mercantile business, and in the fol- 
lowing year his son Frank became associated with him, the firm 
name being Cooley & Son. He has served three terms in the City 
Council of Nelsonville, and in the spring of 1861 was elected one ot 
the Trustees of York Township, and^served three years. July 3, 
1840, he married Miss Harriet Hull, of Nelsonville. They have 
had four children, only one of whom, Frank, is living. John 
died June 30, 1844, aged two and a half years. Hattie, wife ot 
W. W. Poston, died Nov. 18, 1870, aged twenty-five years; and 
Charles L. died April 21, 1880, aged thirty-three. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cooley are members of the Presbyterian church, of Nelsonville. 

Fletcher Stanton Coultrwp entered the Ohio University ot Athens 
in his eighteenth year (in 1869), and graduated in June, 1875. The 
following September he took charge of the Union schools of Whecl- 
ersburg, Ohio, and remained there two years. In September, 1877, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 451 

he came to Nelsonville and accepted his present position as Super- 
intendent of the Nelsonville Public Schools. He has been very 
successful, and is universally respected and esteemed, and, as an 
evidence of their appreciation, at the closing exercises of the schools 
in 1880, Rev. A. B. Brice, in behalf of the board, presented him 
with an elaborate silver water pitcher and cup, on which was 
engraved: "Presented to Prof. F. S. Coultrap, by the Board of 
Education of the Nelsonville Union Schools, May 31, 1880." 

Charles Covert was born in Boone County, W. Va., Jan. 17, 
1849, a son of John and Sarah Covert, his lather a native of But- 
ler County, Pa., and his mother of Boone County, W. Va. Our 
subject spent his youth in attending school, his father being a 
school teacher. In 1861, although a small boy, he took an active 
part in the Confederate service. His father and grandfather were 
both in that army, and were both taken prisoners, and held at 
Camp Chase. His grandfather died while a prisoner of war. After 
the war Mr. Covert went to farming, following that occupation 
until 1871, when he went to Kentucky and remained a year. He 
then came to Ohio and located in Lawrence County, and engaged 
in mining until 1878, when he came to Athens County and settled 
in Buchtel. He was married Oct. 8, 1874, to Miss Caroline Thomp- 
son, a native of Lawrence County. They have had four children, 
only three of whom are living — Albert S., John A. and Frank A. 
Mr. Covert is a member of the K. of L., Keystone Assembly, No. 
1,510; K. of P., York Lodge, No. 75, and I. O. O. F., Buchtel 
Lodge, No. 712. 

James Wilson Crane, of the firm of Vorhes & Crane, brick, 
makers, contractors and builders, Nelsonville, was born in the vicin- 
ity of Zanesville, Ohio, Aug. 13, 1830, where he lived with his 
parents, James and Mercy (Wartenbe) Crane, until he was eighteen 
years of age. In 1848 he came to Nelsonville, and was employed 
as a coal-miner in the mine of VanWormer & Brooks, until 1864. 
Jan. 1, 1865, he was employed by W. B. Brooks as mine boss, re- 
maining in his employ until February, 1879. That year he became as- 
sociated with "W. II. Vorhes in brickmaking, contracting and build 
ing, under the firm name of Vorhes & Crane. He has been three 
times married. His first wife was Mary M. Crothers, of Nelsonville, 
whom he married Oct. 28, 1852. She died Jan. 20, 1864, leaving 
four children — Florence M., wife of Alfred Powell, of Muskingum 
County, Ohio; Lucinda E., wife of Vincent Green, of Hocking 
County ; Vesta M., wife of Charles W. Sanders, of Hocking County, 



452 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALINE'S. "; 

and Mercy C, unmarried. He married his second wife, Margaret 
E. Carries, of Nelson vi lie, March 26, 1865. She died April 3, 1875, 
leaving five children — Sylva M., Eliza M., Charles W., James A., 
and William A. He married his third wile, Mrs. Margaret Davis, 
of Lancaster, Dec. 20, 1876. Mr. Crane is a Master and Royal 
Arch Mason, and has served as Senior and Junior Deacon and Sen- 
ior and Junior Warden of his lodge. He is also an Odd Fellow, 
and is a Past Grand. 

Edward Homer Davis, proprietor of Davis's livery stables at 
Nelsonville, was born in York Township, Athens Co., O., April 
15, 1859. His parents were Joseph A. and Alvira(Judd) Davis. 
His father dying when he was a child, he lived with his mother on 
the homestead until her death, when he was fourteen. At that age 
he began to work for himself. In 1876 he traded his interest in 
his father's estate for the livery business, in which he is now en- 
gaged at Nelsonville. In the spring of 1882 he was elected a mem- 
ber of the Council of Nelsonville, and is now an incumbent of that 
office. 

Joseph A. Davis (deceased) was born in Athens County, Ohio, 
near the mouth of Monday Creek, Dec. 1, 1825. His parents were 
Rufus P. and Clarrissa (Allen) Davis. He was married to Alvira 
Judd, Oct. 24, 1850. They had seven children, five of whom are 
living — John F., Lizzie Armitage, Charles J., Edward H. and 
Clinton L. Seth P. died in childhood and Susan A. in infancy, 
Mr. Davis spent his whole life on the farm on which he was born, 
heiring part of the land and purchasing the balance, where he 
pursued farming np to his death, July 16, 1866. 

O. W. Devore is a native of York Township, Hocking Co., 
Ohio, born Nov. 28, 1843, a son of Henry and Nancy (McKee) 
Devore. He was reared on a farm and received his education in 
the common schools and at the Ohio University. He spent several 
of his vacations in teaching school. In 1868 he entered the employ 
of the Nelsonville Coal Company, and April 2, 1870, was employed 
by T. Longstreth. He has been promoted from time to time, 
and at present is Superintendent of the store and offices of this 
district of the Columbus & Hocking Coal and Iron Company. He 
was married, Oct. 14, 1869, to Carrie McGill. They have three 
children — Carrie O, Belford L. and George E. Mr. and Mrs. 
Devore are members of the Methodist church. 

James Dew, proprietor of the Dew House, Nelsonville, was 
born at Zanesville, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1839. In 1810 his parents, John 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 453 

and Sarah (Zane) Dew, came to Athens County, and settled in 
York Township on a farm, where he was reared. His father was a 
pioneer of Athens County, and came with his brother, Thomas 
Dew, when eight years old from Cumberland, Md., in 1819. His 
mother was a descendant of the Zane family, founders of the city 
of Zanesville, Ohio. Our subject lived with his parents until 
manhood, and was given a common-school education. In his 
boyhood he was placed in charge of his father's farm, and did not 
begin to do any thing for himself until his father's death, in 1863. 
.Receiving his share of his father's estate, he made no investments 
until 1878, when he built the Dew House, a brick structure in 
Nelsonville, which he rented until May, 1882, when, with his son 
Dudley, he took charge of it as James Dew & Son. In January, 
1881, he purchased a farm of 530 acres in the vicinity of Frank- 
ford, Clinton Co., Ind., where he is also engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. In 1881 he was Trustee of York Township. In 
1859 he married Miss Margaret Charlton, of Nelsonville. They 
have three children — Dudley, Capitola and Stanley. They have 
lost one son — Orlaf. 

Thomas Dew was born in July, 1815. He lived near Nelson- 
ville, and was a farmer and stock-dealer. He enlisted in the late 
war and was a Captain of the Eighteenth Ohio Regiment, which 
position he held until his health foiled, when he was obliged tore- 
sign and come home. He died at his home at Bessemer, Sept. 30, 
1868, from disease contracted in the army. He left a family and a 
host of friends to mourn his loss. He was married to Miss Nancy 
Zane, daughter of Silas and Annie (Bland) Zane. Mr. Zane was 
the founder of Zanesville, Ohio, and was a very wealthy and in- 
fluential man at that time. Mrs. Dew was born May 4, 1821, and 
is the only one of the family now living. Mr. and Mrs. Dew were 
the parents of eight children, three of which are living — -Thomas 
E., Silas, and Mark; James, Joel, Isah, John and Orlaf are de- 
ceased. 

Charles Henry Doan, junior member of the firm of Lama & 
Doan, coal operators and merchants of Nelsonville, was born at 
Harveysburgh, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1852. When about four years old 
his parents, Nathan and Anna E. (Downing) Doan, moved to Rich - 
mond, Ind., where our subject remained till he was sixteen years 
of age. He was educated in the public schools and in Holing- 
worth's Commercial College at Richmond. In L868 he was em- 
ployed in a planing mill for a year, and afterward worked about 



454 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

two years in a boot and shoe store. In 1S70 he began operating 
in coal at Richmond till November of the following year, when he 
came to Nelsonville and accepted the position of general manager 
of the New York & Ohio Coal Company's stores at Nelsonville, 
which position he held till 1874. He was then engaged as book- 
keeper till the following year in the store of Whitman & Bates. 
In March, 1S75, he was employed as bookkeeper for the Nelsonville 
Mining Company, staying there till it was discontinued, in January, 
1S79. In 1881 he with J. E. Lama became the proprietors of the 
same mine in which they are now operating under the firm name 
of Lama & Doan. Previous to his becoming associated with Mr. 
Lama, he, in 1880, engaged in general merchandising at Nelsonville, 
which he carried on till December, 1881. June 23, 1873, he was 
married to Miss Jennie Austin, of Richmond, by whom he has two 
children — Robert A. and Frank C. Mr. Doan is an Odd Fellow, 
being Past Grand of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, and is also 
Past Chief of Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121. 

Levi McDowel, photographer, Nelsonville, was born in Mus- 
kingum County, O., March 24,1848. He lived on his father's farm 
until he was twenty-one, when he engaged in the cattle and stock 
trade. In 1873 he went to Columbus, O., and learned the .photog- 
rapher's trade, remaining at this point until 1874, when he went 
to Adams ville, Muskingum Co., O., and some six months later went 
to Plainheld, O., remaining there two years; then he located in 
Logan, O., and one year later came to Nelsonville and established 
his present business, where he has one of the best galleries in the 
Hocking Valley. He was married to Miss Laura Risley May 26, 
1881. She was born in Logan, O., a daughter of James A. and S. 
A. (Prince) Risley, natives of Virginia and Maryland. Mr. and 
Mrs. Levi McDowel are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

John Dreany, merchant, of Nelsonville, was born Feb. 22, 1832, 
. in County Armagh, in the north of Ireland, where he lived till he 
was twenty-one years old. He then emigrated to the United States, 
landing at New York in June, 1852. He first went to Pittsburg 
and engaged himself as a miner in the Sawmill Run coal mines un- 
til 1854, when he went to Virginia and worked as a miner till 1856. 
The same year he came to Nelsonville, where he was again engaged 
us a miner for one year, after which he became a coal operator and 
carried on the business until November, 1859. He then began 
boating on the Hocking Valley & Ohio Canal, and in July, 1863, 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 455 

during the Morgan raid, his boat was burned and his best horses 
taken by Morgan's men. In 1870 he gave up boating and engaged 
in the mercantile business, which he still follows. March 27, 1865, 
he married Elizabeth Cawthorn, who died June 4, 1874, when he, 
Aug. 1, 1877, married Anna Matheny, who died Oct. 13 of the same 
year. In February of the following year he was again married, 
this time to Lavina Dashler, of Athens County. Mr. Dreany is a 
Master Mason of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, of Nelsonville, and 
also an Odd Fellow, and belongs to Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339. 

/Samuel Smith Dresback, of the firm of Dresback & Hall, gro- 
cers and coal operators, Nelsonville, was born at JBloomingville, 
Hocking Co., O., Dec. 22, 1843, where he was reared a farmer and 
received a good common-school education. He lived with his par- 
ents, David and Jane (Smith) Dresback, until manhood. His fa- 
ther dying at about the time our subject became of age, lie remained 
on the farm with his mother six years, and during that time taught 
school during the winter months. In 1870 he was employed by 
the Lick Run Coal Company as a bookkeeper, and was in their em- 
ploy two and one-half years. In 1873 he was employed as assist- 
ant bookkeeper and weighmaster by T. Longstreth. In the spring 
of 1878 he engaged in the grocery business at Nelsonville. In 
October, 1882, George E. Hall became associated with him, under 
the firm name of Dresback & Hall, in the grocery business, and 
added that of operating in coal, their mines being in the vicinity 
of Nelsonville. Nov. 27, 1879, he was married to Jane Snyder, of 
Nelsonville. Himself and wife are members of the First Presby- 
terian Church. He has served both as Deacon and Ruling Elder 
for several years. 

Ellis Edwards was born in Flintshire, North Wales, in 1854. 
When he was eighteen years of age he went to Durham County, 
England, and worked in the coal mines thirteen years. While 
there, in 1858, he married Isabelle Caldwell, of Bouden Close, 
England. In 1865 he came to America and first located in Dun- 
more, Luzerne Co., Pa., where he worked in the coal mines a year. 
He then went to Wilkesbarre, Pa., and worked for Parish iv; Thomas 
a year. In 1867 he came to Ohio and worked in the railroad shops 
in Lancaster a year, and in 1868 came to Nelsonville and worked 
for Phillips & Powers four years. He then worked for W. B. 
Brooks most of the time till 1882 and since then has been em- 
ployed by Johnson Bros. & Patterson. In 1864 his wife died very 
suddenly of heart disease, leaving four children — Joseph, Mary 



456 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Elizabeth (recently a graduate of Nelsonville High School), Isabella 
and Cora. In 18GS Mr. Edwards married Mrs. Emily McLaughlin 
of Nelsonville. They have one child — Stella L. Mr. Edwards is 
a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Nelsonville. lie has 
served as Deacon several years and is now a Ruling Elder. He is 
a member of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F. 

William Edward Evans, President of the Hocking Valley divis- 
ion of the Miners' Association of the State of Ohio, was born at 
Grayson, Ky., July 1, 1847, where he was reared and lived with 
his parents, David and Frances (Evans) Evans, until manhood. 
At the age of eighteen he began to work in the coal mines at Mandy 
Furnace, Ky., remaining there until he was of age, when 
he came to Ohio and was employed in the coal mines at Sher- 
idan, Lawrence County. Lie afterward returned to Kentucky 
and worked in the mines at Coalton until 1874 when he came to 
Nelsonville and has been employed in the various mines at that 
place ever since. Jul}' 1, 1881, he was elected President of the 
Hocking Valley division of the Miners' Association of Ohio. 
Sept. 8, 1870, he married Elizabeth Rust, of Ironton, Lawrence 
Co., Ohio. They have six children — Charles Edward, William 
Henry, Frank, Harry, Stella and an infant. Mr. Evans is a mem- 
ber of Franklin Assembly, No. 453, Knights of Labor, being at 
present Treasurer. He is also an Odd Fellow and member of Unity 
Lodge, No. 568, of which he is Noble Grand, and of Nelsonville 
Encampment, No. 121. 

Christopher Findling was born in Germany, Sept. 12, 1849. 
When he was six years of age he came with his father's family to 
the United States and settled in Pomeroy, Meigs County, O., 
where he was reared and received a limited education. During 
his youth he worked in the coal mines, and when he was seventeen 
years of age he went to work in the woolen mills at Middleton, 
w T here he remained two years. At the end of that time he came 
to Athens County and was employed in the coal mines at Nelson- 
ville. In 1879 he came to Bessemer, where he has since resided, 
and has been engaged in the grocery business. He was married 
March 4, 1872, to Miss Corithine Rinestetter, a native of Hocking 
County. They had two children — Charley (died in 1877) and Liz- 
zie. His wife died in 1875. He was married Nov. 4, 18S0, to 
Miss Missouri Stuart of Athens County. They have had one 
child — Bertha, who died Sept. 2, 1881. Mr. Findling is a member 
of K. of P., York Lodge, No. 75. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 457 

Jacob William Frost, Postmaster of Nelsonville, was born in 
Athens, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1847, where he was reared and received a 
common-school education. He is the son of Jacob C. and Mary 
(McCabe) Frost, with whom he lived until manhood. His father 
being a tailor, he learned that trade in his boyhood. In the fall 
of 1863 he came to Nelsonville and engaged in tailoring until 1870, 
when, on account of his health, he was obliged to change his busi- 
ness, and was employed as a clerk in the stores of Nelsonville until 
1878, when he received the appointment of Postmaster. He is a 
Master, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason and 
member of the lodge at Nelsonville, and chapter and council at 
Logan, and commandery at Athens. He has served several terms 
as Senior Deacon of his Lodge. 

Charles Frederick Gilliam, M. D., Nelsonville, Ohio, was 
born in Logan, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1853. He is the son of William 
and Mary E. (Bryan) Gilliam. He began to support himself at 
the early age of thirteen by working in the nail factory of Clifton, 
W. Va. In his nineteenth year he was employed as a clerk at 
Middleport, and afterward at Nelsonville. When about twenty 
he began to clerk for his brother, Dr. D. T. Gilliam & James 
Dew, druggists at Nelsonville. He afterward succeeded Mr. Dew 
and was in business with his brother, under the firm name of 
Gilliam & Brother, until 1877, and during that time he studied 
medicine under his brother. Having a certificate to practice from 
the County Medical Society, Athens County, for several years, he 
was only required to take one course of lectures before graduating. 
He graduated from the Columbus Medical College in March, 
1878, and established himself in his present practice at Nelson- 
ville. From July, 1878, to September, 1881, he served as Township 
Physician of York Township. March 12, 1879, he married Miss 
Mattie Frost, daughter of J. C. Frost, of Nelsonville. They have 
one child — Charles Frederick, Jr. 

William B. Gilmore was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, 
Sept. 10, 1835. His youth was spent in attending school. At 
the age of eighteen years he engaged in running an engine for a 
saw-mill. About a year and a half later he went to the Yinton 
County furnaces and ran the engine for four years. At the breaking 
out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Ohio Cav- 
alry. He participated in many hard-fought battles and remained 
in active duty until the close of the war, receiving an honorable 
discharge Aug. 7, 1865. He returned to Yinton County, and was 



458 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in the employ of the Hamden Express Company for a year and a 
half. In the spring of 1S67 he went to Stewart County, Tenn., 
where he engaged with the Lagrange Iron Company as engineer 
for four years. In August, 1871, he returned to Ohio, and for five 
years was employed by the Union Furnace Company, of Hocking 
Valley. In 1877 he came to Buchtel, where he has since been 
in the employ of the Akron Iron Company as engineer. He was 
married April 9, 1860, to Miss Caroline Cramer, a native of Yinton 
County, Ohio. They had two children — Addie and Annie. His 
wife died March 14, 1871. He was married Dec. 21, 1872, to 
Miss 'Diantha Tucker, a native of Hocking County, Ohio. Mr. 
Gilmore is a member of the I. O. O. F., Hocking Valley Lodge, 
No. 262, and of Tom Dew Post, No. 288, G. A. R. 

J. T. Gray was born in Prince George County, Md., Nov. 23 > 
1825, a son of Elias and Delilah Gray. Mr. Gray received a com- 
mon education in the public schools, and moved to Nelson- 
ville in 1867, where he has since made his home. June 27, 1S49, 
he was married to Eliza Specht, daughter of Peter Specht. They 
have two living children — Alice and Emma, both married. 
Jonas died at the age of twenty years and one month. Mr. Gray 
enlisted first in the Ninety-second, and afterward in the One Hun- 
dred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Regiment, under General Ben Butler. He 
has been a Mason for a number of years, and is at present Master 
of the Nelsonville Lodge, No. 157. He was also a member of the 
I. O. O. F. for a brief period. He has served as Village Counsel 
three terms of two years each. Mr. Gray is by trade a tanner. 

John Grimm is a native of Baden, German} 7 , born March 9, 1833. 
His father, Philip Grimm, was Secretary of State for twenty-seven 
years in his native country, and his three elder brothers were men 
of military rank. One was Major in the German arniy, and the 
other two were Captains in the regular service. Our subject came to 
the United States in 1818, landing in New York. Pie learned the 
blacksmith's trade in Brooklyn, serving three years as an appren- 
tice and one year as journeyman in the same shop. He then visited 
nearly all the principal cities of the United States, and in 1854 
came to Ohio, and located in Cincinnati. Oct. 17, 1857, he mar- 
ried Miss Rachel Wollbrand, a native of Sleswick, Holstein, Ger- 
many. He resided in Cincinnati until November, 1859, when he 
removed to Meigs County, Ohio, and remained until the breaking 
out of the late civil war. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventh 
Ohio Battery Light Artillery, as a soldier of the ranks, but waR 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 459 

soon promoted to Artificer of the blacksmith's department. June 
6 he met with a serious accident by the fall of a horse, having his 
left leg and five ribs broken, and was confined to the hospital until 
October 23 following,when he was honorably discharged by a special 
order of General Sherman, but the following May he returned to 
his old regiment as a veteran, and received his former position, 
where he served until the close of the war. He was mustered out 
Aug. 27, 1865, and returned to his home in Meigs County, and 
there pursued his trade until 1876, when he came to Athens County 
and lived at Stewart for one and a half years. Re then came to 
Buchtel, where he has since resided, and has been foreman of the 
blacksmith shops for the Akron Iron Company. He was elected 
Justice of the Peace in 1880, and re-elected in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. 
Grimm are the parents of nine children, only seven of whom are 
living — Charles, Mary E., Florinda, Sophia, James, Augustus and 
Gustus (twins); John and Rachel, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Grimm 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member 
of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 457, and of K. of L., Keystone 
Lodge, No. 1,516. 

W. J. Hamilton, Postmaster, Buchtel, a son of Samuel and Mary 
(O'Neal) Hamilton, was born in McKeesport, Allegheny County, 
Pa., June 17, 1848, where he was reared and educated. When he 
was old enough to work he engaged on the public works of the 
mines. He afterward clerked for his uncle, John O'Neal, at Pine 
Run, where he remained for seven years, after which he engaged 
in weighing coal for the same company two years. He then en- 
gaged as carpenter for the P. V. & C. R. R. Co., where he remained 
for about two years, and in the summer of 1877 came to Ohio and 
located at Buchtel, Athens County, where he has since resided. 
The first six months he was engaged in the mines, after which he 
was weighmaster until April 1, 1S82, when he received his ap- 
pointment as Postmaster. He was married Jan. 16, 1875, to Liz- 
zie Cawean, a native of West Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Pa. 
They have two children — Cora B. and Norrinne. He is a member 
of I. O. O. F., Buchtel Lodge, No.712, being a charter member, and 
the encampment at West Elizabeth, No. 212; also a member of the 
K. of P., York Lodge, No. 75. 

W. J. Hayhson was born in llamden, Vinton Co., O., Sept., 
30, 1S44, a son of Richard and Rachel (Gregory) Haybson, where 
he was reared and received his education in the common school. 
His youth was spent in working on a farm and attending school 



460 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEF. 

until he was sixteen years of age when he went to learn the black- 
smith's trade with "Wm. Newton in his native county, where he re- 
mained one and a half years. lie then went to work for the M. & 
C R. R. for two years, after which he went into the railroad shops 
at Zaleski, Ohio, where he served eight years. In the spring of 
1877, he came to Athens County and located in Buchtel and en- 
gaged with the Akron Iron Company, where he has since been em- 
ployed. He was married Oct. 6, 1868, to Ellen Robb, a native of 
Clarion County, Pa. They have three children — Irenos J., Frank- 
lin and Ira S. Mr. Haybson is a member of the K. of P., Buchtel 
Lodge, No. 78. He is also a member of the Blue Lodge, Nelson- 
ville, No. 157; Logan Chapter, No. 75, and Hockhocking Council, 
No. 39, A. F. & A. M., and Knights of Labor, Keystone Assembly, 
1,516. He holds the office of Township Trustee of York Town- 
ship, elected in 1882. 

Wesley Clark Hickman was born near Chesterville, Knox Co., 
Ohio, Dec. 30, 1832, a son of Robert F. and Harriet (Nichols) 
Hickman, his father a native of Chester Count}'', Pa., and his 
mother of Leesburg, Va. When he was four years of age his 
parents removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, remaining there till the 
fall of 1842, when they went to Somerset, Perry County. In 1843 
he went into his father's printing office to learn the trade, working 
part of the time and attending school the rest of the time for six 
years. Early in 1849 he left home and worked as a jour printer 
in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan for three or four years, spending 
part of the time, however, in attending school in Somerset, to Rev. 
A. J. AVeddell. In the latter part of 1S52 he began the study of 
law, and was admitted to the bar in 1854. In the spring of 1855 
he was married to Catherine M., daughter of James and Amelia 
(Kelley) Porter, of Fultonham, Ohio, who died in 1856, leaving 
two children, a son and a daughter. The son, James Robert, still 
lives; the daughter died at the age of four and a half months. 
After the death of his wife he served two years as Deputy Clerk of 
Probate Court of Perry County, his father being Probate Judge. 
He then assumed the control of the Somerset JRevieio, but it proved 
unsuccessful, and through that and other unsuccessful business 
ventures he found himself involved in debt. He closed his office 
and went to Cincinnati and entered an office as compositor, and 
from the fall of 1859 till April, 1861, worked at the case, princi- 
pally in the office of the Daily Times. He then enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Fifth Ohio Infantry, for three months. The company 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 461 

organized under the name of Franklin Guards, and was composed 
almost wholly of " typos." In June, 1861, the regiment reorgan- 
ized as a three years' regiment, and Mr. Hickman re-enlisted. He 
served in the ranks as a non-commissioned officer till August, 1863, 
when, on account of failing health, he was transferred to the Veteran 
Reserve Corps. Objecting to the transfer which was made against 
his will, he only remained with the ''reserves" till Sept. 27, 1863, 
when he rejoined his regiment at "Washington, D. C, and accom- 
panied his old command to Tennessee. He remained with his 
regiment till Dec. 23, when an order for his arrest was forwarded 
to his regiment and he was returned to Washington and the charge 
of " desertion " preferred against him by the Captain of the 
Seventh Company, Second Battalion, V. R. C, Emil Sturmfels. 
After being kept in the guard house a few days he was put on 
trial as a " deserter " before a general court martial, Colonel 
Guile, of Philadelphia, presiding, but before the result of the trial 
was announced the Adjutant General graciously removed the 
charge and remanded him to duty. During his military service 
he was in the campaigns of West Virginia in 1861, and in the 
Shenandoah Valley in 1862, participating in the engagements at 
Winchester, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain and others, and did 
duty as scout a short time. He was in the service thirty-eight 
months, being with the Fifth Ohio two years, in the hospital seven 
months (as patient part of the time and about four months as clerk 
at Harper's Ferry General Hospital), and about six months in the 
Veteran Reserve Corps. In June, 1864, he returned to Perry 
County, and resumed the practice of law. In June, 1866, he was 
appointed Clerk of Courts of Perry County, but at the election was 
beaten by his Democratic competitor by a majority of 145. In 
October, 1867, he came to Nelson ville. He served one term as 
Justice of the Peace of York Township, from 1869-'72, but refused 
re-election at the end of the term. In 1875 he was again elected 
and still holds the office. In September, 1865, he married Kate, 
daughter of Hixson and Ann (Pruner) Hunt. They have had six 
children born to them, only three now living — Paul H., Katie 
and John M. Fletcher died at the age of five months, Annie H. 
at the age of two years, and Sam aged one year. 

WUUs Gaylord Hickman, County Commissioner of Athens 
County, and druggist of Nelsonville, was born in Mount Vernon, 
Ohio, Oct. 16, 1839. He is the son of Robert F. and Harriet 
(Nichols) Hickman. His mother died at Somerset when he was 



462 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

three years of age, and he lived with his father until he was sev- 
enteen, and was driven a common -school education. He worked 
at the printer's trade until he was eighteen, but not liking that 
trade began to learn the blacksmith's trade, and worked at it for 
four years, when, in March, 1S62, he enlisted in Company E, of 
the First Battalion of the Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, and served 
three years, being discharged at Lookout Mountain, Tenn., March 
27, 1865. He participated in the battles of Corinth, Perrysville, 
Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kennesaw Mountain, 
Smyrna Church, Peach Tree Creek, Chattahoochee, the siege and 
capture of Atlanta and Jonesboro. After being discharged he re- 
turned to New Lexington, Ohio, where his father had removed 
while he was in the service, and from there he went to Lebanon, 
Ohio, and attended the Southwestern Normal School for nearly 
two years. He then returned to New Lexington, and was deputy 
clerk under his father in the probate office at that place one year, 
when in May, 1868, he came to Nelsonville and engaged in the 
drug business, being associated with his brother, W. C. Hickman, 
under the firm name of Hickman Brothers. In 1873 Joseph 
Smith became his brother's successor, and changed the firm to 
Hickman & Smith. In July, 1876, Mr. Smith retired from the 
firm, and since then Mr. Hickman has carried on the business 
alone. In the spring of 1878 he was elected Treasurer of the vil- 
lage of Nelsonville for a term of two years, and re-elected in the 
spring of 1882. He served as Township Trustee of York Town- 
ship during 187S-'79, and on the School Board of Nelsonville from 
1881 to 1883. In 1880 he was elected one of the Commissioners of 
Athens County for a term of three years. Nov. 2, 1871, he mar- 
ried Miss Lorana L. Wolf, of Hocking County, Ohio, who died at 
Nelsonville, May 31, 1878, leaving two children — Robert D. 
and Perley W. He married Miss Dora Wolf, of Nelsonville, 
Aug. 8, 1880. They have one child — Emma E. Mr. Hick- 
man is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. 
M.; of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F., and of Nelson- 
ville Encampment, No. 121. He is Past Grand of the sub- 
ordinate lodge, and Past Worthy Patriarch of the encampment. 
He is also a member of Phil Kearney Post, G. A. R. 

Jacob James IZoodlet, blacksmith, of Nelsonville, was born near 
Somerset, Ohio, April 7, 1835. He lived with his parents, Peter 
and Catherine (Klise) Hoodlet, in Perry and Hocking counties 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 463 

until manhood. At fourteen years of age he began to learn the 
blacksmith's trade with Jam es Edington, at Old Straitsville, 
Perry County, with whom he worked some three years, after which 
he worked for his brother, John Hoodlet, at Gore, Hocking County, 
until 1857. He then returned to Old Straitsville and began busi- 
ness for himself, remaining in that place till 1862, when he came 
to Nelsonville and established the shop in which he still continues 
to work. He was married Aug. 6, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Johan- 
nah Johnson, of Hocking County, who has borne him twelve chil- 
dren, nine of whom survive, viz.: Henry P., John W., Mary A., 
Charles L., Isaao P., Ella L., Maria J., Kate L. and Nancy M. He 
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Nel- 
sonville, of which he is Steward. Mr. Hoodlet served as Council- 
man of Nelsonville in 1867. He is an Odd Fellow, being a 
member of Unity Lodge, No. 568, of Nelsonville. In 1864 he 
enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, 
O. N. G., and served on guard duty at Barboursville, Va., four 
months. 

John Wesley Jackson, of the firm of Wilson & Jackson, proprie- 
tors of the Central Meat Market at Nelson ville, was born in Man- 
chester Township, Morgan County, April 30, 1829. At an early 
age he came with his parents, Robert and Rebecca (Hollister) 
Jackson, to York Township, Athens County, where he lived until 
he was fifteen years old, after which he went with them to Ward 
Township, Hocking County, where his father died in 1845. Soon 
after he returned with his mother to York Township. He was 
reared as a farmer, and educated in the district schools. At twenty- 
two years of age he rented the homestead of his mother, and began 
to farm for himself. After a short time he and his brother-in-law 
bought the interest of the other heirs, and he became owner of 
the portion on which he lived for twenty-eight years. In 1879 he 
rented his farm, removed to Nelsonville and formed his present 
partnership with Clark Wilson. He was married April 14, 1864, 
to Miss Kate S. White, of Athens. They have two children living, 
viz. : Robert Hiram and Harry Hays. Lizzie Lillian died at Nel - 
sonville, April 30, 1880, at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Jackson 
was elected Township Assessor of York Township in 1878, and 
served one year. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church of Nelsonville, of which he is Trustee and Steward. 

Thomas Johnson, of the firm of Johnson Brothers & Patterson, 
consisting of Thomas, Edward and Charles Johnson, Joseph Slater 



464 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and David Patterson, coal miners and dealers, of Nelson ville, was 
born near Birmingham, England, Dec. 6, 1853. When he was 
about eight years of age he came to the United States with his 
parents, Thomas and Ann (Slater) Johnson, first settling at Niles, 
Ohio. He lived with them there, at Sharon, Pa., and Akron, Ohio, 
until 1873, when he, with his brother Charles, came to Nelsonville. 
He was given only a common-school education and was brought up 
a miner. He followed that avocation at Nelsonville until 1879 when 
he and his brothers, Charles and Edward, and half brother, Joseph 
Slater, leased the Salt Well Hollow coal mines at Nelsonville and 
began to mine and ship coal. In August, 1881, David Patterson, 
of Columbus, Ohio, became associated with them and formed 
the present firm of Johnson Brothers & Patterson. Oct. 4, 1881, 
he married Mary Zephyr, daughter of A. H. Carnes, of ISTelsonville. 
They have one child — Thomas Alfred. Mr. Johnson is a Master 
Mason and member Philodorean Lodge, No. 157. 

Andrew Jackson Juniper was born in York Township, Athens 
County, on Nov. 2, 1853, and at the age of four years accompanied 
his parents, Thomas and Charlotte (Taylor) Juniper, to Wisconsin. 
They returned from there to Athens County in 1861, where he 
was educated in the schools of Nelsonville. At the age of twenty 
he began to work as a coal miner for W. B. Brooks, and contin- 
ued to do so for five years. In 1878 he was employed by John W. 
Scott as Superintendent of the Lick River coal mines for one year, 
after which he was engaged as a clerk in the store of the Flood- 
wood Coal Company about one year. In 1860 he came to Nelson- 
ville and engaged in merchandising, and in 1881 he also began 
operating in coal. In December of the latter year his brother, 
Abner Juniper, became associated with him under the firm name 
of Juniper Brothers. They employ some seventy-five miners 
annually and are permanently located in Nelsonville. Dec. 17, 
1871, he was married to Miss Anna More, of Nelsonville, and they 
are the parents of two children, viz.: Ida and Edward. 

Wallace Washington Knight, an old resident of Nelsonville, 
was born Nov. 13, 1825, on the spot where he now resides. He is 
a son of James and Sarah (Redmond) Knight, who emigrated 
from England and settled in Nelsonville in July, 1821. His 
father died Aug. 26, 1836, and his mother, Aug. 6, 1867. Our 
subject received his education in the district school. At the age 
of fifteen he began to learn the tanner's trade, working at it six or 
seven years, but not liking that trade he was variously employed 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 465 

until 1S6S, when he retired from active business. Oct. 11, 1857, 
he married Miss Josephine Everts, of Athens County, daughter of 
Eli and Oril (Howe) Everts. She was born in Canada, and came- 
to Athens County with her parents when she was quite young. 
They have two children — James S., a clerk with C. A. Cable & 
Co., and Wallace Wade, attending school. 

Solomon Charles Kontner, proprietor of meat market, Nelson, 
ville, Ohio, was born at Deavertown, Morgan Co., Ohio, Nov. 29, 
1832. When about six years of age he came with his parents, 
Solomon and Mary (Bagley) Kontner, to Nelsonville, where he 
was reared. His father dying when he was sixteen years old he 
began to maintain himself. He was employed as a driver on the 
Hocking Yalley & Ohio Canal during the summer season, until 
1857; has served in all the positions, from driver to captain. 
Since 1857 he has been engaged in his present business at Nelson 
ville, with the exception of three years, when he was operating in 
mining coal. He has served as Marshal of Nelsonville nine years, 
and Councilman five years. March 15, 1855, he married Mary A. 
Lazarus, of Deavertown. They have five children — Ida, Addie 
(wife of Dr. S. E. Butt), Charles S., Cora and Yerna. Mr. Kontner 
is an Odd Fellow and member of the Hockhocking Lodge, No, 
339, and Nelsonville Encampment, No. 121. 

Joseph J. Lane, mechanic, Buchtel, was born in Washington 
County, Pa., June 7, 1S39, a son of Joseph and Margaret (McKee. 
ver) Lane. His youth was epent in assisting his father in a 
cabinet shop, and attending school. When sixteen years ot age 
he went to Ripley, Brown Co., Ohio, and served an apprentice- 
ship of four years at the machinist's trade. At the breaking out of 
the late civil war, he was the first man in Washington County > 
Pa., to offer his services in defense of his country, enlisting on the 
12th day of April, 1S61, in the three months' service. He served 
in the Eastern army until his term of enlistment expired, afte 
which he re-enlisted in the Ringgold Cavalry, an independent bat. 
talion, where he served until the close of the war. He participated 
in many hard-fought battles; among some of the most prominent 
were : Winchester, Cedar Creek, Gettysburg and Knoxville. He 
enlisted as a soldier of the ranks, but received promotion through 
all the non-commissioned offices, and in February, 1S64, received 
the commission of Second Lieutenant. He was honorably discharged 
Dec. 12, 1S65, thus serving his country faithfully for a period of 
nearly five years. After being mustered out he returned to his 
30 



466 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY, 

native county. In 1867 he came to Ohio and settled in New Lex- 
ington, and went to work at carpentering, remaining there until 
1SS0, when he came to Buchtel, where he has since resided. He 
was married Nov. 4, 1862, to Miss Martha Wilkins, a native of 
Washington County, Pa. They have had five children, only four 
of whom are living — Maggie, Lulu A., Samuel S. and Nora. Mr. 
Lane is a member of Buchtel Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 712, and of 
the Tom Dew Post, No. 28S, G. A. P., Buchtel. 

H. T. Zee,JI. D.,was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Jan. 

26, 1856, a son of James H. andEachel (Baldwin)Lee. He received 
his early education in the common schools, and completed it at the 
Atwood Institute, Albany, Athens Co., Ohio. After leaving school 
he engaged in teaching for about four years. He began the study 
of medicine in April, 1878, under the preceptorship of Dr. A. C. 
Allen, of Straitsville, Ohio. He took his first course of lectures 
in the winter of 1879-'S0, at the Ohio Medical College, after which 
he returned to Straitsville, and remained with his preceptor until the 
rext winter, when he took his second course of lectures, and gradu- 
ated in 1882, at the same college, after which he located in Buch- 
tel, where by strict attention to his profession he has built up a 
large practice, and met with remarkable success. He is a member 
of the K. of P., Buchtel Lodge, No. 78. He is also a member of 
the I. O. O. F., Buchtel Lodge, No. 712. 

Barnet Columbus Lefever, Superintendent of the Nelson ville 
Planing Mill Company, was born at Butler, Butler Co., Pa., May 

27, 1830. In his sixth year he came with his parents, Isaac and 
Elizabeth (Step) Lefever, to Ohio and lived in Trimble Township 
till he attained the age of manhood. At the age of twenty he be- 
gan to learn the carpenter's trade with James M. Bishop, of Morgan 
County, with whom he worked about two years. He next worked 
as a journeyman at different places in Athens, Hocking and Mor- 
gan counties for three years, and in 1855 he located in Albany, 
Athens County, where he lived one year, when he removed to a 
farm in York Township, where he pursued fanning with his trade 
till 1871. In that year he came to Nelsonville and engaged as a 
contractor and builder and undertaker, in which lie is still engaged. 
In January, 1882, at the organization of the Nelsonville Planing 
Mill Company, he became a stockholder and was elected Superin- 
tendent, and still holds that position. In 1S75 he was elected one 
of the Athens County Infirmary Directors for a term of three 
years; has also served as Councilman of Nelsonville two terms; as 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 467 

member of the School Boardone term, and on the School Board of 
York Township about ten years. He was married Jan. 1',), 1S55, 
to Miss Rebecca Miranda, daughter of Robert and Rebecca Jack- 
son, of York Township, Athens County. They have had six chil- 
dren, bnt Edmund Burns is the only one living at present. Three 
died in infancy. Thomas Orlando died in 1872, at the age of sixteen, 
and Charles Welch in 1874, aged over three years. Mr. Lefever 
is a Master Mason and member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157; 
an Odd Fellow, a member of llockhocking Lodge, No. 339, of 
which he is Past Grand. 

Moses Lewis, deceased, was bom in Athens County, Ohio, April 
19, 1816, a son of Samuel Lewis, who was a son of Daniel 
Lewis, and came to Athens Count}- among the early settlers. 
He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. 
He was married May 9, 1813, to Miss Sarah Harrington, a 
daughter of Samuel K. Harrington, a native of New York. 
Soon after our subject's marriage he moved on the farm, where 
his widow now resides. They were the parents of fifteen chil- 
dren, eight of which are still living. He and his wife were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lewis held the 
office of Justice of the Peace for about eight years besides many 
other local offices of trust and responsibility. He departed this 
life May 29, 1882. Mrs. Lewis has a large farm of 336 acres of 
well-cultivated land. 

Henry J. Ley was born in Alsace, Germany, Nov. 11, 1855, 
where he was reared and educated. He came to the United States 
in 1873, and located in Akron, Summit Co., Ohio. In 1876 he 
came to Bessemer and worked at the stone-mason's trade about 
three months, when he went to work in the iron mines. lie was 
married June 2, 1881, to Miss Josephine Gross, a native of Law- 
rence County, Ohio. They have one child — Henry P. Mr. Ley 
is a member of the K. of L. , Keystone Assembly, No. 1,516, and of 
the K. of P., York Lodge, No. 75. 

Thomas Manning Linton, a miner in the coal mines of Nelson- 
ville, was born near Frederick City. Frederick Co., Md., Aug. 12, 
1838, where he lived until he was ten years of age. In the fall of 
ISIS he came with his parents to Ohio, settling near Maxville, 
where they lived until L850, when they came to Hocking County 
and located on Monday Creek. In 1S5S he came to Nelsonville 
and engaged in mining, which he followed until April 21, 1861, 
when he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Ohio In- 



4 (is HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

fantry, for three months. He served until Aug. 19. 1861. Oct. 

2, 1S61, lie enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, for 
three years. He was discharged at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, 
Nov. 9, 1804. He participated in the battles of Athens, Ala.. 
LaVergne, Tenn., Stone River, Tenn., Elk River, Chattanooga, Davis 
Cross Roads, Ohickamauga, Rossville, Brown's Ferry, Missionary 
Ridge and Pulaski. In January, 1803, he was promoted to Duty 
Sergeant, and served as such until his discharge. After his dis- 
charge he returned to Nelsonville and resumed mining, and has 
been connected with that business ever since. Jan. 13, 1868, he 
married Emma Tedrow, of Nelsonville. They have four children — 
Eugene M., Emma May, Flora and Parley. Mr. and Mrs. Linton 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member 
of f Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., and of Hockhock- 
ing Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F. 

Thomas Porter Marshall, of the Maple Hill Coal Company, 
Nelsonville, was born May 30, 1827, in Philadelphia, Pa., a son of 
William and Rebecca (Beaty) Marshall. When he was two years 
of age his parents removed to Darlington, Pa., where he was 
reared and educated. When he was twenty years of age he went 
to work for J. C. Hartman to learn the trade of a millwright, 
serving an apprenticeship of three and a half years, and in 1850 
became associated with his employer in business. In 1854 they 
went to Iowa and worked in Marshall and Hardin counties till 
1861. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Thirteenth 
Iowa [nfantry, and was elected Captain of his company. He was 
afterward promoted to .Major of the regiment, He participated 
in the battles of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, second battle of Corinth, 
siege and capture of Vicksburg. and was in the Atlanta campaign. 
After the fall of Atlanta, while at home on furlough, he was assigned 
to General Thomas's command. Army of the Cumberland, stationed 
at Nashville, Tenn., and placed in command of a regiment of the pro- 
visional division of the Army of the Tennessee, and while there 
participated in the two days' battle before Nashville. He remained 
in command of the regiment till its disbandment in April, L865, 
when he returned to his own regiment at Goldsboro, and after the 
surrender of Johnston went to Washington, and was discharged 
April 9, 1865, after a service of nearly four years. Ho returned 
to his old home in Beaver Co., Pa., his family having moved there 
in his absence. He was engaged in the oil business two years, and 
in 1867 began operating in and mining coal. In October, 187 :> >. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 469 

lie came to Nelsonville and was appointed Superintendent of the 
Laurel Hill Coal Company, of Columbus, remaining with them till 
Feb. 28, 1882. March 6, 1882, he was employed as Superintendent 
of the Maple Hill mines. April 1, 1883, a new organization was 
formed, and called the Maple Hill Coal Company. Mr. Marshal] 
became a member of the company, still retaining the position of 
Superintendent. In 1857-'5S, he was Justice of the Peace of 
Greencastle Township, Marshall Co., Iowa, and was Coroner of 
that county in 1850. In 18S0-'81 he was Councilman of Nelson- 
ville, and since 1881 has been a member of the Board of Educa- 
tion, being at present President of the Board. Nov. 10,1852, he 
married Rachel Dawson, of Columbiana Co., O., who died Sept. 
6, 1873, leaving three children — William Dawson, Almira H. and 
Etta Florella. In December, 1S75, Mr. Marshall married Rachel 
Snyder, of Zaleski, O. They have two children — Ralph Everett 
and Ethel Ida. Mr. Marshall belongs to the Masonic frater- 
nity, and is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, of Nelson- 
ville, and Liverpool Chapter, No. 100, of East Liverpool; an Odd 
Fellow and a member of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, and Nel- 
sonville Encampment, No. 121, and also of York Lodge, No. 15, 
K. of P. 

James Monroe Martin, watchman in the coal mines of W. P>. 
Brooks, was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, April 7, ISIS, 
where he lived for thirty years. When eighteen years of age, in 1836, 
he became apprenticed to George Ring, of Lancaster, to learn the 
woolen manufacturer's trade, which he followed till 1S7S, carrying 
it on at Nelson ville from 184S until 1878, being associated with J. 
J.Robbins. From 1878 till 1S81 he was not in any active business, 
but since then has been employed in his present position. He has 
held the office of Councilman of Nelsonville one term. March 25, 
L841, he was married to Mary Moutice, of Lancaster, who died 
April 21, 1S64, at Nelsonville, leaving two children — Joseph C. 
and William Scott, both of Nelsonville. June 25, 1865, he was 
married to Mrs. Susan A. Bates, of Nelsonville, who died Sept. 20, 
1879. Mr. Martin is an Odd Fellow and member of Hockhocking 
Lodge, No. 339, of which he is Past Graud. 

Lindley Alonso Maxwell, station agent ot the C, II. V. & T. 
R. R. at Nelsonville, was horn near Malaga, Monroe Co., O., March 
31, 1S54, a son of John L. and Phcebe J. (Carlton) Maxwell. He 
attended school till fifteen years of age and then clerked in a store at 
Lancaster a year, after which he went into the office of the C.,H. 



470 HISTORr OF PIOCKING VALLEY. 

V. & T. R. R., at Lancaster, and learned telegraphy. He was em- 
ployed in the office as extra operator about six months, and then 
as night operator eight months. From Lancaster he went to Colum- 
bus, Ohio, and was employed as extra operator there and afterward 
in other places till Nov. 9, 1873, when he received the appointment 
of day operator at Nelsonville, and Aug. 4, 1881, he was promoted 
to station agent. Sept. 11, 1878, he married Sarah I. Smith, of 
Nelsonville. They have two children — Charles L. and Lula J. 
Mr. Maxwell is a member of York Lodge, No. 75, K. of P., of 
which he is now Past Chancellor. 

John Perry McG'dl, junior member of the mercantile firm of 
Parker & McGill, Nelsonville, was born in Canaan Township, Ath- 
ens Co., O., May 3, 1837, where he lived with his parents, John and 
Susan (Mansfield) McGill, until he was eight years old, when they 
moved to Waterloo Township. In 1847 they removed to Hamley 
Run, in Dover Township, and when he was eighteen to York 
Township, and in 1857, to Starr Township, Hocking County, where 
he lived four years. He remained with his father's family, his father 
being a cripple, until he was twenty-seven years of age. Sept. 5,. 
1864, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth 
Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He then 
returned to Atherns County, and in the fall of that year engaged in 
saw-milling and farming at Mineral City, carrying on that business 
until the following year. He then went on the M. & C. R. R., 
working in different capacities until 1869, when he took charge of 
the telegraph wires on the Columbus & Hocking Valley Road, 
having charge of the lines from Athens to Columbus. His father 
died Dec. 24, 186U, at Mineral City. In March, 1883, he became 
associated with J. M. Parker in the general mercantile business at 
Nelsonville. Aug. 17, 1865, he was. married to Elvira Burlingame, 
of Albany, Athens County. They have one daughter — Flora. Him- 
self and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ho 
is an Odd Fellow and member of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, of 
Nelsonville. 

Jlosea McC. Miller was born in Preston County, W. Ya., Feb. 
19, 1846. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the 
common schools, living with his parents until he grew to manhood. 
After he reached his majority he learned the blacksmith's trade 
with his father, working with him three years. lie then went to 
Grafton, W. Ya., and worked in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 
shops two years. In 1873 he came to Hocking County, O., and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 471 

worked at the Union Furnaces until May 9, 1877, when he came to 
Buchtel, where he has since been in the employ of the Akron Iron 
( Jompany. He was married Sept. 22, 1808, to Mary M. Rodeheaver, 
a native of Preston County, W. Va. They have two children — 
Frank G. and Clarence W. Mr. Miller is a member of the K. ot 
P., York Lodge, No. 75. His wife is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

Alexander Warden Nelson, real estate agent, was born in Nel- 
sonville, Sept. 1, 1825. He is the second of three sons of Daniel 
and Sarah (Smith) Nelson. His father was the original owner ot 
the site of Nelsonville and an extensive land owner. He laid out 
the plot of Nelsonville in 1818. Onr subject was reared and has 
spent his whole life at Nelson ville. His father dying when he was 
ten years of age he was thrown upon his own resources. In his 
boyhood he began to work on the Hocking Valley & Ohio Canal by 
driving a cart-horse, and after its completion followed canaling, 
from driver to captain, until 1861. In that year he assisted in re- 
cruiting soldiers for the Union army, he being a staunch Union 
man. In the latter part of that year he enlisted in Company G, 
Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and served only eighteen months when 
he was discharged at Huntsville, Ala., for disability caused by dis- 
eased eyes, having at that time nearly lost his eyesight. He then 
returned home, and although still afflicted, assisted in raising re- 
cruits. He has been under treatment for years but has not fully 
recovered his sight. He for a time tried to work in the coal mines, 
but was obliged to abandon it. He was then variously employed 
until ls75, when he engaged in the real estate business and lately 
became associated with J. F. Camp, under the firm name of Camp 
ov ISTelsoo. July 18, 1850, he was married to Miss Alpha Stein- 
rocl, of Muskingum County, O. They have eight children — Joseph- 
ine, wife of Albert Riggs; Ella, Douglas Ward, Orilla, Daniel. 
Alpha, Amos and Angle. They have lost one — Louisa, who died at 
the age of seventeen years. ^Mr. Nelson is a member of Phil Kearney 
Post, No. 38, G. A. R, of Nelsonville. 

Alonzo Pugsley Newton, Street Commissioner of Nelsonville, was 
born at Nelsonville, Oct. 10, 1835. He is the son of Gershom and 
Clarissa (Fisk) Newton, with whom he lived until he was eight 
years old, when he was taken by his uncle, Aaron Lewis, living 
with him until he was twenty-one. He then engaged in boating on 
the Hocking Valley & Ohio Canal until 1861, when, Oct. 9, he en- 
listed in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and served three 



472 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

years. He was in the battles of Athens, Ala., Pulaski, Term., and 
Stone River. He was discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, Nov. 4, 
1864. He then returned to Nelsonville and w r as employed in the 
coal mines until 1879, when he was elected Street Commissioner of 
Nelsonville, and has held that position by re-election ever since. 
Jan. 29, 1865, he married Miss Rebecca Anders, of Nelson ville. 
They have four children — Ella, JBerta, Minnie and Fred. Mr. New- 
ton is a member of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R., of which 
Le is Senior Commander. 

James Milton Parker, senior member of the firm of Parker & 
McGill, merchants, Nelsonville, was born near Logan, Hocking Co., 
Ohio, May 26, 1843, where he was reared and lived with his par- 
ents, Albert and Malinda, nee Bancroft, Parker, until manhood, and 
was given a common-school education. After becoming of age he 
was variously employed until 1871, when he was employed as a 
clerk in the store of W. B. Brooks, of Nelsonville, until 18S2, when 
he became associated with John P. McGill in the mercantile busi- 
ness, under the firm name of Parker ifc McGill. Sept. 12, 1SC5, he 
was married to Miss Lydia Woodard, daughter of Nathan B. and 
Sarah (Nelson) Woodard. Her grandmother was a descendant of 
Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville. They have had two chil- 
dren; one died in infancy, and the other, Luetta, died at Nelson" 
ville, Feb. 26, 1S71. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, of Nelsonville, of which he has been 
Steward eleven } T ears, Class-Leader two years, and Sabbath-school 
Superintendent eight years. 

John Calvin Parker, salesman for Charles Robbins, Nelson- 
ville, was born near Deavertown, Ohio, April 4. 1839, a son of 
Albert and Malinda (Bancroft) Parker. He was reared in Logan. 
Hocking County, where he received his elementary education, 
completing it in the Union School, Lexington, Ohio. He began 
teaching when twenty years of age, and taught live winters in Stan- 
Township, Hocking County. In June, 1864, he came to Nelson- 
ville and opened a photograph gallery, but the next June sold out 
and became associated with M. W. Benson in the mercantile busi- 
ness. In November, 1867, he retired from the firm and entered 
the employ of Charles Robbins. Since 1873 he has been dealing 
in real estate, and since his boyhood he has dealt in horses, being 
one of the best judges of that animal in the county. lie was elected 
Township Clerk in 186S, serving a year; has served as Town- 
ship Treasurer ten years; a member of the Board of Education of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. *473 

Nelsonville seven years, and Treasurer of the village School Board 
nine vears. May 30, 1860, he married Sarah A. Woodard, a de- 
scendant of Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville. They have 
one child— Orilla M., wife of Fred. W. Bull, ot Bnchtel. Mr. and 
Mrs. Parker are members of the Methodist church. He is a mem- 
ber of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., and of Hock- 
hocking Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F. 

Ashford Poston was born near Hanging Rock, Hampshire Co., 
Va., Nov. 7, 1S14, the eldest of three sons of Richard and Eliza- 
beth (Thompson) Poston. He was reared on his father's farm, and 
received but a limited education in the ordinary subscription 
schools of that day. The year he was twenty-one he came to Ohio 
with his parents, locating in the vicmit} r of Zanesville, where he 
began to work tor himself, and was variously employed till 1837, 
when he became established in the grocery business with his 
cousin, E. S. Poston, in Nelsonville, the firm name being E. S. & 
A. Poston. Four years later they added general merchandise to 
their stock of groceries. He was also engaged in driving horses 
and cattle to the Philadelphia and Baltimore markets until 1844, 
when he retired from the mercantile and stock business, and en- 
gaged in boating on the Hocking Valley & Ohio Canal, and in 
buying and selling produce. In 1S56 he retired from active busi- 
ness, but in 1S63 became interested in mining and shipping coal, 
and was thus engaged until 1881. In connection with mining, in 
1873 he was in the hardware and furniture business with S. N. 
Poston, the firm name being A. <$z S. N. Poston. In 1876 he 
purchased a dry -goods house, but in 1S80 rented his coal mine 
and retired from all active business. Since 1858 he has been an 
extensive dealer in real estate. Although not actively engaged in 
business he is a member of the Nelsonville Planing Mill Company, 
of which he is President, Treasurer and Director. During the 
many years of his residence in Nelsonville he has served in most 
of the offices of its municipal and township organization. He has 
been twice married. His first wife was Margaret Parkinson, of 
Athens County, whom he married in 1838, and who died in 1842, 
leaving two children — Mary E. (now Mrs. Abraham Williams), 
and William B. Dec. 2, 1S57, he married Miss M. C. Butt. 
They have three children — Maggie L., wite of William H. Hatch; 
Dennie A., widow of Cassius Dew, and Emma May. They have 
lost two children — Allie Monema, died March 3,1869, aged ten 
years, and Annie, died in infancy. 






-±74 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Lorenzo Dow Boston was bora in Hampshire County, Va . 
March 22, 1812, and moved to Athens County in 1830 and engaged 
in buying and selling cattle until about 1835, when he moved to 
Nelsonville and went into the mercantile business. He owned a 
large tract of land in and near Nelsonville, and in 1852 went into 
the mining business, in which he was very successful. Nov. 26, 
1835, he was married to 'Martha Wilson, who only lived about two 
years. Sept. 26, 1838, he married Lucinda Parkinson. They had 
five children, two of which are living — William W., and Lucinda, 
wife of E. P. Pendleton. In 1S52 he was married to Miss Hannah 
Scott. They had three children — Winfield, Irvin and Clarence E. 
Mr. Poston died Dec. 16, 1S75. He was a man of fine business 
talent, and his death was mourned by all that knew him. He was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years 
before his death, and had been Class-Leader several years. 
When a young man he used to work by the month at any kind of 
work he could obtain, but when he died he was one of the wealth- 
iest men in the county. He obtained it all by his own good man- 
agement and hard work. Mrs. Hannah Poston, wife of the deceased, 
was born Sept. 15, 1830, in England, and came to America with 
her parents when she was abuut three and one-half years old. 
They settled on the Ohio River and lived there until she was 
about ten years old, when they moved to Nelsonville. 

Webster Wesley Poston, of the firm of Steenrod & Poston, pro- 
prietors of Eagle Flouring Mills, of Nelsonville, and also a 
member of the Nelsonville Planing Mill Company, and of theNel- 
sonville Foundry and Machine Company, was born in •Xelsonvillo, 
June 29, 1844, where he was reared and educated. He lived with 
his parents, Wesley W. and Mary E. (Dew) Poston. until manhood. 
At the age of fourteen he entered the store of his father and was 
variously employed until the death of his father, Feb. 2, L875. 
Alter his death he, with his brother, James D., settled up the estate. 
He then engaged in business with Amos Steenrod, and purchased 
the Eagle Flouring Mills. In 18S1 he became a stockholder in the 
Nelsonville Foundry and Machine Company, of which he is Treas- 
urer, and in 1882 became a member of the Nelsonville Planing 
Mill Company, of which he is one of the Directors. He is also 
largely interested in coal lands now being worked by leasers. lie 
has been twice married. His first wife was Miss llattie O., 
daughter of G. L. Cooley, of Nelsonville, whom he married Nov. 
26, 1865, and who died in October, 1869, leaving two children — 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 475 

Frank. W. and Ella Veil, the latter dying in the fall of 1S76, at the 
a^e of six years. He married his second wife, Miss Belle G. Cre- 
sap, of Logan, Ohio, April 22, 1873. They have three children — 
Webster C, Charles E. and Mabel Lefever. 

Fred Lorenzo Preston, of the firm of L. P.Preston & Son, was 
born at Delaware, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1854, and is the eldest of four 
sons of Lorenzo P. and Laura L. (Dix) Preston. When he was an 
infant his parents removed to Columbus, where they lived until he 
was thirteen, when they came to Nelsonville. He was educated in 
the schools of Columbus and Nelsonville until he was seventeen, 
attending the High School of Columbus through part of the junior 
year, when he returned home to Neisonville, and was employed as 
a clerk for W. B. Brooks. He afterward became bookkeeper and 
was with him about ten years. In August, 1881, he became associ- 
ated with his father in the mercantile business at Nelson ville, under 
the firm name of L. P. Preston & Son. March 31, 1879, he mar- 
ried Ella, daughter of John Herrold, of Athens County. They 
have one child — Perry. 

Lorenzo Perry Preston, senior member of the firm of Pres- 
ton & Son, merchants, Nelsonville, was born in Montpelier, Vt., 
Feb. 3, 1817, where he was reared a farmer, and lived with his 
parents, Samuel and Lydia (Short) Preston, until manhood, 
and was given a good English education. When seventeen 
years of age he began to teach in country schools, and taught in 
various places in Vermont, at the same time pursuing his studies. 
After becoming ot age, in the spring of 183S, he came to Ohio, 
and located at Columbus, where he was employed as clerk in the 
store of Stone, Carr & Co. for one year, when he become associated 
with Charles Kelton in the mercantile business, under the firm 
name of L. P. Preston & Co. In 1814 he formed a co-partnership 
with his brother, S. I). Preston, in the mercantile business at 
Columbus, under the firm name ot S. I). <fe L. P. Preston, remain- 
ing in business together till the fall of 1854. Mr. Preston was then 
employed as a clerk in the store of his brother, W. B. Preston, 
until 1858, when he was employed as postoffice clerk at Columbus 
by Samuel Medary for six months. He was elected associate clerk 
of the Ohio Legislature, serving the winter of 1858 and '50. In the 
spring of 1S59 he was employed by Fitch, Bortle & Co., to take 
charge of a store in connection with the furnace at Logan, and was 
in their employ until January, 18G0. In the spring of 1860 he re- 
ceived the appointment of census-taker in the townships ot Frank- 



476 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

lin, Jackson, Hamilton and Pleasant, in Franklin County, Ohio, 
and after completing that work went to Cambridge, Guernsey 
County, and was employed in the store of R. E. Champion & Co.. 
until the spring of 1863, when he returned to Columbus and en- 
gaged in the grocery business, continuing until 1865. In 1866 he 
was employed by W. B. Brooks, as buyer and manager of his store 
at Xelsonville, with whom he remained until 1S7T. He then went 
to Median icsburg, Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business 
until the spring of 1 882 when he removed with his business to N 
sonville, when his son, Fred L. Preston, became associated with 
him, forming the present mercantile firm of L. P. Preston & Son. 
He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elsie Clark, 
of Montpelier, Vt. whom he married June 20, 1844, and who 
died in Columbus. Xovember, 1851, leaving one child, Kate, who 
died in April, 1S56, at the age of seven years. March 3. 1S53, he 
married Miss Laura Dix, of East Montpelier, Yt. They had four 
children — Fred L., Samuel Decatur, Gilbert Dix and Leonard 
Shubael. 

Isaac Porter Primrose. 21. Z>., Xelsonville, Ohio, was born in 
Uniontown, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Oct. IS, 1831, the eldest of six 
children of Reuben H. and Hester Ann (Cannon) Primrose. He 
was reared in Muskingum and Perry connties, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools and the High School of Somerset. In 
1857 he began the study ot medicine with Dr. Xicodemus Hafford. 
of Old Straitsville, Perry County, studying and practicing the pro- 
fession till August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A. Thirty- 
first Ohio Infantry. On the organization of his company he waa 
elected Second Lieutenant, and in February. 1862, was promoted 
to First Lieutenant. In Xovember, 1862, he resigned on account 
of his eyes and a catarrhal trouble and returned to Old Straitsville. 
In February, 1863, lie came to Xelsonville and assisted in raisil g 
Company A, Thirty-sixth Ohio National Guard, and was appointed 
its Captain, but on the organization of the regiment he was ch 
Colonel. His regiment retained its organization till the close of 
the war, but was never called into active service. In the winter 
of L864 -*»',;> he attended Starling Medical College, Columbus, < >bio, 
from which he graduated Feb. '26, 1865. He has been a member 
of the City Council of Xelsonville three years, of the School Board 
two years, and President of the Athens County Medical Society 
five years. He is a Master Mason and member of Philodorean 
Lodge, No. 157; also a member of Phil Kearney Post. Xo. 3^. <'• 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 477 

\. IJ. Id April, 1852, he married Jane Harbaugli, of Old Straits- 
ville. They have five children — Hester A., now Mrs. S. W. Jones, 
of Kingston, Ohio; Sarah A., now Mrs. W. N. Alderman; Binniu 
L., now Mrs. F. J. Hill; Loving and Blanch H. They have lost 
two children — Kittie Greenwood, died in July, 1862. aged six 
months, and Adie C, died July 11, 1879, aged twenty years. Dr. 
and Mrs. Primrose are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
June 16, 1883, the Doctor received the nomination of the Repub- 
lican party for Representative to the State Legislature. 

John Raine was born in Stanhope, county of Durham, England, 
Dec. 22, 1813, a son of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Raine. When 
he was thirteen years of age he went to work in the lead mines 
with his father, but soon after his father died. His mother died 
in 1835. He remained in the lead mines till 1838 and then went 
into the coal mines, remaining there till 1814, when he embarked 
for the United States, landing in New York, May 24. He came 
to Nelsonville aud was first employed in the coal mines of J. 
F. Sommers, remaining with him three years. He was then em- 
ployed by the late L. D. Poston eighteen years. Since 1865 he has 
worked for W. B. Brooks & Son, and though seventy years of age, 
still retains much of his youthful vigor, and enjoys life better when at, 
work than when idle. April 9, 1844, on the eve of his departure 
for America, he married Miss Eliza Taylor, who is still living, hav- 
ing shared all the changing vicissitudes of a Western home with 
her husband. They have no children. They are members of the 
Methodist church, of Nelsonville, Mr. Raine having been Trustee, 
Steward and Treasurer. 

James B. Rose was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Dec 25, 
1856. He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the 
common schools of his native county. He remained with his par- 
ents until he reached his majority, after which he engaged as a fire- 
man on a locomotive for the C. & H. V. R. R. He afterward went 
to Straitsville, Ohio, where he was employed by a mining company 
as clerk in their store. In the fall of 1880 he came to Buchteh 
and entered the employ of the Akron Iron Company, as salesman 
in their mercantile establishment, having charge of the dry -goods 
department. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 
E 1. Straitsville, Ohio. 

Curtis William Russell, blacksmith, Nelsonville, was born in 
Middleport, Meigs Co., Ohio, Oct. 3, 1849, where he lived until 
twenty years of age. He is the son of Benjamin Franklin and Jane 



4:78 HISTORI OF booking valley. 

(McNeil) Russell. He was given a common-school education. At 
the age of sixteen, in the fall of 1864, he became apprenticed to 
John Rightuyse, at Rutland Corners, to learn the blacksmith's 
trade, serving three years. He then came to Nelsonville, and has 
since been employed in the blacksmith shop o\' W. 13. Brooks & Son, 
coal operators. June 2i\ 1S73, he was married to Caroline Woltz, of 
Hocking County. They have two children — Lena May and Jennie 
Maud. They lost one — Luella J., who died Oct. 1, ls74, at the 
age of eighteen months. Mr. and Mis. Russell are members of 
the Christian church oi' Nelsonville, of which he is now a Deacon. 
lie is an Odd Fellow, and a member of Unity Lodge, No. 568, and 
Mineral Encampment, No. L21, at Nelsonville, and served as War- 
den in the subordinate lodge. 

WiUia/m T. Sdhasffer was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 6, 1850. 
His youth was spent in attending school, living with his parents 
until manhood. He received his early education in the schools of 
Dayton; afterward he attended the Miami Commercial College, 
taking a thorough course, after which he engaged as bookkeeper for 
his father, Thomas Schaeffer, broker and banker at Dayton, for 
about three years. In IS 70 he came to Nelson ville, and engaged 
with T. Longstreth as clerk, and May 23, 1 vs l\ he was promoted to 
the position of manager of the store, which position he still occu- 
pies. He was married , May 23, l s 7_, to Miss Addie J. Balser, a 
native of Piqua, Ohio, born Aug. 31, 1S51. They have had four 
children, two now living — Oliver T., born Aug. 5, 1873, and Mary 
C, born July 30, 1S7S. Maud, born Feb. 28, L875, died March 6, 
L875; Klsie May. born April 9, L880, died July 27, 1880. 

Charles Ellsworth Scha['r\ son of Isaac and Angelina N. (Cleaves) 
Schaff, was born Feb. 4, 1853, in Kirkersville, Licking Co., Ohio. 
When ow year old his parents moved to Grafton. W. Ya.. where 
they lived some time, and then moved to Xewburgh, W. \"a. "When 
cur subject was twelve years of age, they returned to Ohio, and 
settled at Uhrichsville, in Tuscarawas County, and in 1871 they 
went to Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Ellsworth was educated in the 
schools of Newburgh, W. Va.,and graduated from the High School 
of that place in 1869. In that year he was employed as brakesman 
on the P., 0. & St. L. R. R., and in 1872 became a fireman on the 
0. & II. V. K. R. until (.874. In that year he became baggage- 
master and express messenger on the same road, which position he 
held till August, 1876, when lie became conductor, and in 1882 
assumed his present position as yard master at Nelsonville for the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 479 

Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad. He was married Dec. 31, 
1878, to MissLeila Belle, daughter of George White, Jr., of Colum- 
bus. They have been blessed with one child, Howard E. Mr. 
Ellsworth is a Master, Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason, of 
Magnolia Lodge, No. 20, of Columbus; Logan Chapter, No. 75, at 
Logan, and Athens Commandery, No. 15, at Athens. lie is a 
member of Court Forest. Xo. 12. United Order of Foresters at 
Columbus, of which he is Past Chief Ranger. 

Isaac M. Schaff was burn near Newark, Licking Co.. Ohio, 
July 18, 1834, a son of John and Charlotte (Hartzill) Schaff. lie 
was reared a farmer, following that avocation till twenty-two y< 
of age. In 185G he was employed in the machine shops of the 
old S. & I. Railway, now the Fan Handle Load, at Newark, and 
the following year went on the B. & O. R. R. as brakeman, and 
tour months later was promoted to conductor, running from Wheel- 
ing, Va., to Harper's Ferry. He retained that position from 
August, 1857, till September, 1865. After the war, in 1865, he 
returned to Ohio and was employed by the Pan Handle Road as 
freight conductor, remaining with them till 1872. He ran the 
second train that went into Pittsburg on that road. Since Novem- 
ber. 1872, he has been conductor on the C .. H. Y. & T. R. R. 
He has never had any accident on his train and can look back over 
a period of a quarter of a century spent as conductor with the sat- 
isfaction that no one has been injured through any fault of his. 
He has never been discharged or suspended for misdemeanors, 
but his changes have been of his own making. Aug. 29, 1854, he 
married Angeline Cleaves, of Winchester, Ohio. They have nine 
children— Charles E., yard master of the C, II. V. 6c T. R. R. ; 
Flora, wife of T. C. Calvin, conductor on theC, EL V. .V. T. R. R.; 
Ella, wife of C. II. Myers; D. F., bookkeeper tor Croft's Iron 
Company, Greendale, Ohio; D. M., baggage clerk at Nelsonville, 
for the ('.. II. V. & T. R. R. ; Hattie, Franklin, Mary and Harry. 

George Van Sickle Shafer, merchant, of Neisonville, is the 
son of David and Margaret (Sidders) Shafer, and was born near 
Wilford,N. J.. Feb. 19, 1839. When eleven years of age he 
came with Ids parents to Ohio, settling in A-thens Township, 
Athens County, where he lived with them until manhood. At 
the'age of thirteen he was afflicted with inflammatory rheumatism, 
caused by bathing in the early spring, and was for seven years al- 
most a helpless cripple. He was restored to health by being placed 
under the treatment of Dr. W. P. Johnson. #ien of Athens, and 



ISO HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

while being treated by him through his kindness he was enabled 
to attend the Ohio University, thereby receiving a good business 
education. At the age of twenty-two he had so recovered that he 
was employed as a clerk in the store of Isaac Silves, of Athens, six 
months, when he was employed in the same capacity by D. Zenner 
& Co., of the same place, with whom he remained three years. In 
1S65 he went to Salina, Athens County, and engaged in keeping a 
saloon until 1S67, when, having lost all he had saved while clerking, 
by the assistance of friends he engaged in the grocery business at 
the same place. In 1878 he removed to Nelson ville, where he is 
now carrying on a general mercantile business, and besides his res- 
idence and business house in Nelsonville he also owns a small farm 
in the vicinity of Salina. In December, 1869, he was married to 
Mary M. Shoemaker, of Meigs County, Ohio. They have six 
children — Edward, Eva May, Lnella, Harvey H., Dow Frost, and 
Clinton Davis. Himself and wife are members of the Christian 
church of Nelsonville, of which he is a Deacon. He is an Odd 
Fellow and belongs to the lodge and encampment at Nelsonville. 
Burton B. Sheffield, Floodwood, was born on Block Island, R. 
L, Feb. 7, 1829, and came to Athens County with his parents in 
the fall of 1836, and settled on Floodwood Creek, in York Town- 
ship. He was brought up on the old homestead and educated in 
the Ohio University at Athens, graduating from that institution 
June 17, 1S58, and delivering the valedictory address. While attend- 
ing college Mr. Sheffield taught at intervals to obtain means with 
which to defray his college expenses, and thus educated himself. 
Prior to entering college he worked in the coal mine at Salina for 
two years. The autumn after graduating he took charge of the 
Collegiate Institute at New Vienna, Ohio; but on account of his 
eyes was obliged to abandon all literary pursuits. Mr. Sheffield 
engaged for several years in the saw-mill business, but is at present 
engaged in general merchandising, also operating extensively in 
coal at Floodwood. His bank produces some of the best coal in 
the Hocking Valley. He owns 700 acres of valuable land, mostly 
mineral, though part of it is well adapted to farming and stock- 
raising. He resides on river lot 613, Floodwood, on the same spot 
that his father settled in 1836. In June, 1861, he married Seviah, 
daughter of Hosea Guernsey. She was born at Woodstock,. 
Canada, June 10, 1813. They have had six children — Genevra, 
Homer, Clara, Burton B., Stella S. and Frances May. Joshua 
Sheffield, father of the above, was also born on Block Island, ami 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 481 

came to this county in 1836, where he died in 1861, at the age of 
fifty-seven years. He married Nancy Briggs. They had seven 
children, six living — Burton B., Nathaniel B., Benjamin F., Joshua, 
Almira (now Mrs. Hosea Guernsey of Kansas), and Hannah A. 
Nathaniel married Alvira Guernsey (now deceased). Mr. Shef- 
field's grandmother, Mrs. Huldah Briggs, died in 1880, at the age 
of ninety-nine years. 

Jerome S. Shepard, druggist, Nelsonville, was born near McCon- 
nelsville, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1849, a son of Aaron H. and Elizabeth J. 
(Powell) Shepard. When six or seven years old he came with his 
parents to Nelsonville, where he was educated in the High School. 
In 1863, when only fourteen years of age, he enlisted in Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, under Cap- 
tain John Hull, to serve as a musician, but by order of the War 
Department disallowing men to be mustered in as musicians, 
he returned home, after being out with the regiment some four 
months. He enlisted again in 1864, in Company G, Eighteenth 
Ohio Infantry, and was sworn in, but the mustering officer at Ma- 
rietta rejected him on account of his youth. He then returned to 
Nelsonville and went to work in the mines. In the spring of 1871 
he went to Kansas and stopped with an uncle near Columbus, 
Cherokee County, until the following fall, when he returned to 
Nelsonville, and in the spring of 1872 became established in the 
drug business. Nov. 10, 1878, he married H. Addie Lewis, daugh- 
ter of Moses Lewis, of Nelsonville. They have three children — 
William Perley, Jerome Blaine and Laura Bernice, twins. Mr. 
Shepard is a member of the Christian and his wife of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 
157, A. F. & A. M., of Nelsonville. 

William P. Shepard, junior member of the firm of Carnes 
& Shepard, merchants, Nelsonville, was born near McConnelsville, 
Morgan Co., Ohio, May 8, 1847, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth 
(Powell) Shepard. When he was seven years of age his parents 
came to Nelsonville where he was reared, receiving his educa- 
tion in the public schools. In 1868 he enlisted in Company G, 
Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and served till the close of the war, being 
mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1865. Although a mere 
youth he followed the regiment in all its numerous engagements. 
At Nashville the regiment went into battle with 200 men and had 
seventy-five men killed. After his discharge he returned to Nel- 
sonville, and in 1868 took a course at Duff's Commercial College, 
81 



482 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Pittsburg. In the fall of 1871 he formed his present partnership 
with A. H. Carries in the mercantile business. In April, 1882, he 
was elected a member of the City Council of Nelsonville, still re- 
taining that position. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity; is a 
member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, Nelsonville, and has been 
Secretary four years and Junior Warden one year of Logan Chapter, 
No. 75, and of Athens Commandery, No. 15, being Sword-bearer 
in the latter. He is also a member of Phil Kearney Post, No. 38, 
G. A. R. March 21, 1869, Mr. Shepard married Sarah L., daugh- 
ter of A. H. Carnes. They have four children — Charles J., Grace 
G., Frank S. and Florence E. 

James Sheppard was born near Halifax, Yorkshire Co., Eng- 
land, in 1S17. He came to this country in 1811. He located at 
"West Point, N.Y.,and was engaged as a master workman in making 
the pipes for, and laying the foundation of, the Croton River water- 
works. He worked on them two years, until they were completed. 
He was married in 1S41 to Miss Margaret Taylor, who was also 
born in England, near Manchester, in 1S19: she came to this 
country in 1839, and settled near Poughkeepsie, N. Y. They 
removed to Nelsonville, Athens County, in 1850, and bought 
property and started an iron foundry. He carried on an able and 
successful business until his death, in 1862. He left a wife and 
two children — Thomas and Ellen. 

Thomas Sheppard, Superintendent of the coal works, Buchtel 
Coal and Iron Company, Floodwood, was born near West Point, 
N. Y., April 14, 1842, a son of James and Margaret (Taylor) 
Sheppard. He came to Nelsonville with his parents in 1850 and 
was here reared and educated. When he was fourteen years of age 
he began to work in his father's foundry, remaining there two years, 
and then worked for L. D. Poston two years. In October, 1861, 
he enlisted in Company G, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, for three 
years. Six months after enlistment he was promoted to Duty Ser- 
geant and served as Ensign during his term of service. lie par- 
ticipated in the battles of Stone River, Davis Cross Roads, Chick- 
amauga and Mission Ridge. He was mustered out of service in 
the fall of 1864, and returned to Nelsonville and entered the 
employ of W. B. Brooks, remaining with him till 1873, when he 
was given the charge of the New York & Ohio Coal Works, in the 
vicinity of Nelsonville. In 1875 he was employed by Poston & 
Pendleton as overseer of their mines, and remained with them till 
18S1, when, in August, he accepted his present position. Jan. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 483 

1, 1866, he married Maria, daughter of C. R. Smith, of Chauncey, 
Ohio. They have four children — Margaret Ellen, James Taylor, 
Gertrude Esther and Charles Grosvenor. Mr. Sheppard is a mem- 
ber of Hockhocking Lodge, No. 330, I. O. O. F., and of Phil 
Kearney Post, No. 38, G. A. R. 

Andrew Jackson Shrader, M. Z>., Nelsonville, was born near Ply- 
mouth, Washington Co., Ohio, March 7, 1821, where he was reared. 
He was educated in the school of Amos Miller, in Athens County. 
He is the son of Philip and Catherine (Montgomery) Shrader, with 
whom he lived until manhood. He began the study of medicine 
under Dr. Gilbert, in 1816, finishing his study with Dv. Jacob 
Myers, of Plymouth, in 1851. He took one course of lectures at 
Cleveland Medical College, in 1850-'51. He began his practice 
at Lancaster, Ohio, in 1851, where he remained thirteen years. In 
1861 he removed to Logan, where with his medical practice lie also 
practiced law, until the spring of 1868, when he came to Nelson- 
ville, where he has since practiced both medicine and law. In 1871 
he was elected Mayor of Nelsonville, serving two years. Nov. 28, 
1811, he was married to Sarah Blair, of Belpre, Washington Co., 
Ohio. They have five children — Jane, wife of Isaac N. Coakley, 
of Knoxville, 111.; Catherine wife of J. B. Doughty, of Chauncey, 
Ohio; Susan, wife of Robert Beattie, of Nelsonville; Eliud, of Hock- 
ing County, Ohio, and Sarah, wife of Chas. S. Newton, of Hock- 
ing County. 

Joseph Slater, a silent partner of the firm of Johnson Brothers 
& Patterson, coal operators, of Nelsonville, was born in Stafford- 
shire, near Birmingham, England, Jan. 10, 1851. His father, Jo- 
seph Slater, dying some three months before his birth, he was 
reared by his grandfather until he was eighteen years of age. His 
mother, Mrs. Ann Slater, afterward married Thomas Johnson, and 
is the mother of Thomas, Charles and Edward Johnson, his half- 
brothers, with whom he is now associated. Lie never had any ed- 
ucational advantages, but educated himself so as to be able to do 
business. At the age of eighteen, in June, 1860, lie emigrated to 
the United States, arriving in New York in July. He then went 
to Dennison, Summit County, Ohio, where he was employed as a 
coal-miner until January, 1870. He afterward worked in the Po- 
tomac coal mine in Maryland, and in the blast furnaces of the 
North Chicago Rolling Mills, of Chicago, 111., until the great fire of 
1871, when he came to Nelsonville and was employed in the coal 
mines of W. B. Brooks & Son. In 1873 he went to England on a 



484 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

visit, returning in 1874, when he was again employed in the same 
coal mines until September, 1879, when he leased coal land and 
began to operate in coal-mining. In June, 1880, his half-brothers, 
Charles, Thomas and Edward Johnson, became associated with him 
as Johnson Brothers, and in July, 1881, David Patterson, of Co- 
lumbus, became associated with them under the firm name of 
Johnson Brothers & Patterson, when they began a more extensive 
business. Nov. 17, 1875, he was married to Miss Barbara A. Coul- 
ter, of Nelsonville, by whom he has three children — Clarence C, 
Edward Earl and Gertrude Nellie. His wife is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Master Mason and member 
of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, of Nelsonville. 

Joseph Smith, grocer, Nelsonville, was born in Bradford, York- 
shire, England, Sept. 7, 1848, a son of Peter and Mary (Blackburn) 
Smith. When he was six months old his parents came to the 
United States, landing in New York, where they remained about 
a year, and then came to Nelsonville, where he was reared and ed- 
ucated. When he was nine years of age he went to work with 
his father in the coal mine of M. M. Butt and J. Smith. He after- 
ward worked in the mines and attended school alternately till six- 
teen years of age. He then was employed by W. B. Brooks till 
1873, and from that time till 1882 engaged in different kinds of 
business with varied success. In the latter year he became estab- 
lished in his present business. In January, 1881, he was appointed 
Constable of York Township. Nov. 18, 1869, he married Mary 
Coulter, of Logan, Hocking County. They have five children — 
Jessie A., William A., Florence A., Joseph L. and Mary II. Mr. 
Smith is a member of York Lodge, No. 75, K. of P., of which he 
is Past Chancellor. In 1875 he represented his lodge in the Grand 
Lodge of Ohio, at Cleveland. He is also an Odd Fellow, a mem- 
ber of Unity Lodge, No. 568, and of Nelsonville Encampment, 
No. 121, of which he is Past Worthy Patriarch. 

George Snoioden was born in County Durham, England, May 
25, 1839. His father was killed when our subject was an infant by 
the explosion of a mine. In 1S49 his mother came to the United 
States and located in Meigs County, Ohio, where he lived until 
1856, when he went to Peoria County, 111., and remained until the 
breaking out of the late civil war. April 16, 1861, he enlisted in 
the three months' service, but there being a mistake in the mus- 
tering papers he only served seven weeks, when he returned to 
Meigs County, Ohio, and soon after joined Captain William R. 



.- 



^^^fe 



nni 








Xyi^C^^ 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 485 

Brown's corps, Company E, Fourth Virginia Regiment, and was 
detailed by General Garfield as a scout, serving in that capacity 
until the fall of 1862, when he was detailed to drill the officers of 
the Thirteenth Virginia Regiment, and there received a commis- 
sion as Second Lieutenant. He afterward acted as spy in the 
Rebel General Jenkins's camp for a time, after which he took com- 
mand of the scouts until Sept. 19, 1863, when he was severely 
injured by the falling of a horse, which disabled him from active 
duty for a time. July 16, 1864, he entered General McCausland's 
camp in rebel uniform and gathered some valuable information, 
but received a severe wound from which he has never recovered. 
After the close of the war he went to Illinois, and accepted the po- 
sition as superintendent of two large mines, which he held for 
seven years. In 1876 he returned to Athens County, where he has 
since resided. He was married Oct. 12, 1865, to Miss Ellen Thomp- 
son, of Middleport, Ohio. They have seven children — Annie L., 
John G. and Mary C. (twins), Ellen M., Ladie J., William T. and 
Sadie B. Mr. Snowden is a member of Tom Dew Post, No. 1,516, 
G. A. R., and the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 242, Pomeroy. 

Smith Spencer was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England, 
March 22, 1825, a son of Henry and Maria (Smith) Spencer. He 
received but a meager education in his native town, his father 
dying when he was an infant. When a very small boy he began 
to work in the cotton factory. He worked in the different depart- 
ments of a cotton-cloth manufactory till 1852, when he came to 
the United States, arriving in New York, June 9 of that year. He 
located in Tamaqna, Pa., where he worked in a blacksmith's shop 
a year. In June, 1854, he came to Nelsonville and worked for 
Joseph H. Thompson till 1856. From that time till 1873 he 
worked for the late L. D. Poston. He then became a member of 
the Nelsonville Coal Mining Company. Two years later, in 1875, 
he went to Monday Creek Furnace, woiking there about a year. 
He then worked in the Bessemer mines, and the mines of W. B. 
Brooks & Son, till December, 18S0, when he retired from active 
business, and is now living quietly in Nelsonville, enjoying the 
fruits of a 'well-spent business life. March 22, 1845, he married 
Susannah Clagg, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Etching) Clagg, ol 
Calne, England. They have seven children — Henry, a druggist of 
Straitsville, Ohio; Jane, wife of James Winchett, of Athens 
County; Maria, wife of Clarence Swackhammer, of Nelsonville; 
Joshua, John, Ella, wife of William Bates, of Nelsonville, and 



486 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Ama, at home. Mr. Spencer is a member of Hockhocking Lodge, 
No. 339, and Nelson ville Encampment, No. 121, I. O. O. F., and 
is Past Grand and Past Worthy Chiet. 

Kossuth Tinker, M. D., of Nelsonville, was born in Trimble, 
Athens Co., Ohio, Feb. 6, 1855. He is the son of Solomon 
H. and Angeline (Campbell) Tinker, with whom he lived until 
manhood, and was given a common-school education. In 1874 he 
began the study of medicine under Drs. Shepard & Dew, at Nel- 
sonville, studying with them three years. He graduated from the 
Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, Feb. 28, 1877. He then 
located in Albany, Athens County, and began the practice of med- 
icine, remaining there until February, 1880, when he came to Nel- 
sonville and established himself in his present practice by be- 
coming associated with Dr. W. E. W. Shepard, Tinker remaining 
with him until December, ^1882. Oct. 12, 1882, he married Anna 
Golden Stead man, of Athens. He is a member of Philodorean 
Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., of Nelsonville. 

James Alpheus Tobin, attorney at law, and Mayor of Nelson- 
ville, was born at Bremen, Fairfield Co., Ohio. When about four 
years old he removed with his parents, Elijah and Julia (Williams) 
Tobin, to Lancaster, Ohio. He lived with them until he was six- 
teen, educating himself principally by private study. He was 
thrown on his own resources at sixteen, and maintained himself 
by working on a farm, and afterward as a stone-cutter. In 1875 
he began to teach school, and while teaching to study law under 
the preceptorship of Hite ifc Dolson, of Lancaster. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus, June 30, 
1880. He then came to Nelsonville and established himself in his 
present practice. He served as Township Clerk of Hocking Town- 
ship, Fairfield County, from 1878 to 1880, resigning when he came 
to Nelsonville. In the spring of 1882 he was elected Mayor of 
Nelsonville for a term of two years. Feb. 1, 1881, he married 
Miss Ella S. Graybill, of Lancaster. They have one child — Le- 
land. 

William Harrison Vorhes, of the firm of Vorhes & Crane, con- 
tractors, builders and brickmakers, of Nelsonville, was born in 
Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, June 24, 1840. He removed with his 
parents, [saiah and Nancy (Hughes) Vorhes, to Hocking County 
in 1850, where he lived until he was twenty-three years of age. His 
father being a contractor and brick maker, he was brought up to that 
business. In Im'iI he began for himself by working fur Samue 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 487 

Boardman, as a sawyer in his mill near Logan, and was so em- 
ployed until 1866, when he removed to Nelsonville, where he en- 
gaged in mining coal in the mine of W. B. Brooks until 1872. In 
1872 he engaged in manufacturing brick at Nelsonville, and also as 
a contractor for mason work and plastering. In 1876 Elliott Gard- 
ner became associated with him, under the firm name of Vorhes & 
Gardner. In 1878 J. W. Crane succeeded Mr. Gardner, changing 
the firm to Vorhes & Crane. Mr. Vorhes, either alone or in com- 
pany with others,has built the walls of a majority of the substantial 
residences, public and business buildings, machine shops and foun- 
dries of Nelsonville and vicinity; among them the Opera House 
building, Dew Hotel, Methodist Episcopal church, Akron Iron Fur- 
nace. April 16, 1861:, he was married to Miss Frances Stacy, ot 
Hocking County. They have five children — Wesley, Flora, Ver- 
non Harrison, Charles and Nancy. Mr. Vorhes is a Mason, and 
an Odd Fellow, and a member of the lodges at Nelsonville. 

John Shaw Wallace, machinist, in the employ of W. B. Brooks 
& Son, coal operators of Nelsonville, was born at Coatbridge, Lan- 
arkshire, Scotland, May 16, 1852, where he was reared, and was 
educated in Gartsherrie Academy, at Coatbridge. He is the son 
of William and Jane (Shaw) Wallace. His mother dying when he 
was seven years old, he was taken by his grandparents, with whom 
he lived until manhood; when he was thirteen he began to act as an 
engineer on a small boat, on the Forth & Clyde Canal. He was 
thus employed four years, when, in 1869, he became a fireman on 
the North British R. R., and eighteen months later was promoted 
to locomotive engineer. In May, 1873, he came to the United States, 
and located at Laurel Hill, Athens Co., Ohio ; was variously em- 
ployed about the mines of the Laurel Hill Coal Company for two 
years, when, in the summer of 1875, he came to Nelsonville, and 
was appointed locomotive engineer in the coal mines of T. Long- 
streth. In 1877 he was given the position of mining machinist for 
the same company. In the summer of 1880 he returned to Nelson- 
ville and was employed as mine machinist of W. B. Brooks & Son. 
In 1875 he invented a valve indicator for steam engines, which is 
now extensively in use. In 1881 he invented an automatic water 
elevator, which he had patented in August, 18S2. In the latter 
part of 1882 W. B. Brooks, Jr., became associated with him and 
formed the Wallace Automatic Water Elevator Company of Nel- 
sonville, and they are fast introducing their elevators and bringing 
them into use in pumping water from mines. Jan. 7, 1872, he 



488 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

was married to Miss Barbara Macauly, of Coatbridge, Scotland. 
They have five children — William, Jeanetta, Alvin, Sylvia and 
John. They have lost one, Alexander, who died in 1877, aged 
nearly three years. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Odd Fellows 
lodge, at Haydenville, Ohio, and of the Knights of Pythias lodge 
at Nelsonville, of which he is Past Chancellor commander. 

Albert Watson, born in Morgan County, Ohio, March, 1855, is 
a son of William and Henrietta (Anderson) Watson. When he 
was eight years of age he came with his father's family to Athens 
County, where he has since resided. He was reared on a farm and 
received his education in the common schools. When he was six- 
teen years of age he commenced to learn telegraphy, and worke 
for the C. & H. V. R. R. until the fall of 1879, when he came to 
Buchtel and was employed as salesman in the store of the Akron 
Iron Company, where he has since been engaged. By attending 
faithfully to his duties he has been promoted, and is now purchas- 
ing agent for the largest mercantile establishment in the Hocking 
Valley. He was married Dec. 16, 1882, to Miss Alice Mankopf, 
a native of Athens County. 

John Forbes Welch, son of Kobert and Nancy (Perry) Welch, 
was born in Dresden, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1837. His 
mother died when he was nine years of age, and he was then 
thrown on his own resources. He made his home with a married 
sister till thirteen years of age, and in April, 1850, came to Nel- 
sonville, walking from Windsor, Ashtabula County. He arrived 
here in the night, a tired boy and an entire stranger in the city. 
He soon found employment, and by his earnings supported him- 
self and attended school during the winter months, thus acquiring 
a good education. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the car- 
penter's trade with J. C. Barron, remaining with him three years. 
He then, with Joseph Bates, purchased a canal boat on the Hock- 
ing Valley & Ohio Canal, and followed boating till 1857, when, 
as a result of the financial panic, they lost all they had made and 
found themselves in debt. He began anew, resuming his trade, 
and in 1858 paid his indebtedness of $1S0. In July, 1861, he en- 
listed in Company C, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and was elected 
First Lieutenant of his company. In 1862 he resigned his po- 
sition and was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company K, One 
Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry. Tn 1861 he was promoted 
to Captain of Company B, same regiment, and served till the 
close of the war, being mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 489 

June, 1865. He was in the battles of New Madrid, Pittsburg 
Landing, Winchester, all the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, 
the siege and fall of Richmond, and was present at the surrender 
of Lee at Appomattox Court-House. In 1866 he formed a partner- 
ship with J. "A. Mintun in the grocery and provision business. In 
1868 he retired from the firm, and in the spring of that year be- 
came associated with B. C. Lefever in contracting and building. 
In 1870 he abandoned the carpenter's trade, and with Captain C. A. 
Cable, William Comstock and Edward Pendleton formed the 
Hocking Valley Stave and Lumber Company, of which he was Su- 
perintendent. In 1873 the company dissolved, and Mr. Welch spec- 
ulated in real estate till 1874, when he and A. Poston, W. W. Poston 
and C arles Bobbins formed the Nelsonville Mining Company, 
of which he is President and Superintendent. In 1880 he with 
C. P. L. Butle, S. W. Pickering, W. H. Jennings, R. L. Doty, 
Robert Sheldon and George Hardy formed the Nelsonville Coal 
and Coke Company. He served as Superintendent till August, 
1882, and is now one of the Directors. In the spring of 1882 
he became a member and director of the Nelsonville Planing Mill 
Company. From 1866 till 1871 he was Postmaster of Nelsonville. 
He has been Marshal, Councilman, Mayor and a member of the 
School Board of Nelsonville, several terms each. In 1871 he was 
elected one of the Commissioners of Athens County, serving two 
terms of three years each. Sept. 11, 1859, he married Sarah A., 
daughter of Judge Thos. L. Mintun. They have five children — 
Allie M., wife of L. D. Lampman; Ellen L., Charles E., Lelia 
A. and Harry R. One son, John W., died Oct. 1, 1871, aged three 
years. Mr. and Mrs. Welch are members of the Presbyterian 
church. lie is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & 
A. M.; Hockhocking Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F., and Phil Kear- 
ney Post, No. 38, G. A. R. 

Albert II Wells, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Athens 
County, Ohio, March IS, 1847, the youngest son of Samuel J. 
Wells. He lived with his parents till manhood, attending and after- 
ward teaching school in Athens County. In 1868 he went to Mis- 
souri and remained a year, returning again to Athens County, Sept* 
25, 1869. He married Electa, daughter of Thomas M. Boyles. 
They have one son — Samuel J. Mr. Wells is a member of Nelson- 
ville Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M. He has held the office of 
Township Treasurer seven terms. 



490 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Jesse W. White, farmer and stockraiser, was born in York Town- 
ship, Athens County, Oct. 29, 1843, a son of Joseph and Margaret 
(Allen) White. He was reared on a farm and educated in the com- 
mon schools. He enlisted Aug. 3, 1862, in Company A, Ninety- 
second Ohio Infantry, and participated in many hard-fought battles. 
Among the more prominent were : Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, 
Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, and with Sher- 
man on his march to the sea, serving until the close of the war, when 
he was discharged, June 22, 1865,and returned to his native county. 
He was married March 15,1866, to Miss Angeline S. A. Wilt, a na. 
tive of Hocking County. They have had eight children, seven now 
living — Ida V., Mintor L., Emma M., Earl R., Clarence R., Rol- 
ley A., and Warren H. Mr. White has a farm of 285 acres of 
improved land under a high state of cultivation. 

Amos Joseph Wilson, junior partner of the firm of Wilson 
Brothers, was born at Wolfs Plains, Athens County, Sept. 10, 1S52. 
He is the youngest of the six sons of Eben and JaneC. (Matheny) 
Wilson, with whom he lived till he was eighteen years of age, re- 
ceiving his education in the district school of his native place. On 
leaving home, he was employed in the Brook's coal mines at Nel- 
sonville for two years, after which he worked at the carpenter's 
trade for three years. From 1875 until 1881 he was again engaged in 
coal-mining, after which he became associated with his brothers in 
the mercantile business at Nelsonville. On April 4, 1875, he mar- 
ried Miss Sadie.daughter of Philemon and Mary (White) Crawford, 
of Pennsylvania. Their children are- -Blanche Nell and Mabel 
Coe. He is a Knight of Pythias, of York Lodge, No. 75, of Nel- 
sonville. 

EhenWilson, son of Eben and Jane C. (Matheny) Wilson, was 
born at Wolf's Plains, Athens County, June 17, 1849. When twelve 
years of age, he went to Athens and began to learn the trade of 
printing in the office of the Messenger with Thomas Wilds, and 
continued with his successor, Jesse Yan Law. He then worked in 
the Journal office for a time, and on Sept. 20, 1869, he came to 
Nelsonville, and was employed in the coal mines till 1873. In the 
fall of 1874 he went in partnership with his brother Josiah in the 
boot and shoe business, which they carried on till the spring of 
1878, when they engaged in general merchandising. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Allie Austin, of Richmond, May 5, 1881. Mr. Wilson 
is a Knight of Pythias, of York Lodge, No. 75, of Nelsonville, of 
which he is Past Chancellor. He has represented his lodge for two 
years in the Grand Lodge of Ohio. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 491 

Jehiel Gregory Wilson, operator in coal, Nelsonville, was born 
at Wolf's Plains, AtheDS Co., Ohio, May 13, 1834, where he was 
reared. He is the eldest of six sons of Eben and Jane C. (Math- 
eny) Wilson, with whom he lived until he was twenty years of age, 
and was educated in the common school, also attending the Ohio 
University at Athens two years. After leaving the University, in 
1856, he taught school in Athens County one year. May 10, 1857, 
he married Miss Jennie M. Brown, of Athens County, daughter 
of Ephraim Brown, of Sunday Creek, and went to Zaleski, Ohio, 
and engaged in dealing in lumber for a year. In 1858 he went to 
Flora, Clay Co., 111., and engaged in farming until 1862, when he 
was employed as a carpenter on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad 
until 1866, when he returned to Athens County and engaged in 
the manufacture of wagons and carriages for twelve years. In 
1878 lie located at Nelsonville, where he kept a hotel one year, 
when he engaged in his present business. He has five children — 
Ota, Lincoln, Charles, George and Leon. Himself and wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Nelsonville. He 
has been a Class-Leader for six years and Sunday-school Super- 
intendent ten years. 

Josiah Wilson, of the mercantile firm of Wilson Brothers, of 
Nelson ville, was born at Wolf 's Plains, Athens Co., Ohio, Sept. 20, 
1843, where he was reared and educated in the district school. He 
is the son of Eben and Jane C. (Matheny) Wilson, with whom he 
lived until he was twenty years of age, when he went to Hocking 
County and was employed in the Floodwood coal mines eleven 
years. In 1874 he came to Nelsonville and opened a boot and shoe 
store, and soon after his brother Eben became associated with him 
under the firm name of Wilson Brothers, and in 1882 Amos J., a 
younger brother, became a partner in the firm. Oct. 19, 1865, he 
was married to Miss Emma Burrell, of Nelsonville. They are the 
parents of two children — Harry L. and Clarence Almond. He and 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Nel- 
sonville. He has been a member of that body for twenty-one years, 
and has been a Class-Leader about six years. He is a Knight of 
Pythias, a member of York Lodge, No. 75,. of Nelsonville. In 
1878 he was elected a member of the School Board of Nelsonville, 
and re-elected in 1882. 

Joseph Wolf was born in Porter County, Ind., Jan. 1, 1836, a 
son of William and Mary (Matheny) Wolf. His grandfather, Chris- 
topher Wolf, came to Athens County in 1797 and settled on what 



492 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

has long been known as Wolf's Plains, near the city of Athens. 
He was prominently identified with the early settlement of Athens 
County. Our subject was brought by his parents to Athens County 
when an infant, and lived here till six years of age. His par- 
ents then removed to Hocking County where he was reared and 
educated. Upon reaching his majority he bought the farm where 
he now resides, in York Township. He is one of the most success- 
ful farmers of the township, his farm showing that a man of 
superior judgment and skillful management is at its head. In con- 
nection with farming he has been extensively engaged in the manu- 
facture of lumber, and for five years was superintendent of the coal 
mines at Old Floodwood. Mr. Wolf is a practical business man, and 
through his own industry has accumulated his large property. He 
has 600 acres of fine land, valuable both for agriculture and min- 
eral resources. His home is beautifully located in the heart of 
the Hocking Vallej' coal regions. His residence, situated in the 
valley, surrounded by natural shade and ornamental trees, his com- 
modious stables and farm buildings, indicate the thrifty farmer. 
Nov. 15, 1S57, Mr. Wolf married Sarah N., daughter of James 
Rodgers, who was prominently identified with the early settlement 
of Hocking Valley. Twelve children have been born to them, eleven 
still living — Frank L., Eugene O., Charles J., Sylvester E., Liz- 
zie B., James W., Dora M., Homer V., Minnie F., Nellie B., Mer- 
tie A. Cora A. died in infancy. Mr. Wolf is giving his children 
the advantage of a good practical education. He is a public spir- 
ited man and subscribes liberally to all laudable enterprises that 
benefit and interest his township. He and his wife have been mem- 
bers of the Methodist church twenty-eight years and take an inter- 
est in all that pertains to their church. Mr. AVolf is a member of 
Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. & A. M., and Hockhocking 
Lodge, No. 339, I. O. O. F. 

William S. Wbllett, son of Peter and Ann Eliza (Davis) Wol- 
lett, was born March 2, 1846, in York Township. His parents 
came from Bedford County, Pa., in 1832, and located in Athens 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio. In 1844 they came to York 
Township, where William S. was reared and educated. He en- 
listed Aug. 2, 1862, in Company A, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry. 
He remained in West Virginia till the spring of 1863 and then 
joined the Army of the Cumberland and participated in many hard- 
fought battles, among them Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Lookout 
Mountain, Atlanta, and was with Sherman to the sea. He was 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 493 

mustered out June 22, 1865, and returned to Athens County. He 
soon after took a trip through the Western States, returning in 
May, 1867, when he purchased the farm where he has since resided. 
He has 167 acres of good land and one of the finest orchards in the 
township. He was married April 18, 1868, to Lucinda J. Haines, 
of Athens County. They are the parents of one child which died 
March 6, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Wollett are members of the Chris- 
tian church. He is a member of Philodorean Lodge, No. 157, A. F. 
& A. M., and Hockhocking Lodge, No. 399, I. O. O. F. 

Lewis Clinton Woodard, a clerk with Parker & McGill, of Nel- 
sonville, was born in Starr Township, Hocking County, April 27, 
1851. He is the fourth of five sons of Ichabod and Eleanor (Nel- 
son) Woodard, his mother being a daughter of Daniel Nelson, 
the founder of Nelsonville. He first attended the district school 
of the township, after which he went to Union High School at Lo- 
gan, completing his education at the Ohio University at Athens. He 
began to teach in 1871, and taught in several schools in Hocking 
County, until 1881, when he came to Nelsonville and engaged in 
butchering, continuing in that business till the spring of 1883. 
He then accepted his present position. He was married April 26, 
1881, to Miss Jennie Gilliam, of Nelsonville, and both are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church of that place. 

W. N. Woodard was born in Starr Township, Sept. 29, 1811. 
He is a son of Ichabod and Eleanor Woodard. He is a grandson 
of Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville, and one of the early 
settlers and old pioneers of this county, who died about 1835 or 
1836. Ichabod Woodard died on his farm in Starr Township, 
March 16, 1868. Mr. Woodard received a common education in 
the public schools of his township. He enlisted July 25, 1862, at 
the age of twenty-one years, in Company E, Ninetieth Ohio In- 
fantry, and was in several battles of importance, under General 
Sherman. March 25, 1875, he was married to Violet Smith, a 
daughter of John and Sarah Smith, of Moundsville, W. Ya. They 
are the parents of four children, three of which are living — Estella 
V., Lulu and Clyde B. John C. died when he was about six 
weeks old. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

AMES TOWNSHIP — A TOWNSHIP THAT HAD A HISTORY TO 

RECORD. 

Thb Arrival of the Palefaces — Who They Were — The Area 
in 1805 — Squirrel and Crow Scalps — A Few Items — Religious 
Whisky — Population — Area and Production — Boundary and 
Valuation — Western Library Association — Its History — 
Township Officers — 1802 to 18S3 — Amesville — Somewhat 
Historic — When Founded — Growth and Business Interests — 
Postoffice — Academy — Presbyterian Church — Methodist 
Church — Biographical. 

old settlers. 

The first visit to Ames Township was in the spring of 1797, by 
Lieutenant Geo. Ewing and Judge Ephraim Cutler; and their 
second visit in the fall of the same year, Captain Brown accom- 
panying them. In the following spring Lieutenant Ewing located 
the first farm or residence in the township, which was on the 1st 
of March, 1798, followed by Judge Cutler and Captain Benjamin 
Brown. These were the first three, but Ewing located first, and 
that farm is now known as the Tom Gardner farm. Judge Cutler 
settled on his place in 1799 and Win. P. Cutler owns the homestead. 
Captain Brown settled at the same time, and his farm is now the 
Daniel Fleming farm. Just how many came the next few years is 
hard to tell, but when Ames Township was organized in 1802, the 
following were citizens ot the township but widely located: Sam- 
uel Brown, Nathan Woodberrv, Svlvanus Ames, Christopher 
Ilerrold, Jonathan Swett, Daniel Weethee, Josiah True, Daniel 
Converse, Ambrose Evarts, Benjamin L. Brown, Joseph Pugsley, 
Alvin Bingham, Benjamin Brown, John Brown, Joshua Wyatt, 
Jacob Boyles, Edmund Dorr, Win. Brown, Silas Dean, Azel John- 
son, George Wolf, Noah Linscott. Kdmund Neal, Solomon Tuttle, 
Oheniel Tuttle. Jonathan Swett, Jr., Stephen Swett, David Boyles, 
Ezra Green, Jason Rice, John Brown, Jr., Isaac Stephens. In 
1804 the following were residents: Hosea Neal, Samuel McCune, 
John McCune, Wm. Green, Nehemiah Davis, Xehemiah Davis, 

(494) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 495 

Jr., Moses Kay, Abel Glazier, Moses Everett, Thomas M. Hamil- 
ton, Upton Farmer, Frederic Fought. There were others who were 
residents of the township as then formed, but they were too widely 
scattered to be named. 

Ames Township then comprised not only its present limits as 
well as the whole north tier of townships in the county, but it had 
within its limits the present townships of Ward, Green and Starr, 
now in Hocking County; Marion and Homer townships, in Morgan 
County. The following townships were taken from Ames in this 
county, viz.: York, Trimble, Dover and Bern. Its boundary was 
then described as follows: " Beginning at the northeast corner of 
the county, thence running west to the northwest corner of said 
county; thence south to the southwest corner of said township 12, 
range 16; thence east to the southeast corner of township 7, range 
12; thence north to the place of beginning." This was a territory 
but a trifle less in extent than the present area of the whole county 
of Athens, but was rapidly lessened on the organization of Hock- 
ing County, Jan. 3, 1818, and Morgan County, March 1, 1818, 
which was then followed by the reorganization of township, when, 
in about 1851, after Vinton County had been organized, Athens 
County had been reduced to her present size. The first meeting 
of the Township Board of Trustees was June 1, 1802, at the house 
of Sylvanus Ames; in 1803 the next annual meeting, on March 7, 
was at the house of John Swett, and from this time up to the 
year 1812 the meetings were held at the house of Christopher 
Herrold. 

Quite an influx of settlers came in the following years, and in 
1805 to 1809 these old-time settlers made their home in the town- 
ship, to-wit: Reuben Hurlbut, Reuben I. Davis, Samuel Beau- 
mont, Joseph Fuller, Samuel Lewis, John Mansfield, Joseph 
Ballard, Robert Palmer, Zebulon Griffin, Silas Dean, Jonathan 
Watkense, Jacob Haysenton, David Rathbern, Luther Danielson, 
William Beckerstaff, Abner Connett, John Wright, Henry John- 
son, Joseph Linscott, Amos Linscott, Samuel Mansfield, Jr., Jere- 
miah Cass, William H. Hasse and Uriah Tippy. 

In 1807 the trustees decided to give a premium on squirrel and 
crow scalps, shot between the first day of February and the first 
day of Jul}", to be three cents for squirrels and six cents for crows 
if shot within, as was worded, " two miles of a plantation." These 
had become a pest to the growing corn, and it was proposed to 
lessen their number. 



496 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

SOME ITEMS. 

The first road-tax was levied in 1805, and it was the same 
amount as the county tax. They could pay the cash, or they had 
the privilege of working it out on the road at 75 cents per day 
and board themselves. 

The first white child born in Ames Township, or in Athens 
County, was Margaret Strang, daughter of a Judge Strong, and 
the birth of this child is given as 1797. There is evidently a 
slight mistake of date here. Ames Township was not settled, so 
far as known, until 1798, although Cutler and Ewing visited it in 
1797. The date is probably 1799, for up to January of that year 
there were only three or four families in the township. Two 
weeks later Judge Gustavus A. Evarts, a son of Ambrose Evarts, 
was born, and he was the first white male child born in the town- 
ship or county. At his birth there were but seven families, and 
Mr. Evarts's was one of them, then in the township. The name of 
Judge Strong was not among the early settlers. It is therefore 
impossible to vouch for the absolute truthfulness of the above 
statement, but it is probable that it is true and the date 1799. 

The first physician known to have practiced in the township 
was a Dr. John Baker, whose first case was in the Ewing family, 
in 1801. 

The first horse-mill was owned by Christopher Herrold. This 
was in 1800 or 1801. Up to that time, or the two previous years, 
hand-mills had been used, except when they took a trip of from 
fifteen to twenty miles to get their corn ground. Henry Barrows 
put up the first water-mill on Federal Creek about 1801. 

The first school was taught in the township in 1802, by Mr. 
Charles Cutler, and the children of all the early settlers attended. 
It was here the lion. Thomas Ewing, so prominent both in State 
and nation as a lawyer and statesman, first received the rudiments 
of education. 

The first marriage was that of Betsy Wyatt and William Parker, 
May 13, 1802. 

Judge Cutler, one of the most prominent men of that early 
day, and who, though living there but a few years, left the im- 
press of his strong mind upon the infant settlement, removed from 
the township, in 1806, to Washington County, as also did Lieu- 
tenant George Ewing, the father of Thomas, who made Perry 
County, Ind., his home in 1818. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 497 

RELIGIOUS WHISKY. 

The pioneers did not at all times have preaching among them, 
but many of them at that day, like Deacon Wyatt, could give the 
settlers some sound advice and religious teaching. The Revs. 
Austin Thomas and Dickson were among the first resident preach- 
ers, but the circuit riders made their visits at times for many 
years before the settlers could afford stated preaching. Walker's 
History gives this novel incident connected with early preaching 
among the pioneer settlements: 

"An incident connected with early preaching among the pioneer 
settlements may be mentioned. A neighborhood in the lower set- 
tlement in Ames Township, in which 'Squire John Brown lived, 
secured the services of Elder Asa Stearns, a Free-Will Baptist, to 
preach for them once a month during the year, to be paid with 
three barrels of whisky. Mr. Stearns had an arrangement with 
Ebenezer Currier, at Athens, to take the whisky and allow him 
therefor $24 to be credited to him toward the firm he had 
bought of Judge Currier. The contract was faithfully carried 
out on all hands, Elder Stearns visiting his little congregation 
every third Saturday of each month during the year, at the end of 
which he received his salary in whisky and made the transfer of it 
as agreed to Judge Currier." 

So that in this case it was in the use and not the abuse of whisky 
which did a power of good in that community for twelve months. 
So whisky with its manifold sins had one credit mark on the right 
side of the ledger. 

Sylvanus Ames was another of the old pioneers whose rugged 
sense and energy of character made a marked influence in the 
community. He was naturally a leader among men, and yet he 
scarcely knew it, and neither did his neighbors, in that sense, yet 
Sylvanus Ames was ever to the front of progress, and his neighbors 
followed. Judge Ames served in nearly every official capacity in 
the history of his town and county, and when a member of the 
Legislature he soon became noted for bis strong sense and his ability 
to command a hearing and a following, and his house was for many 
years the headquarters for the leaders of Southern Ohio, for the 
planning of their political movements. He died in his prime, being 
only in the fifty -third year of his age. His death occurred Sept. 
23." 1823. 
32 



498 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

POPULATION. 

The township, like the county, gradually progressed, and the 
population of the latter was given as 2,787 in 1810. Ames Township 
must then have had a population of between 700 and 800. Before the 
census of 1820 came around, she had been shorn of her territory 
lying in Hocking and Morgan counties. The census gave her 388 
males and 333 females, or a total of 721 inhabitants. The next ten 
years, or in 1830, she gained only 136, but this was again owing 
to loss of territory in a measure. Still it was not a decade of prog- 
ress in either population or wealth. The stagnation which has 
thus shown to have ruled for several years was changed and the 
growth between 1830 and 1840 proved that the people had thrown 
off their sloth and were again on the highroad to prosperity. The 
gradual increase of the population of Ames Township from 1820 
to 1880 inclusive is here given, and as the ratio of wealth has rather 
more than kept even with that of population'the material progress 
of the township can be pretty accurately seen by decades. The 
figures are as follows: 

CENSUS RETURNS. 

Population of Ames Township, 1820, 721; 1830, 857; 1840, 
1,431; 1850, 1,482; 1860, 1,335; 1870, 1,229; 1880, 1,392. These 
figures show no rapid progress, and for a couple of decades a loss. 
This is, however, but the result of late years in the purely agricult- 
ural townships of the counties, where the development of the min- 
eral resources of the county has assumed greater proportions. 
There is coal in Ames Township, but it is not mined to any great 
extent. 

PRODUCTION AND AREA. 

It was not until 1850 that the boundary lines of Athens County 
were finally established, and therefore many of the township lines 
were changed from time to time by the establishment of new inde- 
pendent municipalities. Undoubtedly for the convenience of 
the people a congressional township, in size, is the best, or six 
miles square of territory. This at last became the size of Ames 
Township, or an area of 23,040 acres of land. It is in the valley 
of Federal Creek and its branches, rich and fertile, and the hills 
good grass and pasture lands. There is plenty of water, being 
beside Federal Creek, MeDougal Creek, and other streams and 
springs innumerable. This gives it value for stock-raising pur- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 499 

poses, and the people have taken advantage of this feature, for it 
is the largest stock-raising township in the county. The only 
returns at hand were the assessment returns of 1867, wlien Ames 
Township had 14,129 sheep, nearly double any other township in 
the county, the next highest being Alexander, with 7,808. It was 
second in horses, having 552, Lodi having 564, yet the assessed 
valuation of the former exceeded the latter. This was also the 
case with cattle. Lodi led with 1,917, assessed at only $28,691; 
Rome, 1,527, assessed at $23,732, while Ames, with 1,513, was 
assessed at $37,176, nearly $4,000 more than any other township 
in the county. This would seem to prove that the farmers of 
Ames were raising a better class of stock than any of its sisters. 

BOUNDARY. 

Through the years of trials and tribulations and the curtailment 
of her territory, Ames at last emerged out of the wreck a town- 
ship on the north border of the county, and second from the east- 
ern border of the county, reserving to herself the location and 
grounds of her first settlement, which through the prominence and 
ability of her early pioneers had become historic. Ames Township 
is bounded on the north hy Morgan County, east by Bern Town- 
ship, south by Canaan, and west by Dover Township. 

The assessed valuation in 18S1 was a total of $530,990, and in 
1882 was $522,561, the difference being a trifle less on assessment 
in some items. It is the fifth township in the county in wealth, 
while it is the tenth in population. 

WESTERN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION. 

The Pioneer Association of Athens County published, about the 
close of 1882, a carefully prepared and neatly printed "Memorial 
and History of the 'Western Library Association."' From this 
memorial we condense the following brief account : 

The Western Library Association, or as it was sometimes called 
in later years, in half-derision, the " Coonskin Library," originated 
in 1801, in what is now Ames Township, Athens County, and the 
founders were an offshoot from Marietta, where the first settle- 
ment in Ohio was made. In the chapter on Ames Township an 
account is given of the early settlement made by George Ewing, 
Judge Ephraim Cutler, Captain Benjamin Brown, Sylvanus Ames, 
Deacon Joshua Wyatt and others. The hardships of pioneer work, 



500 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

some of which are portrayed in the chapter on ''Pioneer Life," are 
well known to all our readers. One would think that under such 
circumstances there could be but little time or energy left for the 
greater work of providing for the wants of their higher nature. 
Not so with these hardy pioneers. They seemed to realize that 
they were founding an empire, that they were engaged in laying 
one of the foundation-stones, on which the great States of the 
Northwest Territory were to be erected ; that they were making 
history, to be read with profit by posterity ; that a little taper light 
to be kindled by them in this obscure pioneer settlement would in 
time unite with other lights, and illumine the great Northwest. 
They apparently acted under an inspiration like that of the poet, 
who describes the night ride of Paul "Revere, rallying his neigh- 
bors to the battle of Concord. 

"And yet through the gloom and the light, 
The fate of a nation was riding that night; 
And the spark struck out by that steed in his flight, 
Kindled the land into flame with its heat." 

In 1803 the inhabitants of Ames assembled in public meeting, 
to consider the subject of roads,fwhich, having been disposed of, 
the intellectual wants of the settlement became a topic of discus- 
sion. They were entirely isolated and remote from established 
schools and libraries, and felt keenly the necessity of providing 
some means for their own and their children's mental development. 
The establishment of a library was suggested, and all agreed that 
this was the readiest way to meet the case, provided funds could be 
raised and the books obtained. The scarcity of money seemed an 
almost insuperable obstacle. The little transactions of the colony 
were carried on almost wholly by barter and exchange in kind. In 
this great scarcity of money the purchase of books for a library 
seemed like an impossibility; but the subject was canvassed by 
the meeting, and it was resolved to attempt it. Before the end of 
the year, by dint of economy, and using every ingenious levice to 
procure necessary funds, a sum of money was raised. Some of the 
settlers were good hunters, and there being a ready cash market 
for furs and skins, which were bought by the agents of John Jacob 
Astor and others, these easily paid their subscriptions. Samuel 
Brown was just ready to make a business trip to New England, 
lie was furnished with letters to Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris and 
Rev. Dr. Cutler, who accompanied Mr. Brown to Boston, and 
selected a valuable collection of fifty-one books. These books cost 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 501 

$73.50, and comprised the following : Robertson's North Amer- 
ica ; Harris's Encyclopedia, four volumes; Morse's Geography, two 
volumes; Adams's Truth of Religion; Goldsmith's Works, four 
volumes; Evelina, two volumes; Children of the Abbey, two vol- 
umes; Blair's Lectures; Clark's Discourses; Ramsey's American 
Revolution, two volumes ; Goldsmith's Animated Nature, four 
volumes ; Playfair's History of Jacobinism, two volumes; George 
Barnwell ; Camilla, three volumes ; Beggar Girl, three volumes, 
and some others. Later purchases included Shakespeare, Don 
Quixote, Lock's Essays, Scottish Chiefs, Josephus, Smith's Wealth 
of Nations, Spectator, Plutarch's Lives, Arabian Nights, Life ot 
Washington, etc. 

This was the first public library formed in the Northwest Terri- 
tory, though not, as some have supposed, the first incorporated. 
The " Dayton Library Society " was incorporated Feb. 21, 1805; a 
library "at Granville, in the County of Fairfield," Jan. 26, 1807 ; 
one at Newton, Hamilton Co., Feb. 10, 1808. The Western Li- 
brary Association was incorporated by an act passed Feb. 19, 1810. 

On the 2d day of February, 1801, at the house of Christopher 
Herrold, articles of association were regularly entered into for the 
government of the Library Association. The amount of a share 
was fixed at $2.50, and the owner was required to pay in for the 
use of the library 25 cents additional every year on each share. The 
names of the subscribers to the Articles of Association, with the 
number of shares taken by each, were as follows : Ephraim Cutler, 
4 shares ; Jason Rice, 2 ; Sylvanus Ames, 2 ; Benjamin L. Brown, 
1; Martin Boyles, 1; Ezra Green, 1; George Ewing, 1; John Brown, 
Jr., 1; Josiah True, 1; George Ewing, Jr., 1; Daniel Weethee, 2; 
Timothy Wilkins, 2; Benjamin Brown, 1; Samuel Brown, 2d, 1; 
Samuel Brown, Sr., 1; Simon Converse, 1; Christopher Herrold, 1; 
Edmund Dorr, 1; George Wolf, 1; Nathan Woodbury, 1; Joshua 
Wyatt, 1; George Walker, 1; Elijah Hatch, 1; Zebulon Griffin, 1; 
Jehiel Gregory, 1; George Castle, 1; Samuel Brown, 1. Among 
the subscribers in later years appear the names of Ezra Walker, 
Othniel Nye, Sally Rice, Lucy Ames, John M. Hibbard, Seth 
Child, Ebenezer Champlin, Amos Linscott, Elisha Lattimer, Ne- 
hemiah Gregory, Thomas Ewing, Jason Rice, Cyrus Tuttle, Perley 
Brown, Robert Fulton, R. S. Lovell, Michael Tippie, and James 
Pugsley. 

The library has long since ceased to exist as such, and has been 
succeeded by other more modern sources of information. The books 



502 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

had accumulated to several hundred volumes — a considerable 
library for the place and period. Many years later it was divided, 
and part taken to Dover Township (where some of the original stock- 
holders lived), where it formed the nucleus of another library, 
which was incorporated by act of the Legislature passed Dec. 2L 
1830. The portion retained in Ames Township, was sold by the 
shareholders in the year 1860 or 1861 to Messrs. J. II. Glazier, A. 
W. Glazier and E. H. Brawley, and they afterward sold it to Hon. 
W. P. Cutler, of Washington County. In conclusion we quote 
from the memorial before mentioned : 

" The simple history of this unpretending Library Association is 
sufficient to challenge the admiration and homage of every true 
American. It was one of the springs which have made up the great 
ocean of our State and national prosperity. It is to be hoped that 
an effort may be made to redeem these old historic books, such of 
them as can be found, and place them in proper form in some secure 
public place. The worm-eaten and dilapidated volumes are intrin- 
sically of little value, but they are priceless as mementoes of the 
past." 

OFFICIALS OF AMES TOWNSHIP. 

1802. — Trustees, Samuel Brown, Nathan Woodbury and George 
Ewing; Clerk, Daniel Weethee; Overseers of the Poor, Samuel 
Brown, Josiah True; Fence Viewers, Joseph Pugsley, Nathan 
Woodbury and Jno. Sweet; House Appraiser, Christopher Herrold; 
Lister, Daniel Converse; Constables, Daniel Converse and Syl- 
van us Ames; Supervisors, Samuel Brown and Benjamin L.Brown. 

1803. — Trustees, Benjamin Brown, Sylvanns Ames and Daniel 
Weethee; Clerk, George Ewing; Overseers Poor, Nathan Wood- 
bury and Joshua Wyatt; Fence Viewers, Jno. Brown, Benjamin 
L. Hrown and Samuel Brown; House Appraisers, Jacob Boyles 
and Edmund Dorr; Lister, Josiah True; Constables, William 
Brown and Josiah True; Supervisors, Jno. Brown, William 
Brown and Josiah True. First Grand Jurors from this township 
were : Silas Dean and Nathan Woodbury; and Petit Jurors, Azel 
Johnson, George Wolf and John Brown. The same year Ephraim 
Cutler and Samuel Brown were elected Justices of the Peace. The 
first Justice of the Peace was Alvin Bingham in 1802. 

1S(»4. — Trustees, David Boyles, Azel Johnson and Nathan 
Woodbury; Clerk, Benjamin L. Brown; Overseers Poor, David 
Boyles and Daniel Weethee; Fence Viewers, Benjamin Brown, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 503 

Joshua Wyatt and Christopher Herrold; House Appraisers, Silas 
Dean and Ezra Green; Lister, Ezra Green; Constables, Hosea 
Neal and William Green; Supervisors, Samuel McCune, Jason 
Rice, Edmund Dorr and Edmund Neal; Treasurer, Sylvauus 
Ames — first Township Treasurer. 

1805. — Trustees, Benjamin Brown, Daniel Weethee and Josiah 
True; Clerk, Harris Parsons; Treasurer, Svlvanus Ames; Over- 
seers Poor, Ephraim Cutler and Nathan Woodbury; Fence View- 
ers, Moses Everett and Isaac Stephens; House Appraisers, 
Ephraim Cutler and Josiah True; Lister, Josiah True; Supervisors, 
Joshua Wyatt, Abel Glazier, MosesKay, Hosea Neal and Dan- 
iel Weethee. 

1806. — Trustees, Ephraim Cutler, John Brown and Daniel 
Weethee; Clerk, George Walker; Treasurer, Ephraim Cutler; 
Overseers Poor, Edmund Neal and Jacob Boyles; Fence Viewers, 
George Wolf and Joshua Wyatt; House Appraisers, Christopher 
Herrold and Martin Boyles; Lister, Martin B oyles; Constables, 
Josiah True and Thomas M. Hamilton; Supervisors, Upton Far- 
mer, Nathan Woodberry, William Brown, Isaac Stevens, John 
McCune, Ezra Green and Frederic Fought. 

1807. — Trustees, Abel Glazier, Benjamin Davis and Liberty 
Griffin; Clerk, Benjamin Davis; Treasurer, Sjth Fuller; Over- 
seers Poor, Abram Pugsley and Samuel Beaumont; Fence View- 
ers, Nathan Woodberry and George Wolf; House Appraisers, 
Josiah True and Martin Boyles; Lister, Martin Boyles; Super- 
visors, William Brown, George Walker, Joseph Pugsley, John 
Brown, Joseph Fuller, Joseph Ballard, John Mansfield and Thomas 
M. Hamilton. 

1808. — Trustees, Robert Palmer, Reuben Davis and George 
Walker; Clerk, Martin Boyles; Treasurer, Zebulon Griffin; Over- 
seers Poor, Seth Fuller and John Brown; Fence Viewers, Ben- 
jamin Davis and Samuel McCune ; House Appraisers, Nathan 
Woodberry and John Brown, Jr. ; Lister, John Brown, Jr. ; Consta- 
bles, Martin Boyles and Reuben I. Davis; Supervisors, Christopher 
Herrold. Horace Parsons, Samuel Lewis, Reuben Hurlbut, Joshua 
Wyatt, Silas Dean, Zebulon Griffin and Abel Glazier. 

1809.— Trustees, Seth Fuller, Josiah True an 1 George Wolf; 
Clerk, George Walker; Treasurer, Zebulon Griffin; Overseers 
Poor, Robert Palmer and James Fuller; Fence Viewers, Abram 
Pugsley and Ezra Green. House Appraiser, Jason Rice; Lister, 
Zebulon Griffin ; Constables, John McCune and Zebulon Grif- 



504 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

fin; Supervisors, Othniel Tattle, Thomas M. Hamilton, William 
Brown, Samuel McCune, Ezra Green, Samuel Beaumont, Azel 
Johnson, Reuben Hurlhut and Samuel Mansfield, Jr. 

I810.-Trustees, Seth Fuller, Josiah True and George Wolf; Clerk, 
George Walker; Treasurer, Zebulon Griffin; Overseers Poor, 
Joshua Wyatt and Robert Palmer; Fence Viewers, Zebulon Grif- 
fin and George Walker; Home Appraisers, Christopher Herrold 
and Zebulon Griffin ; Lister, Zebulon Griffin; Constables, Nehe- 
miah Davis, Jr., Zebulon Griffin and James Pugsley ; Supervisors, 
George Ewing, Jr., George Walker, Joshua Wyatt, John Brown, 
Martin Boyles, Luther Danielson, Daniel Weethee, Solomon Tnt- 
tle, Reuben Hurlbnt, Joseph Fuller and William Beckerstaff. 

1811. — Trustees, Sylvanus Ames, George Ewing and Daniel 
Weethee; Cleik, George Walker; Treasurer, Seth Fuller; Over- 
seers Poor, Joshua Wyatt and Nathan Woodbury; Fence Viewers, 
Uriah Tippy and Abel Glazier; House Appraisers, Samuel Brown 
and Ezra Walker; Lifter, Ezra Walker; Constables, William 
Henry Hass, James Pugsley and Jeremiah Cass; Supervisors, 
John Wright, Henry Johnson, Abner Connett, Joseph Fuller, Jo- 
siah True, Azel Johnson, Reuben I. Davis; District No, 1, Jason 
Rice; Disttict No. 2, Samuel Brown; District No. 3, Samuel Mc- 
Cune; District No. 4, Martin Boyles; District No. 5, Ezra Green. 

1812. — Trustees, Joshua Wyatt, Seth Fuller and John Brown, 
Jr.; Clerk, George Walker; Treasurer, John Brown; Overseers 
Poor, Joseph Linscott and Amos Linscott; Fence Viewers, Ezra 
Green and Samuel McCune; House Appraisers, William Brown 
and John Boyles ; Lister, John Boyles ; Constables, Jeremiah Cass 
and John Boyles ; Supervisors, District No. 1, Jason Rice; Dis- 
trict No. 2, Abel Glazier; District No. 3, John McCune; District 
No. 4, Joab lloisington; District No. 5, Ezra Green; District No. 
6, David Rathburn; District No. 7, Elisha Alderman, Jr. 

TRUSTEES SINCE 1813. 

1813-1815, Ezra Green, Seth Fuller and John Brown, Jr.; 1816, 
Jason Rice. Russell S. Lovell and Daniel Phillips; 1817, Sylvanus 
Ames, Russell S. Lovell and Jason Rice; ISIS, Jacob Boar- 
man, Russell S. Lovell, Ezra Given; 1819, Jacob Boarman, John 
Brown, Ezra Green; 1820, Seth Fuller, James Cable, James Mitch- 
ell; 1821, Seth Fuller, James Cable and Ezra Walker; 1822-'23, 
John Wyatt, Charles Cutler, Alan son Ilibbard; 1824, John 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 505 

Wyatt, Jacob Boannan, David Trowbridge; 1825, John Co- 
lumbia, John Boyles, John M. Hibbard; 1826, Charles Cutler, 
Elisha McEvers, Morris Bryson; 1827-'28, Sabinus Rice, L. G. 
Brown, Morris Bryson; 1829, Absalom Boyles, Jacob Boarman, 
John B. Brown; 1830, James Brawley, Jacob Boarman, Gulliver 
Dean; 1831, Daniel Cable, George Black, Gulliver Dean; 1832, 
Silvanus Howe, George Black, Jonathan Buzzard; 1833, John 
Carter, Sabinus Rice, Jonathan Buzzard; 1834, John Carter, Ab- 
salom Boyles, Silvanus Howe; 1835, L. G. Brown, John B, Miller, 
Silvanus Howe; 1S36, L. G. Brown, Lewis Rathburn, Daniel S. 
McDongal; 1837, R. G. Carter, Lewis Rathburn, Daniel S. Mc- 
Dougal; 1838, R. G. Carter, Charles Cutler, Daniel S. McDougal; 
1839, Daniel Rose, William Robinson, Daniel S. McDougal; 1840 
-'45, John T. Glazier, John Carter, James G. Owen; 1846-'49, 
John T. Glazier, D. S. McDougal, Solomon Koons; 1850, George 
Linscott, D. S. McDougal, Solomon Koons; 1851-'52, James 
Patterson, D. S. McDougal, Solomon Koons; 1853, James Patter- 
son, G. M. McDongal, Solomon Koons; 1854-'55, James Patterson, 
G. M. McDongal, Geurge Linscott; 1856-'57, Almon Henry, G. 
M. McDougal, George Linscott; 1858, John E. Vore, G. M. Mc- 
Dougal, George Linscott; 1859-'60, John E. Yore, F. L. Junod, 
George Linscott; 1861, Moses Curtis, Solomon Koons, E. P. 
Henry; 1862, F. L. Junod, C. J. Brown, G. W. Wright; 1863, F. 
L. Junod, C.J. Brown, C. II. Wyatt; 1864-'65, N. P. Hoisington, 
C. J. Brown, Daniel Fleming; 1866, N. P. Hoisington, Almon 
Henry, Daniel Fleming; 1867, N. P. Hoisington, Edmund Wheeler, 
O. X. Owen; 1868, 1ST. P. Hoisington, Daniel Fleming, Ezra Wolfe; 
1869, K P. Hoisington, Daniel Fleming, Ezra Wolfe; 1870, K P. 
Hoisington, Daniel Fleming, Ezra Wolfe; 1871, N. P. Hoisington, 
Daniel Fleming, W. G. Finch; 1872, Fred Stalder, Daniel Flem- 
ing, W. G. Finch; 1873, Fred Stalder, Daniel Fleming, Silas 
Sayres; 1874, Fred Stalder, Daniel Fleming, Silas Sayres; 1875, 
Fred Stalder, Daniel Fleming, Silas Sayres; 1876, Fred Stalder, 
W. II. Curfman, Silas Sayres; 1877, Fred Stalder, W. II. Curfman. 
Silas Sayres; 1878, Harvey Linscott, Daniel Fleming, C. A. Hines; 
1S79, Harvey Linscott, Daniel Fleming, J. II. Phillips; 1880, C. 
A. Hines, Daniel Fleming, J. II. Phillips; 1881, J. P. Bradley, 
Daniel Fleming, Harvey Linscott; 1882, J. P. Bradley, Daniel 
Fleming, Harvey Linscott; 1883, J. P. Bradley, Daniel Fleming, 
Harvey Linscott. 



506 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

TOWNSHIP CLERKS SINCE 1S09. 

1809-'1S, George Walker; 1819-'22, Bjnjamin Davis; 1823-'24 
Sabinus Rice; 1825-'26, David Trowbridge; 1827-'28, George 
Walker, Jr.; 1829- , 30 J Wm. R. Walker; 1831, Hiram Cable; 1832 
-'44, R. A. Fulton; 1845 to 1879, J. H. Glazier; L. H. Glazier, 
1880 to present time. 

JUSTICES OK THE PEACE SINCE 1802. 

1802, Alvin Bingham; 1803, Ephraim Cutler, Samuel Brown; 
1805, John Brown; 1806, Daniel Weethee; 1807, George Walker; 
1808, John Brown, Jonathan Watkins; 1810, George Walker, 
Benjamin Davis; 1811, Thos. M. Hamilton; 1813, George Walker 
—served till 1830; 1819, Martin Boyles— served till about 1828; 
1828, John Brown; 1831, Wm. R. Walker, John B. Brown; 1831, 
Sabinus Rice, Charles Carter; 1837, R. A.Fulton; 1840, H. B. 
Brawley, R. A. Fulton; 1S43, R. A. Fulton, II. B.Brawley; 1845, 
James Bryson, Lewis Rathburn; 1846, Henry Clark, Lewis Rath- 
burn; 1817, Henry Clark, James Bryson; 1849, J. M. Mitchell, 
Wm. Mason; 1850, Henry Clark, James Bryson; 1852, J. M. 
Mitchell, J. G. Owen; 1853, James Bryson; 1855, R. A. Fulton, 
Jas. G. Owen; 1857, Gilbert M. McDougal; 1858, Robert A. Ful- 
ton, James G. Owen; 1860, Gilbert M. McDougal; 1861, Robert 
A. Fulton, William Mason; 1862, James G. Owen; 1863, F. L. 
Junod, R. R. Ellis; 1864, L<3wis Carpenter; 1865, Frederick P. 
Kasler, James M. Mitchell;' 1866, N. P. Hoisington; 1868, Lo- 
renzo Fulton, David L. Rathburn; 1869, N. P. Hoisington; 1871, 
A. W. Glazier, W. G. Finch; 1872, N. P. Hoisington; 1874, A. 
W. Glazier, W. G. Finch; 1875, K P. Hoisington; 1876, W. G. 
Finch, O. N. Owen; 1878, Fred Stabler; 18S0, W. G. Finch, O. 
N.Owen; 1881, Fred Stalder; 1883, A. W. Durfee, W. J. War- 
rener. 

AMESVILLE. 

Situated on a rising eminence in the beautiful valley of Federal 
Creek, with quite an extended view, comprising that also of Mc- 
Dougal Creek, with the bold outlines of the surrounding hills, 
there are very few rural scenes that will surpass that of Amesville 
and her surroundings. Away from the busy world, surrounded by 
a farming neighborhood, rich in this world's goods, and in manlj 7 
honor and honesty, Amesville rests in her quiet retreat, willing to 
take passing events as it finds them, content with her rich soil, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 507 

pure air, and the material prosperity that comes from the daily 
avocations of life, faithfully and earnestly performed. Settled in 
the beginning of the century, it was this valley of Federal Creek, 
nestling among the hills with its varied scenery, bracing atmos- 
phere and a look of quiet repose, that first caught the eye of Cutler, 
of Ewing and of Ames — men whose names have since become his- 
toric, and the impress of whose wonderful characters has been 
stamped indelibly upon the people. The pleasant valley is still 
there, and from the few log cabins of primeval days has arisen a 
quiet village that basks in the sunshine of peace, prosperity, 
health and happiness. Such is Amesville in the year 1S83. 

WHEN FOUNDED. 

The village was laid out in the year 1837. James Pattison is 
now the oldest living resident, as he was the first. Rev. John 
Hunt came next, then Samuel McDaniel, Mr. Gregg and John 
Hardy and Hiram Cable. John Pattison, brother of James, came 
in 1839. The first year of its existence it could boast of one gen- 
eral store, one carding machine, one blacksmith and wagon shop, 
one tailor shop. 

It is stated that the second school-house built in the- county of 
Athens was erected upon the present village site of Amesville in 
1804, and a man by the name of Moses Everett was the teacher. 
The next was erected on the farm of Sylvanus Ames, in 1811, and 
used also for church purposes. Dr. Ezra Walker and his daughter 
Sophia both taught in this last school-house. The oldest building 
now in the village is a part of the residence of W. H. Cnrfman's. 
It has a handsome and substantial school building which was 
erected as early as 1852, which has been painted and repaired not 
long since, and has stood the test of time with great credit to the 
honesty and faithfulness of its builders. Its cost, at the time of 
its erection, was $2,000. One fact is referred to by the citizens 
with pride, and that is the fact that no liquor saloon has ever been 
opened in Amesville. The village had a population, in 1880, of 
159, and it has now about 175. Some improvements are now 
going on, and, though Amesville will never become a large town, 
it will probably hold its own, advancing as the surrounding coun- 
try increases in population and wealth. 

ITS BUSINESS INTERKsT. 

The following represents the business interests of the village, 
May 1, 1883: John Pattison, general store; AV. H. Curfman, gen- 



508 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

eral store; A. C. Painter, general store; F. H. Gibson, drug store; 

A. C, 'Young, saddle and harness store; W. Gilligan & Bro-, 
wagon and carriage shop; S. Balderson, blacksmith shop; J. TV. 
Warren, shoe store; J. B. Buckingham, shoe store; J. B. Shoop, 
planing mill; J. B. Shoop, cabinet shop; V. Lots, butcher shop; 
Taylor Pattison, house and sign painter; Jas. Crawford, carpenter; 
Dr. W. A. Adair, Dr. J. Hnestis, physicians. There is only one 
brick store in the village, that of John Pattison. This is a line 
building, two stories high, 27x75 feet, and is a decided ornament 
to the town. The Presbyterian church and school building are 
both creditable affairs, and the village has many fine residences. 
In this last regard the citizens have displayed good taste, both in 
their building and their pleasant surroundings. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The postoffice is kept at the brick store and John Pattison is the 
Postmaster, a position he has held for the past ten years. This 
office was established in 1821, and the following have been the per- 
sons in charge: Loring B. Glazier, 1821-'29; Robert Henry, 
1829-'34; Hiram Cable, 1834-'37; N. Dean, 1837-'41; Loring 

B. Glazier, 1841-'42; Hiram Cable, lS42-'46; Everet V. Phillips, 
1846-'49; Lorenzo Fulton, 1849-'61; A. W. Glazier, 1861-'62; 
Lorenzo Fulton, lS62-'70; C. L. Warden, lS70-'73; John Patti- 
son, 1873, present Postmaster. 

AMESVILLE ACADEMY. 

It has been and is the pride and boast of Amesville that it has 
within its limits one of the best educational institutes in the coun- 
ty. The building itself has been referred to on a previous page: 
The school took its inception from a meeting of the citizens of Ames- 
ville in November, 1852, the moving spirits of which were George 
Wyatt, Robert Henry, J. T. Glazier, James Pattison and A. S. 
Dickey. These gentlemen were appointed a committee to decide 
upon the best plan of securing the desires of the citizens. They 
reported on the 25th of the above month their views and acts upon 
the important question, which were probably adopted, for it was but 
,i short time before the building was begun and finished, which 
gave to Athens County, as well as Amesville, one of the most effi- 
cient educational institutions in the State, so far as the branches of 
studies taught are considered. Its Superintendents have been. J. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 509 

P. Weeth.ee, from 1854 to 1856; P. B. Davis, from 1856 to 1857: 
A/C. Kelly, from 1857 to 1858; Mr. McGonagle, from 1858 to 1860; 
E. P. Henry, from 1S60 to 1861; J. H. Doan, from 1861 to 1862; 
J. M. Goodspeed, from 1862 to 1864; Miss L. M. Dowling, from 
1864 to 1866. 

Rev. H. C. Cheadle, principal, and Miss M. G. Keyes, assistant, 
from 1866. 

CHURCHES. 

The Presbyterian Church, of Amesville, was organized March 
26, 1829, by the Rev. John Spalding, of Athens. The original 
members were Bildad Curtis and wife, Thankful; Elder John Jack- 
son, Hannah McDongal, Abigail, wife of Wm. R. Walker, and John 
Walker. 

Bildad Curtis and John Walker were appointed Elders. The 
fellowship of the church was given by Joseph B. Miles and Charles 
Shipman, Elders of the Athens church, and David Shields, of the 
Canaan church. Rev. Charles R. Fisk was the first Pastor. 

The church at the above date was situated about one-half mile 
from the present site of Amesville and was called the Mudsock 
church. Nabby L. Ames joined the church on the 14th of May fol- 
lowing, and the first baptized were Clark, Julia, Henrietta and 
Abraham Dodd, May 2, 1S30. These were children of Andrew 
Dodd. 

Channcy and Patty Ward joined the church in 1830, and 
Channcy Ward was made Elder. 

The Rev. James McAboy succeeded the Rev. Charles R. Fisk, in 
May, 1832, and was installed as Pastor Dec. 1, 1832, and re- 
signed his charge "in May following. He dedicated the church 
which had been erected in 1832. 

There had been no clerk up to 1832, the moderator keeping the 
minutes, who was the pastor, but on Feb. 19, 1832, Bildad 
Curtis was chosen as such, and remained clerk until August, 1830. 

On the resignation of Rev. Jas. McAboy the church remained 
without a regular pastor until the spring of 1834, when the Rev. 
Ebenezer Hebbard was called, March thelSth, and took charge ot 
the church the following May. He continued his pastorate until 
his death, which occurred Sept. 9, 1835. 

May 1, 1836, the Rev. John Hunt served as Pastor for one year, 
but continued his charge for several years, being succeeded in 1844 
by the Rev. Luke De Witt. 



510 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET . 

E. Ward was appointed Clerk August, 1836, to succeed Bildad 
Curtis. In 1S11 Wm. R. Walker was elected and continued clerk 
of the Sessions until his death, which took place June 17, 1855. 
The church records were either not kept or a large portion were 
lost from 1811 to 1850. In 1836 Wra. R. Walker, Jno. B. Brown 
and John Jackson were elected Ruling Elders. The records show 
that John Wyatt succeeded Walker as Elder in 1813, the others 
remaining. The next Pastor found in charge of the church was 
the Rev. Roswell Tenney, who took charge August, 1819, and was 
still Pastor in 1855, and probably remained until 1858, as on April 
12, 1858, the Rev. Chas. Merwin was installed. 

In 1853 the Elders were: John B. Brown, Jae. Pattison and 
John Wyatt, and they were such in 1858. 

After the death of Wra. R. Walker, in 1855, there seems to have 
been no record kept, and when Dr. Merwin assumed the pastorate 
he was also installed as Clerk of the Sessions, but no record was 
ever found and the opinion was formed that he had entirely neg- 
lected this important duty. The next date had advanced to Dec. 
9, 1865. There was a membership of seventy-seven in 1816, and 
the last record previous to the war was 167 members. 

The church, which had been irregularly attended and supported 
during thecivil strife, was re-organized at Amesville, and again 
started to exercise a power and influence for good which had sadly 
lapsed the few preceding years. 

In November, 1865, the Rev. H. C. Cheadle was called to the 
pastorate, and the Trustees in charge were James Pattison, C. H. 
Wyatt and A. W. Glazier. A handsome church was erected at a 
cost of $1,000, and was dedicated Dec. 8, 1867. Dr. Cheadle con- 
tinued his labors until April 1, 1872, when he retired. It was not 
until July, 1873, that another minister was secured, but on the 
twentieth of that month the Rev. L. N. Woodruff was installed 
and continued until Sept. 30, 1882, since which time the pas- 
torate has been vacant. The present membership is ninety. W. A. 
Adair is Clerk. The church is in good condition and it is not 
expected to be without a pastor much longer. 

The First Methodist Society formed in Ames Township was 
formed by Rev. Curtis Goddard in 1824, at the house of Gulliver 
and Mary Dean (his wife). The society was composed of the follow- 
ing persons: Mr. and Mrs. Dean, Mr. and Mrs. Hart and their four 
daughters were the original class of eight persons. In 1825, un- 
der the ministrv of Rev. James Laws, there were twelve or fifteen 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 511 

persons added to the society, among whom were Mr. Kelion Kas- 
larand wile, Mr. Rathburn and wife, Mrs. Samuel McCune, Mr. 
John Bigford and wife, Mr. Hyde, Class-Leader. The only one 
now living of that society is Mary B. O. Neal, in her seventy-sec- 
ond year. Among the early pastors were: John Feree, Henry S. 
Fernandes, Orvil Shelton, Robert O. Spencer, Martin Kellog, 
George G. West, Samuel Harvey, Benjamin Ellis, Joseph S. Brown, 
Levi S. Munsell, James McCntchen. As the society increased in 
numbers it was removed to a log school-house near where Edwin 
Lehon preached occasionally (since a Southern Methodist Bishop). 
The circuit or charge embraced the territory of what is now Stew- 
art charge, Amesville charge, part of Rosseau and part of Chester 
Hill. In 1844-'5 a church was built in Amesville, a frame 30 x 
50 feet, a king-post roof apparently as solid to-day as when built 
thirty years ago, and cost $1,300. Colonel Absalom Boyles, 
Gulliver and Leonard Dean were the building committee. Colonel 
Boyles framed the building and had a general oversight of the 
work; Gulliver and Leonard Dean furnished the stone and did the 
stone- work; Henry B. Brawley furnished the hewed timber, William 
Johnson the oak flooring, Harvey Goble the plastermg lath, other 
members contributing in like manner as was needed. Abraham 
Curtlich and Charles H. Lawton were among the first Pastors after 
the church was built in 1846-'7. Rev. Lawton organized the first 
Sabbath-school, Henry B. Brawley, Superintendent; John T. Gla- 
zier, Secretary ; Gulliver Dean, James Henry and Isaac Hedge, 
Managers. The Sunday-school has been kept up ever since. The 
Superintendents since its organization were, in addition to Mr. 
Brawley: John T. Glazier, R. R. Ellis, G. M. Ross, John L. Brown, 
William Moore, George E. Henry, John Walsh,- L. L. Munsell, 
John P. Brawley, E. H. Brawley and James Gillian, the present 
very efficient Superintendent. Miss Kate Brawley was for many 
years the loving and beloved teacher of the primary class, and en- 
deared herself to the little ones by her thoughtful care and kind- 
ness. 

pastoes from 1847 to 1883. 

The pastors who have served the church since 1847 are named 
here in the order they officiated : Rev. Levi Cunningham, after- 
ward Presiding Elder; Rev. Uriah Redferren (he died on the cir- 
cuit, 1850), Revs. W. R. Litinger and Amos Wilson; 1851, Revs. 
W. R. Litinger and David Mann; 1852, Revs. Cherrington and 



512 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Catlin; 1853, Revs. Cherrington and Gregg; 1854, Revs. Street and 
Anderson; 1855, Revs. Hopkins and Anderson; 1856, Revs. Hop- 
kins and Kelley; 1857, Revs. Kelley and Nichols; 1858, Revs. Ry- 
land and Rankin; 1859, Revs. Rylandand D. Ricketts; 1860, Revs. 
Thurston and Pardon Cook; 1861, Revs. Thurston and D. Ricketts; 
] S62, Lewis Brothers, who resigned and entered the service of the Un- 
ion array; 1863, Revs. Wolf and Spencer; 1864, Revs. Wolf and Por- 
ter; 1865, Rev. M. D. Vaughan; 1866, Rev. L. W. Mensell; 1867, 
Rev. Lounis; 1868, Revs. Durant and David Morgan, the latter is 
now living at St. Paul, Minnesota, — and the following in the or- 
der named : Revs. Cash, Arbuckle, Morris, Fry, S. B. Ricketts, J. 
G. Jones, for two years; Rev. T. S. Armstrong, an outspoken de- 
fender of the Christian faith, who was a prisoner for a year in 
Libby Prison, having been taken prisoner while a soldier in the 
Federal army. The Rev. R. A. Le Maston is the present Pastor. 

Under the ministry of the Revs. J. Hopkins and A. C. Kelley, 
there was an active revival, and among those who then joined and 
became an active member was John L. Brown, now deceased, who 
afterward was Superintendent of the Sabbath-school, and a young 
man of talent and promise. 

The pastorship of Rev. S. B. Ricketts was noted for a gracious 
revival which added between twenty-five and thirty to the 
membership of the church, and in 1880 the church was again re- 
vived and strengthened by additional members, under the active 
spiritual work of the Rev. J. G. Jones. 

PRESIDING ELDERS. 

The following named persons have been Presiding Elders from 
1848 to 1865, inclusive: Uriah Heath, deceased; E. M. Boring, 
from 1853 to 1856; J. W. Clark, to 1859, deceased; B. N. Spahs, 
to 1S63 ; and J. T. Frewgar, to 1865. Since then S. M. Merrill 
(now Bishop Merrill) presided several years; also Eskridge Dixon, 
James Kendall, Henry Gartner and S. M. Frampton, the present 
Elder. The present Stewards are: William Jackson, J. B. Rhodes, 
F. L. Junod, R. R. Marquis, Daniel Ilixon, Edmund Wheeler and 
J. P. Bravvley. The latter is also Class-Leader. The church is 
prospering and one of power and influence. 

LODGES. 

Amesville Lodge, No. 278, A. F. <& A. M., held its first meet- 
ing at Amesville, in their present lodge-room, Feb. 18, 1856, the 
following officers being in charge: Watson Harris, W. M. pro 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 513 

tern.; J. G. Woolman, S. W. ; A. S. Dickey, J. W. ; Job S. King, 
Treas. ; J. P. Harris, Sec. ; John Patterson, S. D. ; G. W. Pew- 
thers, J. D. 

The only business before this meeting was the reading oi three 
petitions for initiation, which were properly referred, signed by 
Hiram Black, "William H. Curfman and Francis Ginn. At the 
meeting of the lodge, Sept. 20, 1856, the following exhibit of 
work for the seven months of its existence was reported: Num- 
ber of initiations, ^fifteen; number passed, fourteen; number raised, 
twelve. 

"With this, their Grand Lodge report, they met the G. L. at 
Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1856, and asked that body to grant them a 
charter, which was done, the charter being signed by the follow- 
ing officers of the Grand Lodge: W. B. Dodds, M. "W. Grand 
Master; B. F. Smith, K. W. Deputy Grand Master; M. D. Brock, 
R. W. S. G. W.; Barton S. Kyle, R. W. J. G. W.; John D. 
Caldwell, R. W. Grand Secretary. 

The following names appear upon the charter as charter-mem- 
bers of the new lodge: John Patterson, A. S. Dickey, O. "W. 
Pickering, William Golden, L. Fulton, J. P. Harris, Abner Cooley, 
D. L. Dana, J. F. "Woolman, George W. Baker, J. L. Kessinger. 

Thus equiped with a charter the lodge began its Masonic life, 
which has continued harmoniously for twenty seven years. One 
of the first business undertakings of the lodge was to contract a 
debt of over $400 for building and furnishing a lodge-room. It 
was built by a stock company, mostly Masons. Although largely 
in debt, and the members of the lodge not being wealthy, they 
began at once to practice that greatest of virtues, charity. Very 
seldom has a worthy applicant been turned away from this lodo-e 
empty handed. This charitable practice has wrought itself so 
thoroughly into the character of the lodge that they remain con- 
tented with a very plain lodge-room to point with pride to their 
long list of charitable bestowments. 

The workings of the lodge ran along smoothly, without interrup- 
tion, receiving into its membership many honorable and intelligent 
men, until the spring of 1861, when many of her members offered 
themselves to their country, engaging in the great struggle for 
the uation's life. No member of this lodge sympathized with the 
Southern Confederacy. At the close of the war regular meetings, 
which had been suspended, were resumed, and have been kept up 
to the present time. 
33 



514 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

"When labor was resumed some confusion was to be encoun- 
tered in the affairs of the lodge. Debts had accumulated, the 
lodge-room had run down, and many of the members had died 
or moved away. Those who were left equal to the emergency 
began the work of restoring the lodge; the lodge-room was 
repaired and refurnished, the lodge placed under new manage- 
ment, and the debt, which had never ceased to grow from the 
beginning, began gradually to decrease. The entire debt was 
at length paid, and the lodge is now on a good basis in every 
respect. 

In July, 1871, a number of the members who lived near Guys- 
ville, Athens County, asked for and were granted permission to 
establish a lodge at that place. In the establishment of this, 
Amesville Lodge not only lost some of her best members, but also 
a large portion of her best territory, which fell into the jurisdiction 
of the new lodge. 

In August of the same year the old lodge was again asked to 
divide her members and territory for the establishment of a new 
lodge at Bishopville, Morgan County. Although crippling her 
severely in membership and territory, she gave consent, and Bish- 
opville Lodge was formed. Since the establishment of these two 
new lodges, owing to reduced territory, the membership of Ames- 
ville Lodge has not grown so rapidly as before. None of the inter- 
ests of the order, however, have been forgotten or neglected, the 
members are fully alive to their obligations, and each is doing his 
duty, while perfect harmony prevails. 

The entire membership of the lodge since its organization, ex- 
cepting charter members, is 125; of this number seven have died 
while members of the lodge, fifty-one have been demitted, and thir- 
teen have been expelled, leaving a membership of fifty-four at the 
present time. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Edward R. Ames, D. D., a native of Ames Township, Athens 
Co., Ohio, born May 20, 1806, was a son of Judge Sylvanus 
Ames. His early education was plain and practical. A natural 
taste for reading was fostered by a local library to which he had 
free access, and when twenty years of age he eutered the Ohio Uni- 
versity at Athens. There he remained many years, supporting 
himself mainly by teaching. In 1828 the Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church met at Chillicothe, and he attended 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 515 

its meetings. Bishop Eoberts, the presiding officer, was so im- 
pressed with the young man's appearance that he invited him to 
accompany him to the Illinois Conference at Madison, 111. He 
there made the acquaintance of several prominent Methodist cler- 
gymen, and opened a school at Lebanon, 111., which was the germ 
of McKendree College. In August, 1830, he entered the itinerant 
ministry, and was licensed to preach by the Rev. Peter Cartwright. 
He was sent to the Shoal Creek Circuit, which covered an almost 
unlimited territory, and when the Indiana Conference was organ- 
ized, in 1832, he went with the new conference, and was ordained 
a Deacon by Bishop Soule. In 1834 he was ordained an Elder by 
Bishop Roberts, and was employed in several fields of labor, in- 
cluding two years spent in St. Louis, Mo., till 1810. He was that 
year appointed a delegate to the General Conference in Baltimore, 
and was by that body elected Corresponding Secretary of the Mis- 
sionary Society for the South and West. He was the first Chap- 
lain ever elected by an Indian Council, having served the Choctaw 
General Council in that capacity in 1842. In 1848 he was elected 
President "of the Asbury University, Indiana, but declined the 
honor. In the General Conference in 1852 he was elected Bishop, 
together with Bishops Scott and Simpson; and he was the first 
Methodist Bishop who ever visited the Pacific Coast. When the 
question of the separation of the Methodists came up in 1844, he 
opposed the division, and afterward did all he could to foster a fra- 
ternal spirit. When the ecclesiastical property of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church South was confiscated for the time being, he was 
commissioned by President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton to take 
charge of it. This was a most delicate duty, and in its performance 
he visited New Orleans and other Southern cities, organizing so" 
cieties and appointing white and colored preachers. During the 
twenty-seven years in which Bishop Ames was in the episcopacy, 
his whole public life was marked by a strict adherence to the 
rules and discipline of Methodism, and even when the most 
difficult points came up for settlement he displayed a far-seeing 
judgment and quickness of apprehension, which enabled him to 
grapple successfully with them. Although grave and dignified in 
manner, there was a magnetism about him which attracted, and his 
preaching was always thoroughly enjoyed. He could scarcely be 
styled an orator,andyet his quiet reasoning,apt aphorisms, pertinent 
illustrations and earnestness, impressed more than mere declama- 



516 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tion. He died at Baltimore, Md., April 25, 1879. He had been 
twice married, and Left a son and two daughters. — Applet oil's 
Annua!. 1879. 

tr orge S. Anderson was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Nov. 
11, 181 L. where he lived till he was sixteen years of age. In 1827 
he went with his lather to Guernsey County. When he was eighteen 
years of age his father died, and, being the eldest son, the care of 
his widowed mother and the management of the farm devolved on 
him, which duty he performed faithfully until his mother's death. 
He was married June 6, 1833, to Sarah Smith, a daughter of English 
parents. They had twelve children, all of whom lived to be men 
and women, and ten still survive. His wife died Sept. 17, 1870. 
He was again married July 3, 1871, to Amanda Beal, a native ot 
Ohio. They have three children. He is a member of the Univer- 
salist church, and his wife a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Anderson has held many local offices of trust, hav- 
ing held the office of Township Trustee for thirteen years, and the 
office of Justice of the Peace for nine years. He came to Ames 
Township, Athens County, in 1873. 

George Beasley, farmer and stock-raiser, was born Oct. 15,1S11, 
the eldest son of John and Elizabeth Beasley, who came from Vir- 
ginia and located in Bern Township, in 1823, where our subject was 
reared on a farm and received his education in the subscription 
schools, living with his parents until he was nineteen years of age. 
He was married April 15, 1830, to Mary A. Gardner, a daughter of 
Thomas Gardner, a pioneer of Ames Township. By this union 
there were twelve children, eight of whom still survive — Rosanna, 
Elizabeth, David, John J., Adeline, Sarah E., Calley M. and Charles 
M. II is farm contains 204 acres of improved land under a high state 
of cultivation. In his chosen avocation, that of a farmer, he has 
been very successful. 

John J. Beasley^ farmer and stock-dealer, born in Ames Town- 
ship. Athens d>.. Ohio. April 5, 1847, is the third son of George 
and Mary (Gardner) Beasley. He was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his education in the schools at Amesville. At the breaking 
out of the late civil war, though only a boy. he went out in defense 
of his country, enlisting in Company G, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry, 
in which capacity he participated in many hard-fought battles, 
served until the close oi the war. and received an honorable dis- 
charge Aug. L3, L865. After the close of the war he returned to 
his native village, and the subsequent year he was sick and una- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 517 

ble to attend to active business. After lie recovered he engaged in 
the mercantile business for several years, after which he engaged 
in the live-stock business, which he has since followed with marked 
success, and has for several years been identified with the leading 
stock dealers of Southern Ohio. Jle was married Aug. L5, L871, 
to Mazeppa Hill, a daughter of Solomon Hill, a pioneer of Athens 
County. They have one child — Austin. Mr. Beasley is the owner 
of a finefarm containing 235 acres of good laud under a high state of 
cultivation, admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is used — 
that of raising stock. His residence is in the village of Amesville. 
Henry B. Brawley, deceased, was born in Brownsville, Pa.. 
Dec. L9, 1806. When he was ten years of ago his widowed mother 
came with her four sons to Ohio and settled in what is now Ames 
Township, Athens County. Their struggle for a livelihood was a 
hard one, but it was firmly maintained, and all the sons were reared 
to manhood. Mr. Brawley was married Oct. 31. 1833, to Eliz- 
abeth McCune, daughter of Samuel and Mary McCune. She was 
born near the present site of Amesville, Feb. 17, 1812. She died 
June 22, 1883, leaving four children, two sons and two daughters. 
She had been a member of the Methodist church since fourteen 
years of age, and was known and honored by all the Amesville 
circuit for her hospitality and kindness. Mr. Brawley began life 
without pecuniary help. He first rented land just north of Ames- 
ville, but a few years later bought the farm, where he resided 
till his death. By industry, care and frugality lie gradually ac- 
cumulated a valuable estate. In business transaction.- and in the 
discharge of numerous trusts that were committed to him he was 
perfectly upright and faithful, being as conscientious in the perform- 
ance of public as he was in private affairs. Considering his early 
opportunities, he attained an unusual degree of intelligence and cult- 
ure. Fond of books and diligent in the improvement of his time, 
his reading was extensive and varied. He had an excellent general 
acquaintance with history and historical personages. He sought 
information mi public questions with as much interest as if they 
were private and personal. His favorite kind of reading, especially 
the latter years of his life, was poetry, and nearly all the standard 
poet> were to be found in his house. With some ot them he was 
very familiar and was fond of making quotations from the large 
number of passages with which his mind was stored. Ho was hos- 
pitable at home, genial and pleasant in every circle. The children 
of other persons were in several instances committed to his care. 



518 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

He received them into his home and dealt with them as with his 
own, and they became attached to him as to a father. He was a 
man of careful judgment and settled convictions. One of the 
most beautiful things in his life was his tender, but manly, devotion 
to the memory of his wife, whose death preceded his by sixteen 
years. He was a member of the Methodist church forty j^ears. 
In 1845 he was appointed Steward, a position he held till his 
death. He was frequently honored by being a representative to 
the annual conferences, and the punctuality, precision and efficiency 
with which he discharged the duties of his post is seldom equaled 
among church officials. He was not a mere business man of the 
church ; though quiet and undemonstrative, he cherished a deep 
religious life, and his influence was felt in every part of his circuit 
of which he was for many years the most conspicuous and widely 
known member. He died June 5, 1879, but long will he live in 
the memory of those who knew him. Of his four children, three 
are still living — Edward H., M. E. and John P. His youngest 
daughter, M. Kate, died April 19, 1881. She was a most devoted 
Christian, and when the Methodist church called for women to 
labor in behalf of foreign missions, she gave herself, heart and 
soul, to the work. She was chosen a District Secretary, and for more 
than eight years gave her time and labor to the cause. Being of a 
timid and nervous disposition, the position was a very trying one, 
as she was often called upon to appear as a public speaker, and she 
never succeeded in overcoming her embarrassment. The amount 
of writing she did, considering her feeble health and the demands 
of domestic duties, deserves especial notice. Her correspondence 
was necessarily extensive ; her preparations for her public efforts 
required considerable time, and she sometimes wrote for the press, 
her articles being generally for children and appearing in the West- 
ern Christian Advocate, Ladies' Repository, and the Nursery. 
From the numerous testimonials of her excellence and worth we 
subjoin the following, passed T at the annual session of the Cincin- 
nati Branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, held in 
Ilillsboro a few days before her death : 

"Whereas, Our beloved friend and co-worker, sister M. Kate 
Brawley, the efficient Secretary of Marietta District, has in the 
providence of an All-wise Father been called from doing to suffer- 
ing his will, 

" Resolved, That we hereby tender our sincere regrets at her 
absence at this our annual feast, and extend our warmest sympathy 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 519 

with the hope that, if consistent with his holy will, a restoration 

to health may permit her to again enter the work she loved so 

well. 

' ' Mary Warner, 

" Mary E. Sosmans, 

' ' Committee. 
"Hillshoro, April 14, 1881." 

Edward H. Brawley, farmer and stock-raiser, born in Ames 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1835, is the oldest sun of the 
late Henry B. and Elizabeth (McCune) Brawley. His youth was 
spent in assisting his father in the management of the farm and at- 
tending the common schools, where his early education was ob- 
tained. After he grew to manhood, being ambitious, he attended 
the Ohio University at Athens for a time. He now has a fine farm 
of 140 acres. In connection with his farming pursuits he has been 
engaged in dealing in wool, and has met with good success and 
won the confidence and esteem of the community. He was united 
in marriage April 7, 1862, to Miss Jenny McCollom, who was born 
in Ohio but at the time of her marriage was a resident of Indiana. 
They have had six children, three of whom are living — Robert G., 
Mary Gertrude and Bertha Florence. Mr. Brawley has held many 
local offices of trust. In 1S70 he was appointed Assistant United 
States Marshal for this district. He is a member of the A. F. & A. 
M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. He and his wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

John P. Brawley, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames 
Township, Sept. 8, 1848, the youngest son of the late Henry B. and 
Elizabeth (McCune) Brawley. His youth was spent in assisting 
his father on the farm and attending the common schools, residing 
with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married 
Sept. 8, 1S75, to Miss Allie E. Wedge, of Coolville, Athens Co., 
Ohio. They have three children — Jessie, Lizzie and Mamie. Mr. 
Brawley has a fine farm of 221 acres of good land, a part of the old 
home farm. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

Eli F. Brown was born in Ames Township, April 1, 1814, a 
son of John and Folly Brown. Flis youth was spent in assisting 
his father on the farm and attending the subscription schools. 
'When he reached the age of twenty-one years he went to Lancaster, 
where he spent three years with an auctioneer, and subsequently 
for forty-one years he was engaged as a public auctioneer in his 



520 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

native county. Mr. Brown has during his life been actively en- 
gaged in business of almost every description, and he has gained 
a wide reputation as an energetic and enterprising citizen. He was 
first married Aug. 27, 1834, to Amy Eddie, a native of Providence, 
R. I. By this union there were three children, only two of whom 
still live. He lost his wife April 3, 1867. He was again married 
March 12, 1868, to Nancy A. L. Dean, daughter of Gulliver and Mary 
(Cutler) Dean, and a granddaughter of the late Judge Ephraim 
Cutler, who was prominently identified with the early settlement of 
Ames Township. They have two daughters and two sons — Mary 
E., Julia A., Abel G., and "Walter G. Mr. Brown now lives on 
the old homestead of Judge Cutler, afterward of Gulliver Dean. 
It had never been owned by any but the family. He has been 
elected to many local offices of trust and responsibility. He is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Archibald Bryson, born in Bedford County, Penn., Aug. 27, 
1813, is the son of David and Elizabeth (Kearns) Bryson. He has 
from a child been identified with this township, his parents coming 
here in 1816. His father entered a tract of unimproved land, where 
he reared his children and lived till his death, in September, 1854, 
aged seventy-seven years and ten days. His wife died in 1864, 
aged eighty-one years. Mr. Bryson, the subject of our sketch, 
lived with his parents till manhood. He was married Oct. 11, 1835, 
to Henrietta Davis, daughter of John and Matilda (Atwood) Davis. 
He purchased the place where he now lives in 1835. At that time 
there was a small log house and a log stable on it, and but a small 
portion cleared. He now has 120 acres of the best land in Athens 
County. Mr. and Mrs. Bryson are the parents of twelve children, 
only seven now living — David W., John D., Fannie F., Elizabeth 
J., Morris O., George W. and Eliza D. Mrs. Bryson is a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

William Cone, farmer, born in Ames Township, Sept. 11, 1822, 
is the oldest son of Albert B. and Sarah Cone, who were among 
the early settlers of Athens County. His young days were spent 
on a farm, and at the age of twenty he began learning the trade of 
a blacksmith, at which he worked for several years. In 1856 he 
purchased the farm on which he now resides, and has since devoted 
his time to farming and stock-raising. He was first married Dec. 
25, 1846, to Miss Mary Ketler. They were the parents of two 
children — Augustus W. and Mary E. Mrs. Cone died Jan. 17, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 521 

1854. Mr. Cone was again married Aug. 29, 1856, to Ruth 
McCune. To them were born two children — Julien and Charles. 
His wife died Oct. 15, 1871, and he was married April 15, 1873, to 
Mrs. A. P. Lamb, of Marietta. They have one child — Frank W. 
Mr. Cone is a self-made man and has accumulated his property by 
his own exertions. 

William H. t Curfman, merchant, was born in Frederick County, 
Md., March 2S, 1832. When he was five years of age he came 
with his parents, George and Cordelia (Hemsworth) Curfman, to 
Ohio and located in Morgan County. Here he was reared and 
educated until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to learn 
the carpenter's trade, which he followed three years. He then 
came to Amesville and engaged as clerk with George Walker, Jr., 
in the mercantile business. He served in that capacity for three 
and one-half years, when he purchased an interest in the business, 
which they carried on successfully until his partner, Mr. Walker, 
died, and our subject being unable to control such an extensive 
business, sold out and engaged as clerk with Patterson Bros, in 
the same place, and remained with them two years. He then went 
to Salina, Athens Co., Ohio, where he continued in the same occu- 
pation for a period of seven years. He then returned to Ames- 
ville and formed a partnership with John Patterson and carried on 
a successful mercantile business until 1879. At this time they met 
with a severe loss by fire, amounting to about $10,000. He imme- 
diately purchased a stock of goods which he placed in the store he 
has since occupied. During Mr. Curfman's many years in the 
mercantile business, he has by fair dealing won the respect and 
confidence of his many patrons. He has never aspired to publicity, 
but in 1878 his friends urged him to accept their proffered suffrage 
for the office of County Commissioner. He was elected by a large 
majority, and has since held the important position with honor to 
himself and credit to his constituents. Mr. Curfman was married 
Nov. 30, 1851, to Julia A., daughter of L. B. and Jane (Henry) 
Glazier. By this union there were four children — O. A., Louie, 
Mattie and Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Curfman are consistent members 
of the Presbyterian church, he being an Elder of the organization. 
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. 

Henry H. Curtis, farmer and stock-dealer, born in Ames Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, is the oldest son of Moses and Sophia 
(Henry) Curtis. He was born June 15, 1837, reared on a farm, 
and received his education in the common school. Shortly after 



522 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

he reached his majority his father died, leaving the management ot 
a large estate to our subject. He was first married Sept. 9, 1860, 
to Jane Sundland, of Maryland. By this union were two children, 
one still living — Edwin C. Antie C. died Jan. 15, 1865. Mrs. Cur- 
tis died Sept. 23, 1869. He was again married Oct. 4, 1870, to 
Miss Sarah E. Sundland, a sister of his first wife. They have one 
child — Effie B. Mr. Curtis is the owner of 380 acres of good j an( j 
which is admirably adapted to the purposes for which it is used. 
His residence is beautifully located in the suburbs of the village of 
Amesville. 

Nathan W. Dean, farmer and stock-raiser, is the oldest son of 
Nathan and Eanny (Lane) Dean, and a grandson of Nathan Dean, 
who was prominently identified with the early settlers of Ames 
Township. Our subject was born in Bristol County, Mass., Nov. 
1, 1818, and when about six months old came with his parents to 
Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio. They made the journey in a 
wagon, and our subject was suspended from the bows of the wagon 
cover in a clothes-basket. His father having the contract of carry- 
ing the mail from Amesville to Marietta, when our subject was 
twelve years of age he assisted him in these duties. At the age of 
seventeen years his father died, leaving his mother and sisters and 
the management of the farm to the care of our subject. He has 
since followed assiduously the avocation of farming. He was mar- 
ried in 1846 to Miss Catherine McDannald, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia. They had two sons, only one of whom still survives — Nathan 
Edgar. Plenry L. died Nov. 9, 1873, at the age of twenty-two 
years. He still lives on the old homestead, which contains 224 
acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. His son, 
Nathan E., resides with him. He was married Oct. 11, 1876, to 
Roena E. Owens. They have two children — Mertie Lee and Lin- 
nie May. He is engaged irj farming and stock-raising with his 
father, but in connection with his farming pursuits has for the last 
ten years been engaged as a public auctioneer. 

B. A. Ellis was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1846, and 
when about two years of age came with his parents, R. R. and E. 
S. Ellis, to Athens County and settled in Amesville, where his 
youth was spent in attending school and clerking in a store until he 
was sixteen years old. In response to his country's call, though yet 
but a boy, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio 
Infantry for six months but served nine months before being mus- 
tered out of the service. Again in 1864, he enlisted in the One Hun- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 523 

dred and Sixty -fifth Regiment, where he served for four months, and 
in 1865 re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Regiment, 
where he served until the close of the Rebellion. He participated in 
many severe skirmishes but in no regular engagement. After the 
close of the war he returned to Amesville and attended school 
for two years, working on a farm a portion of the time, after 
which he engaged in painting, which occupation he followed for 
four years. He was married March 16, 1871, to Lois S., a daughter 
of Moses^and Sophia (Henry) Curtis, who were prominently iden- 
tified in the early settlement of Ames Township. By this union 
were two sons and one daughter — Frank and Fred (twins), and Edna 
May. After his marriage Mr. Ellis engaged in farming, which 
avocation he followed until the spring of 1880, when he accepted 
a position as clerk in the establishment of John Patterson, where 
he has won many friends and gained the confidence of his employer. 
He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he 
has ever been an ardent worker in the temperance cause. 

Walter G. Finch was born in Washington County, Ohio, 
Sept. 15, 1823. He was reared on a farm and received his educa- 
tion in the common schools. Ho was left an orphan at the age of 
eight years and thrown on his own responsibility. He found a 
home with Gulliver Dean, of Ames Township, with whom he lived 
until he reached his majority. He was married Nov. 1, 1819, to 
Miss Juliette Smith, a native of New York City. They have seven 
children — Charles, Sarah, Alice, Nina, Edward, Juliette and Will- 
iam. Mr. Finch purchased his present farm in 1855, where he 
lived for three years, when he sold out and six years later again 
purchased it. He has 200 acres of good improved land. He has 
held the office of Justice of the Peace since 1871. He is a member 
of the A. F. & A, M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. 

Daniel Fleming, farmer and stock-dealer, born in Athens County, 
Ohio, in 1822, is a son of John and Christina Fleming. John 
Fleming was born in Germany in 1777, and at the age of fifteen 
years came to the United States and located in New York, and at 
an early age engaged in the coal business, in which he met with 
marked success. In 1819 he came to Athens County, Ohio, and 
purchased an interest in the Ohio Land Company's grant. He hav- 
ing considerable means contributed liberally by his influence and 
from his personal means to improve the country, which was then a 
wilderness. After remaining about six years he returned to New 
York, but still retained his interest in the Ohio lands. He was 



524 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

married March 11, 1806, to Christina Smith, a native of New York 
City. By this union there were eleven children, six of which lived 
to be men and women, and three still living — Martin, Jane and 
Daniel. John Fleming died in New York City in 1841, and his 
wife died in Ames Township in 1863, at the advanced age of 
seventy-nine' years. Our subject was reared in New York City, 
his youth being spent in attending school. At the age of twenty- 
two years he returned to the place of his birth, where he has since 
resided, and since his arrival in this county he has followed assid- 
uously the avocation of farming and stock raising and dealing, aud 
by good management he has met with remarkable success. He 
was married May 16, 1846, to Lucy P. Gardner, daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret (Smith) Gardner, who was born in 1824. 
Thirteen children were born to them, eight of which still survive — 
Joseph, William, John, Theodore, Lincoln, Lucy, Julia and Edith. 
A. J. Frame, Auditor of Athens County, Ohio, the eldest of 
nine sons and ten children of John and Mary (Nesmith) Frame, 
was born at Coolville, Athens County, Aug. 21, 1834, where he 
was reared and educated in the public school and the Coolville 
Seminary, attending the latter four years. In 1856 he became 
associated with his father in the mercantile business and so con- 
tinned until 1865, when his father retired from business. His 
brother, A. P. Frame, then became associated with him, he himself 
retiring from the business in 1874. In 1875 he was elected Treas 
urer of Athens County, and re-elected in 1877, holding the office 
four years. In 1880 he was elected Auditor of Athens County, 
and re-elected in 1882. Besides being a countv officer he has held 
the office of Treasurer of Troy Township for many years. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. July 14, 1S56, he was married to Har- 
riet Smith, of .Racine, Meigs Co., Ohio, who died May 31, 1882. 
They have three children — R.# A. and J. F., both telegraph oper- 
ators on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, and E. C, attending 
6chool. Mr. Frame is a member of the Athens Commandery,No. 
15, Knights Templars. 

John Frame, deceased, fa pioneer of Troy Township, Athens 
County, was born in Crawford Countv, Pa., Sept. 20, 1807. 
Although born and reared on a farm he as an apprentice learned the 
tailor's trade, serving six years. In 1832 he emigrated to Ohio 
and settled at Coolville, Athens Countv, where he followed his 
trade until l>s40, when he engaged in general merchandising, and 
also dealt in wool, grain and produce. In November, 1833, he was 
married to Mary Nesmith, of Dover Township. They were blessed 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 525 

with a large family, nine sons and one daughter, all of whom are 
living excepting one son. He retired from active business in 1865. 
He held the offices of Township Treasurer and School Director for 
many years. Politically he was a Democrat, a thorough and un- 
compromising Union man, but after the late war up to his death 
took no part in politics. He died Aug. 27, 1873, a truly repre- 
sentative man, who had endeared himself to his neighbors and 
associates by his many genial and amiable qualities. He was a 
member of the Congregational church, as is also his wife, who still 
survives him. 

Thomas Gardner, farmer and stock-raiser, Ames Township, was 
born in New York City, Feb. 1,1814, and in the fall of the same 
year his parents came to Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, and 
settled on the farm where he has since lived, formerly known as 
the Thomas Ewing homestead. He remained with his parents 
until he grew to manhood. He was married Jan. 28, 1852, to 
Phebe Beasley, daughter of the late John Beasley, a native of 
Virginia. He has followed assiduously the avocation of a farmer, 
in which he has been highly successful, and now ranks among the 
larger land-owners of Athens County, having 511 acres of land 
under a high state of cultivation, on which he is engaged in rais- 
ing stock and grain, making a specialty of cattle and sheep of 
the higher grades. 

C. W. Glazier, merchant, Amesville, is the youngest son of Abel 
and Sallie (Brown) Glazier, who were among the early settlers of 
Athens County. He was born in Ames Township, Sept. 7, 1821, 
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His father 
died when he was sixteen years of age, when he was thrown on 
his own responsibility. He followed the avocation of farming 
until 1862, wheu he became engaged in the railroad business, 
which he followed for several years.* He was first married in 1842 
to Eliza Cook, a native of New York. By this union there was 
one daughter — Frances. His wife died in September, 1869. He 
was again married in 1872 to Mrs. Sarah E. Walker, of this county. 
Mr. Glazier has for several years been successfully engaged in the 
mercantile business at Amesville, and bears an unsullied repu- 
tation among his fellow townsmen. 

John Henry Glazier, farmer, section 8, Ames Township, was 
born in this township Dec. 13, 1820, and is the son of Loring B. 
and Jane (Henry) Glazier, grandson of Abel Glazier, and great- 
grandson of Captain Benjamin Brown, who was prominently iden- 



526 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tified for many years among the early settlers of Athens County. 
Our subject was reared on a farm and educated in the schools of 
Amesville. He lived with his parents until their death and then 
succeeded them on the old homestead. He was married Jan. 1, 
1851, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Mathew and Mary Henry, who 
settled in Athens County in the year 1839. By this union were 
five children, four of whom still live — Alice (deceased), Edna, Lor- 
iu or U., Emma D. and Louis B. Mr. Glazier has always stood 
in the foremost rank to aid every laudable enterprise which 
would be of interest and benefit to the community. In the year of 
1845 he was elected to the office of Township Clerk. This position 
was not at that time a very remunerative one, as he only received 
$5 per year; yet by his strict attention to the duties thereof he 
gained the confidence of the people and >vas by them re-elected 
each year until 18S0. He has also held many offices in the agri- 
cultural society, an enterprise in which he takes great pride. He 
is physically a man of great personal strength and courage, and in- 
tellectually possesses great common sense and unusual native men- 
tal vigor. In his chosen avocation, that of a farmer, he has been 
highly successful and uses his accumulated wealth to the best ad- 
vantage in surrounding himself and family with all the comforts of 
life, and giving to his children a thorough and practical education. 
Besides caring well for those of his own household he is not 
unmindful of the wants of others, and his unostentatious generosity 
contributes to relieve the necessities of many. Upright in his deal- 
ings with his fellowmen, charitable to the weaknesses of others, gen- 
erous to the deserving poor, conscientious in the discharge of every 
duty, he receives, as he deserves, the considerate respect of his fel- 
low-citizens, and has always the respectful obedience and affection- 
ate regard of those of his own household. He has a fine farm 
containing 400 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation 
on which is a large and commodious residence surrounded by beauti- 
ful shade trees and shrubbery. 

John Henry Green was born on the farm where he now lives in 
Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, March 18, 1842. His father, 
Steven "W". Green, was born on the same farm March 2, 1814. His 
grandfather, Ezra Green, was born in Worcester County, Mass., Oct. 
8, 1776, and married Sally Proctor, Oct. 2, 1805, and soon after came 
to Ohio and settled on the above-mentioned farm, where he lived till 
after the death of his wife, Nov. 25, 1819. He then went to Wash- 
ington County, where he married Mrs. Dodge and passed the re- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 527 

mainder of his days. His death occurred Sept. 21, 1822. Steven 
W. Green went with his father to Washington County and resided 
until after his death. He was married Sept. 1, 1836, to Miss Lucy 
Green, a native of Washington County. After his marriage he re- 
turned to the old homestead in Ames Township, Athens County, 
where he followed the avocation of farming until his death. They 
were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are living. Mr. 
Green died March 26, 1864. Mrs. Green still resides with our sub- 
ject. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Our subject was 
reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and has al- 
ways lived on the old homestead. He was married Nov. 24,1S70, to 
Miss Mattie Hatfield, a native of Wabash County, Ind. They have 
two children — Frank C. and Charles W. Mr. and Mrs. Green are 
members of the Presbyterian church. 

Daniel Hill, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Canaan Town- 
ship, Aug. 15, 1829, son of John and Nancy (Arnold) Hill. He 
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. At 
the age of twenty-three he purchased the farm on which he has 
since resided. It contains 320 acres of improved land. In connec- 
tion with his farming he has been extensively engaged in shipping 
stock to Eastern markets. He was married June 11, 1858, to Miss 
Flora Lewis, a native of Noble County. They have had six chil- 
dren, four still living — William E., Annie M., Oliver E. and Lin- 
nie. Charles and an infant are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are 
both members of the United Brethren church. 

Loren Hill, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames Town- 
ship, Jan. 21, 1837, the second son of Amos and Mary Ann (Miner) 
Hill. He lived with his parents on the farm during his minorit}-. 
receiving a common-school education. April 28, 1875, he married 
Lucinda, daughter of Nelson and Lucy McCune. They have four 
children — Herbert H., Luella M., Carny C, and an infant. After 
his marriage Mr. Hill bought a farm and lived on it till 1879. He 
then returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided, 
taking charge of the farm. Mrs. Hill is a member of the Presby- 
terian church. 

Solomon Hill was born in Spencer, Mass., Aug. 15, 1S14, and 
when three years of age came with his parents to Athens County 
and settled on a farm about two miles from where the village of 
Amesville now stands. The days of his youth were spent in as- 
sisting his father on the farm and attending the subscription schools. 
He resided with his parents until their death, and then succeeded 



528 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tliem on the old homestead, which was purchased by his father in 
1825. He has added to it until he has now 260 acres of good land. 
He has been extensively engaged in raising stock and sheep of the 
higher grades. He was married March 13, 1844, to Miss Ellen P. 
Mitchell. They are the parents of four children, all daughters — 
Alice A., Margaret J., Emma L. and Florence A. 

Charles Mathew Henry, farmer and sheep-raiser, was born in 
Ames Township, Athens County, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1842, the youngest 
son of Mathew and Mary (Park) Henry. He was married Sept. 16, 
1867, to Elizabeth C. Goble, daughter of Thomas L. and Mary J. 
(Law) Goble. Her father was born in Athens County and her 
mother in Guernsey County, Ohio. By this- union there are two 
children- — Herbert, born Jan. 11, 1869, and Lizzie Alma, born 
March 27, 1873. He has a line residence in Amesville, built, on 
the foundation of the old home where he was born, in 1877. His 
farm is a part of his father's original purchase, containing 210 acres 
of improved land. He has taken great interest in the raising of 
fine sheep and has been to great expense in the importation of 
blooded stock, having a large flock of thoroughbred sheep. Mr. 
Henry is a member of the Presbyterian church and his wife of the 
Methodist Episcopal. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., 
Amesville Lodge, No. 278. 

James Henry, farmer, section 3, Ames Township, born in Wash- 
ington County, Ohio, in 1807, is a son of John Henry, who emi- 
grated to the United States, from Ireland, settling in Pennsylvania 
for a short time, and in 1 781 came to Ohio and settled in Washington 
County, and in 1817 came to Athens County, where he purchased 
of the Ohio Purchase Company 640 acres of land, and here our 
subject was reared and educated. Mr. Henry was first married 
Oct. 29, 1835, to Sophronia Goodspeed, a native of Massachusetts, 
but her parents were among the pioneers of Athens County. By 
this union there were three daughters — Sarah E., Mary J. and 
Flora E. His wife died Nov. 11, 1871. He was again married 
June 2, 1875, to Mrs. Sarah C. Rolston, who was a sister of his first 
wife. Mrs. Henry has one daughter by her former marriage — Miss 
Fannie Rolston, a young lady of rare intellect and refinement. Mr. 
Henry has held many offices of trust, and by his honorable and up- 
right dealing has made many warm and true friends. He has a 
fine residence situated about one mile from Amesville, and his farm 
contains 175 acres of improved land. He has by industry accum- 
ulated a large property. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 529 

John Henry, the second child of Bobert and Mary Henry, was 
born in Derry County, Ireland, in March, 1763. His mother's 
maiden name was Woodburn. He came to America in 1788, 
landing at Philadelphia, near where he remained about three 
years, working most of the time on a farm in Chester County. At 
this time he concluded to return to Ireland, and hoping to add 
something to his scanty means he decided to invest his earnings 
in flax-seed. With this merchandise he sailed for Ireland to join 
his family, but on the coast of that island, in sight of his home, 
the vessel, was wrecked and his flax-seed went to the bottom of the 
ocean. By this accident he lost nearly all of the fortune he pos- 
sessed. After remaining there about two years he again sailed for 
Philadelphia, bringing with him his wife and youngest son, leav- 
ing his eldest son, John, with his father. 3^ . emained in Ire- 
land until he grew to manhood, when he came to Nova Scotia and 
there engaged in farming. As no communication between him 
and the rest of the family has taken place for many years it is not 
known what became of him. Mr. Henry, after arriving in Amer- 
ica the second time, settled in Chester County, Pa., and remained 
there until 1801, when he came to Washington County, Ohio. 
Here he rented a farm in Newport Township and remained on it 
about five years, when he bought a farm on the Ohio River, five 
miles below Harmar, to which he at once removed and spent a 
number of years in improving. He had, when a young man, 
learned the trade of a wheelwright, and after he came to Ohio was 
able to turn this knowledge to profitable account, there being a 
good demand for flax-wheels among the early settlers, where al- 
most every family used one for the manufacture of its own cloth, 
and by industry he could make two wheels a week, which were 
worth $4 each. The high water in the Ohio River in 1815 
decided him to sell this farm, and in the spring of 1817 he 
removed to Athens County, having already bought section 33 
in Bern Township. Here he lived until the time of his 
death, which occurred Feb. 27, 1854, a few days before he was 
ninety-one years old. During his long lite he was a continuous 
example of industry and economy. He was twice married. His 
first wife was Miss Rachel Henry, whom he married in Ireland in 
1787. She died in 1809. In 1811 he married Miss Margaret Mc- 
Nutt. who survived him about three years. His children by the 
first wife were five sons and four daughters, and by the last, tour 
sons and six daughters, in all nineteen children; one daughter died 
34 



530 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

iu infancy, but the remaining eighteen Mr. Henry lived to see 
grow to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Henry is the progenitor 
of many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At the 
time of his death he had nearly sixty grandchildren and ten great- 
grandchildren living, the latter number having since been raised 
to nearly ninety. These do not include the children and grand- 
children of John Henry, Jr., who lived in Nova Scotia. The de- 
scendants of Mr. Henry are pretty generally farmers, there being 
only a few exceptions. They are industrious and in good circum- 
stances and as a class are good and useful citizens. # 

M. B. Henry, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, May 15, 1840, the fourth son of Mathew 
and Mary (Park) Henry, who came to Athens from Washington 
County in 1839 and located in Bern Township, and the subsequent 
year moved to Ames Township and settled on the farm near the vil- 
lage of Amesville, where our subject was reared and educated. He 
was married Oct 17, 1865, to Eliza, daughter of Moses and Sophia 
(Henry) Curtis, who were prominently identitied with the pioneers 
of Athens County. She is a lady of refinement and culture. This 
union was blessed with four children, two of whom are living — 
Edward Payson was born July 31, 1866, and died May 16, 1876, 
after a severe illness of typhoid pneumonia; Alice Glazier, born 
Sept. 4, 1870, died Oct. 26, 1878, when eight years of age; Yesta 
Curtis, born June 5, 1877, and Jesse Louis, born Nov. 29, 
1880. Mr. Henry has a fine farm, a part of the old homestead, 
containing 182 acres of improved land adjoining the village of 
Amesville, on which he makes a specialty of raising sheep of the 
higher grades. His residence in the village was erected in 1876 
and has all the conveniences of a modern house. He and his wife 
are members of the Presbyterian church. 

Nathaniel P. [loisington, farmer and stockraiser, was born in 
Ames Township, Nov. 19, 1819, the youngest son of Joab and 
Annie B. (Green) Hoisington. His father was a native of Vermont 
and came to Athens County in 1804, and his mother a native of 
Massachusetts and came here in 1802. Our subject was reared on 
a farm and received his early education in the common schools, 
living with his parents until he reached his majority. He then 
took charge of the old homestead until the death of his parents. 
He was married Dec. 3, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Weis, daughter 
of Jacob and Rosanna (Stalder) Weis, who came from Newbnrn, 
Switzerland, about the year L818. They have had a family of eight 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 531 

children, seven still living — Dudley W., Kose, Mary, John B., Lou 
M., William P. and Kittie. Jacob L. is deceased. Mr. Hoisington 
purchased his present farm in 1857. It contains 230 acres of ex- 
cellent land and is one of the best farms in Athens County. lie 
has held several offices of trust in the township. He and his wife 
are members of the Presbyterian church at Amesville. 

Mrs. Ann M. Johnson is the daughter of James Cook. Her 
grandfathers, Thomas Cook and James Reaves, were both soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. She was born in Fairfax County, W. 
Va., March 6, 1812. She was united in marriage Feb. 14, 1835, to 
William T. Johnson, born in the same county, April 14, 1808. 
In 1S38 they came to Ohio and settled on a farm in Washington 
County, where they lived until 1843, when they came to Athens 
County and settled on a farm in Ames Township, belonging to 
William Cutler. Although Mr. Johnson was a hard-working 
man he was unable to provide his family with anything more than 
the necessaries of life, and Feb. 19, 1847, he died, leaving his 
widow and five small children in almost destitute circumstances. 
Being a woman of remarkable energy, she supported her family by 
her daily labors, and for several years walked a distance of two 
miles, did a hard day's work and returned home. In this way 
she educated her children so that as they grew up they were all 
able to teach school. When the late civil war broke out, her only 
son, William Thomas Johnson, then little more than a boy, went 
out in the defense of his country. He enlisted in July, 1861, in 
Company B, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and was engaged in some of 
the hardest fought battles of the Rebellion. He served his country 
faithfully for four years, never flinching from his duty, and at the 
close of the war received an honorable discharge and returned to 
his native home, and two months subsequent, Oct. 14, 1S65, died, 
leaving his widowed mother and four sisters and a large number 
of his old comrades to mourn his loss. Mrs. Johnson is an ardent 
worker in the cause of Christianity, having united with the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church in 1842. 

L. F. Junod was born in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio. 
Sept. 1, 1853. He was reared on a farm and received his early 
education in the common schools, finishing at the Ohio University 
at Athens, living with his parents until he grew to manhood. He 
was married March 7, 1878, to Alice Southerton, of Athens 
County. They have one child — Ida Mabel. Mr. Junod and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a 
fine farm of 275 acres of improved land. 



589 UIST0KV OV HOOKING VALLEY. 

Kilion Kasler, deceased, was born in Norwich, "Vt., Aug. 27, lT s ^. 
and married Mandana Pembers, who was born in Poultney, Vt., 
Feb. 27, L793, ami in ISIS they came to Ohio, having only \'2k 
cents when they arrived hero; but by industrious and eco- 
nomical habits they were able to accumulate a Large property. 
They were the parents of seven children, six of whom still live. 
They won" active members of the Methodist Episcopal church for 
many years, and both lived to an advanced age. Their youngest son, 
Andrew J, Kasler, was born in Ames Township, Athens Co.. Ohio, 
April o, L831. He was reared on a farm and received his educa- 
tion in the common schools. He lived with his parents until the 
death of his father, when he succeeded him to the homestead and 
eared for his aged mother until her death. lie was married Oct. 
1. L855, to Mary A. Rathburn, of Ames Township. They hav 
had live children, only four of whom are living — Marvin M. 
(deceased), Lillie IX, Lewis W., Asa A., Sally A. Mr. K. has a 
tine farm of L50 acres of good land under ahigh state of cultiva- 
tion. 

Frederick P. Kasler was born in Clinton County, X.Y., A.ug.29, 
L817,and when one year old came with his father's family to Ohio, 
and settled in Ames Township, Athens County. He was the second 
son of Kilion and Mandana Kaslcr. His youth was spent in assist- 
ing his father in clearing and opening up their frontier home, and 
attending school. He was married April 10, L843, toJane L. 
Minor, a daughter of Nathan L. and Hannah L, Minor, who were 
prominently identified with the early settlers of Ames Township. 
Seven children were born to them, six now living — Kilion, Royal 
P.. Ellen, Alice. Warren V., Georgiana, and Charles (deceased). 
Mr. Kasler has always followed assiduously the avocation of a 
farmer, having moved on his present farm in LS4o. He has accu- 
mulated a good property, ami by his honest and upright dealings, 
has won the contidenee and esteem of the entire community. He 
has held many local offices of trust. His wife died Feb. 20, 1 Wi- 
llis farm contains 153 acres of improved land on which, in the 
year 1881, he erected one of the best farm houses in the township. 

v 'h Linscott, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames Town- 
ship, Athens Co.. Ohio, Aug. 2, 1836, a son of George and 
Sarah (Davis) Linscott, and a grandson of Israel Linsoott, who was 
one of the early settlers of Ames Township. He was reared on a 
farm, and received his education in the common schools, residing 
with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. He was 



history OF HOOKING VALLEY. .>■>., 

married Jan. 10, L858, to Miss Elizabeth Morris, of Athens County. 
They have had twelve children, oi whom ten are living— George J., 
Perley J., Earvey L I).. Sarah C, Daniel 8., Charles 0., Nora M., 
Adeline D., Alonzo V. and Emmit. Mr. Linscott has always fol- 
lowed theavocation of farming, and by his own industry and e 
tion has accumulated a large property. His farm contain-: 200 
acres of improved land, under a high state of cultivation. He 
and his wife are active members of the Church of the Discipli 

John Matheny, farmer, was born in Athens Township, March 20, 
1841, the -'Mi of John and Rebecca Matheny. He was reared on a 
farm, and has during his whole life followed that occupation. On 
reaching his majority he purchased a farm in Athens Township on 
which be re ided abouteight years. In 186)7 he came with his 
family to Ames Township and purchased his present home, which 
is a lino farm containing L22 acres of improved land. He was 
married April 17, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Boyles. They are the 
parents of three children -George G., Minerva E., and Electa !•'. 
Mr. Matheny has been very successful through life and uses hi 
cumulated wealth in surrounding himself' and family with the 
comforts of life. .Mrs. Matheny is a member of tin: Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

A. Matteson . Ames Township, Ohio, farmer and stock raiser, was 
born in Bennington County, Vt., Sept. 11. L843, a onofLeland 
and Livia Matteson. Our subject was rearedon a farm and re 
ceived his early education in the common schools and finished al 
the Ml. Auburn Seminary. He was marriedin L869to MissSarah 
Wilmarth, a daughter of Ambrose, who was the only surviving 
son of Rufus Wilmarth, who emigrated to Washington County in 
L815, settling near Plymouth, where he passed his remaining days. 
Ambrose Wilmarth purchased the farm now occupied by A. Mat- 
in L840. He was married in the fall of 1833 to Miss Sarah 
E. Larue. By this union was one child, a daughter. Hiswife 
died in 1862, and he was again married in L866 to Miss Laura 
Pugsley, of Hocking County. In L867 Mr. Wilmarth moved to 
Clinton County and remained until L870, when he returned to 
Athene County, purchasing the property where he till resides, near 
Salina. Mr. Matteson ince his marriage has resided on his pree 
cut farm, where he has been engaged in raising line stock, in 
which avocatidn he has been highly successful and gained a wide 

reputation. They are the parents Of four children, of whom three 
are still living— Orson S., Livia G. and Sarah E. His farm con 



534 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tains 160 acres of line land under a high state of cultivation, ad- 
mirably adapted for the purpose for which it is now being used. 

Jacob McCuen, was born on the 25th day of May, 1801, a son 
of John and Mary (Boyles) McCuen, who were from Be dford 
County, Penn., and came to Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, 
in 1706, where they lived the remainder of their days. Our sub- 
ject spent his youth in assisting in clearing and improving the 
farm, and received a limited education in the subscription schools. 
After he grew to manhood, in connection with his farming pur- 
suits, he worked at carpentering for many years. Much of his leisure 
time was spent in hunting wild game, which was abundant at that 
early day, and as a marksman Mr. McCuen had no superior. He 
was united in marriage, Jan. IS, 1823, to Lyda Owens, a native of 
Washington County. By this union are five children — Nancy, 
Vesta, Adaline, Charles O. and Theodore A, 

Joseph K. Minor, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Colum- 
bus, Ohio, Jan. 28, 1827, the son of Nathan and Hannah Minor. 
During his infancy his parents came to Athens County and settled 
in Homer Township, which is now in Morgan County. His father 
died when he was five years old, and he soon after went to live 
with Nathan Hill, with whom he remained until he reached his 
majority, and during this time was able to save $100. He has 
always followed farming, and in 1863 became connected with J. B. 
Brown, in the stock business, in which he continued for nineteen 
years, meeting with considerable success. He now owns a tine 
farm of 158 acres of good land. He was married Jan. 13, 1818, 
to Eliza A. Mitchell, a native of Ames Township. They have had 
six children, five still living — Edith J., Helen S., Albert G., Oliver 
D. and Lawrence L. Charles K. is deceased. 

H. A. Oberholzer was born in Bern, Switzerland, Nov. 8, 1812, 
and came to the United States with his parents in 1819, locating 
in Athens County. Here our subject was reared, and for the 
greater part of his life resided. When about eighteen years of 
age he went to work on the Ohio Canal, and followed this occupa- 
tion for about four years. He then returned to Ames Township, 
and has since been engaged in tanning. In 1833 he entered eighty 
acres of Government land and afterward bought forty acres, which 
constitute his present farm. He was married Dec. 2, 1811, to Miss 
Nancy, daughter of Albert B. and Sarah Cone. They have had 
four children, three of whom are living — Mary S., William A. and 
Louis W. Frederick II. is deceased. Mr. Oberholzer has held 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 535 

several offices of trust in his township. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

David W. CPNeal was born in Ames Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, April 12, 1843, a son of Samuel and Mary (Bryson) O'Neal, 
who were among the pioneers of Athens County. He was reared 
on a farm and received his education in the common schools. 
When he was fourteen years of age his father died, leaving our 
subject to manage the farm of about thirty acres cleared land, with 
an incumbrance of $700, and care for his mother and sisters. By 
strict attention to his work he had the debt paid off before he was 
twenty yeai^ of age. He was married Sept. 14, 1862, to Susan M. 
Johnson, of Ames Township. They are the parents of seven chil- 
dren, five of whom are still living — Elsworth D., John T., Charles 
V., Samuel R., Osro Ben Eddie. Mary and one infant are deceased. 
Mr. O'Neal has an improved farm of 170 acres of good land. 
He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

Horace C. Owen was born in Ames Township, March 31, 1861, 
son of James P. and Minerva J. (Carter) Owen. His education 
was received in the common school and completed at Bartlett's 
Academy and at the Northwestern Ohio Normal School. He was 
engaged for a time with the O, C., C. & I. R. B,., as car tracer, and 
in other capacities. He is now engaged in the mercantile business 
at Bishopville, where he receives, as he deserves, a large portion 
of the public patronage. He was married April 11, 1883, to Mat- 
tie G., daughter of Wm. H. Glazier, a lady of culture and much 
refinement. Mrs. Owen is an active member of the Presbyterian 
church. 

James G. Owen was born in Washington County, June 25, 1805, 
a son of James Owen, who came to Ohio in 1788. His wife is said 
to be the first white woman in the Northwestern Territory, and as 
near as can be learned, the Ohio Purchase Company donated her 
100 acres of land on that account. After the Indian war they 
settled in Adams Township, Washington County, where Mrs. 
Owen died in 1800, after which Air. Owen married the mother of 
our subject, Miss Zuby Brown, a daughter of John Brown, a native 
of Massachusetts, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who, at 
the battle of Bunker Hill, received two severe wounds. Ten years 
after the death of his first wife, Mr. Owen died, leaving a widow 
with three small children — James G. being an infant. His youth 
was spent at the home of his Grandfather Brown. Ho was first 



536 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

married Nov. 27, 1823, to Polly B. Palmer. They were the par- 
ents of eight children, seven of whom are still living. His wife 
died in March, 1861. He was again married Aug. 24, 1862, to 
Mrs. Ann Thompson, who was a sister of his first wife. He came 
to Athens County in 1827, where he has since resided. Mr. Owen 
has accumulated a large property Iry his own industry, having 
nothing to start with, and in his old age he has a competence. 
Although eighty years of age, he retains the physical and mental 
vigor of his youth to a remarkable degree. 

A. C. Painter, merchant, Amesville, a native of Westmoreland 
County, Pa., was born Nov. 12, 1834, and when eight years of age 
came with his parents, Isaac and Eliza Painter, to Ohio, settling 
on a farm in Washington County. When he was thirteen years 
of age the family, consisting of the mother and eleven children, 
were bereaved by the loss of a generous and affectionate husband 
and a kind and indulgent father. At the age of nineteen he went 
to learn the shoemaker's trade, which avocation he followed assid- 
uously for a period of eleven years, after which he entered the 
store of John Patterson, as clerk, and continued in this capacity 
for a term of nineteen years. By his genial and courteous man- 
ner he won the confidence of his employer and the esteem of the 
general public; and, by his prudence and economy, he was enabled 
to enter the mercantile business for himself in the fall of 1882, in 
the village of Amesville, where he receives a generous share ot 
the public patronage. He was married Feb. 11, 1864, to Lauretta 
F., daughter of the late Dr. J. W. Moore, who was for many years a 
prominent physician at Amesville. She is a lady of intelligence 
and refinement. This union has been blessed by two sons — Will- 
iam and Fred. 

J nines Patterson is the oldest son of Jordan Patterson, who was 
born in North Carolina in 1702, and in 1807 came to Ohio and 
located in Jefferson County, where he lived until 1836. He was 
united in marriage, Oct. 27, 1814, to Mary Lipsey, born in 1798, 
daughter of Amasa Lipsey, who in the year 1801 assisted in survey- 
ing what is now Jefferson County, to which place, the subsequent 
year, he moved his family, it being then the frontier, inhabited 
only by Indians and native denizens of the forest. He settled on 
a farm, passing there the remainder of his days. Mr. Patterson 
came to Athens County in 1836 and located on a farm in Bern 
Township, where he resided until his death, Feb. 2, 1864, at the 
age of seventy-two years, having lived with his wife happily and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 537 

contentedly for a period of over fifty years. They were the parents 
of eleven children, six of whom still live. He followed, since his 
early youth, the avocation of a farmer, and by an honest and 
upright life won the respect and esteem of all who knew him. 
He gave his children every advantage obtainable in that early day 
to gain a good English education, and when he passed away he 
caused his wife to mourn the loss of a generous and affectionate 
husband, and his children a kind and indulgent father. He and 
his wife were consistent members of the Society of Friends from 
their early youth. Mrs. Patterson still lives with her son James 
in Amesville, having reached the advanced age of eighty-five 
years. Her physical powers are but little impaired and she retains 
to a remarkable extent the mental vigor of her youth. Our sub- 
ject was born in Jefferson County, May 27, 1816. His youth was 
passed in assisting his father on the farm and attending the sub- 
scription schools. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to 
a blacksmith where he spent three years in learning the trade. 
In 1836 he came with his parents to Athens County and located in 
Bern Township, where he erected a small shop and followed for one 
year blacksmithing. He then came to Ames Township and located 
near where the village of Amesville now is. During that time he 
built the first dwelling in the place, into which he moved his fam- 
ily, consequently he became the first resident of the now old vil- 
lage. Soon afterward he moved his shop and followed his chosen 
avocation assiduously for a period of over forty years. In connec- 
tion with his regular business he carried on extensively the manu- 
facturing of wagons and carriages. Mr. Patterson was united in 
marriage in June, 1838, to Martha, daughter of John and Margaret 
Henry. By this union there were four children, two of whom still 
live — Mary M. is the wife of J. L. Dunbar and Lucy A. is the wife 
of Dr. A. Adair. Mr. Patterson was, during the oil excitement, 
engaged with a large New York company in leasing land, and 
employed a large number of men in prospecting. During the 
period of about three years he leased over 6,000 acres of land. He 
and his wife are both active members of the Presbyterian church, 
he having officiated as Deacon for over thirty }:ears. They are also 
members of the old pioneer society. He was, politically, formerly 
of the Whig party, and since the formation of the Republican 
party has ever been in the first ranks. 

John Patterson, merchant, Amesville, is the son of Jordan and 
Mary (Lipsey) Patterson, who were among the old settlers of Athens 



538 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

County. Oar subject was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Aug. 21, 
1824. When twelve years of age he came with his parents to 
Athens County and settled on a farm in Bern Township. Mr. 
Patterson lived on a farm until he reached the age of fifteen years. 
He received his education in the common-schools. About the year 
of 1839 he came to Amesville where he was engaged in assisting 
his brother James in a blacksmith shop and attending school for 
about six years, after which he purchased a stock of goods and en- 
gaged in the mercantile business in the village of Amesville, 
which lie carried on for one year, when lie sold out and entered 
the store of Brown & Dickey as clerk, remaining with them one 
year. In the fall of 1848 he again engaged in business for himself, 
and has for a period of thirty-five years been prominently identi- 
fied among the leading merchants of Athens County. In the spring 
of 1879 he met with a serious loss by fire which consumed his 
store and entire stock of goods amounting to $10,000. He im- 
mediately built a large brick building and filled it with a complete 
stock and has now one of the finest stores in Athens County, where 
he does a very extensive business, amounting to about $25,000 a 
year, and by his strict attention to business has accumulated a large 
property and has, by his honorable and upright dealings with his 
patrons, won the confidence and respect of all who know him. 
He has held the office of Town Treasurer more than thirty succes- 
sive years. He was appointed Postmaster soon after Grant was 
first elected President, which office he still retains. Mr. Patterson 
was first married, Jan. 2, 1851, to Emma J. Glazier a daughter of 
L. B. Glazier. By this union there are two daughters — Ella F.,and 
Bell I., who is the wife of S. G. Adair. Mrs. Patterson died Sept. 16, 
1862. He was again married, June 1, 1865, to Sarah E. Glazier, a 
sister of his first wife. They have one daughter — Emma. He and 
his wife are active members of the Presbyterian church. John 
Patterson was initiated in the first-degree of Masonry in Mount 
Olive Lodge at Chester Hill, Ohio, July 7, 1855. He was passed to 
the degree of F. C. July 27, and raised to the sublime degree of 
M. M. Aug. 22 of the same year. At the first meeting of the 
Amesville Lodge, U. D. which was held Feb. 18, 1S56, Mr. Pat- 
terson was appointed S. D. At the next election of officers, Dec. 8, 
1856, he was elected S. D., which office he held two years. In 1858 
he was elected S. AV\, in which office he was retained for two years. 
In 1860 he was elected W. M., to which he was re-elected the two 
following years. In 1863 he was elected Treasurer, which office he 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 539 

filled until 1865. At this time he was elected J. W. In 1866 he 
was again elected W. M. which he held until 1878, with the excep- 
tion of two years. In 1878 he was elected Tyler, and in 1881 he was 
elected W. M., which office he still holds. 

Taylor Patterson, painter, Araesville, was born in Athens County, 
Dec. 19, 1848, a son of M. D. and Angeline (Sedgwick) Patterson. 
The father of our sketch was boru in South Carolina, Nov. 11, 
1821, and came to Athens County in 1841 and followed the avoca- 
tion of farming and carpentering until the breaking out of the 
Rebellion. When his country needed brave and true men he an- 
swered the appeal by going out in the defense of the old flag and 
gave his life in defending his country. He was married Dec. 19, 
1838, to Angeline, daughter of William and Elizabeth Sedgwick, 
who came to Athens County from Maryland in the year 1826. By 
this union were two children — Lucy J. and Taylor Patterson, the 
subject of this sketch, who was reared and educated in Ames Town- 
ship. Since he reached his majority he has followed the avoca- 
tion of painting in his native village of Amesville. Mr. Patterson 
is a man of an ambitious disposition and for several years has been 
at work in his leisure hours on an invention, a steam-propelling 
wagon, which without doubt in the near future will be of great ben- 
efit to the public at large. 

Ezra Phillips, Jr., farmer and stock-dealer, born in Ames Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, April 3, 1835, is the oldest son of Ezra 
and Mary Ann (McDougal) Phillips, who have been prominently 
identified with the interests of Ames Township since its early set- 
tlement. He was reared on a farm and received his education in ' 
the common schools, living with his parents until he grew to man- 
hood. He has always followed the avocation of fanning and stock 
dealing in which he has been remarkably successful. He was 
married March 7, 1872, to Miss Ellen Ring, a daughter of John Ring, 
who came from Somersetshire, England, in 1857, and located in 
Athens. They have had three children, two of whom are living — 
Ezra and William. John is deceased. Mr. Phillips has a fine 
farm of 417 acres under a high state of cultivation. 

J. B. Potter was born in Wheeling, W. Va., Sept 7, 1836, and 
when three years of age went with his parents to Perry County, 
Ohio, where he was reared. His father being a blacksmith he was 
early put to work in the shop, which avocation in connection with 
farming he followed until 1865. During the late war he engaged 
extensively in buying horses for the Government, meeting with 



540 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

good success. He was married Aug. 15, 1858, to Miss M. J. 
Gift, a native of Morgan County, but at the time of her mar- 
riage a resident of Perry County. They had seven children, five 
of whom are living — Bertha J., Perley A., Ida B., Blanche A. 
and Willie. Mr. Potter came to Athens County in October, 1872, 
and purchased his present farm, which contains 270 acres of im- 
proved land. In 1880 he met with a serious loss by fire, having 
his residence and contents entirely consumed. Mrs. Potter is a 
member of the Methodist church. 

Lewis Rathbum was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Sept. 22, 
1808, and came with his parents, David and Elsie (Lewis) Rath- 
burn, to Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, in 1809. Bte was 
reared on a farm, and received his education in the subscription 
chool, living with his parents until he reached his majority. He 
was first married in 1829 to Sally Kearns, of Washington County, 
Ohio, and by this union were six children, five of whom are still 
living. He purchased, his present home about 1830, where he has 
resided for over fifty years. His wife died Ma\ r 17, 1880, and he 
was again married in August, 1881, to Mrs. Mercy Dille, a daugh- 
ter of Israel Linscott, who was among the pioneers of Ames Town- 
ship. 

Jason Rice was born in Waterford, Ohio, in 1801, and came 
with his parents, Jason and Sarah (Hibbard) Rice, to Ames Town- 
ship, Athens County, in 1801, where he has since resided. When 
twenty years of age his father gave him one year of his time as his 
share of the estate. He was married. Nov. 12, 1826, to Caroline 
'Duffee, a native of Rhode Island, who came to Ohio in 1817. By 
this union there were seven children, four of whom lived to be 
men and women, and two still living — Melona A. and Elizabeth C. 
After his marriage he resided on the old homestead for one year. 
after which he purchased a farm on Sunday Creek containing 
eighty-four acres of unimproved land, where he resided for eight 
years. He then sold out and purchased his present home, which 
contains about 200 acres of improved land under a high state of 
cultivation, where he lias resided for a period of over forty-seven 
years. Mr. Rice is among the foremost in contributing liberally to 
all enterprises that will be of interest and benefit to the commu- 
nity. Although eighty-two years of age, with the exception of his 
hearing being somewhat impaired, he retains his physical and men- 
tal vigor to a remarkable degree. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 51:1 

Francis C. Robinson, farmer and stock-raiser, born in Ames 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1832, is the eldest son o 
John C. and Eliza A. Robinson, who were prominently identified 
with the early settlement of Ames Township. He was reared on 
a farm and educated in the common schools, remaining with his 
parents until he was twenty-three years ot age. He was married 
Nov. 17, 1855, to Miss Mary J. Johnson, a daughter of Joseph 
and Dorcas Johnson, also pioneers of Athens. They have ten 
children — Eliza T., Delila J., Thomas CI., Calvin C, Margaret L., 
William D., John Q., Polly E., Joseph F. and Mary E. Mr. 
Robinson owns a large farm on which he is nicely situated. He 
and his wife are members of the Disciple church. 

John C. Robinson was born in Wood County, W. Ya., March 22, 
1803. When he was two years of age he came with his mother's fam- 
ily to Ohio and settled in Warren Township, Washington County, 
where they lived until he was thirteen years ot age, when they remov- 
ed to Ames Township, Athens County, where with the exception of a 
few years he has since lived. His father died when he was an in- 
fant, leaving his mother with a family of five small children in 
limited circumstances. The first year after they came to this county 
they located temporarily on an improved farm, after which they 
moved into the woods on school land, where the small boys cleared 
the land and supported their widowed mother. In 1818 they re- 
turned to Washington County, where they resided for two years. 
They then came again to Athens County and purchased a farm in 
what is now Bern Township. In 1826 Mr. Robinson, taking great 
interest in all the leading questions that were of benefit and interest 
to the community, with one or two others, started a petition to sep- 
arate Bern and Ames townships. He was married Sept. 17, 1826, 
to Elizabeth Ann Gardner, a daughter of Thomas Gardner. She 
was born in the city of New York in the year 1809. To them 
were born seven children, only five still living — Margaret and 
Polly (deceased), Frances C, Sarah E., James L., Delilah J., 
Lewis L. He moved on his present farm in 1836. It contains 
eighty-six acres of good land, under a high state of culture. Mr. 
Robinson never aspired to publicity, and could never be persuaded 
to accept the support of his friends to county or local offices. He 
has been a member of the Baptist church for about sixty years. 
His wife was a member of the same church . She died April 15, 1876. 
Mr. Robinson is eighty years of age, and by a long life of honest 
and upright dealings he has won a large circle of warm and true 



542 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

friends, and the confidence and esteem of the entire community. 
Captain James B. Skooj), a resident of Amesville, Athens Co., 
Ohio, since the year 1866, was born Feb. 2, 1842, in the old town of 
Marietta, Ohio. From thence, about the year 1850, his parents 
moved to McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, at which place and 
the neighboring village of Malta he continued to reside until his 
settlement at Amesville as above stated. His father, though a 
skillful and industrious cabinet-maker, having a large family to 
support by his daily labor, was able to afford his son but a limited 
common-school education. He was early assigned work at the 
bench with his father, thus contributing his help to the family's 
support until his enlistment in the Union army in 1861. The war 
record of Captain Shoop is one of which he and his friends may 
be justly proud. When the Rebellion arose as a mighty hurricane 
and smote the Government with a force that made its strong pillars 
to shake, young Shoop was astir to support the cause of freedom 
and union. When, as yet, many with more favored opportunities 
were going to and fro, in doubt and indecision, a company, hastily re- 
cruited at his native city, Marietta, under President Lincoln's first 
call for troops, passed through McConnelsville, hurrying to defend 
the beleaguered capital city. This company Shoop joined, went to 
Zanesville and quartered the first night in the old market house. 
The next morning he w T as rejected at roll call, by the intervention of 
his older brother, Hewett, who, taking his place in the company, 
sent him reluctantly and disappointed to his home. Immediately 
on his return, however, he enlisted, one of the first in the county, 
in the company then forming, and was soon mustered into the 
three months' service, as a private in Company H, Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, forming at Camp Anderson, near Lancaster, Ohio. In 
this campaign he served for nearly four months, discharging his 
duties in such a soldierly manner that assured his later and greater 
success. Soon after being mustered out President Lincoln issued 
his proclamation for volunteers for three years, or during the war. 
Shoop entered the service in Company B, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
forming at CampGoddard, near Zanesville. Enlisting as a soldier 
of the ranks, always prompt in the discharge of his duties, never 
asking, he nevertheless promptly earned and received promotion, 
passing through all the grades of non-commissioned officers. He was 
first commissioned as First Lieutenant in August, 1863, and was • 
assigned the command of Company B, and in 1861 he was awarded 
a Captain's commission, in which rank he closed his military ca- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 543 

reer. The Captain won all these honors without home influence, 
solely hy his soldierly virtues in sight of all his comrades. He 
participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war. In 
the bloody charge on Fort Wagner, on Morris Island, S. C, he re- 
ceived a severe wound in his side, from which he is still a sufferer. 
Always preferring to share the hardships and perils of his com- 
rades he went into the charge on Wagner, although on the sick 
list and excused from duty. He had many assurances and testimo- 
nials of the universal respect and esteem in which he was held by 
his command, one of the proudest of which was an elegant sword, 
sash and belt, presented to him by his old Company B, on 
Christmas, 1863, at Hilton Head Island, S. C. At the close of 
the war he was honorably discharged and he returned to his home 
in Morgan County, where on the 18th of July, 1865, he was united 
in the holy bonds of matrimony to Lizzie Koons, of McConnels- 
ville. By this union there were six children, of whom five still 
survive — Daisy (deceased), Fred, Hugh, Nellie, James and Edith. 
In 1866 Captain Shoop located in business in Amesville, where he 
has followed assiduously the avocation of a cabinet-maker, during 
which time he has met with several severe losses by fire. First 
in 1870 his home and contents were totally destroyed, and in 1873 
a building in which he had furniture stored caught fire, by which 
our subject met with a loss of $300. In 1875 he was again visited 
by the fire fiend, when his shop, tools, and entire stock were wholly 
destroyed. But being a man of great energy he again started in 
business and has built up a fine trade. He is among the foremost 
to contribute to every laudable enterprise which will be of interest 
and benefit to the community, lending his influence and donating 
from his own personal means to all worthy objects of charity. He 
was first made a Free and Accepted Mason in March, 1868, an or- 
ganization in which he takes great pride, having held nearly all 
the offices to be conferred, and is among the first to promote the 
usefulness of the order. He is a Republican in politics and takes 
great interest in all political questions of the day. He and his 
wife are active and consistent members of the Amesville Presby- 
terian church. 

John Smith, farmer, was born in Ames Township in 1825, and 
is the son of Nicholas Smith,' who was one of the pioneers of Ath- 
ens County. Our subject remained with his parents until he reached 
his majority, and then purchased the farm on which he now resides, 
which contains 700 acres of well improved land. He was married in 



54.4 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1847 to Miss Rosanna Weis, daughter of Jacob Weis. They have 
had seven children, four of whom are living — Mary E., Peter W., 
John L., Hiram B.; Jacob W., Lydia A. and Betsy are deceased. 

Fred Stalder was born in Ames Township, Athens County, July 
17, 1842, a son of Frederick Stalder, a native of Switzerland, who 
came to the United States and settled ou the farm in Ames Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, where our subject now resides, in 1819. 
lie was reared on a farm and received his early education in the 
common schools, completing it at Bryant's Commercial College, 
at Chillicothe, Ohio. At the breaking out of the late Rebellion 
he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, in the sum- 
mer of 1861, where he participated in many hard-fought battles, 
of which were Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mis- 
sion Ridge, New Hope Church, Atlanta and many others. At the 
last named he received a severe wound which disabled him from 
active duty for two months, and from which he has never recov- 
ered. He enlisted as a soldier of the ranks but earned and received 
promotion, passing through all the grades of the non-commissioned 
offices, and in the summer of 1863 receiving his commission as 
Second Lieutenant, and in a short time was promoted to First 
Lieutenant, which office he held until his term of enlistment ex- 
pired. He received an honorable discharge Dec. 24, 1S64, after 
which he returned to his native home and engaged in farming, 
which avocation he has since followed. He was united in marriage 
Nov. S, 1872, to Lydia Ashman, a native of Cincinnati. They 
have one child — Harry G. He has held many local offices, and in 
1878 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, and re- 
elected in 1881. He is a member of the Columbus Golden Post, 
No. 89, G. A. R. 

Samuel D. Stiles, a native of Pennsylvania, was born Nov. 26, 
1835, the son of Enos and Mary Stiles. When he was five years old 
he came to Ohio with his parents and located in Alexander Town- 
ship, Athens County, and three years after moved to Portsmouth, 
Ohio. His parents died when he was fourteen years of age and he 
was thrown upon his own resources. He became engaged in the 
fruit business which he followed for six years, meeting with good 
success. During the late civil war he was engaged as a teamster 
in the Quartermaster's department. He was married July 10, 1865, 
to Miss Susan E. Frisby. They have had nine children, six of 
whom are living — Martha A., Nathan C, Joseph E., Clarence W., 
Cary C. and Franklin W. Mr. Stiles has labored under many dis- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 545 

advantages through life yet has been enabled to raise a large fam- 
ily of children, and has given each of them a good education. Mr. 
and Mrs. Stiles are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Judge George Walker was born in Boston, Mass., in 1774. 
His father, John "Walker, came from an old family in Leices- 
tershire, England, was a graduate of the University of Edin- 
burgh, and was a barrister at law. He removed to America in 
1753, was married in Boston, and settled in Hartford, Conn. 
George received a good business education, engaging first in mer- 
cantile business at Cooperstown, N. Y. Through the dishonesty 
of his partner, he met with heavy losses and came to the territory 
of the Northwest in 1804. Here he purchased and settled on a 
farm near the present town of Amesville, where he remained all 
his life. When he came onto it the farm was a forest and he was 
without any practical knowledge of clearing or farming, but by 
patient endeavor he conquered all obstacles, coming out not only 
with means to support and educate his own family, but he took a 
great interest in, and contributed much to, the public welfare. 
He was one of the founders and principle supporters of the West- 
ern Library Association, the library being for a number of years 
kept at his house. He was also a leading supporter of the schools 
and all laudable enterprises. Soon after his arrival in the town- 
ship he was made a Justice of the Peace, an office which he held 
continuously for about twenty-four years. He was County Com- 
missioner for sixteen years, and was elected by the State Legislat- 
ure an Associate Judge on the Common Pleas bench, holding this 
position fourteen years. His son, George Walker, Jr., was for 
many years a business man in Amesville. Of his seven daughters 
the eldest was married to Colonel Charles Cutler, the second to Edgar 
Jewett, two of the others married physicians, one a banker, one a 
merchant, and one was the wife of Rev. Alford Pyors, formerly of 
the Ohio University. 

Rev. Wm. John Warrener, the eldest son of John Metham and 
Martha Warrener, was born at Bayswater, London, England, Aug. 
3,1845. lie attended the common schools till he was ten years of 
age, when, on account of a weak physical constitution and failing 
health, he had to cave and go to work with his father, who was a 
house carpenter. During the nex ^hree years about one-half of 
the time was occupied at work and > other in attending school, 
after which he followed the occupati a of a farmer until he left 
England in 1869. Desiring to become something more than a 
35 



546 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

mere mechanic, he at the age of seventeen attended the Government 
School of Art at South Kensington, where he studied geometry, per- 
spective and free-hand drawing, and architecture. These studies 
were pursued in the evening from seven till nine, after his day's work 
of ten hours was done, for a period of two years, after which he made 
many designs of buildings, etc., which were afterward executed. 
"When nineteen years of age he became converted and united with 
the General Baptist church. One year thereafter he organized the 
Canterbury-road Baptist Sunday-school at Kilbourne, London, and 
began to speak in public on religious and temperance topics. Hav- 
ing been asked by his aunt to come to America, he left the home 
of his boyhood Aug. 11, 1869, and landed in New York City on the 
24th and reached Ames Township on the 26th of the same month. 
On the 23d of September, 1871, he was, in Baltimore, Md., married 
by the Rev. J. T. Murray to Rachel A. Kelly, of London, England, 
born Nov. -4, 1813. She is a lady of much refinement and culti- 
vation. Mr. Warrener was naturalized in 1874, and has since taken 
an active part in public affairs. He is widely known as an able 
speaker and writer on political, social and religious subjects. In 
1876, after much careful investigation and thought, he united with 
the Christian church, and on Aug. 14 of that year was ordained 
as minister of the gospel, and received as a member of the Ohio 
Eastern Christian Conference. In this, his favorite work, he has 
made rapid progress, and has represented it in its quadrennial ses- 
sion of the American Christian Convention in 1878 and 1882. 
His education was acquired in greater part by study after his day's 
toil of manual labor was done. Mr. and Mrs. Warrener are the 
parents of five children — John M., Sydney K., Harrison P., Emily 
"W. and Annie A. 

JZdmund Wheeler, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Athens 
County, Ohio, March 4, 1827, the oldest son of Ezra and Rachel 
Wheeler. His youth was spent on a farm and his education was 
received in the common schools. His father died when he was six- 
teen years of age, and he went to live with George Walker, Jr. At 
the breaking out of the Mexican war he enlisted. On arriving at 
Baton Rouge he was taken seriously ill, and was unable to attend 
to active duty. He received an honorable discharge and returned 
home to Ames Township, where he has since resided. He was first 
married Feb. 5, 1847, to .Nancy McCuen, a daughter of Jacob and 
Lyda McCuen, of Ames Township. They had one child, a daugh- 
ter, Adaline, the wife of L. F. Beasley, of Ames Township. Mr. 
Wheeler lost his wife Feb. 5, 1852. He was again married June 



history: of hocking valley. 547 

23, 1858, to Georgiana L. Walker. He has a fine farm containing 
150 acres of improved land adjoining the village of Amesville. He 
and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Jay Wilder, Ames Township, lumber manufacturer, was born 
in Oakland, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1852, where he lived until he was 
twelve years of age, when he went to Morgan County and remained 
until 1S70. He then came to Athens County, where he engaged 
in the lumber business. In 1873 he went to Virginia and remained 
until 1878, returning to Ames Township, Athens County, and en- 
gaging in the same business, which he has since followed. He was 
married Feb. 22, 1872, to Alpha Bailleau, of Bern Township. 
They have two children — Lillian and Pearley E. He is a member 
of the A. F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. Mrs. Wilder is a 
member of the Presbyterian church of Amesville. 

John Wyatt, deceased, was the eldest son of Deacon Joshua 
and Elizabeth Wyatt, and was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., 
Aug. 26, 1793. With his father's family he came to the then 
Territory of Ohio, in the spring of 1800, and after stopping one 
year at Marietta moved, in 1801, to the unsettled, uncleared and 
uninviting locality now Ames Township, then in Washington, now 
in Athens, County, O., where he spent the greater part of his long 
and active life. While at Marietta he attended school, taught by 
Mr. David Putnam, and afterward, in addition to the limited 
educational advantages furnished by the new settlement, he was 
for a limited period a student of the Ohio University, at Athens. 
About 1818 he was united in marriage with Emily Carpenter, a 
daughter of Captain Parker Carpenter. Ten children were born to 
them, seven sons and three daughters, all but two of whom grew 
to man and womanhood. Mr. Wyatt was a man of great energy 
and industry, and it may be well said of him he never ate the 
bread of idleness. Moving soon after his marriage upon a part of 
the same tract upon which his father lived, he soon cleared up his 
farm and caused the waste places and wilderness to blossom as the 
rose. His industry and frugality were not unrewarded, for he was 
not only enabled to furnish to each member of his numerous family 
a good farm as soon as they became of age, and render them mate- 
rial assistance all through his life, but had a large competency left 
for benevolent purposes and subsequent distribution. He was 
also a man of distinguished piety, and having united with the Pres- 
byterian church at the early age of nineteen, first at Athens and 
subsequently at Amesville, he continued an active, earnest, stead- 
fast and devoted member to the day of his death. But not willing 
that his work should end at his death, the church at Amesville, 



518 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

toward the erection of which building he had so generously con- 
tributed, and the cause so liberally sustained all through his long 
life, was made the recipient of the munificent sum of $1,000, the 
annual interest of which is to be toward sustaining the gospel as 
long as the church shall exist. " Verily the good men do shall 
live after them." Mr. Wyatt was ever foremost in espousing the 
cause of the needy, destitute and oppressed, it mattered not in 
what form presented. No one went from his door hungry. This 
same hatred of oppression made him affiliate politically with the 
Abolition party when Abolitionism was far from being popular. 
The pursued slave ever found a safe haven in the house of John 
Wyatt. Another characteristic was his fondness for children and 
his desire to point them to the Savior. This was beautifully exem- 
plified but a few minutes before he breathed his last, by a little 
three-year-old granddaughter bidding him good-bye before retiring, 
when he took up and repeated with her the simple and familiar 
prayer of, " Now I lay me down to sleep," etc. But the life of Mr. 
Wyatt was not without its trials and difficulties. Six of his ten chil- 
dren passed the Jordan of death before him. His wife was sum- 
moned by death in 1865, and that loathsome disease, cancer, was 
for several years slowly but surely eating away his life. Death 
was a welcome messenger, coming Oct. 31, 1877. After the death 
of his wife he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Howe, at JBelpre, 
Ohio, where he died. In accordance with a long-cherished desire 
his remains were taken to Amesville for interment, and deposited 
by the side of his wife and children. 

Joseph Patterson, proprietor of the Isham House, Jackson, 
Ohio, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1818, a son of Jor- 
dan and Mary Patterson. When he was nineteen years of age his 
parents moved to Athens County and located on a farm. When 
twenty-one years of age he started in life for himself, and soon af- 
ter married Grace Beck, who died fifteen months later, having 
one child — Mary. Two years later he married Martha Van Pelt, 
who died in 1861, leaving six children. Mr. Patterson then mar- 
ried Mary E. Pattent, by whom he has one child. In the early 
part of his life Mr. Patterson was in the mercantile business in 
Athens County, but since 1873 has been engaged in the hotel busi- 
ness. In 187-1 he removed to Jackson, and succeeded I. T. Mona- 
han as proprietor of the Isham House. The conveniences of the 
house are good; the guests are at all times treated with due 
courtesy, and the house deserves the patronage of the public. Mr. 
'Patterson is a genial landlord, and at all times exerts himself to 
make comfortable the many guests who visit his house. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

ALEXANDER TOWNSHIP— A GIANT IN ITS YOUTH, NOW SHORN 
OF MOST OF ITS TERRITORY. 

As IT WAS AND NOW IS — Its BOUNDARY LlNES — TOPOGRAPHY — 

Early Settlers — "Whisky Transportation — Township Offi- 
cers — Justices of the Peace — Hebbardsville — Pleasanton 
— Woodyard P. O. — Churches, Schools, and Religious and 
Educational Interests. 

as it was and now is. 

When Athens County took upon itself the robes of official life, 
and secured a local habitation and a name among her sister coun- 
ties of the State, Alexander Township was one of the four into 
which the county was divided. It originally included the territory 
which now forms eleven townships, viz. : Bedford, Scipio and Co- 
lumbia, of Meigs County; Vinton, Clinton, Elk, Madison and 
Knox, of Vinton County; and Lee, Lodi and Alexander, of Athens 
County. In territorial extent it was equal to Ames, and twice as 
huge as Athens. The township was located and surveyed in 1795. 
This township with Athens, were the " college townships," and 
these naturally being in close connection, Alexander was for a 
long time known as "South Town." The township is a congres- 
sional township in size, and is located in the south tier of sections 
and second from the west line of the county. It is bounded on the 
north by Athens, on the east by Lodi Township, on the south by 
Meigs County, and on the West by Lee Township. Its general ap- 
pearance is hilly and uneven, yet within its borders are to be found 
many excellent farms, and the entire township is well adapted to 
stock-raising and wool-growing, in which pursuits its citizens are 
principally engaged. 

EARLY SETTLERS. 

Among the early settlers of Alexander Township, were. Robert 
Ross, William Gabriel, Amos Thompson, Enos Thompson, Edward 
Martin, Isaac Stanly, John, Jonathan, Joseph, Thomas and Isaac 
Brooks, Matthew Hairing, Thomas and John Armstrong, Jared, 

(549> 



550 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Israel and Martin Bobo, Caleb Merritt, Joel Lowther, Michael 
Bowers, William Stroud, Esquire Bowman, Abner Smith, Charles 
and Isaiah Shepherd, Thomas Sharp, Richard and William Reaves- 
These all came as early as 1805. There was little difference in 
he settlement of this township from the others. They had their 
trials and hardships to contend with. Game was abundant, and 
the marksmanship of the old settlers proverbial. They wasted 
very little powder and lead, and when the bead was drawn and the 
sharp crack of the rifle heard, it was pretty certain death had claimed 
a victim. Two of the early settlers, who were noted hunters, Jere- 
miah Clements and Israel Bobo, killed sixty-five bears in one sea" 
son, on the site and its surroundings, where the town of Hebbards- 
ville now stands. These same old pioneers were very fond of 
whisky, and to procure the desired article took a load of bear 
skins to the Ohio River and traded them for a barrel of the same 5 
and to get it home they made a sort of a drag of two poles to be 
drawn by the horses, and in this way conveyed it through the 
woods to their home. This was the first barrel of whisky ever 
brought into Alexander, but in after years the use of it became very 
common and fashionable, but at the present time the people are 
more temperate, and there are no saloons in the township. 

OFFICIAL. 

The early records of the township were destroyed by lire in the 
house of John McKee, in about 1828, but as nearly as can be as- 
certained the first Trustees were Caleb Merritt, John Brooks, and 
Thomas Sharp. The first Justice of the Peace was Caleb Merritt. 
The following is a list of the township trustees and justices since 
1829. 

TRUSTEES. 

1S29, Ziba Lindley, Sr., Sam'l McKee, N. Misner; 1S30, Ziba 
Lindley, Sr., Sam'l McKee, E. N.Nichols; 1831, Ziba Lindley, 
Jr.. Sam'l McKee, E. N. Nichols; 1832, Samuel Earhart, Asa 
Stearns, B. Parks, Jr. ; 1833, Samuel Earhart, J. V. Brown, B. 
Parks, Jr.; 1834, Ziba Lindley, Jr., J. M. Mahon, B. Parks, 
Jr.; 1835, Ziba Lindley, Jr., John Brooks, Samuel Earhart; 
1836, Daniel Dudley, Ami Conde, Archelaus T. Clark; 1837, 
Samuel Earhart, John Brooks, Jr.. Archelaus Stanley; 1838, Wm. 
B. Reynolds, John Brooks, Jr., Franklin Burnham; 1839, Wm. 
B. Reynolds, John Brooks, Jr., Franklin Burnham; 1840, John 



v- '" -' 




I 




HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 551 

Kickey, Peter Morse, John W. Drake; 1841, Franklin Bnrnham, 
John Grey, A. Love; 1842, Franklin Bnrnham, J. H. Brooks, A. 
Love; 1843, J. W. Drake, Ziba Lindley, Jr., A. Love; 1844, J. 
W. Drake, Ziba Lindley, Jr., A. Burtnett; 1845, J. W. Drake, 
Moses Patterson, A. Bnrtnett; 1846, George Bean, Daniel Teters, 
A. Bnrtnett; 1847, George Bean, John H. Brooks, Abram McVey; 
1848, Archelans Stanley, John H. Brooks, Abram McYey; 1849, 
James S. Hawk, A. G. Henderson, William Wood; 1850, John 
Rickey, Joseph W. Blackwood, John W. Drake; 1851, John Rickey, 
George Bean, William Wood; 1852, John Rickey, Franklin Bnrn- 
ham, William Wood; 1853, Daniel Teters, Peter Long, William 
Wood; 1854, Missing; 1855, Alexander Love, James H. Martin, 
Abram Coe; 1856, Alexander Love, James H. Martin, William 
Campbell; 1857, Moses Patterson, William Wood, William Camp- 
bell; 1858, Moses Patterson, Isaac Stanley, George W. Sams; 
1859, E. N. Blake, John Rickey, George W. Sams; 1860, E. N. 
Nichols, John Rickey, George W. Sams; 1861, E. N. Blake, John 
Rickey, George W. Sams; 1862, E. K. Blake, John Rickey, George 
W. Sams; 1863, E. N. Blake, Isaiah Bean, Isaac Brooks, Jr. ; 
1864, E. N. Blake, Isaiah Bean, Isaac Stanley, Jr.; 1S65, B. 
Rickey, Isaiah Bean, Peter Long; 1866, B. Rickey, Isaiah Bean, 
Homer Chase; 1867, S. B. Blake, Isaiah Bean, P. G. Hibbard; 
1868, Samuel Blake, Isaiah Bean, William Bean; 1869, I. Bean, 
S. B. Blake, P. G. Hibbard; 1870, S. [B. Blake, S. L. Matthews, 
John Rickey; 1871, S. B. Blake, John Rickey, J. J. Coe; 1872, 
S. B. Blake, John Rickey, J. J. Coe; 1873, S. B. Blake, John 
Rickey, J. J. Coe; 1874, W. B. Smith, J. jST. Scott, Henry Logan; 
1875, W. B. Smith, J. F. Biddle, Henry Logan; 1876, W. B. 
Smith, J. F. Biddle, Henry Logan; 1877, W. B. Smith, J. F. Bid- 
die, S. B. Blake; 1878, Daniel Drake, H. B. Rickey, E. Reaves; 
1879, P. G. Hibbard, H. B. Rickey, E. Reaves; 1880, J. F. Bid- 
dle, II. B. Rickey, S. B. Blake; 1881, Robert Buchanan, Daniel 
Drake, S. B. Blake; 1882, Robert Buchanan, Daniel Drake, G. W. 
Hooper; 1883, Daniel Drake, G. W. Hooper, W. H. Irwiu. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

1829, Ami Conde, J. M. Gorsline; 1831, Samuel McKee; 1832, 
J. M. Gorsline, Alfred Dnnlap, Samnel Earhart; 1834, Josmh Wil- 
son; 1835, William Golden; 1837, Josiah Wilson; L838, William 
Golden; 1849, Franklin Burnham; 1850, John Camp, Joseph W. 
Blackwood; 1852, Franklin Burnham: 1853. John Camp, Joseph 



552 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

W. Blackwood; 1851, Joseph Mc Pherson, George Adair; 1S55, 
Daniel Drake; 1857, Joseph Mc Pherson, A. S. Coe; 1858, Daniel 
Drake; 1S60, James Strite, L. Oliver; 1861, L. C. Crouch. Wm. 

B. Dickerson, A. S. Coe. A. C. Murphy, S. H. Kinney; 1863, 
Leveu Oliver; 1864, Win. Watson, Amos C. Murphy; 1S66, Leven 
Oliver; 1867, Win. Watson, Amos C. Murphy; 1868, Peter Vor- 
hes; 1869, L. Oliver, A. C. Mnrphy, Peter Vorhes; 1S70, L. Oliver, 
S. L. Matthews, Peter Vorhes; 1871, L. Oliver, S. L. Matthews, 

C. Hooper; 1872, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1873, 
U. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1871, R. S. Dent, S. L. 
Matthews. 0. Hooper; 1875, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. 
Hooper; 1876, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, C. Hooper; 1S77, R. 
S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan; 1878, R, S. Dent, S. L. 
-Matthews, Henry Logan; 1879, R. S. Dent.S. L. Matthews, Henry 
Logan; 1880, R. S. Dent, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan ; 1881, 
W. R. Northrop, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan: 1882, W. R. Nor- 
throp, S. L. Matthews, Henry Logan; 1883, W. R Northrop, S. 
L. Matthews, B. F. Shamel. 

HEBBARPSVILLE. 

This quiet little town is located in the northwestern part of 
the township. It has never reached a very large size and now 
only contains about 100 inhabitants. Its business interests con- 
sist of a store and hotel both kept by B. Bean; one blacksmith, 
shop, by Jonas Lewis; a shoe shop, by J. J. Coe. who is also Post- 
master at the present time; one wagon shop, by W. R. Northrop. 
There is a Methodist Episcopal church located here and the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian nearby. It also has one school. Near the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church is located the priucipal cemetery 
of the township, which is pleasantly laid out and tastefully arranged. 
The people may well look with pride upon this beautiful City of the 
Dead which they have provided as the last resting place of those 
who pass on to the "other shore." 

PLEASANTON 

is situated in the eastern part of the township, on the road from 
Athens to Pomeroy, and at the present time contains nearly 100 
inhabitants. The first house was built in L817 by Simon Pierce 
and other settlers located from time to time and a postoffice was 
established in 1851, with the very appropriate name of Pleasanton. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 553 

The town has a high and commanding view of the surrounding 
country. In this place is located another ot the Methodist Episco- 
pal churches which is called McKendree's Church, and was built in 
1869. Pleasanton has one general store kept by Henry Logan, 
Esq., while Dr. Bean attends to the wants of the sick and afflicted 
in this community. In the extreme southern part of the township 
is another postoffice, established in 18S0, and called "Woodyard's 
postoffice, with Mr. Woody ard as Postmaster. 

Alexander Township has nine churches, three Baptist, three 
Methodist Episcopal, two Methodist Protestant and one Cumber- 
land Presbyterian, all in a flourishing condition. The citizens of 
this township are generally of a peace-loving, church-going dispo- 
sition, and take great interest in religious, as well as educational, 
matters. The pleasant church and school buildings which are so 
numerous speak well for the people who support them, and are mon- 
uments to their intelligence and enterprise. 

The First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Alexander Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, was organized Oct. 10, 1832, at a camp- 
meeting held on the farm owned by Mr. Ziba Lindley, which was 
conducted by Revs. John Morgan and Jacob Lindley. At the time 
of organization six Elders were chosen as follows: Jacob McVey, 
Ziba Lindley, Jr., A. Yan Vorhes, Elijah Goodspeed, Samuel Ear- 
hart and Josiah Wilson. 

The following is a list of the original members: Dennis Drake, 
Abel Bower, Jemima Bovver, Anna McYey, Louis P. McLead, Mary 
McLead, Purnell Drake, Almus Lindley, Permelia Lindley, Thomas 
Armstrong, Surah Gray, Abram McYey, Lucinda McYey, Eliza 
Blakeway, Octava A. Farlin, Mary Farlin, Festus McYey, Rich- 
ard M. Drake, MelindaR. Drake, Susan Gabriel, McCraven Bean, 
John Clutter, Nathan Kinney, Abigail Wilson, Abram McKee, Elias 
Gabriel. Wm. Gabriel, Cyrena Clutter, Jane Yan Yorhes, Lydia 
Kinney, Abigail West, Laurence King, Mary A. King, Julia 
Brown, Dennis Drake, Jr., Olive Drake, Eliza Day, Chloe Good- 
speed, Phebe Brown, Andrew Gabriel, William Brown, William 
Bean, William 1 1 anbury, James McKee, John B. King, Joseph 
Post, Sarah Post, Eliza Tippie, Elisha Hibbard, Sela Hibbard, 
Daniel McLead, Elias Day, Cornelius Moore, Elizabeth Moore 
and Andrew Gabriel. 

The first regular pastor was Rev. Samuel Aston. Since that time 
about twenty ministers have served the church statedly for longer 
or shorter periods, and about thirty have preached transiently. 
Twenty-three elders have served the church from first to last. 



554 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The present Elders are: Charles Jolley, Harvey Clutter, Daniel 
Drake, "William Johnson, Peter Yorhes and Richard M. Drake. 

The present Pastor is Rev. T. A. Welsh, who has served the 
congregation at different times for forty years. 

The present membership is 130. Since the organization of the 
church more than 1,000 persons have been members of the same. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

David Allen, born in Fayette County, Pa., June 12, 1816, is a 
son of Josiah and Susan Allen, also natives of Pennsylvania. In 
1818 his parents removed to Harrison County, Ohio, where his 
father died in 1842, aged eighty -three years. May 10, 1839, he mar- 
ried Mary Jane, daughter of John and Margaret (Porter) Wilkins, a 
native of Washington County, Pa. In 1847 Mr. Allen came to 
Athens County and located in Athens Township, living there six- 
teen years, lie then came to Alexander Township and, in 1876, 
bought the farm where he now resides. He has 220 acres of land 
well cultivated, and a good residence. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have 
seven children — Margaret J., J. B., Clarinda Susan, John H., 
George D., William A. and Lillie A. Politically, he is a Demo- 
crat. 

Elmer Armstrong, born in Athens County, Jan. 17, 1812, is a 
son of Thomas and Alice (Crawford) Armstrong. His father came 
to this county from Greene County, Pa., in 1799, and settled on the 
farm where his son now lives. Jan. 7, 1844, Mr. Armstrong mar- 
ried Permelia Booth, of Medina County, Ohio. They have four 
children — Elizabeth, Olive A., Elza B. and Addie A. During the 
war Mr. Armstrong was a strong Union man. He gave $1,000 to 
the One Hundred and Sixteenth and the Ninety-second Ohio regi- 
ments. He went out as Sutler of the former, and June 15, 1863, 
was taken prisoner and had all his goods taken by the rebels. He 
was taken to Castle Thunder, Libby Prison, and confined four 
months. Having considerable money concealed on his person and 
being allowed to go out without a guard, he was able to be of great 
assistance to his fellow prisoners. He is still living on the old 
homestead farm, engaged in farming and stock-raising, making a 
specialty of the latter. 

Elza, B. Armstrong was born in Alexander Township, Dec. 25, 
1849, the son of Elmer Armstrong. His education was received 
at the Atwood Seminary, Albany, and at the Ohio University. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 555 

His early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm, and he 
is now in partnership with hira under the firm name of Elmer Arm- 
strong & Son. They have a fine farm of 600 acres and are making 
a specialty of fine stock, Clydesdale and thorough-bred trotting 
horses; also thorough-bred short-horn Jersey and Iiolstein cat- 
tle of the finest families bred constantly for sale. They have a 
large deer park and fish pond, and a number of Scotch coolie dogs. 
They have one of the best stock farms in the county. It is also 
rich in metal and has valuable coal beds and potter's clay of a fine 
variety. Mr. Armstrong was married Sept. 5, 1876, to Mary E., 
daughter of P. G. Hebbard. They have two sons — Elmer and 
Charles Crawford. 

Bisoo Bean, born in Hardy County, Va., Jan. 7, 1819, is a son 
of John G. and Dyanna Bean, who came to Athens County when 
Bisco was twelve years of age, and settled in Canaan Township. 
He was reared a farmer and educated in the common schools. He 
was married June, IT, 1810, to OrenaCatlin. They have four chil- 
dren — Cyrus, J. F., Louisiana and Alonzo. In 1858 Mr. Bean 
came to Alexander Township, locating near Pleasanton. Mrs. 
Bean died in 1870, and Mr. Bean afterward married M. E. Cayton, 
daughter of William and Malinda Cayton, of Ross County. He 
then went to Ross County where he lived two and a half years, 
then returned to Pleasanton and remained nearly four years. In 
1881 he bought his hotel and store in Hebbardsville, and is now en- 
gaged in the general mercantile business, having a good assortment 
of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. 

E. M. Bean, M.D., born in Hardy County, Va., April 28, 1820, 
is a son of Thoinas and Sarah (Hill) Bean. He received his edu- 
cation at Savannah ^Seminary, and commenced the study of medi- 
cine with Drs. Hill and Rice; was with them two years, then went 
to Dr. George Bean, remaining with him four years. He after- 
ward attended the Physio-Medical College, at Cincinnati, where 
he graduated, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1871. In 1839 he 
came to Athens County, locating first in Rome Township. After 
his graduation he came to Pleasanton, Alexander Township, where 
he has since resided. He has a very extensive practice, frequently 
being called from a distance of seventy-five miles, and having let- 
ters from and sending medicine to patients in most of the States. 
A number of the prominent physicians now located in different 
States received their instruction from Dr. Bean. His library is one 
of the best in the county, both in a professional and literary point 



556 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of view. Dr. Bean was married in December, 1845, to Adaline 
Culver, daughter of James Culver, of Athens County. They have 
three children — Emma Jane, Curnce Ann and Ida May. Dr. 
Bean and family are members of the Methodist church, 

David Beasley, son of George Beasley, a pioneer of Athens 
Count3 T , was born March 12, 1838. During his early life he re- 
sided at home, attending the farm of his father. Nov. 12, 1S61, he 
enlisted in Company G, Fifty-third Ohio Infantry; was wounded 
in the battle of Pittsburg Landing and discharged on account of 
disability. Regaining his health, he re-enlisted in the same regi- 
ment, Feb. 13, 1864. He was captured while on a foraging expe- 
dition and remained a prisoner forty-two days. He was discharged 
June 19, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. After his return home he 
settled in Bern Township; then lived in Dover Township two 
years, in Ames Township two years, and on a farm in Alexander 
Township nine years. He then went to Hebbardsville and en- 
gaged in merchandising and keeping a hotel two and a half years, 
when he traded his property there for the place he now owns in 
Pleasanton. Nov. 8, 1857, he married Nancy, daughter of Aaron 
Evans, of Ames Township. They have three children — L. D., 
Florence and G. E. Their eldest daughter, Rachel Malvina, died 
at the age of three and a half years. Politically, Mr. Beasley is a 
Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Samuel B. Blake, born March 2, 1817, in Alexander Township^ 
was a son of S. L. Blake, a native of Connecticut, who came to 
this township in 1816, and resided here till his death, March 15, 
1859. He resided at home till twenty-six years of age, receiving 
his education in the common schools. He was married March 25, 
1845, to Polly C, a daughter of John Camp, and a native of Con- 
necticut. They have six children — William H., Henry C, Hattie, 
Mary, John and Charles. Mr. Blake has a farm of 157 acres 
where he has lived since 1848. He has a large two-story frame 
house and good farm buildings. Politically 1 - he is a Republican. 
He has held the office of Township Trustee for fifteen years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Blake are members of the Free-Will Baptist church. 

Hosmer Chace was born on his father's farm in Alexander Town- 
ship, Athens County, Oct. 2, 1833. Here among the beautiful 
hills of his nativity he spent his boyhood days, received his edu- 
cation and grew to manhood. July 1, 1862, Mr. Chace enlisted 
in the war for the Union and was mustered in as Sergeant of 
Company I, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, and was subsequently promo- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 557 

ted to Lieutenant. Mr. Chace was married to Miss Nancy Eeeves, 
of Meigs County, Ohio, and to them six children were born — Els- 
worth, Ellwood, Annie, Celia, Ella, and Mary Alice. Mr. Chace 
married for his second wife Sarah Ellen Robison, Oct. 23, 1877, 
who was a native of Alexander ^Township, Athens County. Three 
children were born of this union— Bertha, Ada and Ida; the two 
latter were twins. Seven of the nine children survive, all living 
with their father on the beautiful homestead where they were 
all born. 

J. J. Coe, born in Knox County, Ohio, Nov. 11, 1829, is a son 
of John K. and Isabella Coe, natives of Washington County, Pa. 
He was the fourth of a family of seven children, and when five 
years of age his parents came to Athens County, locating at Chaun- 
cey, where they lived five years and then removed to Meigs County. 
When twenty years of age Mr. Coe came to Hebbardsville and 
worked at the shoemaker's trade a year with J. G. Wilson. He 
then went to work for himself, and by his fair dealing has gained a 
good custom, both in shoe and harness making. He has been Post- 
master of Hebbardsville twenty years, and has been Township 
Trustee three terms. In May, 1856, he married S. W., daughter 
of John Calvert, of Meigs County. They have nine children — 
Anna, Lizzie, Estella, Edith, John, Mary, Maggie, Daisy and Earl. 
Mr. Coe is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 156, Albany. 
W. T. Dean, an enterprising farmer of Alexander Township, 
was born Jan. 14, 1850. His father, W. T. Dean, died when he 
was sixteen months old, and his mother, Mary J. (Beard) Dean, 
when he was six years old. He was reared by D. M. Clayton, of 
Athens, and received his education in the schools of that place. 
During the late war he enlisted, but was rejected on account of his 
age. When seventeen years of age he commenced to learn the 
trade of a stone mason and followed that occupation several* 
years. He now has a fine farm of 103 acres and one of the 
best residences in the township. He was married Feb. 21, 1872, 
to Mrs. Kate (Walters) Coates, of this county. She had two 
daughters — Bell K. and Emma M. Coates. Mr. Dean is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 25, Athens. 

William Dickson, born in Belmont County, Ohio, May 29, 1819, 
is a son of Henry Dickson, a native of Maryland. When he was 
a child his parents moved to Guernsey County, and when he was 
fifteen years old came to Athens County. March 16, 1843, he 



558 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

married Maria Lentner, a native of Delaware, and a daughter of 
Jacob Lentner. They have eight children — J. M., Joanna, Albert 
Hanford, J. W., Nancy, Mary L., Lizzie M. and Elisha B. In 
1854 he bought the farm where he now resides. He has 310 acres 
of good land which is under a good state of cultivation. Politi- 
cally, he is a Republican. 

John Wisher, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 15, 1839, 
is the eighth of eleven children of Michael and Eliza (Dawson) 
Fisher. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Seventy- 
sixth Ohio Infantry. He participated in some of the hardest 
fought battles of the Rebellion, among them the siege of Vicksburg, 
Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Resaca, and was with 
Sherman to the sea. After the war he settled in Meigs County 
Ohio, and lived there till 1881, when he bought the place where he 
now resides. He has one of the best farms in the township, having 
310 acres all well improved, with a good two-story dwelling and 
commodious farm buildings. He was married Dec. 15, 1869, to 
Olive A., daughter of Elmer Armstrong, a prominent pioneer of 
Athens County. They have one child — Mabel B., born July 15, 
1873. 

Rev. James Haning, Jr., Lodi Township, Athens County, was 
born in Meigs County, Ohio, April 12, 1819, and is the son of 
James Haning, Sr., who came to Athens County in 1796, and was 
a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject's parents moved to Alex- 
ander Township where thej r remained about seven years; then 
moved to Lodi where he was reared a farmer, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools. He was married when nineteen years 
of age to Miss Hannah Dudley, of Athens County. This union 
was blessed with one child — Emily. Mrs. Haning died July 18, 
18-12. Mr. Haning was again married March 4. 1843, to Miss 
Eliza Dudley, a sister of his first wife. Thej'' are the parents of 
four children — Hannah, Eliza J., Sarah and Mary. Mr. H. has a 
fine farm containing 242 acres of land under a high state of culti- 
vation on which is one of the best coal beds in the county. He is 
a zealous worker in the cause of Christianity, and his lectures on 
sacred ordinances are very fine. 

John Haning, born in Alexander Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, Aug. 30, 1815, is a son of James Haning, a native ot Wash 
ington County, Pa. When he was two years of age his parents 
moved to Scipio Township, Meigs Co., Ohio, where they lived 
six years. They then returned to Alexander Township and lived 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 559 

seven years, when his father bought 320 acres of wild land in Lodi 
Township, where he has since resided. He owns 184 acres, all 
under a good state of cultivation, with residence and barn built in 
modern style. He was married in September, 1837, to Delia 
Reeves, of Meigs County. They have four children — Margaret, 
John R., Joseph M. and Charles W. Mr. Haning is a member of 
the Free- Will Baptist church, and has been one of its most liberal 
supporters, it being through his instrumentality that the church in 
Lodi was built. 

P. G. Hebbard, born in Dover Township, Athens County, Ohio, 
Aug. 10, 1830, is the second of four sons of Alanson and Becca 
(Grow) Hebbard, his father an early pioneer of Athens County, 
coming here from Vermont in 1819, and his mother a daughter of 
Judge Peter Grow, of Meigs County, Ohio. He was reared on a 
farm and educated at home under his father's instruction. He 
afterward taught seven years. April 20, 1851, he married Jane E. 
Davis, of York Township. They have seven children, six still liv- 
ing — Mary E., Emma J., Charles A., Becca B., P. G., Jr., and 
Nettie. Mr. Ilebbard has a fine farm of 163 acres, but makes a 
specialty of stock dealing, at which he has been very successful. 
His youngest daughter is a musical prodigy, and when two and a 
half years old could play accurate accompaniments on the piano to 
the most difficult pieces, and now, though but six years of age, is a 
musical wonder. 

Clement Hooper, son of Stephen and Ellen Hooper, was born in 
Wheeling, Va., April 23, 1824. When he was quite young his 
parents removed to Belmont County, Ohio, where they lived till 
1835, and then came to Athens County, settling on the land now 
owned by their son. July 9, 1845, Mr. Hooper married Rhoda 
Axtell, of Alexander Township, formerly of Mercer County, Pa. 
They had a family of twelve children — Elizabeth Ann, Stephen F., 
G. W., Jerusha A., Mary Jane, E. A., Amasa, R. S., Ida B., Vic- 
toria Blanche, Ellen and an infant. Mrs. Hooper died Oct. 22, 
1881. May 11, 1882, Mr. Hooper married Thula Coughenour, of 
Gallia County, Ohio, a daughter of David Coughenour. Mr. 
Hooper has a large, fine farm well improved. He has one of the 
best residences in the township. He has been engaged in dealing 
in stock more or less for -a number of years. Politically he is a 
Republican. He has been Justice of the Peace six years. He is 
a member of the Free-Will Baptist church. 



560 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLE1 . 

O. W. Hooper, son of Clement Hooper, was born in Athens 
County, Oct. 22, 1849. His early life was spent on a farm and in 
attending school. He was married Aug. 3, 1873, to Susannah 
Sisson, daughter of William Sisson, of Columbia Township, Meigs 
County. They have five children — Albert, John W. , Elden 
W., Lulu B. and Ralph. Mr. Hooper settled on the farm where 
he now lives in 1874. Pie has eighty-seven acres of well-improved 
land, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He 
has held the office of Constable seven years, and is at present 
Township Trustee. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

W. H. Irwin, a native of Alexander Township, was born Sept. 
18,1840, a son of John Irwin. He was married Feb. 13, 1866, to 
Isabelle Sisson, a native of Meigs County. They have six children 
— William W., John C, O. L., Emma V., George B. and Cora 
M. Mr. Irwin has a farm of 150 acres, under a good state of cul- 
tivation, with a good house and farm buildings. Politically he is a 
Republican. In early life Mr. Irwin assisted his father on the 
farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He com- 
menced life for himself with comparatively little but strong hands 
and an honest heart, and by hard work and good management has 
acquired a home where he is surrounded with all the comforts ot 
life. He is one of Alexander Township's most worthy citizens, a 
man always alive to the interests of the township, and ready to do 
all in his power for its improvement and advancement. He is 
truly a public-spirited man, one of whom his fellow-citizens may 
well be proud. 

Nathan Kenney, Sr., deceased, was born in Randolph County, Vt., 
in 1790. His early life was spent in Vermont, and when a young 
man he came to Athens County, locating about a mile east of 
Athens. He afterward moved northwest of Athens, and after a 
residence there of about ten years moved to the southern part of 
the county, settling on 300 acres of wild land, where he lived till 
1863. Being too old to have the care and management of the farm 
he retired and muved to Athens, where he died Aug. 25, 1874. He 
was married Nov. 1, 1812, to Clarissa Abbott, of Cape Cod. 
They had a family of twelve children — Lydia, Lordrick, Mari- 
anne, Maria, Jofanna, Samuel, Nathan, Nahum, Josephus, Clarissa, 
Eraeline and Eliza. Mr. Kenney was a member of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 561 

Nathan Kenney, Jr., son of Nathan and Clarissa Kenney, was 
born in Athens Township, Oct. 1, 1827. His early life was spent 
in assisting his father on the farm and attending the district 
schools. He resided on the homestead farm till 1858, when he 
went to Taylor County, Iowa, and settled on Government land, 
remaining there five years. He then returned to Athens County 
and lived on the old homestead till 1877, when he moved to his 
present farm, where he has 138 acres, all well improved. He is 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. Kenney was married 
Oct. 30, 1851, to Samantha Teeters, daughter of Daniel and Mary 
Ann Teeters. They have a family of seven children — Georgiana, 
Sidney Howard, Charles Lewis, Frank Albert, Edward T., Mary 
C. and Laura N. Mrs. Kenney died March 12, 1883. Mr. Ken- 
ney is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Politically 
he is a Democrat. 

S. H. Kenney, son of Nathan Kenney, was born in Athens 
County, Ohio, March 1, 1825. In 1850 he came to Alexander 
Township, where he has permanently located, being one of its 
prominent citizens. He owns a farm of 160 acres in Alexander 
Township. He has served in all the offices of the township. Polit- 
ically he was a Jackson Democrat until 1880, when he became a 
staunch Prohibitionist. He was married Jan. 8, 1850, to Minerva 
daughter of Daniel Drake, of Athens County, Ohio. They have 
reared a family of nine children, whose names are — Augusta B. 
Lafayette H., Winfield W., Wayne B., Webster D., Luelma M., 
Murdock D., Missouri R., Sierra Nevada, all of them residing i n 
Athens County. 

Abram Lash, postofhce Athens, was born Aug. 5, 1817, son of 
William Lash, a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject's early life 
was spent on a farm, and he received his education in the common 
schools. He was married Jan. 30, 1840, to Eleanor Beal, of this 
county. They were the parents of three children— John, William 
and Elizabeth. He was married the second time, Feb. 17, 1850, to 
Isabella McKinstry, of this county. To them were born six chil- 
dren— Josiah, Leander, Martha, Jeremiah, Mary and George. Mr. 
Lash resides on a fine farm of 400 acres, eighty acres of which his 
father first settled, Mr. Lash having purchased the rest. He has 
been a member of the Baptist church forty years. 

Henry Logan, merchant, a native of Alexander Township, was 
born Nov. 21, 1832, the son of John Logan, who was of Irish 
descent. He was reared a farmer and received his education in 
36 



562 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the common schools. Arriving at the age of manhood, he engaged 
in the mercantile business, which he has since followed. He has 
served as Township Clerk six years. Trustee three years, and Jus- 
tice of the Peace six years. He was appointed Postmaster in 1862, 
and has served since that time. June 9, 1853, he married Caro- 
line Bean, daughter of Dr. George Beau, of this township. They 
have seven children — Rettie, Reppie, W. G., Ella, Flora, Earle and 
Frank; all have been given the advantages of a good education and 
are well fitted to perform the duties of life. Mr. Logan is a zeal- 
ous member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He keeps a large 
assortment of goods, and by fair and honorable dealings has 
secured the confidence and trust of all who know him. 

Freeman Marshall, son of William and Susan Marshall, was 
born in Carroll County, Ohio, Oct. 2, 1S23. His early life was 
spent on the farm and in attending the common schools. In June, 
1845, he married Ellen M. Twaddle, of Jefferson County, Ohio. 
They have nine children — Mahan, David. Ethan, William, Sylves- 
ter, Howard, Izetta. Ida and Ira. Mr. Marsh ill purchased the 
farm where he now resides, in 1851. He lias 300 acres of well- 
improved land, with a good residence and commodious farm build- 
ings. He is an influential man of his township and has served as 
School Director for many years. 

S. L. Mathews, born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Aug. 6, 1825, 
is a son of Newman Mathews, a native of Massachusetts, but an 
early settler of Guernsey County. He was married at the age of 
thirty-eight, to Henrietta Matheny. Thej T have two children — 
Carrie Alta and Charles Grant. Mr. Mathews bought the farm 
where he now resides, in 1865. He has' 100 acres of good land, 
with comm >dious buildings, and is engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. During the late war he enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Forty-first Ohio Infantry. He has been Justice twelve years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Mathews are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

John II McJPherson, bom in Belmont County. Jan. 18, 1828, 
son of Joseph McL'herson, of Scotch ancestry. At six years of 
age he moved with his parents to Morgan County. Ohio, where he 
was reared and received a common-school education, together with 
Methodistical religious culture, and upon the temperance question, 
prohibition. It would be unjust to not here mention that his 
mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hart, ot English 
descent upon her mother's side, and German on her father's, was 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 563 

an example of the finer virtues of feminine character and especially 
that of self-government. The subject of this narrative commenced 
teaching school at twenty years of age. He married Maria J., 
daughter of Rezin and Nancy Calvert, the former of German-En- 
glish, and latter of Irish ancestry, and both of religious aspira- 
tions. John H. and Maria J. McPherson's children consist oi 
two hovs and eight girls — Rezin M., Flavius M.. Mary M.. Su- 
sanah M., Elizabeth M., Florence M., Nancy M., Eliza M., Adah 
M. and E:nma M., all living and healthy. Mr. McPherson enlisted 
in Company I, Seventh Ohio Yolunteer Cavalry, Sept. 12. 1862; 
was disabled in a charge on the enemy near Mount Sterling. Ivy.. 
Feb. 27. 1863, by rupture and injury to diaphragm, the result of 
being thrown upon pommel of saddle, after which he served the 
Government as clerk until June 7. 1865, when he was discharged 
by reason of Surgeon's certificate of disability. Politically he i.- a 
Prohibitionist Republican. His residence is at Pleasanton, Athens 
County. Ohio. His present occupation Legal Studie* 

L. Oliver, b n-n Jan. 22. 1825, in Harrison County, Ohio, is a 
son of Jesse Oliver, a native of Virginia. When he was four years 
of age his parents removed to Guernsey County, where his early 
life was spent on a farm and in attending the common scho - 
He was married Oct. 16, 1851, to Elizabeth Adair, a native of 
Guernsey County, and a daughter of George Adair. They have 
seven children — Adandra, Joanna, Horton, Clara, Elizabeth, Ernest 
and William. Mr. Oliver has a good farm of forty acres, where he 
has lived since 1854. He has held the office of Justice for twelve 
years. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the 
IV sbyterian church. 

B. M. Patterson, born in Athens County, Ohio, Jan. 1. 1850, is 
the youngest son of William and Elizabeth Patterson. He was 
reared on ;i farm and has always followed that occupation, owning 
at present 270 acres of land under a good state of cultivation. He 
makes a specialty of Spanish merino sheep, having a large flock 
and spending considerable time and money on them. He was mar- 
ried Sept. :>. ls;-j. to Lizzie Cuckler, of Athens, Ohio. They have 
laughters-^-Birdie E., Alice G., Cina E., Nellie L., Mary F. 
and Lena E. Politically Mr. Patterson is a Republican. He has 
been Township Clerk three successive year.-. He is a member of 
the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Patterson's father, 
William Patterson, deceased, was born in Washington County, 
Pa.. Ja . 24, 1808. When twenty-two years of age he married 



564 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEV. 

Elizabeth Cooper, and in 1S32 they came to Athens County, set- 
tling on wild land. They reared a family of eight children — Levina, 
Martha, Maria, Eunice, Elizabeth, John C, Mary C. and R. M. 
Mr. Patterson was for eight years agent tor the American Tract 
Society. He died Jan. S, 187:2. 

Eliphaz Reeves. — As far back as 1801, at the age of three years, 
David Reeves, father of Eliphaz, came with his parents to Athens 
County and settled on the farm where the Wines school-house now 
stands. The Reeveses were among the early pioneers of this section 
of Ohio, coming here from Pennsylvania, where David Reeves was 
born, near Pittsburg, in 1798. Mr. Reeves is still living, past 
eighty-five years of age, and is probably the oldest man living in 
Athens County, who came here as early as 1801. His wife was 
Matilda Woodyard, and they were married in 1825. Eliphaz 
Reeves was born near the Woodyard church, Alexander Township, 
Nov. 27, 1832. He was reared, engaged in business and continued 
to live in the same neighborhood, spending his time in farming and 
trading, and is now, 1883, merchant and Postmaster at Wood 
yard. April 2, 1874. he was united in matrimony with Marticia 
C. Shumwa, of Meigs County, Ohio. Lulu May, their only child 
was born July 7, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are members of the 
Woodyard Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is Class-Leader. 
During the war Mr. R. served as Orderly Sergeant in the Ohio 
State militia, and has at various times held the township offices. 

Daniel T. Rickey. — On a farm in Greene County, Penn., June 6, 
L830, Mr. Rickey was born and reared to the age of maturity. His 
father was Abraham C. Rickey, and his mother Pheba Throck- 
morton, both natives of the Keystone State. In 1855, at the age 
of twenty-five, Daniel Rickey left his native State, and came direct 
to Athens County, where he has since lived. He enlisted under 
Colonel Jones in the late war, but was soon after discharged for 
physical disability. June 10, 1856, Mr. Rickey was married to 
Harriet Williams, a daughter of A. M. Williams, of Lodi Town- 
ship. Their children are — Milan A., born March 15, 1857; Clara, 
born Sept. 26, 1^58; Blanche, born Aug. 13,1865; Imogene, born 
Sept. 16, 1S67, and Annetta 0., born Aug. 1, 1S72. lie and wife 
are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Albany. 

John Rickey, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1801, is 
a son of John and Nancy Rickey. His parents were among the 
first settlers of Jefferson County. They moved to Belmont County 
about 1815. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 565 

from a cold contracted while in the service. John was reared on a 
farm, receiving but a limited education. He was married Sept. 15, 
1825, to Michal Jones, a native of Virginia. In 1830 he moved to 
Morgan County, where he lived six years. In 1S36 he came to 
Athens County, settling in Alexander Township. In 1875 he 
bought the farm where he now lives. He is a member of the Free- 
Will Baptist church, and one of its strongest supporters. Mrs. 
Rickey died in July, 1874, after rearing a family of eight children 
— R. J., Jane, James, Narcissa, Elza A.. Matilda, John and Henry. 
In March, 1875, Mr. Rickey married Hetty Jane Robneth, a sister 
of his former wife. 

Jasper Secoy, born in Carthage Township, Athens Co., Ohio, 
Nov. 28, 1839, is a son of David Secoy, a native of New York, and 
an early settler of Carthage Township. In the spring of 1861 he 
came to Alexander Township, and the following August enlisted in 
Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, serving till 
1S65. He was in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, Fisher's 
Hill, etc., following the regiment on all its numerous marches and 
campaigns. After his return home, March 26, 1865, he married 
Sarah, daughter of Samuel Woodruff. They have five children — 
Hattie, Samuel, Franklin, George and Mildred. In 1878 Mr. Secoy 
bought the farm where he now resides, consisting of fifty acres of 
good land. Mr. and Mrs. Secoy are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican. 

R. M. Wood, section 7, Alexander Township, was born in this 
township Aug. 21, 1827, a son of William and Margaret (Brooks) 
Wood. He was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited edu- 
cation in the common schools. In February, 1848, he married 
Amanda Drake, of this township. They have eight children — 
Emma, William, Fremont, Cassie, Eulelia, Estella, Carrie and 
Jennie. In 1867 Mr. Wood removed to Meigs County, where 
he lived two years. In 1869 he bought the farm where he now 
resides. He has ninety-six acres of land well cultivated with 
good improvements. During the war Mr. Wood was taken pris- 
oner by Morgan's men, and lost two tine horses. 




CHAPTER XX. 

ROME TOWNSHIP— THE RISE OF ROME AND PROGRESS OF THE 

ROMANS. 

Location — Metes and Bounds — Topography — Organization — 
Population from 1820 to 1880 — Schools — Bridges and Mills 
— Settlers and Progress — Early Historical Facts — The 
War of 1812 — Township Officers— Guysville — Lodges— Stew- 
art Village and its History — New England, Frost and Big 
Run — Biographical. 

about the year 1811. 

Rome Township lies on the eastern border of the county, and is 
bounded on the north by Bern Township, on the east by Wash- 
ington County, on the south by Carthage, and on the west by 
Canaan Townships. Its eastern border eneroaches npon Washing- 
ton County, about one mile east by two miles north and south, 
which adds about two sections of land over a congressional town- 
ship. This would give it about thirty-eight sections, or 23,320 
acres of land. 

TOPOGRAPHK ALLY 

speaking, it is hilly and broken, but the valley of the Hocking is 
rich in agricultural wealth, for its soil is deep and fertile. The 
river crosses the township from east to west, meandering in its 
course, and forms a portion of the eastern line of the township, 
the stream turning and running almost due south in its course 
for about three miles and then in a southeasterly direction. Fed- 
eral Creek lows into the Hocking River within its boundary, and 
some good agricultural and grazing lands are found on its border. 
It is known as a township of timbered land, and it is still rich in 
timber resources. The mineral development lias not yet pro- 
ven very great, but coal is known to exist, and lias been mined to 
a small or limited extent. It is. however, an agricultural township, 
and tor cereal and stock raising has few superiors in the county. Its 
territory may also be said to have been among the earliest settled, 
for itbecame a township in L811, being on April -lot that year 

(5G0) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 567 



ORGANIZED 



The organization read as follows. 

"Thursday, April 4, 1811. — Ordered by the commissioners, 
That so much of the township of Troy as is contained in the orig- 
inal surveyed townships, numbered 5 and 6, in the 11th range, 
and in the 12th range, be erected into a new township by the 
name of Rome. . ........ 

" Ordered by the commissioners, That their clerk notify the in- 
habitants of the township of Rome to meet at the house of Amos 
Crippen, in said township, on Saturday the 20th instant, for the 
purpose of electing township officers." 

But no election was held under this order, and on the 4th of 
June ensuing, the commissioners 

" Ordered* That the boundaries of the township of Home be as 
follows, to wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of township 
number 6 in the 12th range, thence east on the township line until 
it intersects the river Hockhocking, thence up said river until it 
intersects the range line between the 11th and 12th ranges, thence 
on said range line (being the line between the counties of Athens 
and Washington) to the south boundary of Ames Township, 
thence west on said township line to the township of Athens, 
thence south to the place of beginning, and that the remainder of 
the township of Rome be and is hereby attached to the township 
of Troy. [This refers to the previous order of April 4.] 

" Orderedhj the commissioners, That their clerk notify, by 
advertisement, the inhabitants of the township of Rome to meet at 
the house of Daniel Stewart, on Saturday, the loth instant, for 
the purpose of electing township officers." 

The township was taken from the territory of Troy Township as 
above bounded, and it continued thus until Feb. 10, 1S14, when 
the Legislature passed an act giving to Athens County and to 
Rome Township the two sections of land lying on the west side of 
the Hocking River. These sections were 31 and 32 of congres- 
sional township Xo. 6, of range No. 11, making a turn in the 
county line. 

It is one of the most thriving among the agricultural townships of 
the county, and its people are progressive, economical, and combine 
energy with intelligent labor. 



568 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

POPULATION. 

Just what the population of the township was in 1S11 is not 
known, but it probably did not exceed 200. In the census of 1S20 
it was 497; in 1830, 522; in 1840, 852; in 1850, 1,309; in 1860, 
1,581; in 1870, 1,972; in 1880, 2, 207. 

While there is nothing remarkable in this increase, the figures 
show one very desirable fact, and that is, that it has never gone back, 
but grown steadily and surely with increasing years. It may be 
said to have sustained the general average of the county and State 
during the different decades witb but one exception, that between 
1820 and 1830. 

Daniel and Archelaus Stewart, who settled in the township in 
1802, were the first to move for the organization of a church soci- 
ety, and a Methodist church was organized at a very early day, 
probably a few years before its organization into a township, and 
Rev. Jacob Young, then on the Marietta circuit, came to the resi- 
dence of Mr. Daniel Stewart, held service and organized a society. 
The original members were William Pilcher and wife, Job Rutler 
and wife, Eliphalet Case and wife, and Elijah Howell and wife. 
From this small but happy beginning three Methodist congrega- 
tions have grown up, and three substantial and neatly furnished 
church buildings have been erected. 

The first service held in the township was by the Rev. Cyrus 
Paulk, Jr., who preached as early as 1803 at the cabins of the set- 
tlers. He was a Baptist, and continued his ministration for sev- 
eral years. 

SCHOOLS. 

Among the settlers of those early days there was nothing that 
received their more earnest attention than that of the education of 
their children. To read, write and cipher and to be a good speller 
was what they deemed a necessity, and added that of grammar 
and geography when they could. A good common-school educa- 
tion was generally the summit of their ambition, and it was onlj T 
when a boy became ambitious for a higher course, refused the plow 
and stuck to his books, that money was raised by the sacrifice of a 
horse or other stock to give him the desired schooling. In fact, 
having become worthless on the farm, for if he was sent in the 
field to work, he was generally found under a tree or in the crook 
of the fence, perfectly oblivious to all surroundings and deep in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 569 

the mysteries of his favorite study, the old man at last got weary 
and <;ave it up and the book worm was soon in his glory, for he was 
going to the academy and then to college. 

The first school-house erected in Rome Township was in 1801, 
and was built by subscription — that is, the neighbors joined in the 
work, each doing their part. The house above mentioned was 
built of logs, about sixteen feet square, and was located on the east 
bank of Federal Creek, near its mouth. The first teacher was 
Abram Richards, and a daughter of Ebenezer Barrows, Mrs. Polly 
Driggs, was the next. Of course it was not long before other school- 
houses were erected and schools taught. 

In 1811 the Rev. Amos Miller started a private school on his 
farm and called it "Miller's Academy." It flourished for more 
than twenty years, a large two-story building being erected to furnish 
accommodations. It was about one mile from Savannah or Guys- 
ville. It suspended during the civil war and was never resurrected. 

There is at present an academy located at Savannah, the man- 
agement of which has been quite successful. It was founded in 
1867, by a number of public-spirited citizens, and its first Trustees 
were: Fred Finister, Peter Boyles, Yincent Caldwell, Harvey 
Peirce, and Harvey Caldwell. Its first teacher in charge was Prof. 
George W. Brvce, and the fact that 140 scholars enrolled them- 
selves the first year shows that the citizens were imbued with the 
right spirit. 

BKIDGE8 AND MILLS. 

In 1808 the first bridge in the township was built over Federal 
Creek, near its mouth, by Elijah Hatch, and in 1818 a second one 
was built at the same place. In 1842 a fine bridge was erected by 
IVtor I'.eebe, Isaac Jackson being the architect; it was at first a toll 
bridge, but is now free. About the year 1851 or 1852 a bridge 
was built <»ver Federal Creek, near the mouth of Big Run, but was 
soon swept away; another has since been erected on the same site. 
The bridge at Savannah was built about 1858, the funds being sup- 
plied partly by the county and partly by subscription. Another 
has been built over the Hocking, about two miles below Savannah, 
the fund.- being raised in the same manner. 

The first grist and saw mill in the township was built in 1802 by 
George. Henry and James Harrows, on Federal (.'reck, about a mile 
from its mouth. The mill is a log build ing with only one run of 
stones, which were made of the "Laurel Hill granite," and run by 



570 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

a large undershot wheel. Before this the nearest mill where wheat 
could, be ground was Devol's, on the Muskingum, at least forty 
miles distant. Many families, however, possessed that great desid- 
eratum of pioneer life, the primitive hand-mill and the " hominy 
block." There were also a few horse-mills in the county, but they 
were only used for grinding or, as it was called, "cracking" corn. 
In 1818 Reuben Farnsworth built the first mill on the Hocking 
River within the township limits. This was one of the most solid 
and substantial mill structures ever erected in the county. Farns- 
worth failed, and the mill passed into the hands of Peter Beebe, 
who afterward sold it to Thomas Welch. It was sold by Mr. Welch 
to Cook, Crippen & Co., and subsequently passed into the hands 
of a son of Mr. Cook, who is the present owner. 

In 1820 the Savannah mill (grist and saw mill) was built by 
Ezra Stewart and his brother Charles, sons of Esquire Daniel Stew- 
art. It has three run of stones and does a great amount of custom 
work. It is situated on the Hocking River, in the village of Gruys- 
ville, about three miles from the west line of Rome Township. 
About 1831 Alexander Stewart and George Warren built the Stew- 
art Mill (a saw-mill), near Savannah; but it was soon destroyed by 
fire, and a large three-story grist and saw mill was erected on the 
site by Daniel B. Stewart. In 1811 Mr. Stewart connected a 
woolen factory with the establishment, which is now owned by a 
daughter of Mr. Stewart, Mrs. Charles Byron. In runs 170 spin- 
dles, has four looms, four carding machines, two spinning jacks 
and a full set of fulling and dressing machinery. The grist and 
saw mill are still in active operation. Two miles above Savannah 
are the Kincade Mills, built in 1842 by John and Allen Kincade, 
and rebuilt by John Kincade on an enlarged plan and in a more 
substantial manner in 1868, and was again rebuilt in 1880 by D 
B. Stewart. About 1854 I leman Frost, son of Abram Frost, one 
of the pioneers of Carthage Township, built a grist and sawmill 
three miles below Cook & Crippen's mill; it was subsequently re- 
placed by a saw mill, which was swept off by high water # in the 
spring <>f L867, but rebuilt by Allen Kincade. 

SETTLERS AND PROGRESS. 

What was called in those days the "Upper Settlement" in this 
ownship was first settled in 1808, when Joshua Selby, John Thomp- 
son, Robert Calvert, and Jonathan Simmons came from Virginia, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 571 

and Richard, George, and James Simmons, from Pennsylvania. 
They were all good citizens. In L 810 or L811 Christopher Iler. 
rold, oneof the pioneers of Ames Township, settled in Rome. He 
was a Pennsylvania German and a man of enterprise and thrift. 
Ee afterward removed to Dover. 

A strong evidence of the enterprising spirit of the early settlers 
is afforded by the fact that in 1811 a sea-going vessel was built in 
Rome Township, a mile below the mouth of Federal ('reek, on the 
south ban!: of the Hocking. She was launched and taken to Xew 
Orleans in the spring of L812. The vessel was built by Captain 
Caleb Barstow, from Providence, Rhode Island, and was called The 
Enterprise. 

Between 1800 anil 1810 the township received a number of good 
settlers. John Johnson and father, on the Hockhocking, oppusite 
Federal Creek; Job Ruter, with his sons Martin and Calvin, on 
the river. about two miles above Federal Creek; and about the 
same time came Nathan Connor, Rev. Moses Osborn, the Calvert-. 
the Thompsons, the Selbys, and the Mitchells, ail of whom settled 
on the liver. Most of these came from Virginia. Also promi- 
nent among the early settlers were Abraham Sharp, lor whom 
Sharp's Run and Sharp's Fork of Federal Creek were nun ed; 
Francis Munn, a revolutionary soldier; Archibald Dorough, Tlios. 
Richardson, Dr. Seth Driggs, Jeremiah Conant, Wm. Pilcher, 
Aaron Orme, Tlios. Swan. Aaron Butts, Eli Catlin, Daniel Auder 
son a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army), David Chapman, 
Rev. Enos Thompson (Methodist) and the Hewitts. 

EARLY HISTORICAL FA( TS. 

Esquire Elmer Rowell, a pioneer and a valuable and prom- 
inent citizen oi Rome Township during its early days, who died 
.'.• years back,, Leaves the following reminiscence of pioneer days: 
" W hen I first settled here the nearest postoffice was at Athens. 
sixteen or seventeen miles distant, and 1 have frequently gone that 
distance for a single expected letter; now there are four p >stoffices 
in the township. Then we went thirty miles to obtain our necessary 

dry g 1 8, groceries, hardware, etc.; now there are -even or eight 

. country stores in the township. While musing on the times 

people of fifty-five year- ago. the whole scene for thirty miles 

up and down the valley seems photographed on my memory — the 

men and women, their costnmee, the log cabin- and the cleared 



572 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

patches. The men all dressed in homespun during summer, and 
during winter agreat part of the clothing consisted of buckskin; the 
females, both matron and lass, dressed for every da} 7 in homespun, 
except in later years, when one now and then began to appear in a 
' factory dress,' and all had for Sunday and holidays the more costly 
and gayer calico and cambric dresses. Those were the days of 
warm friendships and close attachments. Common hardships and 
labors begot a fellow feeling. If there was a cabin to raise, every 
man for miles around turned out with alacrity to help raise it and 
put on the last clapboard. If there was any job too heavy for one 
man to do, all assisted. When a hunter or any one else was 
belated, be he a stranger or acquaintance, he found a home and a 
welcome in any log cabin he might chance to find." 

THE WAR OF 1812. 

Rome Township having been or was the home of several of the 
Revolutionary patriots and soldiers of 1776, when the war of 
1812 was declared they found her sons willing patriots to enter the 
field and defend the soil of their country from the footsteps ot an 
invader. Athens County being called upon for a company of in- 
fantry, to be composed of fifty men or volunteers, the militia regi- 
men t of the county, then commanded by Colonel Edmund Dorr, 
was summoned to meet at Athens and volunteers called for. The 
men stepped promptly to the front, and of this number Rome Town- 
ship was the residence of nine who enlisted. Their names were 
Jas. Crippen, Peter Beebe, Thaddeus Crippen, Ebenezer Hatch, 
Chas. Stewart, Win. Starr, Andrew Stewart, John Wickham and 
Daniel Muncie. The company was then raised to sixty men and 
Rome added one more volunteer, George Driggs, or one sixth of 
the number. In 1S13, when the Governor of Ohio called for forty 
days' mounted riflemen, George Barrows, Montgomery Perry and 
a young man named Swann went from Rome. 

William T. Hatch, son of Elijah Hatch, was the first male child 
born in the township, and his sister Harriet, the late Mrs. Hill, is 
said to have been the first female. Mrs. Elijah Hatch, mother of 
Judge Hatch, was the first person who died in the township. A 
portion of the facts here given were taken from Walker's very in- 
teresting history ot Athens County. The growth of the township 
and its increase in population ha-; been spoken of in previous pages, 
and to this might be added the fact that its material progress has 
been a marked feature in its history, and prosperity seems to have 
taken a firm hold upon the township. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 573 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

1811. — Trustees. Job Ruter, Elijah Hatch and James Crippen; 
Clerk, Caleb Barstow. 

1812. — Trustees, Daniel Stewart, George Barrows and John 
Thompson; Clerk, Amos Crippen. 

1813. — Trustees. Elijah Rowel], James Crippen and John Thomp- 
son ; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

1814. — Trustees, Daniel Stewart, James Crippen and Joshua 
Selby; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

1815. — Trustees, Daniel Stewart, James Crippen and William 
Barrows; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

1816. — Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Elijah Hatch and Joshua Selby; 
Clerk, William Stewart. 

1817. — Trustees. James Crippen, John Thompson and Henry 
Barrows; Clerk, Win. Stewart, 

l s 18. — Trustees, James Crippen, Archelaus Stewart and Henry 
Barrows; Clerk, Win. Stewart. 

1819. — Trustees, James Crippen, Archelaus Stewart and Henry 
Barrows; Clerk, Wm. Stewart. 

1820. — Trustees, James Crippen, Archelaus Stewart and Daniel 
Stewart; Clerk, Wm. Stewart. 

1821. — Trustees, James Crippen, John Thompson and Daniel 
Stewart; Clerk, John Green. 

1822. — Trustees, Elijah Hatch, Joshua Selby and Daniel Stew- 
art; Clerk, Daniel Stewart. 

L823. — Trustees, James Crippen, Elmer Rowell and Archelaus 
Stewart; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

L824. — Trustees, Wm. S. Doan, Joshua Selby and Henry Bar- 
rows; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

1825.— Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Elijah Dalbey and Peter Beebe; 
Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

1826. — Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Elijah Dalbey and James Crip- 
pen; Clerk, John Thompson. 

l v -7. — Trustees, Daniel Stewart, Josephus Butts and Joshua 
Selby; Clerk, Samuel Thompson. 

L828. — Trustees, John Thompson, Josephus Butts and Joshua 
Selby; Clerk, Samuel Thompson. 

1829. — Trustees, John Johnson, Josephus Butts and Joshua 
Selby; Clerk, Edmund Cook. 

1830.— Trustees, John Thompson, Josephus Butts and Daniel D. 
Cross; Clerk, Guy Barrows. 



574 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1831. — Trustees, John Johnson, Josephus Butts and Joseph 
Mitchell; Clerk, Guy Barrows. 

1832. — Trustees, Win. S. Doan, James E. Hatch and Joseph 
Mitchell; Clerk, John Welch. 

1833. — Trustees, Levi Stewart, James E. Hatch and Joseph 
Mitchell; Clerk, Elijah Hatch. 

1834. — Trustees, Levi Stewart, James E. Hatch and Joseph 
Mitchell, Clerk, Wilson Selby. 

1835. — Trustees, Alexander Stewart, James E. Hatch and Peter 
Beebe; Clerk, Thos. Newcomb. 

1836. — Trustees, Joseph Mitchell, James E. Hatch and Samuel 
Hill; Clerk, Blant'ord Cook. 

1837. — Trustees, Joseph Mitchell, S. T. Richardson and George 
Warren; Clerk, Blanford Cook. 

1838. — Trustees, James E. Hatch, Joshua Calvert and George 
Warren; Clerk, Elmer Rowell. 

1839.— Trustees, Peter Beebe, Wilson Shelby and William P. 
Doan; Clerk, Elmer Rowell. 

1840. — Trustees, Peter Beebe, Joseph Mitchell and Levi Stew- 
art; Clerk, Wilson Selbv. 

1841.— Trustees, Peter Beebe, Joseph Mitchell and Levi Stew- 
art; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 

1842.— Trustees, Daniel B. Stewart, William Mitchell and Nel- 
son Cook; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 

Is43.— Truste< !S , Win. P. D.jan, Wm. Crippen and B. F. John- 
son; Clerk, E. B. Parrill. 

1844. — Trustees, Peter Grosvenor, Wm. R. Winner and Joseph 
Mitchell; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 

1845. — Trustees, Peter Grosvenor, Levi Stewart and Joseph 
Mitchell; Clerk, Wilson Selby. 

1846. — Trustees, D. B. Stewart, Wm. Simmons and B. F. John- 
son; ( Jlerk, Joshua < Jalvert. 

1847. — Trustees, D. B. Stewart, Wm. Simmons and Abraham 
Parrill; Clerk, Joshua Calvert. 

1848. — Trustees, Elmer Rowell, Artemus S. Crippen and Levi 
Stewart; Clerk, B. F.Johnson. 

l^lli. — Trustee.-. Elmer Rowell. Peter Grosvenor and Levi Stew- 
art; Cierk, Sydney S. Beebe. 

185o. — Trustees, Nelson Cook, Peter Grosvenor and Council 
Roberts; Clerk, B. F. Johnson. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 575 

1851. — Trustees, Nelson Cook, Peter Grosvenor and T. F.Jones; 
Clerk, B. F. Johnson. 

1852. — Trustees, Levi Stewart, Peter Grosvenor and Wm. R. 
Winner; Clerk, Joshua Calvert. 

1853. — Trustees, Elmer Rowell, D. B. Stewart and Wilson 
Selby; Clerk, B. F. Johnson. 

1 854. — Trustees, Elmer Powell, D. B. Stewart and Wilson 
Selby; Clerk, B. F. Johnson. 

1855. — Trustees, Elmer Rowell, D. B. Stewart and Wilson 
Selby; Clerk, B. F. Johnson. 

1850. — Trustees. T. R. Rider, Perry Barrows and Harvey Pierce; 
Clerk, Charles H. Grosvenor. 

1857. — Trustees, T. R. Rider, Voltaire Barrows and Harvey 
Pierce; Clerk, Chas. H. Grosvenor. 

1858. — Trustees, Josephns Tucker, Perry Barro.vs and Elmer 
Rowell; Clerk, Robert Bean. 

1859. — Trustees, James Rice, Herman Frost and Artemus Buck- 
ley; Clerk, Blanford Cook. 

1860. — Trustees, James Rice, Josephus Tucker and W. L. Petty; 
Clerk, Blanford Cook. 

1861. — Trustees, James Rice, Josephus Tucker and W.L. Petty; 
Clerk, Blanford Cook. 

1862. — Trustees, A. S. Crippen, Artemus Buckley and- G. S. 
Simpson; Clerk, Blanford Cook. 

1863. — Trustees, A. S. Crippen, P. W. Boyles and James Cross; 
Clerk, James Moore. 

L864. — Trustees, Blanford Cook, P. W. Boyles and James 
Cross; Clerk, Harvey Pierce. 

1865.— Trustees, Blanford Cook, P. W. Boyles and J. W. John- 
son: Clerk. Harvey Pierce. 

1866. — Trustees, Blanford Cook. Joseph Patterson and Harvey 
Pierce; Clerk. Charles Dean. 

1867. — Trustees, Blanford Cook. Amos Patterson and Robert 
Bean; Clerk, George M. Ross. 

l Nt '>>. — Trustees, Blanford Cook, Amos Patterson and Robert 
Bean; Clerk, George M. Ross. 

1869. — Trustees, Amos Patterson. Harvey Pierce and J. W. 
Johnson; Clerk, D. W. Cornell; Treasurer. B. F. Johnson; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, R. A. Fulton and Elam Frost. 

L870. — Trustees, Amos Patterson, J. W. Johnson and V". A. 
Caldwell; Clerk, D. W. Cornell; Treasurer, B. F. Johnson. 



576 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1871. — Trustees, Amos Patterson, J. W. Johnson and V. A. 
Caldwell; Clerk, D. W. Cornell; Treasurer, B. F. Johnson; Justices 
of the Peace, J. S. Devol and S. S. Beebe. 

1872. — Trustees, Amos Patterson, J. W. Johnson and V. A. 
Caldwell; Clerk, D. W. Cornell; Treasurer, D. M. Burchfield. 

1873. — Trustees, Amos Patterson, E. Vickers and J. "W. John- 
son; Clerk, John L. Cross; Treasurer, D. M. Burchfield. 

1874. — Trustees, Amos Patterson, J. W. Johnson and Jefferson 
Perry; Clerk, J. L. Cross; Treasurer, D. W. Cornell. 

1875. — Trustees, Jefferson Perry, Edwin Glazier and Clark 
Dodds; Clerk, J. E. Cook; Treasurer, D. W". Cornell; Justices of 
the Peace, R. M. Wilson and Edwin Glazier. 

1876. — Trustees, Jefferson Perry, Clark Dodds and J. A. Cald- 
well; Clerk, J. E.Cook; Treasurer, D. W. Cornell; Justice of the 
Peace, Silas E. Hedges. 

1877.— Trustees, Noah Tedrow, Frank Patton and Elijah H. 
Bean; Clerk, J. E. Cook; Treasurer, D. W. Cornell; Justice of 
the Peace, S. S. Beebe.. 

1878. — Trustees, B. S. Plum ley, Riley Crippen and Jefferson 
Perry; Clerk, J. E. Cook; Treasurer, D. W. Cornell; Justice of 
the Peace, James Malcolm. 

1879. — Trustees, B. S. Plumley, Riley Crippen and Amos Pat- 
terson; Clerk, S. B. Pickering (resigned), L. M. Fowler; Treasurer, 
D. W. Cornell; Justice of the Peace, Silas E. Hedges. 

1880. — Trustees, Riley Crippen, Amos Patterson and Eli Brooks; 
Clerk, L. M. Fowler; Treasurer, D. W. Cornell; Justice of the 
Peace, S. S. Beebe. 

1881. — Trustees, Amos Patterson, J. W. Murphey and J. W. 
Johnson; Clerk, L. M. Fowler (serving part of the year, and S. N. 
Hobson appointed to fill out the term); Treasurer, II. J. Smith; 
Justice of the Peace, William King. 

1882. — Trustees, J.W. Murphey, J.W. Johnson and Eli Brooks; 
Clerk, S. N. Hobson; Treasurer, II. J. Smith; Justice of the 
Peace, P. F. Bush. 

1883. — Trustees, Hiram Burden, Henry Finsterwald and Eli 
Brooks; Clerk, S. N. Hobson; Treasurer, Harvey J. Smith; As- 
sessor, William Skinner; Justices of the Peace, S. S. Beebe and 
Henry Crippen. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 577 

GUTSVILLE. 

The village of Guysville is situated near the southwestern corner 
of Home Township, on the bank of the Hocking River, and on 
the new line of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. It was laid 
out in 1836 by Chauncey Carpenter, who at that time owned the 
mill at that place. The postoffice was established about three 
years later through the efforts of Mr. Guy Barrows, who was ap- 
pointed the first Postmaster, and for whom it was named, although 
the village has always been known by the name of Savannah. 
Among the first settlers were a Mr. Conner, a blacksmith; Laban 
Ileth. a shoemaker; Barton Ferris and Amos Calvert. The vil- 
lage has a population, at present, of about 250 inhabitants. It 
has a flouring mill, owned by J. W. Murphey; a tannery, owned by 
Gustavus LeGoullon; a hotel, owned by D. W. Cornell; a Meth- 
odist Episcopal church with a membership of about fifty, and two 
physicians, G. W. Blakely and G. B. Parker. The merchants are 

D. W. Cornell and Brown & Lawrence, general merchandise; 
John Picket and L. C. Murphey. drugs; and John I). Sand's furni- 
ture and undertaking store. It has also a millinery store, two 
harness shops and two blacksmith shops. There being a good 
bridge across the river at this point to connect it with the surround- 
ing country on the opposite side of the river, and that being par- 
ticularly a stock-raising section, this village has lately become the 
most important live-stock shipping point in the county. The most, 
active parties in this business are Samuel Stalder and J. W. Mur- 
phey (partners), Henry Stalder, Jefferson Perry and William Rhode- 
haver. The postoffice is at present kept in the store of Brown & 
Lawrence. Mr. EL II. Brown, of that firm, being the Postmaster. 

Savannah Lodge, A. F . & A. Jf., was established June 2s, 
L872, with the following charter membership: A. B. Dickey, 
Master; B. \V. Calvert, Sen. Warden; J. E. Cook, Jun. Warden; 
1). M. Bnrchfield, Secretary; J. A. Hawley, Hiram Burden, Will- 
iam Johnson, Vincent Caldwell. Charles Byron, J. W. Johnson, 

E. D. Merwin and J. A. Caldwell. The present officers are: G. 
W. Blakely, Master; S. X. Ilobson, Sen. Warden; D. W. Cornell, 
Jun. Warden; C. L. Bean. Secretary. 

STEWART. 

The village of Stewart is situated on the Hocking River and the 
Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, about two miles below Guvsville. 
37 



578 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

It was laid out by Mr. D. B. Stewart, on a part of the Stewart 
homestead, in 1875, about the time of the completion of the rail- 
road to that point. Mr. Stewart built the first five houses, and fur- 
nished lots and dressed lumber for a number of others, waiting on 
t ic occupants for pay. A mill and church had marked the site 
for many years, and a postoffice had been in the locality since 1S30, 
but was not located at this particular place until 1873. Previous 
to the establishment of the village the postoffice had been called 
Federalton. The village has its church; a flouring mill, owned by 
Mrs. Ruth Byron; a planing mill, owned by D. B. Stewart; one 
physician, Dr. W. E. Webb; and two stores, kept by H. G. Smith 
and S. ~N. Iiobson, Mr. Hobson being the present Postmaster. 
Stewart has a population of about 200. 

NEW ENGLAND. 

The village of New England, situated near the western boundary 
of Rome Township, on the old line of the Marietta et Cincinnati 
Railroad, sprang up soon after it was known that the railroad 
would pass through that point, about 1853, and was laid out by 
Jacob Ted row, E. II. Moore and A. G. Brown, of Athens, being 
his partners in the ownership. The postoffice was established 
immediately after trains began running on the railroad in 1859. 
The first residence was built by Thaddeus Rider, and the first store 
by Chapman & Rider. The store stood on the lot now used for 
the Methodist Episcopal parsonage, Mr. Rider's dwelling stand- 
ing just south of it on an adjoining lot. Then followed in succes- 
sion L. R. Jarvis, who built a store; Hiram Gard, who kept a 
store in the depot building, and Joseph and Amos Patterson, who 
built the store and residence now occupied by -I. M. Rhodes. The 
village has two churches, Methodist Episcopal and Presbyterian, 
the former having a membership of about fifty-four, and the latter 
a membership of over ninety. The merchants are L. R. Jarvi.-. 
J. M. Rhodes and Harvey Patterson. Mr. Rhodes is also the pres- 
e it Postmaster and keeps the office in his store. Since the aban- 
donment of the railroad through this village the population has 
greatly decreased, being n >\\* not more than 150. 

FROST. 

Fro t Village is in the southeastern part of Rome Township, on 
the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, and has been built since the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 579 

completion of the railroad. The merchants are C. D. Smith. 
F. M. Payne and "Washington Russell. The population is about 
100. 

BIG RUN. 

Big Run was a station on the old line of the Marietta & Cin- 
cinnati Railroad, and is situated in the northeastern part of the 
township. The postoffice remains, and one store, owned by H. Gor- 
don & Son. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Edmond Bean was born in Hardy County, A'a., Aug. 5, 1S05, 
and came to Athens County in 1833. He has a good farm of 120 
acres on section 25, ;Rome Township, and is engaged in both 
farming and stock-raising. His land borders on the Hocking 
River, and is well adapted for general farming. He was married 
in 1S33 to Mahala Bean, a native of Hardy County, \ T a., born 
Jan. 10, 1814. They have no children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bean 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Bean's 
sister, Mrs. Clara E. Holmes, and her daughter, Fannie E. Holmes, 
are members of Mr. Bean's family. Mr. Holmes was drowned in 
the Hocking River, Jan. 22, 1862. He and Mr. Bean and two 
other men were crossing the river in a small boat to go to church 
when the boat capsized. Mr. Holmes was seemiugly more anxious 
to save the others than himself, and by his self-denying efforts lost 
his own life. Mrs. Holmes and her daughter have since that time 
made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Bean. 

Mrs. Lorana Bean was born in Athens County, Ohio, Aug. 30, 
l^i".'. June 7, 1819, she married Robert Bean, a native of Hardy 
( .unty, Va., born July 12. 1S25. Five children were born to them 
— Samantha. born Aug. 17, 1851; Matilda Jane, July 20, 1859; 
Louis Franklin, Jan. 25, 1S63; Rosa Alice, July 29. 1S»3S: Ervine 
Hebert. born May 15, 1871. Samantha married Daniel M. Cole, 
Oct. 4, 1867. Matilda J. married M. Baker. Nov. ?>, 1S77: she has 
one child— Robert E., born Feb. 5, 1879. Mr. Bean died Oct. 26, 
l s 7'l. Mrs. Bean has 1<>1 acres of well-improved land on section 
•_'">. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

W. P. Beebe, proprietor of the Beebe House, was born in Rome 
Township, Dec. 5, 1S19. His father. Peter Beebe. was a native of 
Washington County, X. Y.. burn Oct. 15, 1792. His mother, 
Melissa (Cook) Beebe, was born in Connecticut in 1801, and died 



580 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

March 6, 1821. His father then married Betsy Vaughn, who died 
leaving four children — Louisa, Harriet, Yilla and Mary. Mr. 
Beebe then married Ann Eliza Kincade. They had five children — 
Elmira, Melissa, Helen, Henry and Henrietta. Mr. Beebe died 
May 10, 1849. W. P. Beebe was married Aug. 9, 1S53, to Louisa 
Davis, a native of Rome Township, born Feb. 7, 1837. They have 
nine children — Edwin, born Oct. 22, 1S54; Peter, born April 22, 
1856; Owen, July 20, 1858; Emerson, Dee. 14, 1860; Hanley, 
March 27, 1863; Fannie, April 30, 1866; Augusta, Aug. 27, 1868; 
Bessie, Dec. 27, 1S72; Millie, Sept, 13, 1876. Mr. Beebe now 
owns the farm of 175 acres once owned by his father and grand- 
father. Lie also owns the hotel and other town property in 
Stewart. 

G. W. Blakeley, M. D., son of Harvey and Susan Blakeley, was 
born in Athens Count}', Ohio, Aug. 12, 1851. His father was born 
in Pennsylvania, June 19, 1803, and came to Ohio in 1844, and is 
now living on a farm near Athens. His mother was born in New^ 
York in 1807, and died in December, 185L G.W. was the youngest 
of eleven children. He was educated in this county, and read medi- 
cine with Dr. H. M. Lash at Athens, graduating from Columbus 
Medical College in 1878. He located in Gnvsville, where he now 
lias a large practice. He was married Sept. 15, 1880, to Ollie M. 
Pruden, a native of Athens County, born Jan. 18, 1862. Dr. 
Blakeley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He 
belongs to Savannah Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M., and has been 
W. M. four years. 

John Brandeburg was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Feb. 20. 
L845, and when two years of age removed with his parents to 
Washington County. Nov. 21, 1S63, he enlisted in Company Iv, 
One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry; was in the battles 
oi Mission Ridge, Dandridge, Buzzard's Roost and Resaca. He- 
was wounded at Resaca, Saturday, May 14,1864, and lay on the field 
until nine o'clock Sunday morning. He was then taken to the 
hospital where he remained nine months. He rejoined his regi- 
ment in February, 1865, at Blue Springs, E. Tenn., and was then 
in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. lie was discharged June 
5, 1865, and returned home and has since been engaged in farm- 
ing. He now owns thirty-eight acres of good land on section 32, 
Rome Township. Dec. 25, 1*72, Mr. Brandeburg married Nancy 
Jewell, a native of Athens County, born Sept. 22, 1851. They 
have four children — Elmer Ellsworth, born April 24, 1874; Effie 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 581 

Jane, Oct. 25, 1875; Nettie Leota, Oct. 24, 1877; William Eugene, 
Dec. 25, 1882. Politically Mr. Brandeburg is a Republican. 

Abraham T. Buck was born in New York, June 9, 1810, and 
came to Ohio at the age of six. He has always made Athens 
County his home. He has a farm of 160 acres of fine land on sec- 
tion 15, Carthage Township, Athens County. He has held the 
office of School Director in Carthage Township several terms. 
Mr. Buck came to Guysville in 18S0, where he still resides. In 
1S33 he married Miss L. Davis, a native of Ohio, born in 1818. 
They have had nine children — Alden, who was wounded in the bat- 
tle of Gettysburg, and died in the hospital; Rachel M., now Mrs. 
John Weatherly; Alonzo, Wesley, George, James, Charles, Djw. 
and John A., who died when quite small. Mr. Buck and wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Mrs. Rath S. (Stewart) Byron was born in what is now the town 
of Stewart, Rome Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Jan. 14, 1S42. Her 
father, D. B. Stewart, born in the same township, Nov. 20, 1812, 
has always lived in this county. He has carried on farming, mill- 
in--, woolen manufacturing, etc., all his life. The mother of our 
subject, Mrs. Sarah (Carter) Stewart, was born in Morgan County, 
Ohio, Feb. 11, 1820. She was married April 7, 1836, and died. Oct. 
16, 1874. She was the mother of nine children, six of whom are 
living — Ruth, Hannah, Matilda, Juliette, Frank C. and D. B.. Jr. 
Her husband, C. Byron (deceased), was born in Yorkshire, England. 
April 14, 1832, and was brought to America in 1S33. Daring the 
gold excitement he went to California, and remained there until 
1859, making one visit home in 1856, of six months' duration. In 
] S59 he returned to Stewart, and went into business with his father, 
buying and selling wool and making cloth in the factory at Stewart. 
April 9, 1861, he enlisted as private in the Third Ohio Infantry. 
On the 27th of the same month he was married. He served his 
country three years and eight months. He was first commissioned 
Lieutenant, and afterward, in 1S63, Captain of his company. He 
was selected by Colonel Streight to command 100 picked men in 
making a raid upon Rome, Ga., for the purpose of destroying a 
Confederate armory. While on this raid he was taken prisoner and 
confined in Libby Prison one year and eight months. November, 
l v, '>4, he escaped, and was thirty-one days in reaching the Union 
lines. In crossing the Savannah River, one mile wide, and full of 
ice, he was obliged to wade, which permanently impaired his 
health. Five months after reaching home he was mustered out at 



582 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Columbus, Ohio. In the spring he bought the Stewart woolen 
mills, and was engaged in the manufacturing business at the time 
of his death, which occurred Dec. 25, 1878. There were present 
at the funeral nearly 100 members of the Freemason lodges at 
Gaiysville, Athens, Amesville and Coolville. 

James A. Caldwell was born in Carthage Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, March 9, 1820. His education was received in the district 
schools. He has always been a farmer, and now owns 300 acres of 
fine, well-improved land. He held the offices of Justice of the 
Peace, Township Clerk, School Trustee and Township Assessor in 
Carthage Township, and in 1860 was Land Appraiser. He came to 
Eome Township in the spring of 1862. He was married Dec. 29, 
1843, to Harriet Branch, of Meigs County. They have one child — 
Margaret Ann. She was married in 1S60 to E. D. Erwin, who 
died in 1880, leaving two sons — James and E. C. Mrs. Erwin and 
her sons now live with Mr. Caldwell. Mrs. Caldwell and her 
daughter are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Caldwell 
is a member of Guysville Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M. Mr. 
Erwin was also a member of that order. Mr. Caldwell's father, 
Alexander Caldwell, was born in Ireland in 1797, and came to 
America in 1S08. He was married in 1824, to Margaret Fesler, of 
North Carolina. They had five children — James, Polly, Fesler, 
Belinda and Margaret. Polly and Belinda are deceased.* Fesler 
and Margaret are living in Macon County, Mo. Mr. Caldwell died 
in 1875. 

F. J. Carpenter, farmer, was born in Athens Township, Athens 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 10, 1844, on the farm recently bought and called the 
Children's Home. He lived there until the spring of 1856, when 
he came to Rome Township, where he has since resided, engaged 
in farming. His father died in September, 1848; his mother, Mary 
Wyatt (Johnson) Carpenter, was born in Pome Township, Athens 
County, and is still living. She has been the mother of six children 
three now living — Parker, born in 1831; Louisa, now Mrs. John 
Bailey, born in 1842, living in Bates County, Mo., and the subject 
of this sketch. Our subject was married Jan. 11, 1866, to Augusta 
Howell, a native of Rome Township, born in 1842. They had two 
children — Mattie, born Oct. ], 1S66, and Maie, born July 28, 
1S68. Mrs. Carpenter died Sept. 18, 1875, and Oct. 10, 1S77, Mr. 
Carpenter married Dell Schraden. She was born in Rome Town- 
ship, Athens County, March 16, 1855. They have one child — Bertie, 
bornSept. 18, 1^79. Mr. Carpenter has a farm of 200 acres, located in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 583 

Rome Township. He is a memoer of the order of Freemasons, 
Coolville Lodge, No. 337. In August, 1S62, lie enlisted in Company 
A. ( me Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv- 
ing ten months, when he was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, and 
returning home re-enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty- 
sixth Volunteer Infantry; served eleven months, and was mustered 
out at Columbus, Ohio. He participated in the siege of Knox- 
ville, Tenn., and various skirmishes. John Johnson, the grand- 
father of Mr. Carpenter, was born in Bucks County, Pa., in 1770, 
and died in 1865. His wife, Sallie (Wyatt) Johnson, was born in 
Beverly, Mass., Dec. 28, 1777, and died Dec. 30, 1850. They were 
the parents of seven children, Mr. Carpenter's mother being the 
second child, born in Rome Township, Athens County, July 10, 1809. 
April 11,1829, she married Frederick Carpenter. He was born in 
Hartford County, Conn., in April, 1802, and die! Oct. 11,184:8. 
Mrs. Carpenter and her husband were members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. When Mrs. Carpenter's father settled in this 
county services were held only once in four weeks, it being in the 
early days of the church. 

Charles Coleman, farmer, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, 
Dec. 29, 1828. He left there and came, in 1840, to Athens 
County, where he has since resided. He owns ninety acres of land 
where he lives, on fraction 32, Rome Township, Athens Co., Ohio. 
He has been considerably engaged in constructing railroads, working 
on the Baltimore Short Line, theD. & S. E. Narrow Gauge R. R., the 
to Valley R. R.. also the Chesapeake & OhioR. R. He has also 
farmed to some extent. He was married in 1850, to Margaret M. 
Boyles. She was born in Athens County in 1831, and is the 
mother of four children — Francis M., Sarah, William and Charles 
E. Mrs. Coleman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
The father of our subject was Charles Coleman, born in Maryland 
in 1786 and died in Athens County in 1852. His mother. Eliza- 
beth (Fallen Coleman, was of German <1< scent; she died in Morgan 
County, Ohio, in 1834. They have had six children, four of whom 
are living — Rachel (now Mrs. Josephus Day), John, Mary Ann 
(now Mrs. William Abbott, of Carter County, Ivy.), Elizabeth (now 
Mr.-. Luther Withum, who lives in Meigs County, Ohio). 

John E. Cook was born in Rome Township, Athens Co., Ohio, 
April 0. 1836. He was married July 4, L859, to Susan J. Ginn. a 
native of Morgan County, Ohio, born in September, 1837. They 
had two children — John X. and Jennie. His wife died June 17, 



584 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1865. Dec. 17, 1866, he married Phoebe J. Kelly, a native of Ath- 
ens County, born April 6, 1838. They have one child — Charles S. 
Aug. 27, 1862, Mr. Cook enlisted in Company C, Third Ohio In- 
fantry, and served three years; was in the battles of Perry ville and 
Stone River. At the latter place he was captured and was in 
Libby Prison a week. Ue was then paroled and came home, and 
two months later was exchanged and returned to his regiment. He 
was then on the famous raid to Rome, Ga., with Colonel Straight, 
and at Rome was captured and sent to Belle Isle. From there he 
was paroled but never exchanged, and after being at home three 
months returned to the field and was on detached duty a year. He 
was attached temporarily to the Thirty-third Ohio, and during the 
time was in the battles of Marietta, Altoona, Kennesaw, Old Shanty. 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Fort McAlister, Avery s bo ro and Bentonville. 
From there he went to Richmond, thence to Washington, where 
he was mustered out June 5, 1865. He was also with Sherman on 
his raid, and was captured at Rockingham, S. C, and sentenced to 
be hanged, but two girls, Emma and Lucretia Smith, planned his 
escape. Mr. Cook is a member of Savannah Lodge, No. 466, A. F. 
& A. M. ; the Grand Army the Republic, and the Ex-Prisoners of 
the War Association. 

Mrs. L. G. Cook was born in Rome Township, Athens Co.,. Ohio, 
Nov. 19, 1815. April 17, 1834, she married i>. Cook, a native of New 
York, born in September, L810. He came to Ohio in 1815, and 
died July 23, 1879. Mrs. Cook has two sons — Harley A., born 
Feb. 13, 1842. and Wyatt J., born Oct. !', 1847. Harley A. is 
engaged in the mercantile business and is also carrying on the 
farm. lie has been Postmaster since 1879. He was married Aug. 
30, 1866, to Christina J. Done, a native of Rome Township, born 
in 1842. They have four children— Frank T., born Sept. 27, 1S68; 
Josephine. Oct. 11, 1869; Alberta, July 13, 1873; Ora F., Feb. 1, 
1880. Wyatt J. has a saw and grist mill, situated two miles east ot 
Stewart, on the Hocking River. He has six children, Rosamond 
W., G. R., Roland B., Elbert C, Orland L. and Leroy W. Mrs. 
Cook and her children are members of the Universalist church. 
She owns a farm of 270 acres. 

Mrs. Esther Copeland, daughter of James and Jane Milligan, 
was married March 1 ( .», L828, to William Copeland, a native of 
Westmoreland County, Penn., born June 25, 179s. He died Aug. 
15, 1875. They had a family of eleven children, seven now liv- 
ing— Josiah, Samuel, Thomas. Clark. Aikin, David and Carr. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 585 

Six sons were in the late war, and three were in the battle of 
Pittsburg Landing. Their eldest son, Robert C, was killed by 
being caught in the machinery of a saw-mill at Taylor's Station. 
David S. was married March 29, 1877, to Emma Biggins, a native 
of Washington County, born in 1856. They have two children — 
Ervilla, born Dec. 21, 1877, and Fred, born April 22. 1879. Mrs. 
Copeland's father was a native of New York. lie was a soldier in 
the war of 1812, under General Harrison, lie died in 1815. Her 
mother was a native of Ireland. She died in Ohio in 1862. 

John Copeland, tanner and stock-raiser, was born in Guernsey 
County, Ohio, May 28, 1830. lie came with his parents to Ath- 
ens County when a year old, and settled on a farm where he La- 
lived ever since. His father, John Copeland, was born in Penn- 
sylvania, July 2, 1795, and died in Athens County, Ohio, Dec. 
20, 1855. His mother / Jane (Dick) Copeland, was born in Penn- 
sylvania, May 5, 1800, and died in Athens County. Nov. 29, 1881. 
They have had nine children — William, Ellen, Jane, Jonathan, Su- 
sannah, Samuel, Mary, John and Ann. John, the subject of this 
sketch, is next to the youngest child. He was married April 26, 
L864, to Sarah Jane Marquis. She was born in Noble County. 
Ohio, in 1818. They have five children — David A., Eliza A., Clara 
V.. William A. and Addie J. Mr. Copeland owns ISO acres of 
good land in Kome Township. He is a member of the New School 
Presbyterian churm. He enlisted in Company II, Eighteenth Ohio 
Infantry, Oct. 7, 1861, and served three years; was mustered out 
at Louisville, Ky., Oct. 27, 1863. He was in'the battle of Stone 
Piver, Tenn., and a great many skirmishes. 

Anslcy Cornell) Guysville, was born in Albany, New York, Aug 
7. 1^-".'. and came to Meigs County, Ohio, in the spring of 1832. 
He lived there until 1875, when he came to Guysville, where he 
has since resided, lie was engaged in the hotel business one year, 
but has >ince then been occupied as saddler and harness-maker. 
April 11, l^.m, he married Harriet E. Elli^, a native of Lawrence 
County, Ohio, born April 5, 1837. They have had three children, two 
of whom are living — IdaM., born .March 19, 1857, now Mrs. Louis 
Finsterwald, married March 14, 1878, and Ira. E., born Dec. 11, 
I860. The father of our subject, Dr. John Cornell, was born in 
New York, and came to Ohio in 1832, where he died in 1^73. 
Hi- wife, Christiana, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in 1 - 
All their ten children are living, the youngest now forty years old. 
Mrs. Cornell's father, Hiram Ellis, was born in New York in 1799, 



586 HISTORY OF nOCKING VALLEY. 

and died May 18, 1876. Her mother, Harriet (Gillett) Ellis, was 
born in Connecticut in 1800, and died Jan. 18, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ellis were the parents of thirteen children, Mrs. Cornell being 
next to the youngest. 

D. W. Cornell was born in Chester, Meigs Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 
1842. In 1858 he entered the Ohio Institute at Athens and grad- 
uated in 1S63. In 1866 he became established in the mercantile 
business in Guysville. He held the office of Township Clerk three 
years, and Township Treasurer ten years. He is a member of Savan- 
nah Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M. Oct. 10, 1869, he married 
Amy Calvert, a native of Rome Township, born Feb. 8, 1810. Mr. 
Cornell's parents, Dr. John and Christine (Spraker) Cornell, were 
natives of New York, his father born in December, 179S, and his 
mother in 1802. They were married in 1820, and came to Ohio in 
1832. They had a family of ten children, all of whom are living 
and married but one. Dr. Cornell practiced his profession in Meigs 
County till about ten years prior to his death. He died Sept. L9, 
1873. 

A. S. Crippen was born March 1, IS 10, in Home Township, 
Athens Co., Ohio, and has always made this his home. When a 
young man he followed flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi 
rivers, and has visited Memphis when there were but two stores 
there. For forty years he ran the Crippen grist and saw mill on 
the Hocking River, two miles east of Stewart, but gave up milling 
in 1871 and now lives a more retired life on his farm, where he has 
238^ acres of fine land. He was married in 1836 to Theodocia 
Frost, a native of Rome Township, born in 1814. She died in 
June, 1875, leaving three children — Adaline, born Dec. 25, 1836; 
Mary, born in January, 1811, and Charles, born March 16, 1813. 
Their eldest daughter, Adaline, married Laughlin Devine, a native 
of Pennsylvania, born Oct. 21, 1S2S. They have one son — Owen 
Crippen, born Oct. r>. 1881. Mary married Peter Finsterwal'l. 
Mr. Crippen has never belonged to a church or a society of any 
kind. Mrs. Crippen's mother, Keziah Frost, was a native of New 
York, born in 1796, and came to Ohio with her parents in 1800. 
Her father, Elijah Hatch, was a Representative of the Northwestern 
Territory, now Washington, Athens and a part of Vinton coun- 
ties, thirteen terms. 

Edward Doan, born in Rome Township, Nov. 14, 1837, is a son 
of William P. and Julia (Frost) Doan. His father was born in 
Washington County, Ohio, and died in 1*47. His mother was 



HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 587 

oorn in Athens County in February, 1815, and is now the wife of 
Rev. P. F. Jones. There was a family of four children — Frank- 
lin, Edward, Charles and Christiana. Mr. Doan enlisted, June 20, 
1861, in Company C, Third Ohio Infantry, and served three years, 
lie was in the battles of Rich Mountain, Perryville, Stone River 
ami many skirmishes. He was with Colonel Streight on his raid 
through Georgia, and was captured at Rome and sent to Belle 
Isle. He was discharged in 1864. Dec. 21, 1865, he married Mary 
E. Potter, a native of Washington County, Ohio, born July 12, 
L843. Nine children have been born to them— Oliver M., born 
Oct. 12. 1866,. died Sept, 22, 1879; Julia, born Aug. 2, 1868; 
Edward 0., born Sept. 11, 1870; Louisa, born July IS, 1872; Hat- 
tie, born Jan. 17, 1874; Franklin, born June 24, 1876; Annie, born 
Dec. 19, 1877; Osa, born Aug. 12, 1880, and Clara, born Sept. 8, 
L882. Mrs. Doan's father, Edward Potter, was born in Maine, 
Aug. 11, 1812, and died near Lynchburg, Va., in 1847. Her 
mother, Louisa i P>eebe) Potter, was born in Rome Township, 
March 20, 1823. They had a family of three children— Mary E , 
born July 12, 1843; Maria L., born April 27, 1845, and Horace C, 
born Dec. 5, 1846. 

Mrs. Melvina L. {Washburn) Frost was born in Coolville, Ath- 
ens County, Feb. 10, 1827. March 29, 1851, she married C. C. Frost, 
of Rome Township, born June 23, 1827. They had one child — 
Leura B., born Sept. 9, 1856, now Mrs. John Lemmon, of Balti- 
more. Md. Mr. Frost enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and 
Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and died June 29, 1864, of a wound 
received in the battle near Staunton, Ya. July 16, 1866, Mrs. Frost 
married Harvey Gt. Frost, a native of Athens County, born June 4, 
1819. He died May 3, 1881. He enlisted in Company K, Thirty- 
ninth Ohio Infantry, and served one year; was discharged on 
account of disability. Mrs. Frost has twenty-four acres of good 
land and considerable village property in Frost. She is a member 
of the Congregational church. Her father was born in Massachu- 
setts, Dec. 18, 17H4, and died May 17. 1^74. Her mother, Leura 
(Cleveland) Washburn, was a native of New York, and died July 
9, L839. Her parents had a family of ten children. Her father 
married a second wife, Anna Parsons, of Athens County. She died 
July 9, 1859. leaving five children. 

Edward II. Ginji was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Nov. 16, 
L831, and came to Athens County in 1836. In 1856 he went to 
Illinois and lived in Mercer and Rock Island counties about eight 



588 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

years, returning to Ohio in 1863. In 1876 Mr. Ginn fell from a 
trestle thirty-five feet high, on the M. & C. Railroad, and broke his 
left arm in two places an! five of his ribs. For the past eighteen 
months he has been running a stationary engine, pumping water 
for the M. & C. Railroad, at Stewart. He was married April 25, 
1853, to Robena Welch, a native of Pennsylvania, born Dec. 31, 
1S36. Eleven children have been born to them, nine now living — 
Elizabeth, now Mrs. L. A. Patterson, born in 1856; William A., 
born in 1858; Daniel F., born in 1S60; Edward E., born in 1863; 
Charles S., born in 1866; George P., born in 1867; John S., born 
in 1870; Frederick J., born in 1871, and Lewis, born in 1880. Mr. 
and Mrs. Ginn are members of the Methodist church. Politically 
he is a Republican. 

James Ginn was born in Morgan County, Ohio, O^t. 3, 182^. 
In 1836 he cam? with his parents to Athens County and settled 
in Ames Township. In 1S40 they moved to the farm where he now 
lives, in Rome Township, where his father died in 1812. He was 
married Sept. 11,1851, to Cynthia Hill, a native of Athens County, 
born June 1, 1826. They have three children — Ida, Ella and Hat- 
tie. Mr. Ginn and his family are members of the Methodist 
church. He has a fine farm of 105 acres on section 35, Rome 
Township. His father was a native of Ireland, born March 2, 
1805, and came to America in 1810, landing in South Carolina. 
In 1812 he came to Ohio, locating in Morgan County. His mother, 
Mary (Benton) Ginn, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1S05, 
and now lives in Clyde, Ohio. They had a family of eight chil- 
dren, five of whom are living — James, Edward, Francis, Sarah and 
Rosa. Mrs. Ginn's parents, Nathan and Lucy (Bennett) Hill, were 
natives of Massachusetts, her father born in 1779, and her mother 
in 1782. Mr. Hill died in March, 1864, and Mrs. Hill, Sept. 11, 
1867. They had a family of eight children — Sallie, Amasa, Lucius, 
Solomon, Lucy, Polly, Nancy and Cynthia. Lucius died in Feb- 
ruary, 1882. 

J. M. Grosvenor was born in Windham County, Conn., Oct. 22, 
1832, and came to Athens County, Ohio, in 1839, locating in Rome 
Township, where he has since resided. He now owns 150 acres of 
good well-improved land. He enlisted in November, 1861, in 
Company II, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and served till October, 
1865. He enlisted as private and was promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant, then First Lieutenant, then to Regimental Quartermaster ol 
the old regiment, and afterward was First Lieutenant and Quarter- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 589 

master of the new Eighteenth. He served under General Mitchell 
in Kentucky; was with General Rosecrans at the battles of Stone 
River and Chickamauga; afterward was under General Grant; then 
at Mission Ridge and Nashville, Tenn., in the Fourteenth Army- 
Corps, under General Thomas; then through Alabama, and with 
General Steadman to Augusta, Ga. , and from there to Columbus. 
( )hio 3 where he was mustered out. Mr. Grosvenor is a member of 
Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R. He was married in 
1854 to Sarah Jane McColloch, a native of Marshall County, Ya., 
born in 1833. They have three children — Frank, Peter and Fannie. 

Leander Harris was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 
L841, and when nine years of age came to Bern Township, Athens 
County. June 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Vir- 
ginia Infantry, and served three years. The first eighteen months 
he was in a number of skirmishes in West Virginia; afterward was 
in the battles of Jackson, siege oi Vicksburg, Resaca, Mission 
Ridge and Dallas. He was discharged July 8, 1S64, two days be- 
fore the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. He was married April 
'.'. l s »i'). to Sarah A. Hodcroft, a native of Athens County, born 
Dec. 15, 1815. They have had eight children, only six now living 
— Arza E.,born March 31, I860; Vesta V., born Jan. 24, 1868; 
Addie M., born Feb. 13, 1S70, died June 1, 1871; Ruth E., born 
March 16, 1872; Fannie E., born Feb. 28, 1S74; Augusta, born 
July 25, 1876; Flora B., born March 13, 1879, died June 13, 1880; 
gianna, born Sept. 21, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are mem- 
: of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Harris is a member 
of Savannah Lodge, No. 406, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Harris came 
to Stewart in April, 1^76, and now has a pleasant home and good 
trade. 

James 3ess, carpenter and farmer, was born in Warren County. 
X . J., Jan. 3, 1839. His father, Abraham Hess, was born in 
Pennsylvania in 1S0S, and died in Athens County, October, 1877. 
Eis mother, Elizabeth (Smith) Hess, was born in New Jersey about 
181 1, and died in Athens County in 1856. They were the parents 
of eight children — William, Jane, James,Sarah E., Peter, Martin, 
[saac and Lewis. James came with his parents, to this county in 
L848, and has since resided here, most of the time following farming. 
For the last five or six years he has followed the carpenter's trade. 
lie married, Xov. 3, 1861, Angeline Weethee. born in Athens 
County, Dec. 16, 1844. They have one child— Margaret Ann, 
born June 11, 1864. Mr. Hess lives in fraction 25, Rome Town- 
ship, where he has a pleasant home. 



590 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Samuel N. Hobson, Postmaster, was born in Jefferson County, 
Ohio, April 5, 1333. He removed with his parents to Washing- 
ton County in 1851, remaining there until 1S65, when he moved 
to Beverly. He removed to Morgan County in 1S70, and in 1877 
came to Athens, where he has since resided. He has been en- 
gaged in the mercantile business many years, and has for ten years 
been acting Postmaster in Athens, Morgan and Jefferson counties. 
He has been a notary public five years, and has been elected 
County Surveyor. He was married ISTov. 20, 1853, to Anna M. 
Heald, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, b3rn April 18, 1836. 
They have three children — Marianna, now Mrs. J. A. Lovell, of 
Morgan County, born in August. 1S55; Addie, now Mrs. O. M. 
Lovell, born in 1857; R. Estella, born March 9, 1876. Mr. Hob- 
sou joined the Freemasons April 4, 1863, Bentley Lodge, No. 293, 
Washington County, Ohio. He is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, of Stewart. During the late war he enlisted in 
Company G, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, O. N. G. ; 
was under General Sigel at Harper's Ferry, Va., and under Gen- 
eral Grant at City Point, Ya. He was mustered out at Marietta, 
Ohio, returning home to Washington County. Since that time he 
has been engaged in the mercantile business now in conjunction 
with the postoffice at Stewart. 

William Jackson was born in Canaan Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, Feb. 15, 1816. He has lived in Ames and Rome townships 
ever since he was seven years of age. He learned the cooper's 
trade when he was eighteen years old and worked at it until 183S. 
lie came to Xew England in 1860, and is still a resident of that 
place, lie was married to Anna Tedrow, Jan. 3, 1839. She was 
born in Pennsylvania. May 22. 1811. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father. John 
Jackson, was born in Pennsylvania in 1790, and died Nov. 27. 
1S67. His mother, Mary Calvert, was born in Virginia, and died 
in 1839, in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio. They had a family 
of seven children — S.illie, William, Matilda, Robert, David, Deb- 
orah, and Jane. Mrs. Jackson's father, Reuben Tedrow, was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1759, and died in 1839. Her mother, Jane 
Leech, was born in Pennsylvania in 176^. She died in 1851. They 
had thirteen children — John. Phebe. Thomas, Jacob, Sarah, Re- 
becca, Reuben, Jane, Joseph, David, William, George and Anna. 
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have no children of their own but have an 
adopted daughter, Ella M.. born May 7. 1862. She is also a mem- 





^^Zt^Pt^ 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 591 

ber of the Methodist church. Mr. Jackson owns about thirty-two 
acres of land adjoining New England, and considerable town 
property. 

L. 1L Jarvls, a native of Belchertown, Mass., born Sept. 29, 
1817, left there in 1813 and came to Athens Township, where he 
worked at his trade of gun-smithing, and in 1850 moved to the 
town of Athens, and followed the same trade for three years. In 
ls53 he was employed to superintend the building of the M. & C. 
R. R. In October, 1857, he came to New England, remaining here 
the greater part of the time, being absent from the State in 1859 
and 1800. He has been employed as conductor on the T. II., A. 
& St. L. R. R. He is now engaged in the general mercantile busi- 
ness and farming. He has 73^ acres in Canaan Township, also 
M'veral town lots in New England. Oct. 0, 1S3S, Mr. Jarvis mar- 
ried Susan Thomas, who was born in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass., 
in 1816. They have had five children, two of whom are living — 
George P., born Oct. 29, 1842, in Berkshire County, Mass., and 
Leonora D. M. (now Mrs. H. J. Smith), born May 15, 1850, at 
Athens, Ohio. 

E. W. Jewell, born in Philadelphia, Penn., Feb. 10, 1822, was 
a son of Samuel and Mary (Winner) Jewell, his father a native of 
New Jersey, and his mother of Bucks County, Penn. He came 
with his parents to Athens Count}-, Ohio, in 1812, and located in 
Rome Township. He was married in the spring of 1815 to Re- 
becca Simmons, a native of Rome Township, born Juh T -1, 1825. 
They have nine children — W. G., born April 7, 1817; Jonathan 
S., born Oct. 13, 1848; Nancy J., born Sept. 22, 1851; Mary E., 
born May 11, 1S52; Angenetta, born Nov. 22, 1854; Marcellus, 
bom Nov. IS, 1856; Caroline, born Jan. 22, 1S5S; Franklin, born 
May 2, 1862; Perley, born Jan. 2, 1865. Mr. Jewell and his two 
eldest sons enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, he in Com- 
pany C, W. G. in Company I, and Jonathan in Company II. 
They were in the Army of the Cumberland under Generals 
Thomas and Rosecrans; were in the battles of Stone River, Duck 
R ver. Hoover's Gap, Davis Cross Roads, Chickamauga, and Nash- 
ville. Mr. Jewell owns 120 acres of land in fraction 4, Rome Town- 
ship. He and his son W. G. are members of Columbus Golden 
Post, No. 89, G. A. R. He is neutral in his political views. 

J. W. Johnson, born in Rome Township. Athens Co., Ohio, 
Sept. 27, ISIS, was the fifth of seven children of John and Sarah 
I W yatt) Johnson, natives of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. His 



592 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

mother was bora Dec. 23, 1777, and died Dec. 30, 1859. His father 
also died in this county. Mr. Johnson has a line farm of 1,100 
acres of the best land in the Hocking Valley. He was married 
March 7, 1841, to Catherine Beeba, a native of Rome Township, 
born in September, 1824. They have had six children, five now 
living — Eliza, now Mrs. H. P. Mineer; Mary, now Mrs. F. B. Pat- 
ton; William, Charles and John. Mr. Johnson is a member of 
Lodge No. 466, A. F. & A. M. 

Moses Lawrence was born in New Hampshire, Jan. 2, 1820, and 
when sixteen years of age came to Ohio, locating first in Carthage 
Township, Athens County. He afterward removed to Lodi Town- 
ship and bought a farm of 236 acres, where he lived thirty years. 
In 1880 he came to Guys/ille, Home Township. June 12, 1843, 
he married Laura T. Skeels, a native of New York, born May 3, 
1821. They have five children — Harriet R., now Mrs. H. Stalden, 
born Oct. 25, 1847; George R., born Nov. 28, 1851; Caroline M., 
now Mrs. H. Brown, born June 15, 1854; John E., born Feb. 2, 
1858; Arthur E., born Dec. 7, 1S67. Mr. Lawrence's parents, 
Moses and Sarah (Johnston) Lawrence, were natives of Massachu- 
setts, his father born July 14, 1775, and his mother, Feb. 16, 177*5. 
His mother died July 19, 1814, and his father, Sept. 8, 1S44, in 
Athens County. Mrs. Lawrence's father, Sylvanus Skeels, was born 
in Vermont, Aug. 16, 1789, and died in Troy Township in 1866. 
Her mother, Calista (Benjamin) Skeels, was born Feb. 14, 1798, 
and died Dec. 10, 1876. Mrs. Lawrence is the fourth of a family 
of seven children, six now living. 

Gustavus LeGoulloii was born in Bsaver County, Pa., Oct. 12. 
1842. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty- 
fifth Pennsylvania Infantry; was in the battles of Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg, ChanceUorsville, Gettysburg, battle of the Wilderness, 
Laurel Hill, North Anna River, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. June 
28, 1864, he was wounded in the left foot and was in the hospitals 
at New York and Pittsburg, Pa., ten months. He was mustered 
out at Pittsburg and returned to Beaver County. June 28, 1868, 
he married Dora Massey, a native of Loudoun County, Va., born 
Nov. 2, 1847. They have seven children — Florence, born Dec. 1". 
1869; Francis, Sept. 28, 1871; George, Aug. 7, 1873; Harold, May 
4, ls75; Blanche, Dec. 1, 1876; Anna, Dec. 20, 1879; Earl G., M iy 
30, 1882. Mr. Le Goullon came to Guysville, Athens Co., Ohio, 
in April, 1SS0, and built a tannery. He pays the highest prices 
for hides and makes first-class leather. He has the only tannery 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 593 

between Parkersburg and Athens and furnishes all the leather that 
is needed by the shoemakers in this vicinity. 

Joseph Linton, son of James and Mary (Montgomery) Linton, 
natives of Ireland, was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1827, 
and came to America in 1849, landing in Boston. He went to 
Philadelphia and remained a fe.v weeks, then went to Rochester, 
N. Y., and from there to Pittsburg, where he lived six months. 
He then came to Ohio and bought a farm of forty acres in Wash- 
ington County. He now owns 320 acres of fine, well-improved 
land on section 32, Rome Township, Athens County. He was mar- 
ried May 29, 1849, in Scotland, to Nancy Chestnut, a native of 
Antrim, Ireland, born Nov. 15,1822. They have seven children — 
William J., born Aug. 1, 1855; Hannah L., March 11, 1S56; Mary 
E., April 6, 185S; Nancy, Jan. 6, 1S60; Perlina C, April 8, 1862; 
Joseph C, July 25, 1864; and Daniel, July 20,1867. Mr. Linton 
was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church. Politically he 
is a Republican. He has held the office of School Director. His 
mother died in 1829 and his father in 1833. Joseph was the young- 
est of three sons. Mrs. Linton's parents, William and Nancy 
(Coyles) Chestnut, were natives of the north of Ireland and died 
there, her father in 1843 and her mother in 1830. Mrs. Linton is 
the seventh of eight children. 

James Morrison was born in Washington County, Pa., Oct. 11, 
1840. He was a resident of Guernsey County, Ohio, a tew years, 
and has lived in Athens County about twenty-five years. March 
17, 1869, he married Julia Dewese, a native of Athens County, 
born March 22, 1847. She died June 2, 1873, leaving one son— 
Seth Clarence, born April 7, 1871. Jan. 2, 1878, Mr. Morrison 
married Mrs. Jane Johnson, widow of Calvin Johnson. They 
have three children — Jessie May, Lon T. and William. Mrs. 
Morrison also has four children by her first marriage — Cynthia, 
Nancy, Maggie and Callie. Mr. Morrison enlisted in the late war 
in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Ohio Infantry, 
and served till the close of the war. He owns 130 acres of good 
land on section 36, Rome Township, and is engaged in general 
tanning and stock-raising. 

L. C. Murphy, druggist, was born in Pleasanton, Athens Co., 
Ohio, June 22, 1858. His parents, A. C. and Martha (Baker) 
Murphy, were natives of Belmont and Athens counties, Ohio. 
They had a family of twelve children, eight of whom are now 
living— Finley J., Lucinda J., O. B.,Wra. S., L. C, EberR.. 
38 



594 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Lewis and Flora E. L. C. was educated in this county and taught 
school several terms till 1881. Nov. 7 of that year he became es- 
tablished in the drug business in Guysville and now has a good 
trade. He was married Dec. 31, 1877, to Emma Sams, a native of 
Pleasanton, born in 1858. They have two children — -Maud M., 
oorn in 1&78, and Arthur G., in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Patrick (J* Connor, son of Martin and Bridget O'Connor, was 
born in Ireland, March 18, 1827. He came to America with his 
parents in 1852, landing in New York, May 3. Three years later 
his parents returned to Ireland, where his father died in 1860 and 
his mother in 1865. Mr. O'Connor lived a few weeks in Mary- 
land and then went to Clarksburg, W. Va., and lived five years. 
He then lived four years in Missouri, two years in Kentucky, and two 
years in Indiana. From the latter State became to Athens County 
and has since resided here, engaged in the grocery business. He 
was married Jan. 19, 1863, to Mary Patton. a native of Ireland, 
born May 13, 1845. They have six children — Mary E., born Feb. 
2,1864; Agnes, Aug. 8, 1866; Margaret, Oct. 22, 1870; Kate, 
March 11, 1872; Sarah, Sept. 13, 1874, and Nora, Aug. 8, 1877. 
Mr. O'Connor and his family are members of the Catholic church. 
Mrs. O'Connor's parents, Thomas and Ellen (Gallagher) Patten, 
were natives of Ireland, and came to America, her father in L845 
and her mother in 1852. Mrs. O'Connor is the third of their eight 
children. 

Francis B. Patton was born Oct. 20, 1838, in Athens County, 
Ohio. He enlisted in the late war in Company A, Ninety-second 
Ohio Infantry, and served two years and ten months; was in the 
battles of 1 1 Dover's Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and with Sher- 
man to the sea. He came home via Washington and was mustered 
out at Columbus, Ohio. He was married Sept. 11,1877, to Mary 
Johnson, a native of Rome Township, born June 28, 1846. Mr. 
Patton and his brother, Preston I., own ISO acres of good land on 
fraction 3, Rome Township. Mr. Patton is a member of Coolville 
Lodge. No. 337, A. F. & A. M.. and Columbus (.olden Post, No. 
fc>9, G. A. II., Athens. His parents, Joseph and Permelia Patton, 
are both natives of Ohio, his father born April 24, 1815, and his 
mother April 24, L818. They have five children — Francis B., 
3 ton I., Martha, Oscar and Mary. Mrs. Patton's parents, J. 
W. and Catherine (Beebe) Johnson, are both natives of Athens 
County. They have five children — Eliza, Mary, William, Charles 
und John, all residents of this county. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 595 

Amos Patterson was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 
1828. His father, Jordan Patterson, was born in North Carolina 
in 1796, and went to Jefferson County, Ohio, about 1805, and in 
1^88, came to Athens County, where he died in 1867. His mother 
was Mary (Lipsy) Patterson, born in Jefferson Count} 7 , Ohio, in 
1707, and is still living in Amesville, Athens Co., Ohio, at the age 
of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have had ten children, 
six living — James, Joseph, Amasa, John, Amos and Sarah. Amos 
was married Nov. 7, 1852, to Eunice Vain pelt, born in Highland 
County, Ohio. They have four children living — A. D., H. W., 
L. A. and Linnie. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of the 
Presbyterian church. Mr. Patterson is a member of the order of 
Freemasons, Amesville Lodge. He resides in New England, 
Rome Township, and owns 200 acres of good land. 

F. M. Payne, merchant, Frost, Ohio, was born in Washington 
County, Ohio, Jan. 24, 1843. He was reared and educated in this 
State. He went to Illinois and remained a year, but returned to 
Ohio. He came to Frost in 1881, where he now has a large 
stock of groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. He was married 
Nov. 28, 1865, to Adda L. Smith, a native of Plymouth, Ohio, 
born in April, 1812. They have two children — Fred, born April 
23, 1867, and Estella, born Dec. 2, 1872. Mr. Payne is a member 
of Lodge No. 527, I. O. O. F. His father, Gabriel Payne, was 
bom in Clinton, N. J., Oct. 18, 1818, and came to Ohio when 
fourteen years of age. His mother, Mahala (Gossett) Payne, was 
born in Washington County, Ohio, July 4, 1817. They have two 
children— J. D., born April 12, 1838, and F. M. 

Jefferson Perry was born in Rome Township, on the farm where 
he still lives, April 16, 1840. Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in Com- 
pany 1. Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, and served till the close of 
the Avar. lie was in West Virginia four or five months, and then 
went to Carthage, Tenn.; was afterward at Chattanooga, siege of 
Atlanta, followed Hood to Alabama, then again to Atlanta, Savan- 
nah. Fayetteville and Raleigh. He returned homo via Richmond 
and Washington, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. 
Dec. 29, 1869, he married Rebecca J. Townsend, a native of Meigs 
County, Ohio, born March 10, 1845. They have two children — 
Emma E., born Jan. 10, 1872, and Frank O., born Nov. 2, 1877. 
Mr. Perry is a member of Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., 
at Athens. His father, John M. Perry, was born in Berkshire 
County, Mass., June 28, 1805, and died Oct. 25, 1872. He mar- 



596 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ried Filma Wells, a native of Massachusetts, born Oct. 15, 1807. 
She diedJan. 11, 1832, leaving three children— Huldah P., P. W. 
and Oliver II. Mr. Perry then married Polly Simmons, a native of 
Ohio. She died Oct. 3, 1846, leaving four children — Matilda, 
Jackson, Jefferson and William. March 29, 1847, Mr. Perry mar- 
ried Rebecca Townsend, widow of John S. Townsend. She was 
born in Alexander Township, Athens County, Dec. 13, 1804. She 
had four children — Sophia O, born March 6, 1822; William, July 
24, 1824; Willard A., July 24, 1S27, and John C, Sept. 9, 1840. 

Waterman L. Petty was horn in Rome Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, Nov. 14, 1841. His father, Willis Petty, was born in 
Prince William County, Va., in 1804, and came to Ohio in 1831. 
He died in Rome Township in 1876. His mother. Abigail (John- 
son) Petty, was born in New Hampshire in 1812, and came to 
Ohio in 1834. She is still a resident of this county. There was a 
family of nine children — Willard, Teresa, Sallie Ann, Sainantha, 
Waterman, Loran, Lawrence, Lydia and Edward. Mr. Petty en- 
listed in Company A, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, and served 
three years; was in the battles of Hoover's Clap and Ohickamauga. 
He was captured at Chickamauga, Sept. 20, 1863; was in Libby 
Prison six weeks, Danville five months, and Andersonville twelve 
months, and was only released at the final surrender of the rebels. 
He was mustered out June 25, 1865. At the time of his capture 
his weight was 145 pounds, and when released was only ninety- 
four pounds. Oct 12, 1868, Mr. Petty married Lizzie McDaniel, 
a native of Grafton, Va., born Nov. 7, 1841. They have three 
children — Emma Maud, born Nov. 5, 1871; Myrtle, born March 
8, 1874, and Ulysses, born Nov. 3, 1876. 

J. M. Rhodes, general merchant, New England, was born in 
Noble County, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1841. He was reared on a farm, 
remaining with his father until twenty years of age. He enlisted 
in the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, June 20, 
1861, and was mustered out June 18, L866, lacking only two days 
of serving five years. He was in the battles of Chancellorsville, 
second Bull Run, Gettysburg and many others. He was wounded 
at Gettysburg in the Left foot; was absent from his regiment three 
months. He rejoined his regiment at Folly Island in time to east 
his first vote for President, casting it for Abraham Lincoln. He 
was kept on duty at Columbia, S. C. ; was discharged at Columbus, 
Ohio. He then returned to Noble County, Ohio, and engaged in 
the grocery business, remaining in that business nine months. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 597 

March 14, 1867, lie married Hattie Curtis. She was born in Geauga 
County, Ohio, March 5, 1814. They have had five children, three 
of whom arc living — Jessie M., born April 8, 1868; William S., 
born July 26, 1877, and Russell R., born Aug. 3, 1880. After 
Mr. Rhodes was married he went to Bailey's Run, Athens County, 
and farmed three years; from there to Chauncey and entered the 
store of the Hocking Valley Coal and Salt Company. He remained 
there until April, 1874. In January, 1875, he came to New Eng- 
land and since then has been engaged in the general mercantile 
business. He has been Postmaster ever since he came here. He and 
his wife and daughter Jessie are members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. He is a member of the Freemasons, Savannah Lodge, 
No. 466. He was also railroad agent at New England as long as 
there was any business done on the road at that place. 

William W. Howell, born in Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 20, 
1834, was a son of Elmer Rowell, a native of Vermont, born in 
1794 and died in 1875. His mother was born in New York in 
1802 and died in 1872. William is the youngest of two sons, his 
brother being Ohio! us. He has a good farm of 150 acres in town- 
ship 6, range 17. Dec. 20, 1855, he married Corisanda Barrows, 
a native of Athens County, born May 25, 1837. They have eight 
children — Theodore, Alva M., Anderson, Aldie E., Joshua H., 
Everett, Orange S., and Iola. Theodore married Esther Jarvis, 
and Aldie E. married Alza E. Tibbells; the others are still at 
home. During the late war Mr. Rowell enlisted in Company E, 
One Hundred and Forty -fourth Ohio National Guards and served 
about four months. He is a member of Hocking Grange, No. 
904. 

Washington Russell was born in Meigs County, Ohio, Aug. 31, 
1843, and came to Athens County in 1845. In 1859 he moved to 
Washington County and lived till 1879, when he returned to 
Athens County and located in Frost. He now has a first-class gen- 
eral store, keeping a good stock of boots and shoes, dry goods and 
notions. He enlisted in the late war in August, 1862, in Company 
A, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, and served till June, 1865; par- 
ticipated in the battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge; was 
through the Atlanta campaign and with Sherman to the sea. He 
was married in September, 1869, to Mary, J. Mills, a native of 
Athens County, born in May, 1847. They have three children — 
William L., Jessie E. and Charles E. Mr. Russell is a member of 
Coolville Lodge, No. 337, A. F. & A. M. 



598 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Harvey J. Sinith established his present place of business in 
Stewart in 1880. He has a good stock of watches, clocks, jewelry, 
and general merchandise. He was born May 3, 1849, in Plymouth, 
Washington Co., Ohio, where he was educated and lived till 1873, 
when he went to Colton, Ohio. He remained there till 1879, en- 
gaged in the mercantile business. He was married Oct. 1, 1873, 
to Leonora Jarvis, a native of Athens, born in 1852. They have 
two children — Leonard H., born in June, 1875, and Daisy V., born 
in November, 1879. Mr. Smith is now serving his second term 
as Township Treasurer. His father, Harvey Smith, was a native 
of New York, and came to Ohio about sixty years ago. He died 
in 1877. His mother, Eliza (Dixon) Smith, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania about 1809. She is now living in Athens. There was a fam- 
ily of nine children, six now living— Columbus C, L. D., Adaliza. 
Lucina, C. D. and Harvey J. 

John M. Spaulding was born in Vermont, Oct. 7, 1818, and 
came to Athens County, Ohio, in 1843. He was married Aug. 12, 
1852, to Nancy M. Fulton, a native of Amesville, Ohio, born April 
10, 1825. Six children have been born to them, only three now 
living— Addie M., born Nov. 21, 1857; Louie A., Dec. 30, 1859, 
and Eli A., Feb. 10, 1863. Both daughters are teaching school. 
The son is a farmer and inventor. March (>, 1883, he obtained a 
patent for his Duplex Hand Seed Planter, a machine for planting 
and depositing the fertilizer at the same time. When only ten 
years of age he made a wooden sewing-machine about five or six 
inches square. It was entirely of wood except the needle, which 
was a common sewing needle turned upside down, and sewed 
nicely, making a chain stitch. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding and their 
daughters are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Spauld- 
ing's brother, Robert A. Fulton, was born in Hartford, Conn., Feb. 
13, 1808. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifty-third Ohio In- 
fantry. While on a march one dark stormy night, his horse fell 
down an embankment, and Mr. Fulton received a wound from his 
sword which finally caused his death, July 23, 1874. His regiment 
presented him with a fine sword which cost $500. 

Samuel Stalder was born in Athens County, Ohio, Aug. 30, 
1842. He has always been a farmer, and for the past eighteen 
years has dealt extensively in live stock. He owns a good farm of 
eighty acres on sections 25 and 26, his residence being on section 
25. He was married March 22, 1866, to Samantha Hammond, a 
native of Athens County, born in 1845. They have had two chil- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 599 

dren, only one now living — Nettie A., born March 12, 1867. Her- 
bert was born Oct. 11, 1870, and died Nov. 16, 1875. Mr. Stalder 
is a member of Savannah Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M. His 
parents, Nicholas and Barbara Stalder, were natives of Switzerland, 
and came to America when they were children. They were mar- 
ried about 1838, and had a family of twelve children, only six now 
living — Henry, Samuel, Philena, Helena, Ida and Augusta. 

D. B. Stewart, Jr., miller, was born in Stewart, Rome Town- 
ship, Athens Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1859. He lived here nine years, 
then moved with his parents to Athens, remaining there about 
twelve years, when he went to Colorado, in 1880, where he 
remained until July, 1882. He then returned to Athens and 
thence came to Stewart, where he is now engaged in running the 
flouring mill known as Byron's mill, and is doing a good business. 
His father, D. B. Stewart, now living in Athens, was the founder 
of the town of Stewart. His mother, Sarah (Carter) Stewart, died 
in Athens eight or nine years ago. Our subject is the only son 
now living. He has five sisters — Matilda, now Mrs. D. M. Birch- 
field; Ruth S., who married C. Byron, deceased; Julia, now Mrs. 
.1. M. Case, and Frank, now Mrs. S. B. Pickering. Our subject bids 
fair to be, as was his father, one of Stewart's best business men. 

Mrs. Mary (Kooser) Tedrow was burn in Somerset County, 
Penn., Sept. 3, 1800. Sept. 5, 1820, she married Jacob Tedrow, 
also a native of Somerset County, born June 7, 1792. They came 
to Ohio in 1836 and settled near where Mrs. Tedrow now resides. 
They had a family of eleven children, nine now living — Drusilla, 
born Sept. 30, 1822, now the widow of George Wyatt; Harriet, 
horn Feb. 2. L826, now the widow of J. McHorten; Noah, born 
Feb. 1, L828; Rebecca, bom Dec. 2, 1829, now Mrs. James Rob- 
ertson; Jane, born D,'c. 3, 1832, now Mrs. Samuel Copeland; Oli- 
ver, bom Sept. 16, 1836; Mary Ann, born Feb. 2, 1838; Efrie, born 
Feb. 1, 1841, now the widow of Henry Norris, and Charles, born 
July :;. is !|. Mrs. Tedrow has 166 acres of fine land on section 
35, Rome Township. She and her daughter Mary are members 
of the Presbyterian church at New England. Mr. Tedrow died 
duly 1, 1873. 

Noah Tedrow, born in Somerset County, Penn'., Feb. i, 1828, is 
the second child of Jacob and Mary (Kooser) Tedrow. He came 
to Ohio with his parents in 1837, and, with the exception of six 
months spent in Muskingum County, has since that time resided in 
Athens County. He was married Oct. 7, 1855, to Nancy Yazer, a 



600 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

native of Greene County, Penn., born Feb. 2, 1830. They have 
three children — Sarah, born Dec. 19, 1857, now Mrs. G. W. Par- 
ker; Mary, born March 16, 1862, and George, born Dec. 5, 1868. 
Mr. Tedrow has 700 acres of tine land in Rome Township, his resi- 
dence being on section 35. He makes a specialty of stock-raising. 
Mr. and Mrs. Tedrow and their daughters are members of the 
Presbyterian church. 

C. G. Tucker was born in Alliens County, Ohio, Dec. 1, 1847. 
He was married April 19, 1879, to Margaret A. Jackson, a native 
of Athens County, born in 1851. They have two children — Jessie 
M., bom Jan. 25, 1880, and Charles Guy, born Dec. 2, 1882. Mr. 
Tucker has been Constable of Rome Township twelve or fifteen 
years, and Township Assessor seven years. He has sixty-five 
acres of land where he resides, on fraction 24, and an interest in 
other land in this county, and also owns land in Iowa. He is now 
dealing in sewing-machines, and is special collector for Southern 
Ohio. Mrs. Tucker is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. 
Tucker's father. Nathan Tucker, was born in Maryland in 1814, 
and is now living on fraction 33, Rome Township. His mother, 
Barbara A. Tucker, was born in Somerset County, Penn., in 1805. 
She first married Joseph Tedrow. He died in 1833, leaving six 
children — Henry, Silas, Aaron, Joseph, Freeman and Susan- 
Aaron died in 1865. Freeman is a resident of Ohio; the others 
are living in Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Tucker are members of 
the Methodist church. 

Nehemiah O. Warren was born Sept. 22, 1799, in Connecticut, 
and when twenty-one years of age went to Hudson, N. Y., where 
he was engaged in the live-stock business about five years. He 
then came to Athens County, Ohio, and located in Canaan Town- 
ship, remaining there ti!1187l, engaged in various kinds of busi- 
ness. He established his first dry-goods store in 1840, in Guys- 
ville, and afterward started a store in Stewart. In 1871 he came 
to Rome Township, and now lives on a fine farm of 450 acres. 
In 1879 he discontinued his commercial career, and is now settling 
up his business with a view to living a more retired life. Mr. 
Warren claims to have bought and sold more horses than any other 
man in the count}-, and has probably borrowed more money and 
paid more interest than any other man. He at one time owned 
over 1,600 acres of land. He was married April 1!», 1818, to 
Hannah Deway, a native of Connecticut, born June 27, 1800. 
They had a family of nine children, five now living — Jane, born 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



601 



Feb. 2, 1819; Hannah, March 12, 1821; Levinda, April 16, 1831; 
Elizabeth, Sept. 14, 1833; Joseph W., July 30, 1838. Mrs. War- 
ren died Jan. 31, 1866. Mr. Warren has been four times married, 
lie was married the last time to Mary Frost, May 31, 1874. He 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Harvey Wright, carpenter and contractor, was born in Ames 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, May 10, 1836. At the age of 
twelve he went to Washington County, Ohio, and remained eight 
years. At the expiration of that time he came to New England 
and lived two years, then went to Sugar Creek, Athens County, 
where he lived four years. In 1862 he again moved to New Eng- 
land, where he has since remained, building railroad bridges and 
working at the carpenter's trade. lie married, Dec. 6, 1861, Susan 
Smith, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Dec. 6, 1835. 
They are the parents of three children — Minnie M., born Nov. 6, 
1864; Perley S., Jan. 4, 1868; William K., March 5, 1872. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wright are members of the Presbyterian church. Henry 
Wright, the father of Harvey, was born in New York in 1803, and 
died in 1867. His mother, Louisa (Otis) Wright, was born in 
New York in 1804, and is still living in Athens County, Ohio. 
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wright had a family of fifteen children, seven 
living — John N., Simeon M., Henry II., Harvey, Sophia, Electa 
and James O. Thomas Smith, Mrs. Harvey Wright's father, was 
horn in Pennsylvania, in Octob3r, 1809, and died in 1879. Her 
mother. Sarah (Diaper) Smith, was horn in Pennsylvania in 1809, 
and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children, 
six living— Julia A.. Thomas D., Susan D., Celisa, Mary C. and 
Louisa 13. 




CHAPTER XXI. 

LEE TOWNSHIP-SOMETHING OP OLDEN TIMES, AND THE 
NEGRO'S MECCA. 

Organization — Some of the Old Settlers — Population — Elec- 
tions — Township Officers — Albany, the Negro's Mecca — 

PoSTOB'FICE AND PoSTM ASTERS — -MAYORS OF ALBANY AtWooD 

Institute, its History — Gifts and Donations — Enterprise 
Institutes — Its Rise and Progress- -Schools and Church es 
— The Wells Library — Lodges and Societies — The Under- 
ground Railway Run by a few Citizens of Albany — Bio- 
graphical. 

organization. 

Lee Township was organized November, 1819, and her territory 
was taken from Alexander Township. It is the southwest township 
of the county, and in size the smallest, having but twenty-four sec- 
tions of land, or two-thirds or" a congressional township, being six 
miles north and south and four miles east and west, or 15,360 
acres. It is bounded on the north by Waterloo Township, on the 
east by Alexander Township, south by Meigs County, and west by 
Vinton County. The land is generally rolling, and in some parts 
quite hilly, but nearly all portions suited for farming purposes, 
well suited for cultivation. The hills in some places are rather 
steep, hut the soil is good and grasses grow luxuriantly. In fact 
there is very little waste land. The soil is not deep, neither is it 
very strong, hut it is fertile enough to raise fair average crops. 
There are not many living Btreams of water, but then there are nu- 
merous springs, and water is reached by wells at from ten to forty 
feet. This spring water is pure and splendid for stock, and the 
farmers are giving largely of their attention to stock-raising, and to 
the best breeds. In this respect the farmers of Lee Township can 
hoast, for her stock is the ecpial of any in the county. 

SOME OF Till': SETTLERS. 

Amotion the earliest settlers of the township were: Captain John 
Martin, of Revolutionary fame; Phillip Smith, Henry Cassel, Ziba 
McVey, Daniel Knowlton, George Canney, Jno. lloldred, Will- 

(602) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 603 

iam Brown, William Graham. Jacob Lentner, James McGonnegal, 
Francis Thomas, Samuel Luckey, Hiram Howlett and John Doughty. 
These settlers were characteristic of the times, earnest, progressive, 
honest and well educated, and they brought with them a strong 
determination to see that in respect to educational facilities their 
children should not suffer by settling in the wilderness of the 
West. Schools were therefore among the first provided for, and 
their efforts in this direction met with success. Their action in 
this regard is worthy of all commendation, and the erection of 
churches, school-houses and support of libraries, attests their devo- 
tion to these important elements of moral progress, and the cult- 
ure and refinement everywhere exhibited at their homes. 

POPULATION, ETC. 

This township, like one or two others, has shown a slight decline 
the past ten years in its population. In fact, its largest population 
was in 1860. The loss during the decade between 1860 and 1870 
might be laid at the door of the late civil war, but there is no 
such excuse during the last, and it can possibly be attributed to 
too large a colored population. The population by decades from 
1820 is here given: That year it was 342; in 1830, it was 418; in 
1840, it was 848; in 1850, it was 961; in 1860, it was 1,301; in 
1870, it was 1,146; in 1880, 1,086. This showing gives the town- 
ship but 125 more in 1880 than it had in 1850, a period of thirty 
years. 

The organization being in November of 1819, the first election 
for township officers did not take place until tlie following April, 
1820, and these officers and subsequent ones are recorded here. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

1820. — Trustees, Jacob Lentner, James McGonnegal and 
Ephraim Martin; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Baker. 

1821. — Trustees, Francis Thomas, James McGonnegal and Elisha 
Chapman. 

1822. —Trustees, Ephraim Martin, James McGonnegal and 
Daniel Rowell; Justice of the Peace, Abner C. Martin. 

1823.— Trustees, Joseph Wallace, Francis Thomas and Win. 
Brown ; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Baker. 

1824. — Trustees, Ephraim Martin, Francis Thomas and James 
McGonnegal; Justice of the Peace, Joseph Wallace. 



604 HISTORY <>i' BOOKING VALLEY. 

L825. Trustees, same as above; Justices of the Peaoe, MoOowen 
Bean, Michael Oanney and James McGee. 

L 826 and 1627. Trustees, same ai above. 

L828. Trustees, Samuel Martin, Francis Thomas : 1 1 h I James 
MoGonnegal; Justioe of the Peace, Jacob Lentner. 

1 s * i > . Trustees, James MoGee, George Reeves and MoOowen 
Bean 

I s;{n Trustees , Bame as above 

L881. Trustees, Win. Graham, Win. Thompson and MoOowen 
Beau ; Justices <>!' the Peace, McOowen Bean and Aimer 0. 
Martin. 

1 882. Trustees, Joseph Martin, \^ni. Thompson and John 1 1 i\ 
ener; Justioe of the Peace, Jacob Lentner. 

1888. Trustees, Wm. Graham, James McGonnegal and Joseph 
Marl hi 

1884. Trustees, same as above; Justioe of the Peaoe, Aimer 
( '. Martin. 

L885. Trustees, same as above; dust ice of Lhe Peace, Jaoob 
Lent mi 

1886. Trustees, Joseph Post, Wm. Thompson and Nimrod 
Dailey. 

L887. Trustees, Wm. Graham, Miohael Oanney and Nimrod 
Dailey; Justice of the Peaoe, Aimer c Martin. 

L888. Trustees, same as above; Justice <>i the Peaoe, John 

I MtlvNOII. 

L889. Trustees, Bame as above; Justioe oi the Peace, Lucius 
Bocklej 
L840 Trustees, Bame as above; Justioe of the Peaoe, Abraham 

I'm low 

L841. Trustees, John T Winn, Joseph Posl and Jaoob Lent 
ner; J n itioe of the Peaoe, A. Warner. 

1842. Trustees, lame a.s above; Justioe of the Peaoe, John T. 

Winn. 

L848. Trustees, Wm. Graham, Wm. Elendorson and Jaoob 
Lentner; Justioes of the Peace, George Means and EYanois ES. 

Clark. 

1844. Trustee , ame as above; Justioe of the Peaoe, Edmund 
Morse. 

is is. Trustees, F. E2, (Mark, A (i. Henderson and James 
Greathouse; Justioes of the Peaoe, A << Sanderson and Peter 
Morse 



MlM'lMi; V ( >l>' lh>(iKIN(J \ A I I I \ 



HOB 



1846 Trustees, same as above; Justice ol the roaoo, l^ranoii 
I Olark 

is i, Trustees, K I'! Olark, Travis Wilson and Jamos Groat 
ii< • 1 1 so; ilu itico of the I caoo, Goorge Holdron. 

1848 Tin: ire-, l 1 ' I' Olark, John Brown and Goorgo Holdron. 

isr.t. Trustees, A.ndrew Moans, John Dewing and Gooi 
lloldren; Justices of tho Poaoo, D M Lion and I 1 ' I'. Olark 

i iO I'm itee , I'' I ( Hark, l> M. Koh and \. W Brown; 

I Hi tiOO of III'' I V:h'i\ JoSOpIl I '" l 

ls, r >l Trusted I 1 I ('l.iil., Loonard Brown and I*. M Ito 

is.. * Tin toe 1.11111:1 Holmes, r> Goodrich and John T. 
Winn; Justices of tho l^eaco, James Olomonts and I 1 ' E. Olark, 

1858. Trustees, James Flo linos, A Enlow and John T. Winn; 
Justice oi tlio I 'eaoo, J 1 > epli I'osl 

1864, Trustees, ■ as before; Justice of the Peace, Gi 

Johni on, 

1868 Trustees, Jamei llolmos, Samuel Shu tor and John T. 
Winn; Ju tice of the roaoo, James Olomonts, John Brown and 
Jacob McVoj 

is:>»'.. Trustoos, James llolmos, Jacob MoVev and John T 
Winn; Justico of the Poaoe, Harvey L Graham. 

I ' , I'm I re .hllilr UollUC Jfl { ' Ii ' l lirl 1 1 : : : I I f I .1 i Mill T 

Winn. 

IHf)H. 1 rustoos, Jamc Holmes, James Olements find Benjamin 
Itickoy; Justice of the Poacc, Jtuno Olomonts and Jaoob M.d\ 

i •'' TrnstcoB, James Holmes, James Olomonts and A. W, 
I Irown ; -l in tico of the Peace, I Lar\ uy L < traham. 

I s *'" Trustoos, Jamos Holme . \\ W Kurtz and A \V Brown; 
J ii i loo "i tho I Woo, I 'oter Mor o 

1861 Trustoos, Jamos Holmes, A Wilson and A W. Brown; 
I ice of i lie I 'oaoo, E, \l < looper. 

Trustees, Jamos Holmes, A.. Jennings and A W. Hrown; 
.1 ii i ice of i li«' I 'oaco, .1 Linos M < i"f leno 

I 868, ' I * i" 1 1 • tOOB, . .line ;i , r 1 1 > < >v<\ 

I (M Trustee Jamos llolmos, A Wilson and A W Brown; 
.1 usl loo of tho I 'once, I '. [\ < loopor 

Tru too . Jamos I Folme i, Wm < ' Lindlov and Itoborl 
Dickson; Justioo of tho E'eaoo, James M. Uorslono. 

L866, Trustees, Lemuel Oline, Jaoob MoVej and lioberl Dick 
"ii 



606 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1867. — Trustees, same as above; Justices of the Peace, John Q. 
Mitchell and Isaac Friedlein. 

1868. — Trustees, Albert Vorhes, Jacob McVey and Robert Dick- 
son; Justice of the Peace, Abraham Enlow. 

1869.— Trustees, Jacob McVey, W. W. Blake and A. C. Daily; 
Clerk, A. Palmer; Treasurer, John Dewing. 

1870.— Trustees, W. W. Blake, John Molher and L. Cline; 
Clerk, A. Palmer; Treasurer, John Dewing. 

1871.— Trustees, L. Cline, John H. Molher and Alpheus Wil- 
son; Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, S. R. Hibbard. 

1872. — Trustees, J. H. Molher, W. C. Lindley and Thomas 
Daily; Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1873. — Trustees, W. C. Lindley, J. H. Molher and Thomas Daily; 
Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

187-1. — Trustees, W. C. Lindley, J. IT. Molher and Abraham 
Crossen; Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1875. — Trustees, Abraham Crossen, Elias Graham and Hugh 
Fletcher; Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1876. — Trustees, A. Crossen, John Snyder and A. II. Holme.-: 
Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1877. — Trustees, Jacob McVey, Elias Graham and Amos Knowl- 
ton; Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1878. — Trustees, Elias Graham, Jacob M^cVey and Amos Knowl- 
ton; Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1879. — Trustees, Jacob McVey, Elias Graham and James Sickles; 
Clerk, John P. Coe; Treasurer, A. Palmer. 

1880. — Trustees, Elias Graham, James Sickles and J. N. Patter- 
son; Clerk, W. Cline; Treasurer, A. C. Daily; Justices of the 
Peace, D. J, Canny and S. P. Armstrong;. 

1881. — Trustees, Elias Graham, J. 1ST. Patterson and S. V. 
Knowlton; Clerk, AV. W. Cline; Treasurer, A. C. Daily. 

1882. — Trustees, Elias Graham, W. C. Lindley and James 
Sickles; Clerk, W. W. Cline; Treasurer, A. C. Daily. 

1883.— Trustees, Jacob McVey. Win. C. Lindley and M. J. 
Dixon; Clerk, John Ritchie; Treasurer, S. T. Cline; Justice, D. J. 
Canny. 

ALBANY. 

The village of Albany is situated in the eastern part of the town- 
ship, on the lineof the Ohio Central Railroad. It was laid out into 
lots by fra. Graham in 1832 or 1833, the first house in the village 
being built by Lucius R. Beckley on the ground now owned by 



HISTORY OF HoCKING VALLEY. 607 

(line & Daily and known as the old Brown store. In 1S40 John 

Brown purchased this property and commenced selling goods. 

Albany has now a population of about 700 inhabitants, with the 

usual complement of business men and mechanics. The leading 

- . stablishments at present are J. H. Vorhes & Bro., Cline 

& Daily and W. A. Smith, dealers in general merchandise; J. C. 

P. Moore, dealer in hardware, ami T. D. Moore, dealer in tinware 

and harness. Albany is a neat village, surrounded by a beautiful 

farming country. It having been, until recently, an inland town, 

isiness has been necessarily limited. The buildings are almost 

all of wood and generally of the style of farm buildings. It has 

two institutions of learning besides the public schools, rive church 

ties, a public library, one Masonic lodge, two hotels kept by 

G. W. Hill and R. M. Figley, and two physicians, .1. II. Winn and 

B.C. Vorhes. Albany was incorporated in 1844. At the first 

election tor town officers John Y. Brown was chosen Mayor and J. 

M. (xorslene, Clerk. For a number of years afterward there was 

no election, but since lv>.~. the elections have been regular. The 

Mayor.- 'have been as follow.-: John V. Brown. 1844 to L855; Albert 

Vorhes, 1855 to 1857; A. Palmer. 1857 to 1858; Almus Lindley, 

3 to 1859; W. B. Dicksen, 1859 to I860; S. M. Preshaw, 1860 

to 1861; John Brown. 1861 to 1862; James M. Gorslene, 1S62 to 

-:_'; J. C. Woodyard, 1872 to 1874; G-eorge Bean. 1874 to 1S76; 

J. M. Wood, 1876 to L877; J. 0. P. M .ore. IS77 to 1882; A. C. 

Daily, 1882 to present time. 

The Postoffia at Albany (Lee P. 0.) was first established in 
L829, on the old Athens and Chillicothe mail road, about two and 
one-half miles northwest of the present village of Albany. It re- 
mained here until 1S36, when it was removed to the village by 
Jame6 Wilson. The Postmasters, with their times of service, have 
been as follows: Jacob Lentner, 1829 to 1836; James Wilson. 
1836 to 1837; Lucius R. Beekley. 1837 to 1840; J. McCully, L840 
L841; Jonathan Winn, 1841 to L846; John V. Brown, 1846 to 
1847; John Earhart, 1847 to 1849; Peter Morse, 1849 to 1853; 
James M. Gorslene, 1853 to 1861; Peter Morse. 1861 to 1865; W. 
W. Kurt:/. 1865 to 1866; Augustus Palmer. 1866 to present time. 
It was made a money-order office Aug. 1. 1870, the first order be- 
ing issued to P. C.Hewitt, payable to Jacob Wycoff, Mt. Ayr. 
[owa,for the amount of $20. The office has issued 4.77^ orders 
up to the present time. The sale of stamps for the year 1882 was 
about $720. 



608 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ATWOOD INSTITUTE. 

This Institute, located at Albany, was originally called the Al- 
bany Manual Labor University. A brief sketch of its origin is as 
follows: In 1847 Mr. William S. Lewis removed with his family 
from Oberlin, Ohio, and settled at Albany. Soon after their ar- 
rival his daughter, Miss Lamira Lewis, opened a school for chil- 
dren in a part of their residence, the house now occupied by Mrs. 
Mitchell. In 1848 Mr. Lewis bought a lot and built upon it a 
house especially for school purposes. The school here soon be- 
came very prosperous, and in order to make room for the students 
a second story was added to the building. Students were admitted 
to this school regardless of color, caste or sex. Mr. Lewis having 
assumed control of this school continued it in his own building 
until 1851, when others gave their influence and a joint-stock com- 
pany was formed, made up of shares of $25 each. The first 
meeting of the executive board of this company was held Sept. 25, 
1851, when the following officers were elected: John T. Winn, 
Chairman; John S. Lewis, Secretary, and George Hanger. Treas- 
urer. It was this organization that gave to the school the name of 
the Albany Manual Labor University. The first plan adopted by 
the management was to require those borrowing money from the 
institution to give so many hours a week of manual employment 
to students of the University, the amount being regulated by the 
amount of money borrowed and the rate of interest paid. In 
1852 Dr. J. A. Bingham, now a resident of Medina County, Ohio, 
a soldier of the war of 1812, and a man of great energ} 7 , was in- 
duced to act as traveling agent to secure funds for the University. 
A little later JRev. J. Cable was elected to solicit funds, and the 
success of both soon enabled the association to buy 300 acres of 
land which was converted to the use of the institution. The 
present building, now known as the Atwood Institute, was erected 
in 1857. It is a frame building, 40x100 feet in dimensions, and 
three stories high. From 1857 until 18(52 the school was con- 
ducted by two men named McLanthin and Cable. Under them 
the school averaged about eighty students. In 1862 Prof. T. D. 
Garvin and James Dodd took charge of the school. They being 
members of the Christian church a sectarian element was intro- 
duced into the school, and the manual-labor feature was discontin- 
ued. Under this management the school had, at times, over 100 
students. In 1866 the school fell into the hands of the Free- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 60 D 

Will Baptist church, by whom it is controlled at present. This 
change was, in effect, a revolution in the school's history. From 
this time colored students were denied admission, the school was 
placed on a firm footing by a donation from Mr. Kehemiah At- 
wood of $3,500, and its name was changed to the Atwood Insti- 
tute. Others of the Free-Will Baptist denomination contributed 
liberally, and the school was transferred to the Athens Quarterly 
Meeting, under whose control it still remains. Lyman C. Chase, 
A. M., a graduate of Hillsdale College, Mich., was the first Prin- 
cipal under its present management. For three years, from 1866 
to 1869, Mr. Chase, assisted by Eev. J. M. Rayser and Rev. M. 
W. Spencer, A. B., conducted a very prosperous school, the at- 
tendance ranging from seventy to over one hundred students. After 
Mr. Chase's resignation, in 1869, the school changed hands sev- 
eral times within the next ten years. For a number of years J. M. 
and J. P. Wood, now attorneys at Athens, Ohio, conducted the 
school in a successful manner. In 1S80 the Board of Trustees 
called again L. C. Chase to the Principalship, and Mrs. Hattie 
Chase, Preceptress of the school, they having an attendance of 
fifty-three students the last term. Mr. Chase's health failing he 
retires from the school at the end of the present year, and through 
his aid the board has secured Mr. C. H. French, of Boston, Mass.) 
as Principal, with Misses Maria Ward and Nellie B. Porter, assist- 
ants. Prominent among the donors, besides Mr. Atwood, in the 
early history of the Institute are: General John Brown, who gave 
$1,000; John T. Winn, who gave $500; Webber Wilson and H. 
L. Graham. 

The Enterprise Institute was first established in 1864. When 
the Atwood Institute came under the control of the denominational 
churches, colored students were denied admission and some of the 
more influential colored citizens conceived the idea of founding a 
school especially for colored pupils. Donations were solicited from 
wealthy men in this and other States, and among the liberal aids re- 
ceived were a gift of $3,000 worth of real estate from Thomas Carle- 
ton, of Syracuse, 111., and an appropriation from the Freedmen's 
Bureau of $2,000. Many other liberal donations, were received 
but these are the most important. Young colored* people of both 
sexes were admitted, and for a time the school was very prosper- 
ous, receiving patronage from different parts of this State, and from 
adjoining ones. Mr. T. J. Ferguson, an able and well-educated 
colored gentleman, has been the principle teacher up to the pres- 
39 



610 III-TOKY OF BOOKING VAIJ.KV. 

cut time. The school building is a two-story brick, the lower floor 
only being used for the school at present, the upper being used by 
the colored Baptist cKureh for a place of worship. It is pleasantly 
situated on the outskirts of the village of Albany. 

Th< Village School for white children is ;i well-conducted school, 
occupying two rooms and having two teachers.' The building is 
a good one, twostories high, situated on a high piece of ground 
in the center of the village. There is also in Albany a common 

School for colored children. 

CHURCHES. 

The Free- Will Baptist Church, of Albany, is the oldest church 
society in the village. It was founded about 1854 by Ira X. 
Bailing. Mr. Eaning was followed in the pastorate by O. E. 
Maker, who conducted, in 1857, the most successful revival meeting 
in the history of the church, securing the addition of sixty persons 
to its membership. Mr. Baker was followed successively by Revs. 
S. E. Root, J. M. Kayser, M. W. Spencer, J. W. Martin, David 
Powell, A. Streamer and D. Powell again, the present Pastor. 
The society ownsa good church building which was erected in 1857. 

Tht Methodist Episcopal Church society, of Albany, was founded 
in the winter of L876 by Rev. Elias Nichols. The society is a pics 
perous one, numbering at present about fifty-five members. Mr. 
Nichols was followed by Revs. James Ricketts, Mr. Murphy, B. F. 
Jackson, Edward Howe and Mr. Kendall. Mr. Jacob Spring is 
tin 1 present ( 'lass-Leader. The society has, up to the present tint.', 
rented the first tloor of the Masonic 1 1 n 1 1 for a place oi' holding 
meetings. 

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was founded at Albany, 
Aug. 25, L880. A. Lindley, A. L. Patterson, A. Vorhes, S. P. 
Armstrong and Hugh Fletcher were elected Trustees. Rev. II. J. 

P, Lemon was made the Pastor and remains such to the present 

time. The society finished a new church building in September, 
1 ssl, at a cosl oi SI, 850. 

The Colored Churohes at Albany are a Baptist and Methodist 
Episcopal, and are well attended by the colored brethren. 

Tilt WelU UJbrary is an institution of which the citizens of Al- 
bany are justly proud. 1 1 was founded by Mr. Henry Wells, who, 
dying in L860, bequeathed $250 i'^r the immediate purchase i^\' 
book- for a pubhc library, and $1,000 to be a perpetual fund, the 
interesl to he used for the purchase o( new books and keeping in 



insroKY ov HOOKING \ \i,u\ . 611 

repair the old ones. The money waa securely invested In L861, 
by Mr. 1'-. II. Moore, of Alliens, whom Mr. Wells made his trus- 
tee for this purpose. The proceeds averaging until recently about 
$70 a year, have been carefully expended for books until the li- 
brary lias been swelled to 1,1- 1 volumes of well selected misoello 
lie. uis works, besides m useful collection <>l public documents and 
books of reference. The expense of i lie library is kepi up by a light 
tax laid upon the property of the incorporate village. For some 
time the library was kepi in a room gratuitously furnished by the 
Freemasons of Albany, but in March, L868, Mrs. Mary Weethee, 
mother of the founder of the library, bequeathed a frame building 

to be used aa :i library room, provided the (own should keep it in 

repair and pay the taxes. By the rules of the library, any family, 
living within the corporation may, for si a year, draw oul two 
volumes al a tune for nol more than four weeks, and the li 
brary is open two hours every Thursday for members. The library 
is a settled and highly valued institution, and is a splendid exam 
pie of a wise, and useful disposition <^ properl 5 

Albany Lodge, No. 156, I. /'.«(• I. .1/., was founded under 
the old dispensation, Feb. L5, is is, at Elebbardsville, Ohio, where 
it remained until is. r >:>, under the name of the] Lebbardsville Lodge. 
The charier was obtained Sept. 27, isis. The first officers were: 
Ziba Lindlev.Jr., \Y. M.; Wra. Russell, S. W.;J. B.Gray, J. W.; 
Josiah Wilson, Treas.; Earvey Pratt, Sec. ; John Arnold, s. D.; A. 
Lindley, J. I>., and John W. Drake, T. The following is a list oi 
the Pasl Masters: 

Ziba Lindley, Jr., is is 'p.»; J. B. Gray, L850; JohnArnold, 
1851; J. B. Gray, L852; John Arnold, L853; A. B. Dickey, 
1854; (1855-'66, no record); J. B. Gray, L857; 0. I, Wilson, 
L858 to 1861; Joseph Jewett, 1862; A. D. Jaynes, 1863; 0. L 
Wilson, 1864; J. Q. Mitchell, 1865; dames McOlure, 1866 '7; J. 
Q.Mitchell, 1868; Jamea McOlure, L869; J. L. Carpenter, 1870 
i" 1872; J. <.> Mitchell, L873; [saao Stanley, 1874 75; J. I-. 
Carpenter, L876; R. S. Dent, 1877 to L881; A. I, Rutherford, 

1882. I he lodge is in a prosperous condition and owns a good 

hall building. 

Before leaving the village of Albany Bomething should he said 
of it as a station in the old " underground railway " system. In 
the days of greal exoitemenl over the Blave question, while the 
fugitive Blave law was being enforced, and slaves were being tran 
ported secretly to Canada, no community of persons in tin- por 



612 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tion of the State took a more active part in protecting the transfer 
than did the city of Albany in this humane but unlawful work. 

THE ALBANY ECHO. 

The Albany Echo is published at Albany (Lee postoffice), Ath- 
ens County, by D. A. R. McKinstry, editor and proprietor. It is 
a six-column vveekly, published every Thursday. In politics it is 
independent. It was first published " semi-occasionally" on the co- 
operative plan, by D. A. R. McKinstry, of the Lee Insurance 
Company, as an advertising sheet. The Echo was established as 
a weekly journal in January, 1877, by a joint stock company of 
which the late Dr. Alex. Richardson was President, J. H. Vorhes, 
Secretary, and A. C. Dailey, Treasurer. At the end of the first 
year, Mr. McKinstry and J. S. Black bought up these shares and 
became proprietors as well as editors. In October this partnership 
was dissolved by mutual consent, J. S. Black retiring. The paper 
has been well received from the first, maintaining a good circu- 
lation, and having a fair advertising patronage. 

* 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

John S. Black was born at Greenock, Scotland, June 5, 1826, 
and when quite young came to America alone. He landed in Kew 
York and remained there two years; then went to Canada West and 
lived four years; then spent a year in Pontiac, Mich., and from 
there went to Sheboygan, Wis. lie learned the carriage-maker's 
trade, and worked at it a year in Wisconsin. In 1855 he came to 
Athens County, and located in Albany, where he has since been 
engaged in manufacturing carriages. In 1877, in company with 
D. A. R. McKinsley and J. P. Wood, he started the Echo. In 
1878 Mr. Wood sold his interest, and two years later Mr. Black 
sold out. Mr. McKinstry is now managing the paper. He 
has been a member of the Board of Education for the past 
nine years. He has been Clerk of the corporation four } T ears, 
and is at present a member of the Town Council. July 14, 1S5S, 
he married Rhoda E. Bissell, a native of Meigs County, born 
Mav 25, 182S. They have two children — Agnes S., born Dec. 17, 
1S59, and Elizabeth A., born Dec. 26, 1S64. 

A. W. Brown, born in Ames Township, Aug. 21, 1814, was a 
6on of William and Polly L. Brown, natives of Massachusetts, 
his father born Feb. 22, 1779, and his mother Sept. 14, 1782. 11 is 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 613 

father died Feb. 18, 1859, and his mother Feb. 7, 1849. They had 
a family of nine children, five now living— Elizabeth, now Mrs. 
B. S. Williams; Lvdia A., a resident of Woodbury, N. J.; A. W.; 
Leonard, now living in Woodbury, N. J., and Daniel T., of Fort 
Madison, Iowa. Mr. Brown was married April 19, 1838, to Almira 
Yan Vorhes, a native of Washington County, Penn., born May 3, 
1818. They had four children, only one now living — Edwin A., 
born Oct. 5, 1839. He was married in 1871 to Phrebe Brownlee, 
a native of Athens County, born Dec. 25, 1843. They have three 
children — Harry L., born in May, 1^73; Nellie, In June, 1876, and 
Minnie M., in October, 1879. Edwin A. enlisted June 24, 1861, 
and served nearly four years; was in the battles of Lewisburg (where 
he was wounded), second Bull Run and Antietam. He was trans- 
ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and was in the battles of 
Mission Ridge, and Chickamauga. Edwin A. is living on the 
home farm with his father. They have fifty acres of land on sec- 
tion 8, Lee Township, within the corporation of Albany. Mr. 
Brown's son, William V., was born Feb. 12, 1842. He learned the 
printer's trade and was foreman in the Athens Messenger office. 
He enlisted in Company D, Fourth Virginia Infantry, and died of 
small-pox at Vicksburg, Miss., March 9, 1863. Another son, D. N., 
born March 23, 1844, enlisted in 1863, and served one year in Vir- 
ginia. After his return home he studied medicine, and graduated 
from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1869. He married, Oct. 11, 
18T0, Laura Graham. He died Feb. 10, 1873, leaving one child — 
Myra, born Feb. 7, 1872. A daughter, Emma J., born May 20, 
L847, married Dr. W. A. Adair, Oct. 22, 1871, and died March 16, 
1-7:;. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and their daughter-in-law are members 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mrs. Brown's father, 
Abraham Yan Vorhes, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 
December, 1793, and came to Ohio in 1831. He was the first editor 
of the* Hocking Volley Gazette, now the Athens Messenger. He 
was appointed by President Taylor Register of the first land office 
in Minnesota, and the last years of his life were spent in that State. 
In 1810 he was elected to the Lower House of the Ohio Legislat- 
ure, and afterward was sent to the Senate four terms. He was 
County Surveyor of Athens County six years and County Treas- 
urer one year. He was appointed Territorial Auditor by Governor 
Ramsey, and in I860 was a Commissioner to locate the capitol and 
university lands appropriated by Congress. He was Postmaster at 
Stillwater several years. Major Van Vorhes's wife was Mary W. 



614 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Vorhes, a native of Washington County, Md. They had a family 
of eight children, five of whom are living — Almira, Jane, Eliza- 
beth, Maria and Henry C. The son is now living in Stillwater, 
Minn. 

Lyman C. Chase, A. M., Principal of At wood Institute, was born 
Oct. 2, 1839, at Rutland, Meigs Co., Ohio. He was a son of Charles 
Chase, the latter being a son of Abel Chase, who emigrated from 
Bangor, Me., in 1807; his mother, before marriage was Miss 
Mary Holt, daughter of Rev. Aaron Holt, a Baptist minister, 
who emigrated from New Haven, Conn., in 1802, each being among 
the first settlers in that part of Ohio. Lyman resided at Rutland 
and attended the district school at Side Hill till the spring of his 
fifteenth year. Early in the spring of this year he went to Pres- 
tonsburg, Ky., to visit his brother, Dr. O. G. Chase, who at the 
time was a practicing physician in that town, and while there he 
engaged to teach his first school. Mr. Chase at this time rather 
hesitatingly assumed the'control of the village school as he was only 
fifteen years old and some of the pupils, of whom there were about 
sixty, were several years older than himself. He, however, in early 
summer assumed the responsibilities of the school, entering upon 
his work with a determination to succeed. He finished his term 
and returned to Ohio in the fall. He attended the district school 
at home through the winter of 1856-'7, and the following summer 
taught in the same district. After this he attended school for a 
year and a half at Albany University, now known as Atwood Insti- 
tute, and after several years of teaching and going to school, in 
February, 1860, being then twenty years old, he entered Hillsdale 
College. Dependent upon his own efforts in securing an education, 
he graduated with honors in 1866. In the month of June of that year 
he returned to his home in Rutland, and soon after, through the 
solicitations of Rev. I. Z. Haning, of Albany, he consented to take 
charge of Atwood Institute. This was a change in the plans of 
Mr. Chase somewhat, as he had contemplated the taking of a The- 
ological course. However, Jan. 3, 1869, he was set apart to the 
work of the Christian ministry, according to the usages of the Free- 
Will Baptist denomination, and in June following he tendered his 
resignation as Principal of Atwood Institute. For some years sub- 
sequent to this he was engaged in the ministry. He held pastor- 
ates at Conneaut, Ohio, Cromwell, Iowa, and preached several 
years in Illinois. In the fall of '81 he resumed tlie Principalship 
of Atwood Institute, and on the 9th of March, 1882, he was mar- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 615 

ried to Miss Hattie Lawson who, for two years, had formerly been 
a student of Mr. Chase's in the Institute. This marriage took 
place in the church in which Mr. Chase was ordained to the gospel 
ministry about fourteen years before. At this writing Mr. Chase 
is still an occupant of Atwood Institute, is pastor of a church, but 
will shortly retire, for a time, from the duties of the institution, as 
health demands a change. 

S. T. Cline, born in Athens County, Ohio, Aug. 10, 184:1, is a 
son of John and Elizabeth (Townsend) Cline, natives of Virginia, 
his father born March, 1818, and his mother Aug. 9, 1821. His 
parents had a family of seven children — S. T., Ruth and Rachel 
(twins), George, James, Arclisse and John E. When he was quite 
small his parents moved to Meigs County, and he lived there till 
1879. He then came to Albany and bought a stock of drugs, boots 
and shoes, and has since added dry goods and groceries. lie mar- 
ried, April 14, 1S62, Lydia M. Gillogly, a native of Meigs County, 
born April 5, 1844. They have two children — Anna E., born Jan. 
6, 1865, and John II., born May 31, 1S72. Mr. and Mrs. Cline 
are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Cline is a member of 
Lodge No. 156, A. F. & A. M. 

Mrs. Samantha Cline, born in Lee Township, May 11, 1830, 
is a daughter of Nimrod and Mary (Cottrill) Dailey. Her father 
was born in Virginia in 1800, and her mother in 1803. They have 
five children — Emily, Nancy, Samantha, Thomas and Andrew. 
Mrs. Cline was married Feb. 15, 1849, to Lemuel Cline, a native 
of Virginia, born July 10, 1827. They had a family of six chil- 
dren— Mary R., born Dec. 5, 1849; Sarah J., born Dec. 27, 1852; 
Nancy E., born Oct. 13, 1854; William W., born Aug. 24, 1856: 
Nimrod D., born March 11, 1859; Flora, born Jan. 10, 1S63, and 
Howard, born April 12, 1869. Mr. Cline died in 1872. Mrs. Cline 
has a fine farm of 104 acres on section 19, Lee Township. She is 
a member of the Methodist church. 

John Dewing was born in Norfolk, Mass., Jan. IS, 1S13. His 
lather, Elijah Dewing, was bom in Dover, Mass., July 11. L761, 
and served at West Pointduring the Revolutionary war. He was 
at West Point about the time Benedict Arnold was trying to sur- 
render the fort to the British. He died in L843, at Medway, Mass., 
aged eighty-three years. His wife, Betsey (Reed) Dewing, was born 
in Needham, Mass.. in 170',), and died the same day as her husband, 
and they were buried in the same grave. Mr. Dewing came to 
Athens County in 1841, and Located at Hebbardsville. In the lat- 



616 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ter part of 1844: he came to Albany, where he has since resided. 
He learned the trade of a cutler in Worcester, Mass., in 1830, in 
the first cutler's shop in America, and afterward learned to make 
spectacles, and was engaged in that business several years after 
coming here. Of late years he has been buying and collecting 
notes and doing a general brokerage business. He has sixty acres 
of land on section 11, Lee Township, and considerable town prop- 
erty. In 1819 he went to California via the isthmus, and remained 
eighteen months. He has been Township Assessor six years. He 
is a member of Albany Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M. Jan. 13, 
1836, he married Mindwell R. Cleveland, a native of Harwinton, 
Conn., born Sept. 17, 1817. They have one daughter — Mary M., 
now Mrs. James H. Holmes. She has one child — Angie G.,born 
Aug. 4, 1881. Mr. Dewing has the record of his father's ancestors 
from 1614 to the present time. Andrew Dewing, one of the first 
settlers of Needham, was a member of the ancient artillery of Bos- 
ton in 1644. 

S. J^auts, contractor and bridge builder, was born in Morgan 
County, Ohio, Aug. 15, 1824, and lived there till twenty-two years 
of age. From 1816 to 1852 he was engaged in manufacturing 
windmills in Ohio and Illinois. From 1853 to 1861 he was en- 
gaged in general contracting and building. May 15, 1862, he en- 
listed in Company H, Eighty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and served 
five months. He was taken prisoner at Harper's Ferry, Va., in 
September, 1862. In 1803 he came to Albany, and took charge of 
the wood work in the colored school building, and has since that 
time been engaged in contracting and bridge building. He has a 
pleasant home in Albany, where his family are surrounded with 
the comforts of life. He was married July 4,1847, to Catharine 
NefF, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born May 2, 1830. They 
have three children — Cydnor T., Charles W. and Mary A. Mr. 
and Mrs. Fauts are members of the Methodist church. He belongs 
to Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R., Athens. 

Hv'j/i Fletcher was born in County Donegal, Ireland, May 13, 
1809, and came to America in 1824. He landed in New Jersey 
and went direct to G-reeue County, Penh. In 183G he came to 
Athens County, Ohio, and locate 1 in Alexander Township. In 
1838 he went back to Europe but returned again to America in 
1840 and settled in Lee Township. In 1^43 he went to Wisconsin, 
and in the fall of L846 went again to Europe. In 1851 he came 
again to Lee Township. He bought a farm in "Waterloo Town- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 617 

ship and lived there till 1S57, when he came to Albany, where he 
has Bince resided. He was married Jan. 17, 1855, to Margaret 
Entsler, a native of Vinton County, Ohio. They have two chil- 
dren — Charles E., born April 1, 1856, and Mary E., born March 
14, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian church. 

EUas Graham^ born in Albany, .May 8, 1825, wi □ oi 

William and Nancy (Cassel) Graham. J I is father was bom July 
2. 1783, and died May 31, 1854. His mother was born Feb. L4, 
1788, and diedMarch26, 1851. They had a family of twelve children 
— Henry (the second male child born in Lee Township), Elizabeth, 
Sophia, ivy. VTilliam, James. .Samuel, Hannah, Elias, Martha, 
Wilson and Nancy. Kjias was married April 24, to Dian- 

tha Martin, a native of this town-hip. Four children were born 
to them, only three now living — Rebecca J. , Martha and William 
T. Mr. Graham has 190 a land is engaged in farm- 

ing and stock-rai-irjir, making a specialty of the latter. ELe 
member of Lee Grange. Hifi father bnilt the first hotel in At 
in 1- 

E 0. Humphrey, carpenter, was born in Washington County, 
and in 1846 came to Lee Township, At 
aty. He was married in September, 
native of ' vlvania, born y have had four 

children, only two now living — William E. and Joseph E. Their 
d, John A., enlisted in the late war, and at the bat* e 
iter, Jui; as shot throe , 

the Union forces left the field to the re fell into their hands 

and 3ed to have died as he ha- I heard from- 

Humphrey enli Feb. 1, 1862 ' -ity- 

fourth Ohio Infantry. . 5, 1862,on account 

of di ". . ed a company to take a wa 

train to Cumberland Gap. On their arrival at Camp Nelson, I 
a pack-mule train, and :. 
_' the John Morgan raid in Ohio he I in 

after Mo: g 

ireh. 

. Jan. 1 
ind in ] - I 

led. Hi 

and on - ip. He 

married Jul 



618 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

County, Ohio, born in 1814. They have six children — James H., 
Jesse (now in "Washington Territory), George W., Eliza J., Sarah 
and Libbie. Mr. and Mrs. Jones and three of their children are 
members of the Christian church. 

Mrs. Alice Kerr was born in Pennsylvania June 13, 1S07. She 
was married Jan. 19, 1836, to David Kerr, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia, born Dec. 17, 1804. They moved to Virginia in 1837, and in 
1812 came to Ohio and settled on section 2, Lee Township, where 
Mr. Kerr died Dec. 9, 1880, and where Mrs. Kerr now resides. 
Mrs. Kerr has six children — Salome, born Nov. 5, 1836; H. Hus- 
ton, Jan. 16, 1838; Mary L., Oct. 31, 1839; Margaret, March 16, 
1841; Rebecca, Dec. 8, 1842, and Phoebe A., Dec. 16/1844. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kerr were both members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
church. The children are all members of the Free-Will Baptist 
church. Mrs. Kerr's daughter, Mary L., commenced to teach 
school when sixteen years of age and taught sixteen years, in Ohio, 
Illinois and Nebraska. For the past three years she has been man- 
aging the home farm. 

Rev. R. J. Lemmoii, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
church, was born in Dubois County, Ind., Feb. 12, 1832. Nov. 6,. 
1856, he married Miss Jane Turner, a native of Bloomfield, Ind., 
born Feb. 8, 1833. They have five children — Jessie, now first as- 
sistant in the graded schools of Taylorville, 111.; D. Donnell, It. 
Bell, Annie D., and Fannie Grace. After his marriage Mr. Lem- 
raon took charge of the church in Bloomfield. In I860 he went to 
Dale, Ind., and in connection with his pastoral work was em- 
ployed to raise money to build an academy. At the breaking out 
of the late war the project was abandoned, and in 1863 he was 
called to the pastorate of the church in Taylorville, 111. ilis 
health failing he resigned in 1866 and was appointed agent to ob- 
tain funds to endow Lincoln University, Lincoln, 111. In 1869 he 
assumed the charge of the church at Albion, 111. He afterward 
went to Newbury, Ind. , and remained two years, when his health 
again being delicate, he was sent by the Board of Missions of the 
church to California, and remained there two years and a half. He 
was then called to the general financial management of the Waynes- 
burg College, Waynesburg, Pa. In 1880 he came to xUhens County, 
and in August of that year organized the church at Albany, and 
was instrumental in building the church in addition to his other 
pastoral labors. Mr. Lenimon has been a very prominent man in 
his church and has been an earnest worker in its behalf. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 619 

Hugh Laughlin was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, May 5, 
1825. He was married in September, 1864, to Margaret Beveridge, 
a native of Athens County, born in 1821. They have had six chil- 
dren, only three now living — Mary, now Mrs. John Bowman; 
Nancy and Albert. Mr. Laughlin has fourteen acres of good land 
on section 12, Lee Township, and is engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, making a specialty of raising cattle. He was at one time 
a member of the Methodist church, but for the past eighteen years 
lias not been connected with any denomination. 

John Masten was born in Ritchie County, W. Va., Oct. 4, 1845. 
He came to Lee Township in 1864 and has since resided here 
engaged in farming. He now has sixty acres of good land on sec- 
tion 12. In October, 1873, he obtained a patent for his Climax 
churn, which has taken the premium at several county fairs, and 
also at the Ohio State Fair in 1878. Mr. Masten's address is Lee, 
Athens Co., Ohio, and he will be pleased to correspond with any 
one wishing a good churn. He was married April 21, 1866, to 
Catherine Llewellen, a native of Lee Township. They have eight 
children — Charles, Nora, Ora, Perley, Lucy, John, Rawliegh and 
Leander. 

Andreiu McClettcmd was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Aug. 
23, 1813, and when eight years of age went to Pennsylvania. 
"When sixteen years of age he commenced to learn the shoemaker's 
trade and served an apprenticeship of four years. He was married 
Nov. 9, 1834, to Nancy Pratt, a native of Pennsylvania. They 
have had nine children, only seven now living — Mary, Sarah, Har- 
riet, Eliza, Catherine, Rebecca M. and Salina. In 1847 Mr. 
McClellan came to Ohio and lived seven years in Hebbardsville, 
and in 1854 came to Albany. He enlisted Dec. 18, 1861, in the 
Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry, afterward consolidated with the Sev- 
enty-fifth Ohio, and served three years; was in the battles at 
McDowell, second Bull Run, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. 
He is a member of Albany Lodge, No. 156, A. F. & A. M. 

A. D. Minear was born in Lee Township, Dec. 10, 1838. He 
enlisted in the late war in Company A, Ninety-second Ohio In- 
fantry, and served three years. He participated in the battles at 
Chickamaugaand Mission Ridge; was shot through the hips at the 
latter place and lay in the hospital three months, then received a 
furlough of a month, and returned to his regiment at Ringgold, 
On. From there went to Atlanta, Savannah, the Carolinas, Rich- 
mond and Washington, where he was mustered out; thence toColum- 



620 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

bus, Ohio, for discharge. He returned to Lee Township and has 
since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has tine 
farm of 345 acres, his residence being on section 16. He was 
married Dec. 10, 1865, to Sarah J. Cooper, a native of Ohio, born 
in 1817. She died Sept. 21, 1879, leaving two children — Aldo Z., 
born Jan. 3, 1S68, and Holland M., born March 2, 1874. Mr. 
Minear is a member of the Methodist church. He is promi- 
nently associated with the Patrons of Husbandry. 

E. C. Moler was born in Perry County, Ohio, June 7, 1817, and 
when six years old went to Vinton County. He came to Athens 
County in the spring of 1868 and settled in Lee Township, where 
he now has a fine farm of sixty acres on fraction 36, and seven acres 
in the limits of Albany. He is engaged in buying and selling 
stock in connection with farming. He was married in September, 
1868, to Celestia A. Means, a native of Athens County, born Feb. 
4, 1849. They have five children — Herbert, Cora, James, Jennie 
and Minnie. 

J. W. Morris, carpenter, was born in Kent County, Md., Dec. 
27, 1841. Oct. 11, 1S69, he left Maryland and went to Cincinnati, 
and from there to Meigs County, but in 1870 came to Athens 
County and located in Albany. He was married in 1874 to E. M. 
Martin, a native of Meigs County, born in February, 1S52. They 
have one child — C. R., born July 26, 1880. Mr. Morris's father, 
William Morris, was born in Maryland in 1811, and was killed by 
lightning in 1864. His mother, S. A. (Kankey) Morris, was born 
in 1808, and died in 1869. There was a family of seven children 
— C. K, J. II., W. T., E. S., G. W., J. W. and Anna Jane. 

Joseph Oliver, farmer, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, May 
19, 1828. In 1859 he came to Athens County and lived in Alex- 
ander Township eighteen months, and then came to Lee Town- 
ship. He has nine acres of good land in the corporation of 
Albany. For fifteen years he drove a hack from Albany to Marsh- 
field, and a part of the time to Pomeroy. Three years of the time 
he was United States mail carrier, and was also employed during 
this time by the Adams Express Company. He was married Feb. 
3, 1853, to Rebecca B., daughter of William and Margaret Figley, 
a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born Aug. 30, 1S27. They 
have had seven children, five now living — Mary, J. D., Lizzie J., 
John M. and Addie M. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver and their daughter 
Mary are members of the Free-Will Baptist church. Mr. Oliver's 
father, Jesse Oliver, was born in Virginia in 1799, and is now liv- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 621 

ing in Noble County, Ohio. His mother, Rebecca Oliver, was 
born in Harrison County, Ohio, March 25, 1805, and died March 
15, 1882. There was a family of nine children, seven of whom 
are living — Leven, L. B., Joseph, William, Maria, Martha and 
Mary. Mrs. Oliver's father was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 
in 1800, and died in January, 1881. Her mother died when 
Mrs. Oliver was only three years old, leaving three children — Mar- 
garet A., Rebecca B. and Martha J. 

Augustus Palmer, Postmaster, was born in "Washington County, 
Ohio, Jan. 26, 1827. He learned the saddler's trade in 1846, in 
Plymouth and then came to Albany and opened a shop. Five years 
later he sold out and went into the mercantile business with Charles 
Lindley, but after two years sold out to Brown & Jaynes. In 1866 
he wasappoiuted Postmaster of Lee, and has served in that capacity 
longer than any other man in Athens County. He was married in 
185S toSamarie, daughter of Jabez and Margaret (Simpson) Hub- 
bell. She was born in Meigs County, Dec. 28, 1831. They have 
no children. Mr. Palmer's father, J. F. Palmer, was born in Ver- 
mont, Aug. 31, 1787, and died in Washington County, Ohio, in 
1813. His mother, Lydia (Brown) Palmer, was born Nov. 1, 1789, 
and died in 1856. They had three children — Harriet, born Dec. 
17, 1822, and died in Missouri in 1871; John, born Feb. 12, 1825, 
and Augustus. 

Isaac Ream was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 2, 1812. 
In 1810 he came to Athens County and made four miles of the 
Eocking Canal. He was then overseer at Judge Pruden's salt 
work.-; ten years. In 1851 he followed boating on the canal. The 
next six years he kept a dairy, having sixty cows. In 1870 he 
went to Vinton County and worked for a stock importer four years. 
He then bought a farm in Vinton County and remained there till 
l vs 2. In April of that year he bought a farm of eighty acres in 
Alexander Township, Athens County, where he now resides. He 
was married in 1839, to Elizabeth Williamson, of Fairfield County, 
Ohio, a native of Virginia, born in 1815. They have two children 
—Ellen, now Mrs. I). M. Cooper, born April 3, 1853, and Sarah, 
now Mrs. Charles Martin, born Sept. 3, 1859. Mr. Ream enlisted 
in L862, in Company E, Seventy-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served 
three years. lie participated in the battle .of the Wilderness, both 
battles at Bull Run, Gettysburg, and was eight months in front of 
Charleston, S. C. His regiment was mounted and sent to Florida. 
He was discharged at Hilton Head, Fla., and returned to Athens 



622 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

County. He participated in twenty-six hard-fought battles besides 
skirmishes, and was never wounded. 

T. K. Rossetter was born in New Hartford, Conn., Sept. 14, 
1822. When sixteen years old he came to Ohio and settled on 
Shade Creek, Alexander Township, Athens County, where he lived 
twenty-two years. He then came to Albany, Lee Township, and 
now has a farm of 170 acres on section 4. He was married in 1847 
to Matilda J. Wheeler, a native of Athens County, born in 1827. 
They have four children — Chandler M., Mary M., Hattie A. and 
Lou T. Mr. Rossetter is a member of Albany Lodge, No. 156, 
A. F. & A. M. 

Mrs. Amy Shrader, daughter of Samuel and Almira (Tracy) 
McCune, was born in Athens County, Jan. 26, 1826. Her father 
is a native of Canaan Township, this county, and was born Aug. 
9, 1798. Her mother is a native of New York, born June 7, 1808. 
They have twelve children, all married — Amy, Henry, Jane, George, 
Susan, Levi, Charles, William, Eliza, Sarah, Lucy and Samuel R. 
The subject of this sketch was married in February, 1845, to 
David Shrader, a native of Washington County, Ohio, born July 
21, 1825. Six children were born to them, only four now living — 
Henry, born June 23, 1850; Jennie, born April 14, 1859; Maggie 
E., born March 15, 1861; D. M. born Sept. 5, 1863. Maggie E. 
has been teaching school since fourteen years of age in Athens 
and Yinton counties. Mrs. Shrader has been a member of the 
United Brethren church thirty-four years. 

James Sickels was born in Waterloo Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, May 5, 1835. In 1854 he was employed by the M. & C. 
R. R. contractors in getting out timber for the road; worked 200 
days for one man. In 1855 he went to Illinois and remained 
fourteen months. He then returned to Ohio, and in Chillicothe 
met his father who had started for Kansas, and wanted James to 
accompany him. When they reached St. Louis they found that 
the Missouri River was frozen over, so turned their course down- 
ward and went to Louisiana. From there they went to Natchez 
and Yicksburg, Miss. When they arrived at Paducah, Ky., on 
their way home, the Ohio River was frozen over and they had to 
abandon the boat, the captain returning the money for the re- 
mainder of the trip. Mr. Sickels then went to Tennessee, from 
there to St. Louis, Peoria and Galesburg, III., and returned to 
Ohio in April, 1858. Since 186S he has been engaged in the lum- 
ber business, furnishing large quantities of lumber and timber to 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 623 

the railroad as well as to the general public. He was married Oct. 
29, 1858, to Sarah Ann Hawk, a native of New Jersey, born in 
1836. They have nine children — Albert L., J. E., William L., 
George E., Julietta, Anna E., Jane, Mary and James H. Mr. and 
Mrs. Sickels are members of the Protestant Methodist church. 

William A. Smith was born in Beaver County, Penn., Feb. 7, 
1844. He worked on the farm with his father and attended school 
till twenty years of age. He then taught every winter for ten 
years, and in the spring of 1874 attended the commercial college at 
Pittsburg. In the fall of 1874 he came to Ohio, and Nov. 1 
located in Wilkesville, Vinton County. He was employed as 
clerk in the mercantile house of John Wilson, afterward changed 
to J. & H. S. Wilson, four years. In 1879 he opened a store of 
his own in Wilkesville, and in 1882 moved his stock of goods to 
Albany, where lie is now doing a good business. He was married 
March 2, 1876, to Susan E. Riggs, a native of Washington County, 
Ohio, born March 16, 1816. They have two children — Ira Dvvight, 
born Aug. 20, 1878, and Norma A., born Sept. 24, 1881. Mr. 
Smith was reared in the United Presbyterian church, and Mrs. 
Smith in the Methodist church, but since coming to Albany 
have joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith's 
father, Jacob Smith, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., in 
ISIS and his mother, Sophia (Alexander) Smith, in Law T rence 
County, Penn., in 1818. They are now living in Beaver County, 
his father being Postmaster at Rome. They had three children, 
only two now living — William A. and Calvin A. Mrs. Smith's 
parents, Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Moreland) Riggs, were natives 
of Pleasant County, W. Va., and Washington County, Ohio. They 
have had nine children, only five living — James W., Mary R., 
Susan E., Ellen and Perlina E. 

Mrs. Emma M. Stimson was born in Washington County, Ohio, 
Feb. 22, 1852, and when four years of age came to Lee Township, 
where she was reared and educated. She taught twenty-seven 
terms of school in Athens and Vinton counties. She was married 
Oct, 24, L877, to Dr. Stephen 11. Stimson, a native of Alexandria. 
Licking Co., Ohio, burn in 1849. He was a son of Dr. B. C. Stim- 
son, ot Alexandria. Dr. Stimson was killed Oct. 15, 1S79, by fall- 
ing from a pile of lumber in Athens, where he had gone to rejoice 
with thousands of others over the election of Oct. 14. Dr. Stimson 
was a skillful physician, a sympathetic, pleasant counselor at the 
sick-bed, and his services have been sadly missed, lie was young 



624 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and his prospects were bright for a brilliant future. His friends 
were legion, and many were the sad hearts that followed him to his 
last resting place. Mrs. Stimson has two sons — Chauncey M., born 
Nov. 4, 1878, and Stephen H., born Jan. 15, 1880. 

Albert Vorhes, a native of "Washington County, Penn., born 
Nov. 29, 181S, was a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Burnett) Yorhes, 
natives of New Jersey, his father born in January, 1791, and his 
mother Sept. 2, 1792. His father died Sept. 13, 1854, and his 
mother Nov. 8, 1S62. They had a family of seven children — John, 
Sarah, Albert, Maria, William, Peter. and iYndrew. Andrew died 
Dec. 4, 1875. Mr. Vorhes lived on a farm till 1853, when he 
located in Albany, and established the mercantile house now 
in charge of his sons. He retired from active business in 
1876, and the firm since that time has been J. H. Yorhes & Bros. 
He has a farm of 120 acres where he now resides, enjoying the 
benefits of an active early life. He was married in 1846 to Jane 
Morse, a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, born March 16. 1825. 
She died Feb. 2, 1866, leaving seven children. Mr. Yorhes after- 
ward married Ollie Gorslene, a native of Athens County. He is a 
member of the Presb} T terian and his wife of the Baptist church. 
He belongs to Albany Lodge, No. 56, A. F. & A. M. The firm of 
J. H. Yorhes & Bros, do an annual business of $75,000. In 1871 
and '72 they handled over 200,000 pounds of wool. 

John Vorhes was born in Greene County, Penn., Aug. 7, 1815. 
When twenty-one years of age he came to Athens County and set- 
tled in Alexander Township, and five years later came to Lee 
Township and lived on a farm on section 11 till 1849. He moved 
into Albany in November of that year, and opened a diw-goods 
store. In 1864 he sold out to Isaac Stanley, and since then has 
been operating largely in real estate. He has been Town Council- 
man and Treasurer several terms. In August, 1841, he married 
E. M. McGrath, a native of Watertown, N. Y., born in 1823. They 
have had eight children, only five now living — A. "W., Elizabeth, 
Albert, B. C, and F. Ellen. Mr. Yorhes has 1,000 acres of fine 
land, 200 acres being near Albany. 

John T. Winn was born in Canada West, Oct. 7, 1812. In 1816 
he moved to Meigs County, Ohio, and in September, 1834, came 
to Athens County, and has since lived in Lee Township. He owns 
300 acres in this township and 130 acres in Knox Township, Yinton 
County. He was married June 2, 1840, to Mary A. Graham, a 
native of Meigs County, born March 12, 1820. They had four 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



625 



children — A. J., born June 10, 1841, now living in Knox County, 
111.; Mary E., born Nov. 12, 1842, now Mrs. A. M. Aplin; Nancy 
M., born March 2, 1846, now living in San Bernardino, Call; John 
H., born May 7, 1850. Mrs. Winn died March 20, 1851. Oct. 20, 
1852, Mr. Winn married Phoebe B. Ripley, a native of Morgan 
County, born Aug. It), 1825. They have three children — Wra. S., 
Lucy A. and Benjamin F. Mrs. Winn is a member of the Meth- 
odist church. Mr. Winn is a member of Lodge No. 156, A. F. 
& A. M. In 1872 he was admitted to the bar of Athens County. 
He has served as County Commissioner one term and. Justice of 
the Peace three years. In 1860 he went to the Rocky Mountains, 
forty miles west of Denver, returning to Athens County after a 
year's absence. 




40 



CHAPTER XXII. 

CANAAN TOWNSHIP— THE LAND OF CANAAN AS SEEN TODAY. 

Location and Description — North and South Canaan — When 
Settled — The Hocking River — Population — Rough and 
Broken — Land on the Hill Poor — Grazing for Stock Good — 
Churches and Schools — Township Officers from 1819 to 1883 — 
Canaanyille — Its History — A Pew Closing Remarks — Bio- 
graphical. 

a central township. 

This township lies east of and adjoining Athens Township. The 
Hocking River passes through the middle of it, the township from 
west to east dividing it into two almostequal parts, which are locally 
designated as North Canaan and South Canaan. It is difficult to 
separate the first settlement of Canaan Township from that of 
Athens, of which Canaan was originally a part. It will have been 
noticed that the pioneer settlements clung pretty closely to the 
water courses. In the absence of roads or any other means of com- 
munication, the navigable streams always decided the movements 
of emigrants. The Hocking was, from all accounts, a considerably 
deeper stream and carried much more water eighty-five years ago 
than now, and was easily navigable for heavily laden barges. It 
thus became valuable as a means of communication and supplies, 
and the regions accessible to it were the first to be settled in the 
county. Accordingly many of the first settlers of Athens Town- 
ship located within the present limits of Canaan, whose rich bot- 
tom lands proved very attractive. 

POPULATION AND ORGANIZATION. 

The township was organized in 1819. The name Canaan was 
suggested by Judge Walker, of Ames Township, one of the County 
Commissioners at this time. 

The population of the township in 1820 was 356; in 1830 it was 
375; in 1840 it was 800; in 1850 it was 1,142; in 1860 it was 1,272; 
in 1870 it was 1,543, and in 1880 the census gave 1,499. 

(C2G) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 627 

Back from the river bottoms the land is rough over almost 
all of this township. Along the bottoms and over parts of the 
upland the soil is very fertile, but a great deal of the hilly 
part of the township is too steep or too poor for cultivation, 
and is devoted to grazing. Some coal is mined in the town- 
ship, but the hill beds are thin, and it is mined only for local use. 
At present there are four banks open in different parts of the town- 
ship. 

AGRICULTURALLY DISPOSED. 

The industry of the inhabitants of this township is almost ex- 
clusively farming. There is but one store in the township, and 
but one postoffice. The only manufactory in the township is the 
flouring mill at Canaanville. It was first built in 1824, by Ephraim 
Young and Henry Barrows, but has been since rebuilt by C. D. B. 
Webster in 1872. 

In the township there are thirteen school districts and five 
churches — two Methodist Episcopal, two United Brethren, and one 
Baptist. 

ELECTION AND OFFICERS. 

The first election for Township Trustees was held at the house 
of Edward Pilcher, April 5, 1819. John C. Carico and Stephen 
Pilcher were Judges, and Joshua Hoskinson and John McGill, 
Clerks of the Election. The township officers up to the present 
time are as follows: 

1819. — Trustees, Parker Carpenter, Stephen Pilcher and George 
Bean; Justices of the Peace, Stephen Pilcher and Martin Mans- 
field. 

1820. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, Stephen Pilcher and George 
Bean; Justice of the Peace, Win. Stewart. 

1821. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, Martin Boyles and George 
Bean. 

1822. — Trustees, Parker Carpenter, Martin Boyles and Elijah 
Pilcher; Justice of the Peace, Martin Mansfield. 

L823.— Trustees, Martin Mansfield, A. J. Hoskinson and Sam- 
uel Warren; Justice of the Peace, Stephen Pilcher. 

1824. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, A. J. Hoskinson and 
Phillip M. Starr. 

L825. — Trustees, Joshua Hoskinson, Stephen Pilcher and John 
Boyles; Justice of the Peace, Wm. Thompson. 

l s 2<>. — Trustees, John C. Carico, George Boyles and Wm. 
Hallert. 



628 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1827. — Trustees, Stephen Pilcher, Parker Carpenter and John 
Boyles; Justice of the Peace, Stephen Pilcher. 

1828. — ISTo election — old Trustees acted; Justice of the Peace, 
Win. Thompson. 

1829. — Trustees, Stephen Pilcher, Parker Carpenter and Joshua 
Hoskinson. 

1830. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, Martin Boyles and Elijah 
Pilcher; Justice of the Peace, Joshua Hoskinson. 

1S31. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, Martin Boyles and Stephen 
Pilcher; Justice of the Peace, Marti a Mansfield. 

1832. — Trustees, Wm. Burch. George Bean and Stephen Pil- 
cher. 

1833. — Trustees, Wm. Burch, George Bean and Stephen Pilcher; 
Justice of the Peace, John McGill. 

1834. — Trustees, Wm. Burch, Martin Mansfield and Robert 
Bean; Justice of the Peace, George Bean. 

1835. — Trustees, Elijah Pilcher, Joshua Hoskinson and Robert 
Bean; Justice of the Peace, John McGill. 

1836. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, Joshua Hoskinson and 
Frederic Wood. 

1837. — Trustees, Amos Miller, John G. Bean and Parker Car- 
penter; Justice of the Peace, George Bean. 

1838. — Trustees, Martin Mansfield, Jacob Tedrow and Parker 
Carpenter; Justice of the Peace, Joshua Hoskinson. 

1839. — Trustees, Elijah Pilcher, John Boyles and John G. 
Bean. 

1810. — Trustees, Elijah Pilcher, John Boyles and John G. Bean; 
Justice of the Peace, George Bean. 

1811. — Trustees, E. C. Wright, Richard Poston and David Jor- 
dan; Justice of the Peace, George N. Reade. 

1812. — Trustees, D. M. Pruden, Richard Poston and David 
Jordan. 

1843. — Trustees, D. M. Pruden, Isaac Long and David Jordan; 
Justice of the Peace, Robert Bean. 

1811. — Trustees, D. M. Pruden, G. N. Reade and David Jor- 
dan; Justice of the Peace, G. N. Reade. 

1815. — Trustees, D. M. Pruden, G. N. Reade and David Jordan. 

1816. — Trustees, Clayton Starr, G. N. Reade and Harrison 
Halbert. 

1847.— Trustees, Clayton Starr, G. N. Reade and D. M. Pru- 
den; Justice of the Peace, D. M. Pruden. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 629 

1848. — Trustees, fin. Henry, N. O. Warren and John Druggan ; 
Justice of the Peace, A. Buckley. 

1849. — Trustees, David Jordan, N. O. Warren and John 
Druggan. 

1850. — Trustees, Richard Poston, Peter Sams and Peter Stal- 
der; Justices of the Peace, Nathan S. Pilcher and Aaron Hull. 

1851. — Trustees, A. Buckley, George Mansfield and Peter Stal- 
der; Justice of the Peace, Richard Poston. 

1852. — Trustees, Peter Davis, Nathan S. Pilcher and David 
Jordan. 

1853. — Trustees, Peter Davis, Nathan S. Pilcher and David 
Jordan; Justices of the Peace, Nathan S. Pilcher and Aaron Hull. 

1854. — Trustees, Peter Davis, Peter Stalder and Peter Finster- 
wald; Justices of the Peace, Elijah Tucker and Thomas- Gros- 
venor. 

1855. — Trustees, Peter Davis, Peter Stalder and Peter Finch. 

1856. — Trustees, David Jordan, Peter Stalder and Peter Finch; 
Justices of the Peace, Joseph Border, Charles C. Pruden and Pe- 
ter Davis. 

1857. — Trustees, David Jordan, Peter Stalder and Peter Finster- 
wald. 

1858. — Trustees, Nicholas Stalder, James Sams and Peter Davis. 

1859. — Trustees, Nicholas Stalder, Joseph Border and Thomas 
Grosvenor; Justices of the Peace, David Love and J. W. Baird. 

I860.— Trustees, Nicholas Stalder, Henry Finsterwald and E. 
D. Sheridan. 

1861.— Trustees, Nicholas Stalder, Henry Finsterwald and E. 
D. Sheridan; Justices of the Peace, David Love and J. W. Baird. 

1862.— Trustees, L. D. Bean, Henry Finsterwald and S. L. 
Mohler. 

1863.— Trustees, Curtis Bean, Henry Finsterwald and William 
Burch; Justices of the Peace, David Love and J. W. Baird. 

1864.— Trustees, S. McLeade, Henry Finsterwald and William 
Burch. 

1865.— Trustees, C. B. Cunningham, J. W. Baird and Joshua 
Wyatt; Justices of the Peace, David Love and J. W. Baird. 

! 566.— Trustees, Curtis Bean, N. Warren and J. W. Baird. 

L867.— Trustees, Curtis Bean, N. Warren and Peter Finster- 
wald. 

1868.— Trustees, Curtis Bean, F. C. Wyatt and Peter Finster- 
wald ; Justice of the Peace, T. W. Stewart and Arnold Hill. 



630 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

I860.— Trustees, Curtis Bean, F. C. Wyatt and Peter Finster- 
wald; Clerk, J. AV. Hoskinson; Treasurer, L. D. Bean. 

1870. — Trustees, Curtis Bean, F. C. Wyatt and Peter Finster- 
wald; Clerk, J. W. Hoskinson; Treasurer, L. D. Bean. 

1S71. — Trustees, Curtis Bean, F. C. Wyatt and Peter Finster- 
wald; Clerk, J. W. Hoskinson; Treasurer, L. D. Bean; Justices 
of the Peace, T. W. Stewart and Arnold Hill. 

1872.— Trustees, N. Stalder, J. O. Hill and William Stewart; 
Clerk, W. D. Mansfield; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

1873.— Trustees, J. O. Hill, William Stewart and Elias Poston; 
Clerk, W.D. Mansfield; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

1874.— Trustees, J. O. Hill, Elias Poston and D. D. Dowler; 
Clerk, E. B. Hoskinson; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster; Justices of 
the Peace, T. W. Stewart and A. Tucker. 

1875.— Trustees, Elias Poston, D. D. Dowler and Z. W. Hos- 
kinson; Clerk, E. B. Hoskinson; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

1876.— Trustees, Z. W. Hoskinson, T. W. Stewart and Robert 
Dunlap; Clerk, E. B. Hoskinson; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

1877. — Trustees, Z. W. Hoskinson, Robert Dunlap and J. M. 
Lamborn; Clerk, E. B. Hoskinson; Treasurer, CD. B. Webster; 
Justices of the Peace, D. D. Dowler and J. M. Maxwell. 

1878. — Trustees, J. M. Lamborn, William Marshall and J. Mc- 
Clanahan; Clerk, E. B. Hoskinson; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

1879. — Trustees, J. M. Lamborn, J. McClanahan and William 
Marshall; Clerk, J. W. Baird; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

[880. — Trustees, Henry Finsterwald, J. McClanahan and Will- 
iam Marshall; Clerk, D. Flesher; Treasurer, C. D. B. Webster. 

1SS1.— Trustees, J. B. Phillips, Peter Finsterwald and Frank 
Finsterwald; Clerk, D. Flesher; Treasurer, F. M. Webster; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, J. O. Hill. 

1S82.— Trustees,| Peter Finsterwald. J. B. Phillips and C. I. 
Ham; Clerk, D. Flesher; Treasurer, F. M. Webster. 

1SS3.— Trustees, C. 1. Ham, J. O. Maxwell and Robert Patter- 
son; Clerk, D. Flesher; Treasurer, F. M. Webster. 

CANAANVILLE. 

The only village in Canaan Township, Canaanville, is situated 
on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, about the center of the 
township. It never was laid out in lots, and has only a popula- 
tion of about fifty-five inhabitants. It has one store, kept by J. W. 
Baird, who also keeps the postofiice; one flouring mill, owned by the 



HISTORY - OF HOCKING VALLEY. 631 

Webster Brothers, and one blacksmith shop, kept by Draper 
Flesher. Considerable lumber and timber is shipped from the sta- 
tion at this point. A village was laid out in this township about a 
quarter of a mile east of Canaanville in 1855, on the land of 
Nathan Pilcher, but it never was settled upon to any extent. The 
name of this imaginary village is Detroit. The postofhce was 
established and originally kept near its present location, on the old 
Athens and Marietta mail route. The first Postmaster was Stephen 
Pilcher, who held the office from 183-1 until 1839. He was fol- 
lowed by N. O. "Warren, who was Postmaster from 1839 until 1866, 
when J. W. Baird, the present Postmaster, was appointed. The 
village has also a hotel kept by N. B. Owens. 

A FEW REMARKS. 

The township has not improved much the past decade, and its 
population proved to have been a trine less in 1S80 than in 1870. 
The southern portion of the township is watered by Willow Run, 
and through that portion of the township the land is fertile. The 
northern section of the township is more broken and the valley 
smaller after leaving the Hocking River. The Valley of McDou- 
gal's Creek lies in the northeastern part and is extremely rich, and 
the hills excellent pasturage grounds. Stock and sheep raising 
especially is an important element of wealth to the farmers. It is 
bounded on the north by Ames Township, on the east by Rome, 
south by Lodi, and west by Athens townships. The Hocking Val- 
ley Railroad, following the river bank, also runs through the town- 
ship from west to east and has one station, Warren depot, about 
midway or central in the township, which gives the farmers splen- 
did shipping facilities, the most distant point beingbuta trifle over 
three miles from the station. The fact that Canaan Township has 
retrograded the past ten years instead of growing, when the nature 
of the township is known, the nearness of railroad facilities, 
schools, churches and the county seat, is something hard to under- 
stand, but there seems to be a disposition to congregate in the 
mining townships. While the present outlook is not flattering, it is 
not altogether without promise. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

J. W. Baird, merchant, was born in Sullivan County, New York, 
June 6, 1827, and is the son of C. C. and Sarah (Barlow) Baird, 
who came to Athens County in 1836 and located in Rome Town- 



632 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ship where N. O. Warren now resides. Our subject was educated 
in the common schools and completed it at Miller's Academy. At 
the age of fifteen he became engaged as a clerk in a store, in which 
he remained until he was married, Dec. 31, 1847, to Miss Lorinda 
Warren, a daughter of the venerable N. O. Warren, of Rome Town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Baird have seven children — Waldo, Lydia, 
Charles, Lot L., Augustus, Grace and Wade. At the time of his 
marriage*Mr. Baird became engaged in farming, in which he con- 
tinued until 1860. He then became a partner of C D. B. Web- 
ster in the mercantile business at Canaanville, which partnership 
existed until 1878. He then purchased Mr. Webster's interest and 
still continues in the business, where he receives, as he deserves, a 
liberal share of the public patronage. Although he never craved 
office, yet the people had such perfect confidence in him that they 
have given him nearly all the offices of trust in the township. He 
has held the office of Justice of the Peace for nine years, and at the 
same time held the office of Township Clerk and Assessor. He 
has been Postmaster at this point for about twenty years. He 
took the census of the township in 1880. He owns 160 acres of 
land and has been generally successful in all his undertakings. 

Harrison Bean, farmer, Canaan Township, was born in Hardy 
County, W. Va., July 31, 1829, and is the son of John G. and 
Dianna Bean, who came to Athens County about 1830 and set- 
tled in Canaan Township, on a farm located at the mouth of Wil- 
low Creek, where our subject now resides. He was reared on his 
father's farm and educated in the common schools. Mr. Bean was 
married in November, 1855, to Margaret W., daughter of Martin 
and Abigail Mansfield, residents of Athens County. This union 
was blessed by the birth of ten children, nine of whom are living 
— Martin L., Parker (deceased), Emeline E., Rosa Lee, Fred H., 
Arlow W., Cyrus B., Annette, Elsie E. and Mary F. Mr. Bean 
lias a fine farm containing 150 acres of improved land, on which are 
substantial buildings. He has followed his chosen avocation very 
successfully and been enabled by his industry to surround himself 
and family with the necessary comforts of life. When a young 
man he made sixteen trips to Cincinnati, Ohio, in flat-boats, this 
being their only way of carrying the products of the farm to mar- 
ket. His father, who has reached the advanced age of ninety-four, 
retains his strength and faculties remarkably. lie resides near 
Springfield, 111. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 633 

Jeremiah Burroughs, farmer, was born in Canada West, May 
10, 1813, and is the son of James and Marian Burroughs, who 
were among the early settlers of Athens County. They were born 
in New York State, and went from there to Canada, and when 
General Harrison went in there he was very much wanted by the 
British, as a soldier, but he remained loyal to the country of his 
birth, and was enabled to escape with the United States army with 
his family to the United States, coming across the lake, and located 
in Huron County, Ohio, where he remained a short time and then 
came to Belpre, Washington County, where he remain ed about 
two years and then came to Athens County and located first in 
Home Township; remained a little over two years and then came 
to Canaan Township and settled near where the store of J. W. 
Baird now stands. Here he passed the remainder of his life. Our 
subject was married in 184i to Elizabeth Bean, daughter of Thomas 
Bean. Mr. Burroughs has a fine farm containing about fifty-eight 
acres of improved land. He has, by his industry, been enabled to 
accumulate a property sufficient to keep him comfortably during 
his remaining days. He is physically a strong man and retains his 
faculties to a remarkable degree for a man of his years. His first 
vote was cast for William Henry Harrison, and he always voted 
with the Whig party as long as it remained in existence, and since 
the formation of the Republican party he has ever been a staunch 
adherent to its principles. 

Harvey Carpenter, farmer and stock-raiser, Canaan Township, 
was born in Windham County, Conn., Aug. 11, 1802, and is the 
son of Parker and Mary Carpenter, who were prominently identi- 
fied among the early settlers of Athens County, coming here in 
the year 1817 and locating in Canaan Township. Our subject, at 
the time of coming here, was fourteen years of age, and has been 
able to note the rapid development of the country about his adopted 
home. He remained with his parents until he reached his ma- 
jority, receiving his education in the common schools. At this 
time he purchased a farm near that of his father's, and began life 
for himself. He was married about 1820 to Abbie Arnold, a 
daughter of Thomas Arnold, who was also a pioneer. By this un- 
ion were five children, two of whom still survive— Oliver and 
Mary; John, Adeline and Ann Eliza are deceased. Mr. Carpen- 
ter was bereft of his wife Dec. 18, 1880. He has followed assidu- 
ously his chosen avocation, that of a farmer, and by his industry 
has been able to accumulate a property sufficient to surround him- 
self during his remaining days with all the comforts of life. 



634 HISTORY OF HOCKING valley. 

Oliver Carpenter, the oldest son of Harvey and Abbie (Arnold) 
Carpenter, was born in Canaan Township, April 20, 1827. He was 
reared on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools. 
He was married in 1849 to Laura Bartlett, a daughter of William 
D. and Julia (Bingham) Bartlett, of Athens. By this union are 
six children— Addie M., William D. B., John H., Edward D., 
Percy H. and Elizabeth S. Mr. Carpenter has been engaged in 
farming a greater portion of his life and has resided with his father 
quite a portion of the time. In 1862 he was employed by the Uni- 
ted States Government as an inspector of horses, being stationed at 
St. Lonis, and in 1863-'4 was engaged as recruiting officer for Ca- 
naan Township; and by his efforts they avoided the draft by keep- 
ing their quota filled. 

Robert Cook, farmer, Canaan Township, was born in Manchester, 
England, and is the son of William and Mary Cook, who were of 
Irish descent. His mother died when he was only one year old, 
and at the age of seven he came to America with his father, who 
settled in Washington County, Pa., where our subject lived on a 
farm until he was eighteen years of age. At this time he learned 
the tailor's trade which he followed for ten years. He was married 
Sept. 2, 1850, to Mary B., daughter of Jonathan and Mary Minear, 
natives of Virginia. They have five children — Mary N., Elizabeth 
V., William E., Emma.M. and Robert S. After their marriage 
they resided in Pennsylvania for about seven years, then coming to 
Athens County and locating in Troy Township, where they still 
own property. In 1877 they came to Canaan Township and lo- 
cated on the farm where they now reside. He has a fine farm con- 
taining 148f acres of improved land on which he has erected a very 
pleasant residence. Mr. Cook has by his industry been able to ac- 
cumulate a handsome property which he uses in surrounding him- 
self and family with all the necessary comforts of life. Mrs. Cook 
is a member of the Congregational church. 

Henry Fimterwald, farmer and stock-raiser, Canaan Town- 
ship, Athens County, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Jan. 23, 
1827, and is the son of John and Catharine Finsterwald, who 
came to Athens among the early pioneers, coming from Switz- 
erland in the year 1819 to America, crossing the ocean in a sailing 
vessel, and landing in New York before steamships and railroads 
were known. They came from New York to Pittsburg, Penn., 
in teams, where they purchased a flat-boat and came down the Ohio 
River to Marietta, where the women and children remained 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 635 

until the men could go out and build a house for them in the 
woods, as it was at that time. They came to Cauaan Township 
and built a large log house near the place now owned and occupied 
by Elijah Woods. They then returned to Marietta for their fami- 
lies and moved them into the new house, arriving in November, 
the whole colony of about seventy persons occupying this one 
house the first winter. The following spring they each bought 
and settled on their future homes, our subject's parents settling 
in Ames Township, where they lived for a few years. They 
then went to Fairfield County, where his father died when our sub- 
ject was six years of age. At this time his mother and family 
returned to Ames Township. Mr. Finsterwald remained with his 
mother until he was sixteen years of age, and then came to Canaan 
and became engaged in coal-mining, which he followed for about 
twenty -eight years. He was married April 20, 1855, to Miss Lucy 
Hill, daughter of Jonathan and Nancy (Arnold) Hill, who was 
among the early settlers of Athens County. By this union there 
are seven children — Franklin, Alice, Mary, Henry, Samuel, Car- 
rie D. and Pharis. In 1872 Mr. Finsterwald purchased his 
present home, a farm containing 226 acres of well-improved land, 
well adapted to raising stock and grain. Mr. Finsterwald has fol- 
lowed his present vocation assiduously, and by his industry has 
been able to accumulate a handsome property which he uses in 
surrounding himself and family with the necessary comforts ot 
life and carries with him the respect of his fellow citizens. 

Peter Finsterwald, farmer, was born in Canaan Township, Jan. 
15, 1823, the son of John and Catharine (Stalder) Finsterwald, who 
came from Switzerland to America in 1819. He was reared on a farm 
until eighteen years of age. He then went to Harmony and went to 
work in a salt manufacturing establishment, in which business he 
remained for about twenty-live years, and for the past eight years 
has been engaged in farming. He was married in 1811 to Bar- 
bara A. Davis, a resident of Athens County. They had one child 
— Jessie. Mrs. Finsterwald only lived one year after their marriage. 
In 1846 he chose for himself a second wife in Miss Isabel Liggett, 
and this union was blest by the birth of four children, one of whom 
still survives — Amanda. His wife died Feb. 5, 1866. He was 
again married Feb. 9, 1867, to Amanda Liggett, a sister of the pre. 
ceding wife, and they were the parents of three children, two still 
living— Lorinda and Frederick. This wife died April 12, 1873, and 
he was married to his present wife, who was Mrs. Dorcas Sams, 



636 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

April 11, 1874. He is the owner of 217 acres of improved land, 
and as a farmer he has proved a success. He has held several dif- 
ferent township offices, and is at present one of its Trustees. Mr. 
and Mrs. Finsterwakl are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church, an organization in which they take great interest. He is a 
member of the A. F. & A. M., Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, located 
at Athens. 

Draper Flesher, blacksmith, Canaan Township, was born Sept- 
16, 1850, in Lewis County, W. Ya., and is the son of John and 
Minerva (Camden) Flesher. He received his early education in 
the subscription schools, and at the age of fifteen he entered the 
employ of a blacksmith as an apprentice, in which he served for 
four years, coming to Athens in October, 1869, with his employer 
and settling in Canaan Township. In the fall of 1871 he com- 
menced business for himself in the shop where he now successfully 
prosecutes his trade. He was married Jan. 18, 1871, to Miss Cath- 
arina Reining, daughter of George and Christina Reining, resi- 
dents of Athens County. By this union there are four children — 
Mary L., Henry M., Lawrence G. and Lena E. Mr. Flesher is a 
member of the Athenian Lodge, No. 101, K. of P., located at 
Athens. In 1880 he was elected to the office of Township Clerk, 
and was re-elected in 1881, and again in 1882, which office he still 
holds and fills with credit to himself and honor to his constituents, 
and carries with him the confidence of his fellow townsmen. 

Mrs. Mary C. Grosvenor is the daughter of the late John and 
Emily (Carpenter) Wyatt, and was born in Ames Township, March 
19, 1828, and received her early education in the common schools, 
completing it at the academy in Chester, Meigs County, Ohio. 
She was married Nov. 1, 18-17, to Thomas Grosvenor. By this 
union there were seven children, only six of whom are living — 
Henrietta, Ann E., "William P. (deceased), Mary A., Hattie, John 
II. and Sarah E. Mr. Grosvenor died April 11, 1862. At the 
breaking out of the late civil war he was among the foremost to 
answer the appeal, enlisting in November, 1861, in the Eighteenth 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and lost his life on the date above men- 
tioned. Mrs. Grosvenor is the owner of a nice farm containing 
seventy-five acres of well-improved land, on which is a very pleas- 
ant residence in which she is surrounded with the comforts of life. 
She has been a member of the Presbyterian church for several 
years and takes an interest in the good work, and has taken an act- 
ive part in the missionary cause, being the President of the so- 
ciety at New England. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 037 

Charles J. Ham, farmer and stock-raiser, Canaan Township, 
was born in Kennebec County, Maine, July 29, 1831, and is the 
youngest son of Thomas and Mary (Smith) Ham. He received his 
education in the common schools, completing it at the academy 
at Monmouth, Maine. On reaching his majority he came to Ohio, 
locating in Athens County, and immediately became connected 
with the old M. & C. R. R., as a contractor, following this avoca- 
tion for a period of sixteen years, and was also a greater part of the 
time superintendent of bridges, and by strict attention to the du- 
ties thereof he gained the confidence and esteem of the managers 
of the company. In 1870 he went to Springfield, 111., and engaged 
in the construction of bridges for the S. E. & S. E. R. R., which 
position he occupied for a period of four years, after which he re- 
turned to his adopted home, in Ohio, and re-entered his former po- 
sition with the M. & C. R. R., where he remained for about four 
years, when he severed his connection with the company and pur- 
chased the homestead of the late William Henry, where he has 
since resided. His farm contains 390 acres of improved land, 
which is well adapted to the purposes for which it is used, raising 
grain and live-stock, and on which are commodious and substan- 
tial buildings. He was married in October, 1858, to Jane Henry, 
daughter of William and Eunice Henry, and a granddaughter of 
the iate John Henry, who was one of the pioneers of Ames Town- 
ship. There are two children, a son and daughter — Charles W. 
and Emma D. By his industry and strict attention he has been 
able to accumulate a large property, which he uses to the best ad- 
vantage in surrounding himself and family with all the comforts 
of life. He is a man of generous disposition, and. is ever ready 
to aid in forwarding any laudable enterprise which will be of in- 
terest and benefit to the public, and by his honesty and integrity 
he carries with him the justly deserved respect and esteem of the 
entire community. 

Arnold Will, farmer, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, JSTov. 9, 1821, 
the son of Jonathan and Nancy (Arnold) Hill, who were among 
the early settlers of the county, coming here from Massachusetts 
in 1817 and locating in Ames Township. He was the builder of 
one of the first bridges across Federal Creek. He came to Canaan 
Township about 1820, and located on what is now known as the 
X. 0. Warren firm, where he remained until a short time before 
his death, which occurred in Ames Township, Feb. 20, 1802. Our 
subject was reared on the farm and remained with his parents until 



63$ HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

he was twenty-two years of age. He was married Aug. 25, 1855, 
to Mary Pruden, daughter of Samuel Pruden, a pioneer of the 
county. By this union there were ten children; nine still live — 
Charles C, Romma, Samuel B., Silas, Hattie, Eva, Nathan, Mida 
and Ella. He is the owner of 430 acres of land, 300 of which is 
improved and on which is a valuable deposit of coal, which he has 
operated quite successfully. He has held several different offices 
at the hands of the people and has in discharge of these duties 
given satisfaction to his constituents. He always takes a lively 
interest in educational matters and has been School Director for 
twent} T -seven years. 

Ziba W. Hoskinson, farmer, Canaan Township, section 8, was 
born in Canaan Township, Athens County, April 18, 1818, and is 
the second son of Joshua Hoskinson, who came from Maryland to 
Athens County in 1810, and grandson of Elisha Hoskinson, who 
was one of the first settlers of Canaan Township. Our subject was 
reared on his father's farm. He lived with his parents until their 
death, and still remains on the old homestead on which his parents 
first settled in 1826, which contains about 200 acres of good land, 
located at the mouth of "Willow Creek. He was married May 19, 
18-12, to Mary Bean, daughter of John Bean, who was one of the 
pioneers of Rome Township. By this union there are four chil- 
dren — Elza B., Elmira, Clarissa, Hoyt. Mr. and Mrs. Hoskinson 
are active and consistent members of the Free- Will Baptist church, 
he being Clerk of the church. His father was the first Township 
Clerk, and our subject officiated in the same capacity for a period 
of ten years. In 'his chosen avocation, that of a farmer, he has 
been very successful, and uses his accumulated wealth in surround- 
ing himself and family with all the comforts of life. 

Geo. B. Hulbert, farmer, was born in Canaan Township, March 
3, 1838, and is the son of Harrison and Nancy (Bean) Hulbert, who 
were amoyg the pioneers of the county, as Mr. Hulbert was born 
here a^early as 1804. Our subject was reared on the farm of his 
father and remained with him until he was about twenty-five years 
of age. lie was at this time married to Annie Mansfield, daughter 
of Martin Mansfield, a resident of Lodi Township. They have four 
children — Elzina, Caroline, Elsie and an infant. When about 
thirty years of age he purchased the farm on which he now resides, 
containing 160 acres of improved land, on which he has erected a 
fine residence. The comforts with which he and his famil} 7 are 
surrounded were gained by strict attention to his pursuits, and the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 639 

good will of his fellow-men has been won by his integrity and 
man-like bearing. 

John Milton Lamborn, farmer and stock-raiser, Canaan Town- 
ship, Athens County, was born in Washington County, Pa., March 
2, 1826, and is the son of Joel and Jane (Chapman) Lamborn who 
were natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject received his early edu- 
cation in the common and select schools. At the age of eighteen 
he became engaged as a clerk in the grocery business in Louisville, 
Ky., in which he remained for about three years. He then returned 
to his native State and taught school about three years. lie then 
became engaged in the dry-goods business for himself in which he 
continued for about three years with a fair degree of success. He 
then sold out and became engaged in farming, in which he continued 
until 1868, in his native State, having purchased a farm in 1864. 
During the years of 1862-'3 he dealt largely in stock. In 1868 he 
came to Ohio where he spent a short time in looking for a place to 
locate, and in March, 1860, came to Canaan Township and located 
on the farm where he now resides. He was married in September, 
1849, to Matilda Morrill, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of 
George and Hester Morrill. By this union there were six children, 
five of whom are still living — Rosalia Florence (deceased), Virginia 
C, Olive C, Byron L., Lizzie M. and Milton M. Mr. Lamborn 
has afinefann containing 150 acres of improved land well adapted to 
raising stock and grain, on which is a very pleasant residence and 
substantial farm buildings. He has held the office of Township 
Trustee for several years and performed the duties thereof with 
credit to himself and honor to his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lamborn are members of the Christian church. He is politically 
a conservative Democrat, always striving to use his influence for 
the right. 

Geo. Mansfield, farmer, was born in Canaan Township, Oct. 19, 
1813, and is the oldest son of Peter and Susan Mansfield, who were 
among the earliest settlers of the county, coming here from Penn- 
sylvania in 1797, locating at the mouth of Willow Creek. Here 
our subject was reared and remained until he was nearly twenty- 
eight years of age. He was united in marriage, Jan. 19, 1841, to 
Catherine S., a daughter of William T. Dean, who was a pioneer, 
coming here from Massachusetts in 1815. By this union were 
seven children, five of whom still survive— William Dean, Mary 
A., Susan M. (deceased), Lewis, Nancy J., Catherine E. (deceased), 
and Harriet A. He was bereft of his wife Jan. 19, 1873. He has 



61:0 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

a fine farm containing 300 acres of improved land, and in following 
his chosen avocation he has been quite successful. He is an active 
member of the United Brethren church, as was also his wife until 
her death, in which they have always taken great interest. His 
children have all taken nnto themselves companions for life. 

L. E. Mansfield, farmer and stock-raiser, Canaan Township, 
Athens County, is the youngest child of Martin and Margaret Mans- 
field. Martin Mansfield was a native of Sussex County, N. J., 
and when a child went to Huntingdon County, Pa., where he lived 
until he was sixteen years of age, when, in the year 1795, he 
came to Athens County, Ohio, and in 1797 purchased a farm and 
built a cabin on the same place where our subject's residence 
now stands. Margaret Denham was born in Delaware, and 
came to Athens County in 1795. They were married in Ames 
Township. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven 
of whom lived to be men and women. They started in life 
without means, and with nothing to aid them but strong hands 
and willing hearts; but after passing through the hardships 
and privations of a frontier life, they were enabled by care- 
ful management to accumulate a large property. They gave 
to their children all the advantages possible at that early day to 
gain a good and practical education, which fitted them for good 
and useful men and women in society. After living an honorable 
and useful life, and winning the confidence and esteem of all who 
knew him, he died Aug. 7, 1860, at the advanced age of eighty-one, 
having been an active and consistent member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church for fifty-three years. His wife survived him three 
years, her death occurring Aug. 28, 1863, she having been a mem- 
ber of the same church for fifty-six years. Our subject was born 
on the 9th of April, 1833. His youth was spent in assisting on the 
farm and attending school, receiving his education at the Ohio 
University at Athens. He has always resided on the homestead 
on which his father first settled, where he makes a specialty of 
raising live stock. lie has a fine brick residence, where he enjoys 
all the comforts of life. Mr. Mansfield is an ardent worker for the 
cause of temperance, never having used either liquor or tobacco. 

John Mu8selm-an, miller, Canaan Township, was born in Ross 
County, Ohio, March 12, 1830, and is the son of Michael and 
Rebecca Musselman, and grandson of Henry Musselman, who 
settled in Ross County in 1799, and was one of the pioneers, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 641 

bnilt and operated one of the first flouring mills in that county, 
which avocation was followed by his son, and also by our subject. 
Mr. M. was educated in the common schools, attending for one 
term the Academy at Chillicothe, Ohio. He came to Athens 
County, March 1, 1865, and located in Canaan Township. He has 
been engaged ever since he came to the place in the flouring mill, 
which he still successfully operates, and has won the confidence of 
the entire community by his strict attention to his pursuits and 
fair dealing with his fellow men. lie was married Dec. 30, 1852, 
to Angeline Hanson, daughter of James and Elizabeth Han- 
son. By this union are five children — Edward, Charles, Minnie 
May, Chauncey W. and Zoa. He was bereft of his wife Jan. 11,. 
1861. He was again married in October, 1869, to Martha W. 
Gibson, a native of Ross County. She died July 4, 1SY4, leaving 
one daughter — Ina Maud. Mr. M. is a member of the A. F. & 
A. M., Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, located at Athens. Politically, 
he is a Republican. 

Nelson B. Owens, Canaan Township, was born in Ames Town- 
ship. May 3, 1833. He is the oldest son of Gardner and Abi- 
gail (Nichols) Owens, who were among the pioneers of Ames 
Township. Our subject was reared on a farm, and his education 
was obtained in the common schools. At the age of twenty-two 
he purchased a farm adjoining the old homestead, and began life 
for himself. He was married June 14, 1855, to Annie Car- 
penter, the youngest daughter of Samuel and Annie Carpenter, of 
Morgan County. By this union are two children — Roena E. and 
John G. At his mother's death, Mr. Owen returned to his old 
home and resided with his father for a short time. In 1861 he 
went to Morgan County and engaged in the mercantile business, 
which he followed for about eight years. In 1869 he went to 
Rome Township, where he remained a short time, then returned 
to his native town and engaged in carrying the United States mail 
between there and New England postoffice, in Rome Township, 
in which service he remained for three years. In May, 1873, he 
became engaged in the hotel business at Amesville, in which he 
continued for about seven years. In 1880 he engaged himself in 
stork trading and operating a flouring mill. He came to Canaan- 
ville in August, 1882, where he now resides on what is known as 
the'old " Jocky " Warren farm. He is a man of obliging disposition, 
and has won for himself many warm friends. 
41 



642 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

JReu. J. iV. Pilcher was born in Canaan Township, Feb. 15, 1S33, 
and is the son of George F. and Elizabeth (Saunders) Pilcher. who 
came to Athens County from Hampshire County, Ya., in 1304. aud 
settled in Canaan Township, near the residence now occupied by 
their son. They were among the early pioneers of the county, and 
were instrumental in the development of the county, which was at 
that time one vast wilderness, with but few to aid them and to bear 
with them the hardships attendant upon the early settlement of the 
county. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and was edu- 
cated in the common schools, attending for one term Miller's Sem- 
inary, and completing it at the Ohio University, at Athens. In 
1S5S he connected himself with the Ohio Conference of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church, aud remained in this work for a period ot 
thirteen years, being first located on the Plymouth circuit, in Wash- 
ington County; afterward at Chester, MeigsCounty, Mt. Pleasant, in 
the counties of Hocking and Vinton, Hamden, Yinton County. Pike- 
ton, which was at that time the county seat of Pike County, Jackson 
C. H., Jackson County, Pleasanton charge in Athens County. During 
the tenth year of this work he was in charge of the Ladies Seminary 
at Worthington, Ohio, aud the following year was passed in Califor- 
nia, after which he returned to his native State and was located at 
Westerville, Franklin County, and the last year at Plain City, Union 
County. At this time his health became impaired and his voice fail- 
ing him he was obliged to abandon his chosen work, in which he al- 
wavs took so much interest. In 1S71, hoping to regain his health 
he visited the Pacific Coast, where he remained for seven months. 
He then returned to Canaan Township and now resides on the old 
farm whore he passed the days of his youth. He was married in 
July. 1861, to Florence M., daughter of Rev. Ezekiel and Phoebe 
Sibley, who were at that time residents of Nelsonville, Athena Co. 
Their seven children are: Herbert Holmes, George Sibley. Fran- 
cis Nelson, BLenry Merrill, Alice Florence, Charles Summerfield 
and Benjamin Luther. Mr. Pilcher and his wife are very sincere, 
earnest workers in the cause to which they gave their lives when 
young, the Christian I _ \. through which they strive to make 
the pathway ot others bright and their burdens easy to bear, and 
in so doing gain for themselves in their remaining days true peace 
and happiness. 

Ellas Postoih farmer, was born in Hampshire County, "\V. A a., 
Sept. 13, 1S32, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Poston. who 
came to Athens Connty in 1>36 and settled in Ames Township, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 643 

where they resided about two years, and then came to Canaan Town- 
ship and located on the farm on which they resided until their death. 
Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common-school 
education. He lived with his parents the most of the time until 
he was twenty-six years of age. Ac this time he purchased the farm 
on which he now resides. He was married Feb. 1, 1867, to Fostina 
Young, a daughter of Ephraim and Drusilla Young, residents of 
Canaan Township. By this union were four children, three of 
whom are living — DowL., Charles H., and John. Mrs. Poston died 
Oct. 29, 1875, thirty-nine years of age. Mr. Poston has a fine 
farm of 161 acres of well-improved land on which he has built a 
neat and comfortable home and surrounded it with shade trees 
and shrubbery. He has followed his chosen avocation very suc- 
cessfully, and has been able, by his industry, to accumulate a 
property sufficient to give himself and family every comfort, and 
is respected by all his fellow-townsmen. 

Geo. W. Poston, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Canaan 
Township, Feb. 27, 1846, son of Ash ford and Mary Poston, na- 
tives of Virginia, who came to Athens County about 1837 and lo- 
cated on the place on which they resided until shortly before Mr. 
Poston's death. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated 
in the common and high schools, and remained with his parents 
until he reached his majority. He then went to Virginia and en- 
gaged in the lumber business, in which he continued for eight 
years, and taught school the two following years. In 1875 he 
purchased the old homestead where he has since resided. Mr. 
Poston is principally engaged in buying and selling stock, in 
which he is quite successful. He also takes an active interest in 
educational matters. He was married June 9, 1878, to Luella 
Blaine, daughter of Zarah Blaine, a resident of Mason County, 
W. Va. Mrs. Poston is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. 

Charles C. Pruden, salt manufacturer, Canaan Township, Athens 
County, was born in Athens, Aug. 17, 1827, and is the son of Sam- 
uel B. and Mary (Cranston) Pruden. When a young man he was 
engaged in assisting his father in his business. He received his 
education in the common schools, and has in his possession the 
teacher's quarterly report of the first school which was held in the 
place, with his name thereon as a student. He was married Sept. 
24, 1860, to Miss Lucy A. Howard, daughter of Cyrus and Lucy 
Howard, residents of Hamilton County, Ohio. They have had 
two children— Olive M. and Ulysses Grant (deceased). Mr. Pru- 



044 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

den has in his possession several articles of interest, among which 
is his grandfather's clock, an old family Bible, which is over 100 
years old, and other articles of antiquity. Mr. and Mrs. Pruden 
reside in the large brick residence built by his father in 1S40, and 
are surrounded with the comforts of life. He has his father's 
library, which contains many books of interest, in which he takes 
a great pride. They have the respect and esteem of the commu- 
nity in which they live. 

JVathan S<nns, deceased, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, 
Aug. 6, 1833, and was the son of Peter and Elizabeth (^Jenkinson) 
Sams, who came to Athens County about 1815, and located in 
Canaan Township, on the place now owned by Hector Angel, where 
they lived for several years, and - theu moved to the place ad- 
joining that of their son, where they remained till their death. Our 
subject was reared on his father's farm, and remained with his 
parents until he reached his majority. He was married June 19> 
1S56, to Henrietta Bishop, daughter of Daniel and Susan Bishop, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county in 1S15. By 
this union there were five children, only two of whom are living 
— Elizabeth E., George Wesley (deceased), Charles Andrew (de- 
ceased), Daniel Albert and William Hastings (deceased). Mr. 
Sums died Feb. 7, 18.77, bearing the respect of all. Mrs. Sams now 
resides on the old homestead, together with her only remaining 
son. The farm contains 100 acres of well-improved land. Mrs. 
S:uns has been for several years a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, as was also her husband till his death. 

Wm. Smit A, farmer and stock -raiser, Canaan Township, Athens 
County, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1834, and is 
the son oi Michael and Rebecca Smith, who came to this county in 
1852, and located in Canaan Township, on the farm where they re- 
sided until their death. Our subject was reared on the farm and 
received his early education in the common schools. He was mar- 
ried April 16, 1857. to Ruth Smith, daughter of Nicholas Smith, a 
resident of Athens County. \\y this union there were six children, 
only five of whom are still living — Elenora, James, May, Ezra and 
Aida. After his marriage he went to Missouri and lived eleven 
years; then returned to the old homestead where he now resides. He 
has a fine farm of 280 acres of well-improved land, on which is a 
very pleasant residence and substantial farm buildings. He has 
followed his chosen avocation, that oi' a farmer, very successfully,. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 645 

and by his industry has been enabled to accumulate such a property 
i be able to surround himself and family with the comforts of 
life. 

"Nicholas Stalder, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Switzer- 
land. Feb. 9, 1812, and is the son of Jacob and Annie Stalder, who 
came to America in 1819, and settled in Canaan Township, Athens 
County, near the farm now owned and occupied by Elijah Woo Is. 
They were among the early settlers of the county. He was reared 
on his father's farm and was educated in the common schools, as 
educational advantages were at that timelimited. Our subject was 
married in 1^4o, to Barbara Ninegar, who also came to America at 
a little later period than Mr. Stalder. By this union were twelve 
children, six of whom still live — Henry, Samuel, Philena, Helen, 
Ida and Augusta. Mr. Stalder was bereft of his wife and compan- 
ion in 1880. They were both active and consistent members of the 
United Brethren church. He has a fine farm containing 205 acres of 
well-improved land, on which he has built a neat and comfortable 
residence. Mr. S. has by his industry and economy been able to 
accumulate such a property as to enable him to surround himself 
and family with the neccessary comforts of life, an d bears the re- 
spect of his fellow citizens. 

William W. Starkey, farmer, was born in West Virginia, Jan. 
24, 1837, and came to Ohio in 1855. He lived in Rome Township, 
Athens County, till 1881, when he bought 137^- acres of fine land 
anaan Township. He was married April 1, 1858, to Charity 
Durand, a native of New York, born in 1865. They have three 
children— John, Charles and Mary. Mr. Starkey's father, Joseph 
Starkey, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio in 1855, and is 
still living in Canaan Township. His mother, Cassy (Masters) 
Starkey, died'in Virginia in 1853, leaving three children — Edward, 
Chloe and William. His father afterward married Susan Baker, of 
Ohio. She died leaving one child— George. Mr. Starkey then 
married Martha Cocondouer, of Virginia. They have no children. 

Aaron Tucker, farmer, was born in Hardy Comity, W. Va., 
Nov. 11. 1826, and came with his mother, Martha Tucker, to 
Athens County in 1829 and located in Canaan Township, on the 
farm immediately east of the railroad station at Canaanville. At the 
age of nine years he went to live with Edmund Bean, of Rome 
'iship, with whom he remained four years, and the three fol- 
lowing years he lived with John Salter, of Rome Township. At 
the age of sixteen he went to Nelsonville, York Township, and 



6±6 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

made his home with C. S. Kimmey until he was nineteen years old. 
He was married Dec. 31, 1845, to Sarah L. Camby, daughter of* 
Thomas and Annie (Mansfield) Camby. They have one child, a 
daughter — Edith. Mrs. Tucker's grandfather was Fife Major in 
the Revolutionary war, his son Simon H. served in the same ca- 
pacity in the war of 1812, and his son William held the same 
position in the late civil war. Mr. Tucker was elected by the peo- 
ple to the office of Justice of the Peace in 187-1 and again in 1SS0, 
and has always discharged the duties thereof to the entire satisfac- 
tion of the people. Mr. Tucker's mother resides with him and 
has reached the advanced age of eighty-two, but still retains her 
strength and faculties to a remarkable extent. Mr. Tucker and his 
wife have been consistent Christians and members of the church 
the greater portion of their lives, and he is at the present time 
Ministerial Trustee for the township, a position he has held for 
the past ten years. 

C. D. B. Webster, deceased, merchant and. mill-owner, Canaan 
Township, was born May 23, 1825, in Portland, Me. The 
days of his youth were passed on his father's farm, and his educa- 
tion was such as could be derived from the common schools. He 
was married Jan. 8, 1853, to Miss Joanna Morrell, at Bridgeton, 
Me., and by this union are two children, both of whom still sur- 
vive — Frank C. and Fred M. He came to Athens County in 1853, 
and located at Athens, and was engaged in the survey and con- 
struction of the M. &. C. R. R. (now the C , W. & B. R. R.). At 
the completion of the road he came to Canaan Township and 
engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued with 
remarkable success till within two years of his death. He was 
prominently identified with the business interests of the place, and 
in 1865 he purchased the flouring mill situated on the Hocking 
River, which is still retained by his family. He was a man of ex- 
cellent judgment and shrewd business tact, which enabled him to 
accumulate a large property, which he used in surrounding himself 
and family with the comforts of life. He was ever mindful of the 
wants of others, and did much by his counsel to assist his fellow- 
men, and with his ever ready means to relieve the wants of the 
worthy poor and needy. He was bereft of his first wife March 22, 
1863, and was again married Nov. 29, 1864, to Almira Mussel- 
man, a resident of Ross County, Ohio, this union being blessed by 
the birth of three children — Charles W., Henry M. and Dana B. 
Mrs. W. still resides in the pleasant home so thoughtfully pro- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 647 

vided by her husband. By his death, which occurred Feb. 5, 
1881, his wife was bereft of an honored and affectionate husband, 
and his children of a kind and indulgent father, and the entire 
community of a generous and Loble citizen. He was a member 
of Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M. His two eldest 
sons, Frank C. and Fred M., succeed their father in his business, 
and it is their desire to carry out the plans laid out by him. They 
are young men of industry and integrity, and to a degree maintain 
the confidence of the people which their father had borne. Frank 
C. is, in connection with his other business, station agent and 
operator for the C, W. & B. R. R. at Canaanville. He was mar- 
ried, Oct. 21, 1881, to Libbie Smith, daughter of Ezra and Rebecca 
Smith, of Amestown. They have one daughter, Mertie Morrell. 
Fred M. gives his whole attention to the management of their busi- 
ness, and is also Township Treasurer, which office he fills with 
entire satisfaction to the people who placed him there. 

Hadley H. Wickham, farmer and stock-raiser, Canaan Town- 
ship, was born in Rome Township, Athens County, April 9, 1842, 
and is the oldest son of Warren W. and Harriet (James) Wick- 
ham, and grandson of John Wickham, who was a soldier in the 
war of 1812, and a great-grandson of Joseph Wickham, who was 
forced to enter the British army during the Revolutionary War, 
hut at the first opportunity left it and joined the American army. 
Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and received his early 
education in the common schools. At the breaking out of the 
late civil war he was among the first to answer the appeal "to 
arms, " enlisting, Aug. 3, 1SP.2, in Company A, Ninety-second 
( >hio Infantry. He went to Kanawha, thence by steamer to Ten- 
nessee, after which he participated in many hard-fought battles, 
viz.: Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and 
Rocky Face, Ga.- In the first-named battle he received a wound 
which disabled him for several weeks, and was again severely 
wounded Feb. 25, 1864, at Rocky Face, in the left arm, which dis. 
abled him from active duty for about three months. May 24 of 
the same year he returned to his regiment, and passed through 
the Atlanta campaign to Atlanta, Ga., thence with General Sher- 
man to Savannah, Ga. He was engaged in the last battle with 
Johnston, in North Carolina, on the 19th of March, 1865, and was 
mastered out of the service June 11, 1865. After receiving an 
honorable discharge he returned to Athens County and attended 
school for a time, and then engaged in teaching school and farming 



648 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

until 1870. He then became engaged in the mercantile business 
at Mineral City, which he continued till 1878, when he purchased 
his present home, a fine farm containing 250 acres of well-improved 
land. He was married Sept. 16, 1869, to K. E. Broadnell, a na- 
tive of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Wickham is a member of the A. 
F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278; also of the G. A. R., Co- 
lumbus Golden Post, No. 89, of Athens. He is a member of the 
Universalist church, and is always ready to lend his aid to any 
laudable enterprise which will be of benefit to the public. He 
carries with him the respect of the entire community, and is num- 
bered among its leading men. Politically Mr. Wickham is a 
staunch Republican, and takes a great interest in all the political 
issues of the day. 

Frederick C. Wyatt, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ames 
Township, Aug. 14, 1823, and is the son of John and Emily (Car- 
penter) Wyatt. His father came from Pennsylvania when he was 
eleven years of age, about 1803, when there were very few in- 
habitants to aid in the development of the county, and bear the 
hardships incident to an early settler's life. Our subject was reared 
on his father's farm, and remained with his parents till he reached 
his majority. He then came to Canaan Township and located on 
the farm where he now resides. He received his early education 
in the common schools. He was married in September, 1848, to 
Polly Smith, a daughter of Nicholas Smith, a resident of Athens 
County. By this union there were twelve children, nine of whom 
are living — John, Nicholas (deceased), Frederick, Joshua (de- 
ceased), William H., Charles, Alice, Barnard, Drnsilla, Ruth A., 
Herbert E. and Beatrice B. (deceased). Mr. Wyatt has a fine 
farm containing 146 acres of improved land. He has erected a 
very pleasant residence and substantial farm buildings. He lias 
been enabled, through his industry, to accumulate a handsome 
property, which he uses in surrounding himself and family with 
the comforts of life. He has held the office of Township Trustee 
for several years. Near the close of the late civil war he enlisted 
for the one-hundred-days' service in Company A, One Hundred and 
Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went into West Virginia. 
At the close of his term of enlistment, and after receiving an hon- 
orable discharge, he returned to his home. 

Joshua Wyatt, deceased, was born in Ames Township, Sept. 26, 
1825, and was the son of John and Emily (Carpenter) Wyatt. Our 
subject was reared on his father's farm, and remained with his 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



649 



parents until he was twenty-two years of age. His father then 
gave him the farm, on which he resided until Ids death, and he 
began life for himself. He was married ISTov. 2, 1848, to Hannah 
M. Phillips, daughter of Ezra Phillips. She was born Jan. 16, 
1829. By this union there were three children, only one of 
whom still survives — Emily (deceased), Ezra (deceased), and Lucy 
A. Mr. Wyatt, at the breaking out of the late liebellion, enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry for 
the one-hundred-days' service. He died June 2, 1870, and his wife 
was bereft of an honored and affectionate husband and his children 
a kind and indulgent parent. Mrs. Wyatt resides on the home- 
stead. She has a fine farm containing 102 acres of well-improved 
land, on which she has a very pleasant residence which her hus- 
band provided during his life. He was a man of excellent 
character, and always gladly used his accumulated means in pro- 
viding the comforts of life for his family, in which he always took 
a great interest. 




CHAPTER XXIII. 

TliOY TOWNSHIP— SOME HISTORY OF COLONIAL TIMES. 

Historic — Lord Dunmore's March — His Camp — 1774 to 1798 — 
Advance in Population — Dismembered — Early Settlers — 
Township Officers — Coolville — Its Rise and Progress — Its 
Surroundings — Churches, Schools and Mills — Business Inter- 
ests — Lodges and Societies — Hocktngport — Its Local History 
— Torch Condensed — Biographical. 

somewhat historic. 

It was in the latter part of the eighteenth century that Troy 
Township was first settled. It was, like the most of Athens 
County, the property of the Ohio Company. There is no doubt 
that it was one of the favorite spots of the Indian, for from its 
position at the mouth of one river and on the banks of another, 
the beautiful Ohio, it was undoubtedly a well-frequented region. 
For a hundred years, at least many scores, before the pale taces 
made it their home, the light bark canoe floated upon the waters of 
the Hockhocking, gliding swiftly and silently down its rippling 
waters to the deeper and more quiet bosom of the majestic Ohio. 

It was in the year 1798 that a company of emigrants, numbering 
forty persons, left their New England homes and westward found 
their way until they reached Belpre, and the following year, 1799, 
arrived and settled in Troy Township, or a part of what now con- 
stitutes its boundary. Among those who constituted some of the 
members of the party were Eleazier Washburn, the Noahs, Cyrus 
and Xerxes Faulk, Horace Parsons and Ephraim Frost; Xerxes 
Paulk and Horace Parsons were Baptist preachers, and the latter 
was pastor of the first Baptist church in the township for some 
thirty years. 

lord dunmore's camp. 

While the first settlements of a permanent nature were made in 
1798 and 1799, the tread of armed men had been heard within its 
boundaries nearly a quarter of a century before. Lord Dunmore, 

(650) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 651 

who made his campaign against the Indians in 1774, traversed this 
township on his line of march. He had also built a fort at the 
mouth of the Hocking River in the same year, and when the per- 
manent settlers of 1798-'99 came, many relics were found proving 
that he had camped at least one night, if not more, within the lim- 
its of Troy Township. The cam ping ground had the appearance of 
an old field, and numerous articles, such as hatchets, bullets, gun- 
barrels and an old sword, etc., were plowed up within this space,, 
grown up then with underbrush. Several of these mementoes of 
early history were preserved for a long time, the sword finding a 
resting place in the College Museum at Athens. 

ORIGINALLY AND AT PRESENT. 

Troy, as its boundaries were originally defined by the County 
Commissioners at their first meeting, comprised the territory which 
now constitutes the townships of Orange and Olive in Meigs 
County, and Rome, Cartilage and Troy in Athens County. At 
that time the Hocking River was the dividing line between Athens 
and Washington counties, but by an act of the Legislature passed 
Feb. 18, 1807, the portion of township No. 5, range 11 (now Troy), 
lying east of the river was detached from Washington and added 
to Athens County. The formation of Carthage Township in 1810, 
and of Rome in 1811, and the erection of Meigs County in 1S19, 
taking off two townships, reduced Troy to its present limits. The 
population of the township in 1820 was 511; in 1830 it was 459; 
in L840 it was 1,056; in 1850 it was 1,421; in 1860 it was 1,747; 
in 1870 it was 1,830, and in 1880 the census gave 1,858. The first 
election of township officers was held in 1805 at the house of 
Ebenezer Buckingham. Stephen Buckingham was township lister 
for that year. These men were the founders of the Buckingham 
family, which became celebrated for wealth and social influence. 

Troy has increased but a trifle in many years. She has been 
shorn of the best of her estate in an agricultural point of view, by 
the division of her territory. From 1820 to 1860 she continued to 
hold her own with other townships, but since that time has not 
been even benefited by the natural increase, having really gained 
but 112 in population in twenty years. This is not a showing that 
will suggest pride either in the present or probable future of the 
township. 

Rome Township being stricken off from Troy in 1811 took with 
it many of the prominent early settlers, as Asahel Cooley, Levi 



652 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Stedman, Daniel Stewart, and others. Kingman Dutton, father of 
Samuel Dutton, settled at the mouth of the Hocking with his fam- 
ily in 1806. At that time there were only two roads in the town- 
ship: one passed through the center, running from Bel pre to 
Chillicothe, the ferry of which was kept about two and a half miles 
above the present site of Coolville by Xerxes Paulk; and another 
from Bel pre down the Ohio to the mouth of the Hocking, thence by 
the ridge (through Carthage Township) to Athens. About 1815 a 
road was laid out from the mouth of the Hocking up the eastern 
bank of the river to Federal Creek, where it intersected the Federal 
Creek road from the Ames settlement. At this early period the 
great majority of the emigrants to Athens County used to come down 
the Ohio to the mouth of the Hocking, and then ascend that river 
in pirogues or canoes. Kingman Dutton kept a number of these 
craft, and he and his son carried on the business of conveying emi- 
grants and their goods up the Hocking. Abram Brookhart settled 
in Troy in 1811, and was Township Trustee for several years; Jo- 
nas Smith, who came in 1810, was Township Trustee for several 
terms; Silas Blizzard and Martin Griffin came in 1810. The town- 
ship records prior to 1837 are lost. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

1837. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Jesse Deny and Samuel Dut- 
ton; Clerk, Isaac A. Dinsmore, Treasurer, R. B. Blair; Justice of 
the Peace, John Pratt. 

183S. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Jesse Derry and Samuel Dutton; 
Clerk, Isaac A. Dinsmore; Treasurer, R. B. Blair; Justice of the 
Peace, John Pratt. 

1839. — Trustees, Nicholas Baker, Jedediah Fuller and Ferdinand 
Paulk; Clerk, C. F. Devol; Treasurer, R. B. Blair; Justice of the 
Peace, Roswell Washburn. 

1840. — Trustees, Nicholas Baker, Jedediah Fuller and "William 
Kincade; Clerk, Eps Storey; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of the 
Peace, Roswell Washburn. 

1841. — Trustees, Nicholas Baker, Samuel Dutton and Heman 
Cooley; Clerk, Eps Storey; Treasurer, A. C. Wedge; Justice of the 
Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 

1842. — Trustees, Joseph Tucker, Samuel Dutton and William 
W. Barrows; Clerk, R. H.^Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice 
of the Peace, Roswell Washburn. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 653- 

1843. — Trustees, Josepbus Tucker, Nicholas Baker and John 
Brookhart; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of 
the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 

1844. — Trustees, Josepbus Tucker, Nicholas Baker and John 
Brookhart; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of 
the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 

1845. — Trustees, Samuel Dutton, Nicholas Baker and M. L. 
Bestow; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of 
the Peace, Roswell Washburn. 

1846. — Trustees, Josepbus Tucker, Nicholas Baker and Ferdi- 
nand Paulk; Clerk, R. H. Lord ; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice 
of the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 

1847. — Trustees, Josepbus Tucker, Nicholas Baker and Samuel 
Humphrey; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of 
the Peace, William F. Pilcher. 

1848.— Trustees, J. M. Maxwell, R. M. Wilson and R. K. 
Bridges; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of 
the Peace, William F. Pilcher. 

1849. --Trustees, Heman Cooley, Samuel Dutton and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, R. II. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice 
of the Peace, William F. Pilcher. 

1850. — Trustees, R. M. Wilson, Samuel Humphrey and J. M. 
Maxwell; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justices of 
the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs and William F. Pilcher. 

1851. — Trustees, Stephen Warren, Josepbus Tucker and J. M. 
Maxwell; Clerk, R. II. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justices of 
the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs and Wm. F. Pilcher. 

185^. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Josephus Tucker and Samuel 
Humphrey; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justices 
of the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs and Wm. F. Pilcher. 

[853. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Josephus Tucker and Samuel 
Humphrey; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice 
of the Peace, Jonathan Pussey. 

1854. — Trustees, Samuel Dutton, Josephus Tucker and C. 
Creesy; Clerk, R. H. Lord; Treasurer, John Frame; Justice of the 
Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher. 

l s ~>5. — Trustees, Thomas Richardson, Josephus Tucker and C. 
Creesy; Clerk, M. L. Bestow; Treasurer, C. W. Waterman; Jus- 
tiro of the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 

L856. — Trustees, S. A. Gibbs, Josephus Tucker and C. Creesy; 
Clerk, M. L. Bestow; Treasurer, Jefforson Cole; Justice of the- 
Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 



654: HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1857. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Josephus Tucker and Thomas 
Richardson ; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Win. F. Pilcher. 

1858. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Josephus Tucker and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Sylvester A. Gibbs. 

1859. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Josephus Tucker and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Win. F. Pilcher. 

1860. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Samuel Humphrey and James T. 
Morrison; Clerk. John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justice 
of the Peace, Win. F. Pilcher. 

1861. — Trustees, Thomas Richardson, Samuel Humphrey and 
James T. Morrison; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; 
Justice of the Peace, D. P. Scott. 

1862. — Trustees, R. K. Bridges, Shephard Humphrey and James 
T. Morrison; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher. 

1863. — Trustees, M. L. Bestow, Shephard Humphrey and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher. 

1861. — Trustees, John Frame, E. H. Williams and Thomas Rich- 
ardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justice of 
the Peace, D. P. Scott. 

1865. — Trustees, John Frame, E. H.Williams and F. W.Tipton; 
Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices of the Peace, 
Wm. F. Pilcher and Win. G. Boyd. 

1866. — Trustees, Thomas Smith, E. H. Williams and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and Wm. G. Boyd. 

1867. — Trustees, R. F. Parrish, James B. Dutton and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and Wm. G. Boyd. 

1S68. — Trustees, R. F. Parrish, James B. Dutton and Thomas 
Richardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Jus- 
tices of the Peace, Win. F. Pilcher and E. W. Johnson. 

1S69. — Trustees, C. W. Waterman, R. F.. Parrish and Warren 
Patten; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices 
of the Peace, Win. F. Pilcher and E. W. Johnson. 

1870.— Trustees, R. F. Parrish, R. K. Bridges and C. W. Water- 
man; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices of 
the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and E. W. Johnson. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 655 

1871.— Trustees, R O. Knowles, C. W. Waterman and R. K. 
Bridges; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices 
of the Peace, E. "W. Johnson and Win. F. Pilch er. 

1872. — Trustees, R. K. Bridges, Titus Shotwell and Warren Pat- 
ten; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices of 
the Peace, E. W. Johnson and Wm. F. Pilcher. 

1873. — Trustees, Thomas Jones, C. E. Dinsmore and Andrew 
McAin; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices 
of the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and E. W. Johnson. 

1874.— Trustees, R K. Bridges, T. Shotwell and C. W. Water- 
man; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, A. J. Frame; Justices of 
the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and M. P. Franklin. 

1875.— Trustees, G. K. Campbell, C. W. Waterman and Titus 
Shotwell; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of the 
Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and M. R Franklin. 

1S76.— Trustees, C. W. Waterman, Titus Shotwell and G. K. 
Campbell; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of 
the Peace, Wm. F. Pilcher and M. R Franklin. 

1877. — Trustees, R K. Bridges, Ezra Barrows and Seth Russell; 
Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of the Peace, 
A. McVicker and F. W. Tipton. 

1878.— Trustees, Seth Russell, A. D. Carleton and M. D. Hum- 
phrey; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J.Cole; Justices of the 
Peace, F. W. Tipton and Wm. A. Dinsmore. 

1879.— Trustees, Seth Russell, A. D. Carleton and M. D. Hum- 
phrey; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of the 
Peace, F. W. Tipton and Wm. A. Dinsmore. 

L880.— Trustees, E. H. Parker, F. S. Monahan and D. C. Rich- 
ardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of the 
Peace, W. R. Baker, E. W. Johnson and Wm. A. Dinsmore. 

18S1.— Trustees, E. H. Parker, F. S. Monahan and D. C. Rich- 
ardson; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of the 
Peace, W. R. Baker, E. W. Johnson and Wm. A. Dinsmore. 

1882.— Trustees, E. II. Parker, D. C. Richardson and John 
Palmer; Clerk, John Mitchell; Treasurer, J. Cole; Justices of the 
Peace, E. W. Johnson, Wm. A. Dinsmore and Samuel Fitch. 

l^ s 3.— Trustees, G. K. Palmer, John Palmer and George 
Simms; Clerk, John Mitchell; Assessor, George Fox; Treasurer, 
J. Cole. 



656 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



COOLVILLE 



is in one of the oldest settled portions of Athens County, not quite 
so rough and broken as is many other portions, but fair to look upon 
and fertile in production. CooMUe was not laid out until 1818, 
and there are very few towns in the county that were laid out 
sooner, Athens and Nelsonville being perhaps the only ones. It 
is very pleasantly situated upon rising ground, on the banks of the 
Hocking River, in the midst of a splendid fruit country, but has 
no railroad communication nearer than two miles. So far this 
has neither been a detriment to its progress, nor has it been the 
cause of any very rapid growth. 

Some four years before the date above given, or in the year 1814, 
Simeon W. Cooley and his brother Heman settled upon the land 
upon which the village is located, and in 1818 Simeon W. laid out, 
or caused to be laid out, the village of Coolville. The village be- 
came, in those early days, quite a center of trade, and beside the 
Cooleys there were John Frame, Jedediah Fuller (who made an 
addition to the village), John Pratt, Waterman Lewis, Reuben 
Blair, Harley and Loran Lewis, Eleazer and Roswell "Washburn, 
J. A. Dinsmore, Jabez Ho} 7 t, Alfred Hobbie, M. L. Bestow, 
Nathan Hatch, Jacob S. Miller, Henry Lord, J. Press and Curtis 
Sherman. These settlers were nearly all from New England, and 
the town has much of the appearance and management of some of 
the old towns of Massachusetts. It still holds its local trade and 
has steadily progressed in proportion to the increased growth of the 
township. Its population is now 365. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

A. P. Frame, general store; J. A. Palmer & Co., general store; 
J. Cole & Co., general store; Davis & White, furniture; Taylor & 
Son, drugs; W. C. Higley, drugs; H. C. Coolej r , groceries; Mrs. 
and Allie White, millinery; Roberts & Fuller, millinery; Misses 
Pewthers, millinery; Albert Wedge, shoe store; Joseph Cary, shoe 
store; Win. Lyons, shoe store; Seth Bailey, hotel; L. L. Lomann T 
blacksmith; John Knowles, wagon-shop and blacksmith; R. R. 
Wilson, blacksmith; .George King, tannery; J. M. Tidd, saddlery 
and harness. 

The postoffice of Coolville was established in 1822. The Post- 
masters up tD the present time have been as follows: Jacob S. 
Miller, from 1822 to '21; Alfred Hobby, from 1821 to '10;. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 657 

R B. Blair, from 1840 to '41; Eps Story, from 1841 to '42; James 
M. Miller, from 1842 to '43; John Pratt, from 1S43 to '57; James 
K. Davis, from 1857 to '62; Wm. F. Pilcher, from 1862 to '76; Fan- 
nie Pilcher, from 1876 to '81 ; A. S. Tidd, since 1881. It was made 
a money-order office in the year 1879, the first order being issued 
to Mrs. Helen A. Davis, for $3.50, and payable to M. H. Mallory 
tfe Co., of New York. Up to date over 2,000 orders have been 
issued. The annual sales of stamps are between $600 and $700. 

COOLVILLE SEMINARY. 

The people were anxious to establish a higher grade of instruc- 
tion than that furnished by the common schools of the day, and 
this wish culminated in the establishment in 1846 of the Coolville 
Seminary, which flourished for some twenty years, finally closing 
its existence in 1865. The school was established by the united 
efforts of A. S. Tidd, Daniel Boyd, Andrew Dudder, Sherman 
Pelf and A. C. Wedge, under the auspices of the M. E. church. 
It afforded an excellent opportunity for the young men of the day 
to fit themselves for college, and was much patronized by those 
who intended to enter a professional life. The building since 
1866 has been leased to the town for school purposes. Two teach- 
ers are employed there, and the village has one other school em- 
ploying one teacher. 

MILLS. 

The Cooleys were also the pioneers in the milling business in 
Troy Township, and the brothers Simeon and Heman erected the 
first flouring mill with a saw-mill attachment in the township. This 
mill, or mills, was put up in 1817. It stood until 1882, having 
been owned in succession by quite a number of persons, and was 
then torn down and upon its site is erected as fine a mill as can 
be found in Athens County, and to the extent of its capacity the 
equal of any. The owners are Jas. T. Morrison, Jas. A. Palmer, 
Jos. llarknell, John Mitchell and Alexander Fish. 

The building is a massive one, being 36 x48 in size and 75 feet 
high in the main building. It has an addition for an engine-room 
20 x 30 feet in dimension. The machinery is all of the latest mill- 
ing patents and has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour every 24 
hours. It has five run of burrs, cost $25,000, andjias both water 
and steam power. 
42 



658 HISTORY OF HOCKISTO VALLEY. 

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the oldest religious 
organizations in the county, dating from 1820. It was in that day 
in the Marietta circuit, afterward joined to Athens, and is now 
one of the five which form the present circuit — Coolville, Bethel, 
Hockingport, Torch and Little Hocking. The present church 
building is a fine structure, costing $2,000, erected a few years 
since. The first church was built in 1830, the second in 1855, and 
was followed by the one above mentioned. It has met with no 
reverses of moment the past sixty years, having had regular ser- 
vices and now numbers a membership of fifty. Its present Pastor 
is the Rev. J. H. McKusky. A flourishing Sunday-school with 
an enrollment of 130 scholars is connected with the church, under 
the superintendency of Geo. K.Campbell. The Trustees are Geo. 
K. Campbell, Jas. A. Palmer, A. C. Wedge, F. W. Wedge and A. 
S. Tidd. 

Congregational Church. — This church was established in 1841, 
but was, up to the year 1859, tributary to the church at Hocking- 
port, at that time the larger and more influential society. The 
members erected their first church building at Coolville in ISIS, 
which was destroyed by fire in 1S54. The Universalists at that 
time were building a church, but feeling some doubt of their ability 
to finish, sold it to the Congregationalists and the latter completed 
it, making a plain but substantial frame church, neatly finished, 
with a seating capacity of about 200. The Pastors were first, the 
Rev. L. C. Ford, then in the order named, Revs. C. D. Curtis, F. 
Bartlett, W. Bay, J. H. Jenkins, A. Brown, C. Mowery and the 
present Pastor, Rev. T. C. AValker. The church is in a nourishing 
condition, out of debt, and a membership of seventy. 

The Camp-Meeting Association of the Marietta District, Methodist 
Episcopal church, holds its annual meetings about one mile from 
C lolville, on the road running from the village to the depot. The 
grounds consist of twenty acres, finely situated on a high piece of 
ground, with improvements in fences and buildings already to the 
amount ot $3,500. ' It contains an auditorium, boarding-house, 
preacher's tent, and a number of private cottages. The Associa- 
tion was organized in September, 1880, electing D. B. Stewart, of 
Athens, Shephard Humphrey, G. K. Campbell and J. A. Palmer, of 
Coolville, L. R. Curtiss, of Little Hocking, and Calvin Lesure, of 
Belpre, Trustees. This site for holding the meetings was chosen 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 659 

for its beauty and convenience of location, a good supply of pure 
water, and the favorable condition of surrounding- society. The 
ground has been leased for sixteen years, and is under the control 
of the trustees. The officers of the Association are: D. B. Stew- 
art, President; Fratnpton, Yice-President; J. A. Palmer, 

Secretary; and A. S. Tidd, Treasurer. Annual meetings are held, 
beginning the third Wednesday in August, lasting three weeks. 

Coolville Lodge, No. 337, A. F. & A. M., was established Oct., 
16, 1861, with the following charter members: W. W. Hurley, W. 
M. Bancroft, M. L. Bestow, William Mason, Andrew Fisher, Al- 
pheus Ilayden, John A. Ly tie, D. P. Scott, J. M. Harris, S. Dewey 
and H. Z. Adams. At the first election the officers were: Master 
W. W. Hurley; Senior Warden,Wm. M. Bancroft; Junior Warden, 
M. L. Bestow; Secretary, D. P. Scott. The present officers are; 
Master, G. W. Harmon; Senior Warden, F. S. Monahan; Junior 
Warden, J. A. Palmer; Secretary, E. L. Carleton. The member- 
' ship at present is about eighty-four. 

Coolville Lodge, L O. O. F, was organized July 12, 1872. The 
charter members were: W.J. Griffith, Noble Grand; Edgar Hum- 
phrey, Vice Grand; W. W. Bay, Secretary; and E W. Johnson, 
George Simms, W. C. Bay and A. O. Frame. The membership 
now reaches seventy, the present officers being: John Bailey, 
Noble Grand; Orin Oakley, Yice Grand; J . E. Hartwell, Secre- 
tary; G. K. Campbell, Permanent Secretary. 

The Troy Grange, located at Coolville, was organized and char- 
tered in May, 1873, the membership at that time numbering sixteen. 
The original officers were: C. B. Jeffers, Master, and Edward Dud- 
der, Overseer. The membership now is about twenty-five, the offi- 
cers being : E. EL Parker, Master, and D. H. Frost, Overseer. 
Both this and the two preceding societies have separate and nicely 
furnished halls. 

HOCKINGPORT. 

Hockingport is located at the mouth of the Hocking River, on 
the Ohio River, and is one of the oldest settlements in the county. 
Charles Devol, E. H. Williams, Samuel Dutton, Sylvester A. Gibbs, 
Benjamin Huntington, Benjamin Brookhart, David Davis, George 
William8and Alonzo Williams were among the first settlers. It was 
formerly, before the coming of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, 
the most important point in the county besides Athens. It was 
the shipping point for the whole lower half of the Hocking Valley, 



660 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and was well known to business men. It is now comparatively a 
quiet place. The population is now about 150. 

There are two church organizations, the Methodist Episcopal and 
the Baptist, both of them very old. There is also a Congrega- 
tional society, but it holds no services at present. 

The present business of the town is represented by S. C. White, 
general store; J. Huntington, grocery; George Simms, hotel and 
postoffice; Heman Bumgardner, saw-mill; W. G. Boyd, coopering; 
William Goen, coopering; John Dickerson, coopering; Miss Clara 
Dutton, millinery; E. G. Franklin, cigar factory. 

A fine iron bridge was built across the Hocking at this point in 
1882, which was never crossed by passengers. It was the finest 
bridge in the county, the abutments being forty-four feet high, and 
the bridge itself being 173 feet long. It was supposed to be well 
put up, but in February, 1883, before it was completed, the stone 
foundations gave way, unexpectedly, and the bridge sank into the 
river. It cost $10,781. At the present writing it is being raised' 
and it will be replaced this year (1883). 

The Southern Ohio Normal School is located at Hockingport, 
the building and grounds being owned by the Principal, Professor 
Charles E. Keyes. The school was formerly known as the Hock- 
ingport Seminary, but the building having been recently enlarged 
and improved, and the authorities believing it to be about to enter 
upon a new career, changed the name to its present one. It has a 
good library and literary society, and gives instruction in both the 
common and higher branches, being designed to prepare students 
for college. Instruction is also given in instrumental and vocal 
music. 

The Hockingport Baptist Church was organized in 1875 by Rev. 
B. M. Stout, assisted by Revs. G. R. Gear, J. W. Riddle and R. 
W. Malcolm. Its first officers were: Rev. B. M. Stout, Pastor; J. 
W. White, Clerk; William Gorms and W. B. Spencer, Deacons; 
J. W. White, William Goens and W. B. Spencer, Trustees; Mrs. 
Virginia Spencer, Treasurer. The church edifice was built in 1875. 
It is 30 x 60 feet in size and cost about $1,200. Rev. J. W. Riley 
succeeded Rev. Mr. Stout as Pastor, and remained two years. At 
pit sent there is no regular pastor. The membership of the church 
is seventeen. The present officers are: William Goens, Deacon; 
J. W. White, Clerk, and Lizzie White, Treasurer. The Union Sun- 
day-school has a membership of forty, under the superintendency 
of J. W. White. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 661 

The HooMngport Congregational Church was organized by Bev. 
Lucien Ford, ot the Koine Missionary Society. Mr. Ford held the 
first services at the house of Douglass Putnam, with an audience ot 
seventv-five or 100 persons. He preached to this society for some 
time. The organization of the society at Ooolville reduced the 
membership here somewhat. The church, which cost $2,000, is 
now used by Prof. Keyes for his normal school. 

The Methodist Episcopal Society here is very old — one of the 
oldest in this part of the State. It now belongs to the circuit com- 
prising Hockingport, Coolville, Torch, Bethel and Little Hocking. 

torch. 

The settlement of Torch is located in the eastern part of Troy 
Township, and has a population of about seventy-five. It has two 
stores, kept by William Walden and A. H. Knowles, a blacksmith 
and wagon shop, and a steam flouring mill, owned by a Mr. Bell. 
The village has sprung into existence since the railroad was built, 
and consequently does not boast of the antiquity of Coolville and 
Hockingport. The postoffice has been established about twenty- 
five years. 

biographical. 

Seth Bailey, born Sept. 9, 1806, on what was then known as 
Vienna Island, is a son of Seth and Polly (James) Bailey, natives 
of Massachusetts and Connecticut. In 1790 his parents came to 
Ohio and located in Washington County, where they both died. 
His grandfather, Seth Bailey, was a native of England. He was 
one of the early settlers of Ohio, coming here in 1780. His 
Grandfather James once owned the islands above Parkersburg, 
now known as the Bailey and James Islands. Mr. Bailey received 
Bnch education as those early times afforded, frequently having to 
take a load of wood five and a half miles to market, return home 
and walk two miles to school. Until recently Mr. Bailey has lived 
on a farm. He still owns a fine farm of eighty acres, adjoining 
the village, and also owns the property known as the Bailey 
House. In 1833 he married Sarah McLure, of Washington 
County, Ohio. Mrs. Bailey died in 1835 leaving one daughter— Mary, 
now Mrs. Martin Athey, of Nebraska. In 1810 Mr. Bailey mar- 
ried Mary Ann. daughter of John and Nancy (Patterson) Scott, 
who was born in 1814. Thev have seven children — Nancv and 



662 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

teachers in Kansas; Lydia is the wife ol David Sinclair, ot Penn- 
sylvania; Seth Austin; Julia, widow of J. B. Douglass, is a 
teacher in Coolville; Alice and Elizabeth (deceased). Mr. and 
Mr. Bailey are members of the Methodist church. Politically 
Mr. Bailey is a Republican. 

Marcus L. Bestow, postoffice Coolville, tanner and currier, a son 
of Job and Luranah (Curtis) Bestow, was born in Massachusetts in 
1805. He learned the trade of a tanner at Pittsfield, Mass., and 
from there came to Meigs County, Ohio, in 1826, where he lived 
some four years. From there he came to Coolville, where he has 
resided since with the exception of some four years. April 5, 
1829, he married Fanny D., daughter of Peter and Sally (Haskell) 
Derry, who was born in Oneida County, N. Y., June 7, 1806. 
This union has been blessed with five children, three living — Lu- 
ranah M. (Mrs. A. S. Tidd, died in 1850), Fanny M. (wife of J. 
M. Tidd), Marcus P., Mary E. (Mrs. Hine, deceased), and M. 
Augusta. Each of the deceased left two children. Mr. Bestow and 
wife are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Bestow is 
also a member of the F. & A. M. fraternity. He is one of the old- 
est Masons in the United States, having become one in 1826, in 
Chester Lodge, Meigs County, Ohio. Politically he was an old- 
line Whig, but now votes the Republican ticket. The son, Mar- 
cus P., enlisted in the war for the Union and served four years- 
He was appointed Adjutant on General T. J. Wood's staff, ot the 
regular army, with the rank of Colonel; he is now a successful 
attorney in the city of New York. 

William Bingman, the subject of this sketch, was born March 
31, 1831, in Belmont County, Ohio. His boyhood days were 
spent in farming with his father until he was about nineteen 
years of age. His education was limited to some extent, there not 
being schools of any note there at that date. He moved from Bel- 
mont County to Morgan, where he was married, Dec. 28, 1845, to 
Susan Coler, a daughter of George E. and Catherine Coler, both 
deceased. Mr. Bingman is a son of Stephen Bingman, who was 
born Feb. 28, 1799. His mother was born Nov. 29, 1802. His 
father died April 5, 1872, and his mother, June 30, 1863. Mr. and 
Mrs. Bingman are the parents of thirteen children, only seven now 
living — Stephen T., Wilsey A., William E., Abraham, Strod P., 
Mary J. (now Mrs. Russell) Lillie B. (now Mrs. Nist) and Susan E. 
Mr. Bingman was both a farmer and merchant, owning two stores at 
the time of his death. lie was a man whom everyone looked to 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 663 

both for advice and information. He died Dec. 4, 18S2, mourned 
by all who knew him, and his place as a social citizen and neighbor 
can never be filled. The Ireland Literary Society, which met in 
his neighborhood, tendered the bereaved family resolutions of 
their deepest sympathy, and a copy of the same was printed in the 
county paper. At his death the county lost a leading business 
man, and his family a kind and affectionate husband and parent. 

William George Boyd, cooper, Hockingport, is a son of John 
and Mary (Murdick) Boyd, natives of Wilmington, Del., where 
they died. W. G., the oldest of eight children, was born 
March 11, 1814. He was educated in Wilmington, Del., and 
learned the trade of a cooper of his father. He lived in Pennsyl- 
vania about fourteen years, and then moved to Longbottom, Ohio, 
where he lived three years. In 1861 he came to Hockingport. In 
1849 he married Mary Ann, daughter of John and Ann (Boyd) 
Rowan, natives of Delaware. She was born in Delaware, June 27, 
1818. They have lost one child by death. Mrs. Boyd is a member 
of the Congregational church. Mr. Boyd was an Odd Fellow when 
he came to Hockingport. Politically he is a Republican. He has 
been Justice of the Peace three years, and Supervisor of the town- 
ship. 

Sherman Brewster, a son of Levi and Lydia Brewster, was 
born Dec. 19, 1822. He is a descendant of William Brewster, 
who came over with the Mayflower and landed at Jamestown, Ya. 
His boyhood days were spent in college in Smyrna, where he com- 
pleted his course of study at the age of thirteen, coming out with 
high colors. He immediately came to Washington County, where 
he went to teaching. Being so young, it was difficult for him to 
govern a school, although his knowledge of discipline and teach- 
ing was superior, and his mother, being a teacher in former days, 
governed the school for him. He afterward made teaching his 
life-work. Sept. 27, 1851, he was married to Miss Nancy Mc 
Laughlin, who was born Sept. 27, 1831; a daughter of Davis and 
Mary N. McLaughlin, who are residents of this county. They had 
a family of eight children, only live now living — Alice, infant 
twins and Emma (deceased), Edward, Ella, Henry and Cyrus. Mr. 
Brewster was a well-respected citizen, and had taught about 
eighteen terms of school in and about Torch. He died June 3, 
1S63. He was a man of superior talent and was respected 
by all with whom he was associated, both in and out of the 



664 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

school-room. We give below some lines written by him on the 
death of his daughter Emma: 

"Died in Troy Township, Athens Co., Ohio, March 5, 1862, of 
measles, Emma, second daughter of Sherman and Nancy Brewster, 
aged four years, five months and twenty-six days. 

"A lovely child has gone to sleep, 

No sounds disturb her sweet repose, 
She can not hear poor Alice weep ; 

Nor calm her parents' deeper woes, 

" The baby's cry and E Iward's call 

No more demand her watchful care; 
Between them now there is a wall 

That none can pass who enter there. 

" Though far beyond the reach of praise 
We think of all her goodness now; 
We think how happy were her days, 

When health and joy were on her brow. 

"Our wishes were her only guide, 

No angry words her tongue did speak, 
But full of love her life did glide, 
Until a home she went to seek. 

" How could a child so young and fair 

Leave all her dearest friends and kind 
And pass the vale of dark despair 

Without one wishful look behind? 

" Who drew the bow ? Who aimed the dart ? 
Who raised on high the chastening rod? 
Who gave the blow that smote the heart 
And sent our child to dwell with God ? 

" 'Tis vain to say we will not grieve 

Because our child has gone to rest; 
We feel the stroke we did receive, 
Though she may be forever blest. 

"Oh, Emma! child of human birth, 

Though placed in regions far above, 
Wilt thou forget thy home on earth 

And all thy parents' care and love? 

" It would be joy to know but this, 

That thou, while here, so good and mild, 
When in a land of heavenly bliss 
Will never cease to be our child. 

"And when we all shall meet again 
Without a sigh, a pain, or care; 
Where puresl joys forever reign, 

Then, then thou wilt be happy there, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 665 

" Alone with the light of day 

That path the best of men have trod ; 
The gate is a straight and narrow way, 
That leiuleth to the throne of God. 

" Farewell, dear child! we give thee up, 

And prostrate fall before his throne ; 
But as we drink the bitter cup, 

We wish O, God ! Thy will be done." 

H. F. Bumgardner, manufacturer and dealer in all kinds of lum- 
ber, Ilockingport, is a son of Andrew and Esther (Cooley) Bum- 
Gardner, natives of Virginia and Athens County, Ohio, his father 
of German and his mother of New England descent. II. F. was 
born April 20, 1837. He was educated in Ohio, and followed farm- 
ing till 1875 when he engaged in the mercantile business in this 
village. Being burned out in 1878 he then bought the saw-mill 
which he at present runs. In 1861 he married Henrietta, daughter 
of Milton and Mary (McPherson) Humphrey, natives of Athens 
County, Ohio, and Indiana. She was born June 26, 1839. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bumgardner are the parents of nine children, seven liv- 
ing — Mary Esther, born Dec. 16, 1862, wife of J. L. Hansen, ot 
Parkersburg, Ya. ; Lucy II., born Dec. 10, 1864; Eose F., born 
June 2, 1867; Frank H., Oct. 23, 1872; Eugene, Feb. 4, 1875; El- 
ton, Jan. 31, 1876; Clara Edna, born July 21, 1879. Mr. Bumgard- 
ner and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. 
Bumgardner is a member of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican. 

Geo. K. Campbell, postoffice Coolville, farmer, son of Edward and 
Margaret CKauffman) Campbell, natives of the North of Ireland and 
Maryland respectively. His father came to the United States abou?t 
1820. He died in 1863, at the age of fifty-eight, in Athens County, 
Ohio. George K. Campbell was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Dec. 
12, 1834. He received a common-school education and has followed 
farming through life; he now owns 160 acres of good land on sec- 
tions 30, 31 and 32. In 1859 he married Lois, daughter of He man 
and Abigail (Covvdrey) Cooley, who was born June 15, 1830. Mr. 
and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Campbell is a member of the I. O. O. F. He votes 
the Republican ticket. He'enlisted in 1862, in Company B, One 
Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment, and served three years; was in 
the battles of Winchester and the Shenandoah Valley of 1863, and 
the battles about Nashville; also in one of the last battles of the 
war — Ivinston, N. C. He was mustered out at Columbus. Ohio, 



66Q HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEr. 

July 7, 1865, having been through most of the severe service of the 
Union army. In August, 1864, he'was commissioned Captain and 
transferred to the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio, and took 
command of Company E, in that regiment, in which position he 
remained until the close of the war. Mr. Campbell has always 
taken a very active part in school matters and has taught for many 
years. He is considered one of the ablest and best teachers in the 
county. 

A. D. Carlton was born Oct. 3, 1841, in Athens County, Ohio, 
a son of John and Annie (Dinsmore) Carlton. His father was one 
of the first settlers of the county, and was a very prominent man. 
When he was about ten years old his parents moved to Coolville, 
where he attended school until seventeen years of age when he re- 
turned to the farm. He then went West and remained until 1862, 
when he enlisted as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Six- 
teenth Ohio Infantry. He was in the battle of Winchester, where he 
was taken prisoner and spent fourteen days on Belle island, Va. He 
was then paroled and walked home from Annapolis, JVId., starting 
Aug. 6, and arriving Aug. 26 at Coolville. He was afterward 
in the battles of Cedar Creek, Fort Gregg and several others of less 
importance. Oct. 10, 1866, he was married to Phoebe Ewers, 
daughter of Jonathan and Rosana Ewers. They are the parents of 
six children — Martha L., George E., Anna M., Harry, Ethel and 
Phoebe J. Mr. Carlton is one of the enterprising farmers of 
Athens County. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 337. 
Pie owns 110 acres of fine farming land located about one mile 
northeast of Coo'ville. He has held the office of Township Trus- 
tee two years. 

Edwin L. Carlton, M. D., P. O. Coolville, son of John and 
Ann Matilda (Dinsmore) Carlton, natives of New Hampshire, 
who came to Ohio at an early day and settled in Athens County, 
was born Nov. 16, 1838, and was reared on a farm. He was 
educated in Coolville, and in the Ohio Wesleyan University at 
Delaware, taking his medical course and graduating at the Star- 
ling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio. In 1865 he began the 
practice of medicine in Vinton County, but soon returned to Cool- 
ville, where he has since built up a v"cry successful practice. In 
March, 1865, he married Martha Ann, daughter of E. H. and Elinda 
(Frost) Stone. This union has been blessed with seven children — 
Emma R. , born Dec. 30, 1865; Mary E., born Jan. 10, 1S67; John 
S., born Aug. 30, 1868; Clara J., born July 6, 1871; Edwin Carl, 



• HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 667 

born Sept. 5, 1873 (deceased); Grace, born June 1, 1875; Kate 
Ruth, born May 20, 1S79. Mrs. Carlton is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. Dr. Carlton is a member of the A. F. & A. 
M. fraternity. He votes the Prohibition ticket, and is one of the 
most respected citizens of Coolville. In 1861 he enlisted in Com- 
pany K, Thirty-ninth Ohio, Captain Rood. He was with Colonel 
Groesbeck some time, and was promoted to the Eighth Corps for 
spilling a lot of whisky, and was afterward detailed to the hospital, 
where he served the balance of his time; he was discharged in 
1864. 

Jefferson Cole, merchant, P. O. Coolville, son of Nathan and 
Lavina (Bryan) Cole, natives of New York and Virginia respect- 
ively. They came to Ohio about 1800, when this State was settled 
principally by Indians an'd wild animals, locating in Washington 
County, where they lived some years. Then came to Athens 
County, where they died, aged eighty-six and eighty-one re- 
spectively. Jefferson was born in Ohio, Oct. 30, 1826; in early 
life he followed farming. In ISIS he began a mercantile life, and 
in lb53 went into business for himself; he has been prosperous and 
has a tine trade in dry goods, groceries, and everything pertaining 
to a well-stocked store. During the war Mr. Cole was in the Quar- 
termaster's Department, and after the war resumed his present 
business. In 1855 he married Phoebe W., daughter of Reuben 
Davis. By this union there are three children, two living — Eva 
L., born June 12, 1S57 (deceased); Elmer, born March 25, 1S63; 
Minnie, born May 17, 1877. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Pres- 
byterian church. Mr. Cole votes the Republican ticket and has 
held the office of Assessor two years. Has been Corporation Treas- 
urer, and he is now Township Treasurer, which office he has held 
several years. He is one of the well-to-do and much respected 
citizens of the county. 

Mrs. Fanny E. Cooley was born in Carthage Township* 
Athens Co., Ohio, Aug. 22, 1S28. She was married in 1847 
to Leonard Jewett Cooley. He was born Jan. 15, 1821, a son of 
Heman and Abigail (Cowdry) Cooley. He was educated in Ohio 
and learned the trade of a carpenter, but soon after bought a farm 
and followed that vocation till the breaking out. of the civil war. 
In L862 he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth 
Ohio Infantry, and died in the hospital at Annapolis, Nov. 9, 
L864. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooley — Sarah 
Jane, burn April 6, 1S50, was married Feb. 28, 1871, to James 



668 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY - . 

Runnion, and resides in Minnesota; Frances Abigail, born May 4, 
1853; Moses Elliott, barn May 2, 1855, was married Aug. 19,1879; 
■'Heman, born Sept. 10, 1858, was married Oct. 30, 1882, and re- 
sides in Minnesota. Mrs. Cooley is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 

John De Wolf, farmer, is a son of Clement and Nancy (Kasson) 
DeWolf, natives of Connecticut. His parents moved to Pennsyl- 
vania and lived some years; then moved to Ohio in 1817. He was 
a teacher and made that his life-long labor. John was born in 
Pennsylvania, April 4, 1813. He was educated in Ohio; now owns 
100 acres of land on section 33, where he lives. In 1839 he married 
Harriet, daughter of Jonas and Jerusha (Waterman) Smith, na- 
tives of New York; they moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1810 
moved to Ohio. They followed farming -some time and boating 
for many years on the Ohio. They died in Ohio. Mrs. De Wolf 
was born Oct. 6, 1809. This union has been blessed with three 
children, two living — Amanda, born July 11, 1812, wife of 
Matthew Humphrey, of Troy; John, born Sept. 14, 1852, married 
and lives with his parents; one child died in infancy. Mr. De 
Wolf, politically, is a Republican. 

William A. Dinsmoor, son of Isaac and Hannah (Little) 
Dinsmoor, was born Oct. 3,1814, in New Hampshire. His par- 
ents were natives of New Hampshire and came to Ohio in May, 
1834, and located in Lodi Township, Athens County, where they 
both died. Mr. Dinsmoor's paternal ancestors were originally 
from Scotland, but settled in Ireland, and at an early day came to 
America. In 1S34 he went to Western New York, and in 1836 
came to .Athens County, where he has sinae lived engaged in farm- 
ing. Nov. 4, 1838, he married L. L., daughter of William and 
Laura (Cleveland) Tubbs, and a native of Athens County, born 
Oct. 17, 1821. They have had seven children, six now living — 
John C, born Jan. 14, 1840, is deceased; Mary Ann, born July 24, 
1841, is the wife of W. L. Saffreed, of West Virginia; Samuel 
P., born March 8, 1843, is living in Jersey County, 111.; Elizabeth 
C, born July 6, 1846, is the wife of D. W. Gardner; Theresa J., 
born May 8, 1851, is a school teacher; Franklin P., born Feb. 21, 
1853, is living in Stewart; Rosa L., born June 23, 1857, is the 
wife of Wm. Pruden, of West Virginia. Mr. Dinsmoor is a 
member of the Christian Union, and his wife of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. lie belongs to the Masonic fraternity. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat, and has held several of the township of- 
fices. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 669 

A. P. Frame, postoffice Coolville, general merchant, a native ot 
Athens County, Ohio, born in 1837, is a son of John and Mary 
Qsesmith) Frame, natives of Pennsylvania and Maine respectively. 
They came to Ohio at an early day, where John died in 1873. A. 
P. received a common-school education, and has followed the mer- 
cantile business. In 1863 he married Eletha, daughter of Thomas 
and Osee (Slack) Smith. They came to Ohio many years ago and 
died here. By this union there are four children — Richelieu L., 
born in 1864; Mary A., born in 1867; Osee I., born in 1869, and 
Ralph, born in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Frame are members of the 
Congregational church. Mr. Frame is a member of the A. F. & 
A. M. fraternity. He votes the Democratic ticket. He has been 
very successful in business and carries a stock of everything 
usually found in a country store. 

G. W. Fox was born June 19, 1850, in Doddridge County, W. 
Va., the son of S. H. and Charlotte (Pinnell) Fox. His grand- 
mother is yet living at the age of 101 years; can see to read with- 
out spectacles; walked two and a half miles with Mr. Fox last fall 
without a cane; never took a dose of medicine in her life; only has 
a few gray hairs in her head; is the mother of eleven children, and 
her teeth, except one, are as sound as a -dollar. Mr. Fox spent 
the early part of his life on the farm with his father. When four- 
teen years old he enlisted in Company C, Sixth West Virginia 
Infantry, and served about ten months. Dec. 23, 1873, he was 
married to Miss Emma Mickle, daughter of Andrew and Fannie 
M. Mickle. They are the parents of four children, but one living 
— Perry D., who was born Dec. 23, 1878. Mr. Fox came to this 
county in 1872, settling at Torch, but afterward bought the farm 
known as the Chambers property, where he now lives. He has 
fifty-five acres of good land. Although his educational advan- 
tages were limited, he obtained a good education, and has been one 
of the most successful teachers of Athens County, having taught 
twenty-live terms. He is the present Assessor of Troy Township. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Coolville Lodge, No. 527. 

Reuben Gill 'dan, farmer, Coolville, is a son of Reuben and Lucy 
(Frost) Gillilan, natives of Vermont and Ohio respectively. He 
was born in Orange Township, Meigs Co., Ohio, Jan. 23, is 11. 
Be has followed farming most of his life, and now owns 166 acres 
of land where he lives. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Thirty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Captain 
William McKain, and served three years. He was in the battles 



670 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, 
Ringgold, Ga., Resaca and Atlanta, besides numerous skirmishes. 
He was wounded, and was discharged. In 1866 he married Sarah 
J., daughter of Abraham and Phebe (Smith) Webster, natives of 
Ohio. There have been by this marriage six children — Lewis R., 
born May 22,1867; Seldon E., born March 23, 1869; Winfred, 
born Aug. 16, 1871; Phebe Alverna, bora Dec. 11,1875; Bertha 
Eveline, born March 1, 1879; Berton Everet, born Oct. 10, 1881. 
Mrs. Gillilan is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
Politically Mr. Gillilan is a Democrat. 

Jesse Green, farmer, postoffice Coolville, son of Benjamin and 
Martha (La Rew) Green, natives of Indian Creek, Ya., is the sixth 
of eleven children. He was born in Virginia, and came to Ohio 
in 1859. His father died in 1862. After coming to Ohio Mr. 
Green bought a farm of thirty-five acres, where he now lives. In 
1853 he married Martha A., daughter of Shelton and Rachel 
(Hefiin) Smith, natives of Virginia. By this union there are six 
children, four living — Elijah M., born Nov. 7, 1854, lives in Union 
County, Ohio; Roxa L., born Nov. 17, 1S56, wife of William 
Cooper, living in Virginia; Ella J., born March 24, 1862, wife of 
Carson Lewis, living in Troy Township; Ida M., born July 18, 
1865, wife of Luther Tiffany, of Meigs Count} 7 , Ohio. Mr. and 
Mrs. Green are members of the United Brethren church. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, One 
Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, and served 
three years. He was in several of the severe battles of the war — 
Winchester, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Richmond and several others; 
was at Richmond when General Lee surrendered, and was dis- 
charged at Richmond. 

J. E. Hartnell, postoffice Coolville, miller, was born March 25, 
1851. He is a partner in the new and fine flour-mill built here in 
1882. He is a son of Richard and Sarah (Harris) Hartnell, na- 
tives of Western England. Sarah died when J. E. was one year 
old. He was educated in England and learned the trade of a 
miller, which he has since followed. He came to America in the 
spring of 1872, locating in Gallipolis, Ohio; remained there six 
months, then went to Charleston, W. Va., and from there to 
his present home. In 1871 he married Mary Jane, daughter of 
William and Hannah Hunt, natives of England, where they still 
live. Mrs. Hartnell was born Dec. 12, 1845, in England. By this 
union there are three children — Walter Bailey, born June 13, 1872; 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 671 

Ida Jane, born Dec. 12, 1873; Minnie Belle, born Oct. 17, 1880. Mrs. 
Hartnell is a member of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Hartnell 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the I. O. O. 
F. lodge. 

C. II Hays, one of the old residents and survivors of Southern 
Ohio, moving to this State from the East at the time of Martin 
Van Bureivs election, and coming to Athens County in 1861, was 
born in Connecticut in 1791. When the second struggle for inde- 
pendence seemed to be staring the American people in the face he, 
like all other brave-hearted Americans, shouldered his gun and 
marched in the van. He served in the war of 1812 under General 
Jackson, and now draws a pension on account of disability caused 
by exposure and servitude in that war. He is now ninety-two 
j ears of age, and is very feeble. Berhaps before this work comes 
before the public, he will have passed from time to eternity, but let 
it be remembered by all who may chance to look on this page that 
he is one among the very few who are yet living that helped to win 
our independence and make the nation what she is. 

C.B. Hitchcock, Coolville, music teacher, vocal and instrumen- 
tal, is a son of Quartns and Ardelia (Bond) Hitchcock, natives ol 
Massachusetts, who moved to Ohio in 181:6, and located in Belpre, 
remaining there some twenty-seven years; then moved to Chester, 
Meigs County, where they still live. C. B. was born in Hawley, 
March 16, 1825. He was educated in that State, and took a musi- 
cal academic course under Mason & Webb. He has made music 
ins life-long business, teaching in some eight States, and has been 
very successful as a teacher. Where many have failed he has 
always met with success. In 1861 he married in Vermont, Fannie 
A., daughter of Joseph and Tolly (Bowker) Snow, natives of Sand- 
gate, Bennington Co., Vt. Mr. Snow died in Vermont, and Mrs. 
Snow is now with her daughter in Ohio. Mrs. Hitchcock was born 
Nov. -1, 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock have been born three 
children— Annie M., born May 7, 1866; Herbert R, born Sept. 3, 
1S69, and Louie B., born Jan. 27, 1876. Mr. Hitchcock and fam- 
ily are members of the Congregational church. He votes the Re- 
publican ticket. 

Milton Humphrey, son of Jacob and Mary (Spacht) Humphrey, 
was born in Troy Township, Aug. 31, 1S09. His grandfather 
came to the United States from England in 1776, landing in Phila- 
delphia, where he shouted " Glory to God " for being permitted to 
see a land where he could worship God according to the dictates ol 



072 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

his own conscience. He was arrested by the police who thought 
him crazj 7 , but was soon released. He lived in Pennsylvania a year 
or two and in 1798 came to Ohio and located on Wolf Creek, but 
afterward moved to Waterman Hill, Troy Township, where he 
died in 1829. Jacob was the second son of a family of five chil- 
dren. He was married in 1804, and had a family of thirteen chil- 
dren, eleven growing to maturity. His son John was the first child 
born in the township. Milton is now the oldest native resident ot 
the township. He at one time owned a section of land, but has 
given a portion of it to his children, having reserved 240 acres for 
himself. He was married in 1835 to Mary, daughter of Samuel 
and Elizabeth (Forgy) McPherson, who was born Sept. 22, 1S16. 
Ten children have been born to them — Joseph, born March 24, 
1837, is a resident of Hardin County; Henrietta, born Jane 26, 
1839, is the wife of Heman Bumgardner; Martha, born Jan. 7, 
1842, wife of John G-abert; Pratt, born Oct. 30, 1844, resides in 
Carthage Township; Marshall, born Feb. 25, 1846, resides on the 
homestead; George, born May 7, 1848, a resident of Troy; Mary 
Eliza, born Sept. 29, 1850, is the wife of Edward Doderer, of Meigs 
County; Lucy Ellen, born Dec. 26, 1854, is the wife of William 
Price, of Meigs County; Selden, born Jan. 13, 1857, lives in Troy 
Township, and Albert, born Dec. 12, 1858, lives in Hockingport. 
Politically Mr. Humphrey is a Republican. 

R. F. Humphrey, farmer, P. O. Coolville, son of Isaac and Harriet 
(Sawyer) Humphrey, was born Nov. 5, 1820. He was educated in 
Ohio. He now owns a farm of 162 acres, on fraction section 19. In 
January, 1851, he married ;Elizabeth L., daughter of Job and Lydia 
(Weatherby) Coggeshall, natives of Rhode Island and New Jersey. 
She was born in Washington County, Ohio, June 18, 1824. By 
this union there has been six children — Isaac Edward, born Nov. 2, 
1851, left home and went to the Western mining region thirteen 
years ago, and for the last five years nothing has been heard 
from him; A. O. Wesley, born April 2, 1854, married, and living 
in Champaign County, Ohio; Nelson, born May 16, 1856; Harvey 
J., born Oct. 12, 1860; Lydia, born April 14, 1863; Estella 
Blanche, born Aug. 27, 1867. Mr. Humphrey belongs to the 
United Brethren church, Scioto Conference; Mrs. H. belongs to 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Humphrey is a 
Republican. 

Cornelius B. Jeffers, farmer, son of Asa P. and Eliza (Jakeway) 
Jeffers, natives of Pennsylvania, was born in Carthage Township, 
Aug. 27, 1831. His parents came to Ohio about 1S15. His 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 673 

mother died in August, 1869. His grandfather came first to Ohio 
in 1804, but returned to Pennsylvania and lived some years, then 
came again to Ohio, where he died at the age of ninety years. 
Cornelius B. had the privileges of a common-school education. 
He has settled down to farming, and now occupies ninety acres of 
fine land on section 31, and has 125 acres in Decatur County, 
Iowa. In 1857 he married Margaret, daughter of Truman and 
Elizabeth (Duke) Perfect, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania 
respectively, who came to Ohio in 1805, where they died. By this 
union there were two children, both deceased. Mrs. Jeffers died 
June 2, 1860. Dec. 29, 1864, Mr. Jeffers married Margaret, 
daughter of James and Sarah (Morrow) McCain, natives of Penn- 
sylvania, who came to Ohio in 1847, where they died in 1857 and 
1858. Mrs. Jeffers was born Feb. 28, 1830. By this union there 
is one child — Charles, born June 16, 1866 (deceased). Mr. and 
Mrs. Jeffers are members of the Presbyterian church. JMr. Jeffers 
is a member of the grange. Politically he is a Democrat. 

Manasseh Jennings, farmer, Coolville, is a son of Jeremiah and 
Amy (Cams) Jennings, natives of New Jersey, who moved to 
Jefferson County, Ohio, at an early day. They had a family 
of nine children, Manasseh being the seventh child. He was born 
in Jefferson County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 1811. He was educated in Ohio 
and has followed farming for a livelihood. In 1839 he married 
Phebe, daughter of John and Betsey Palmer, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania and New Jersey respectively. Mrs. Jennings was born 
Oct. 15, 1815. Eight children have been born to them, seven 
living— Malinda Almira, born Jan. 9, 1841, wife of Wm. Shafer, 
of Nebraska; Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 22, 1843, wife of Stephen 
W. Hull; John R., born Sept. 16, 1844, and was killed at the 
battle of Chickamauga; Anna Maria, born Oct. 2, 1846, wife of 
Austin Secoy; Sarah Alma, born Nov. 4, 1848; Margaret Jane, 
born Jan. 24, 1850, wife of Timothy A. Price, of Meigs County, 
Ohio; Rachel Emeline. born March 23, 1852, and Hannah Lucinda, 
born Oct. 16, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are members of the 
Presbyterian church. Mr. Jennings votes the Republican ticket. 
He owns forty acres of fine land on section 34. 

W. N. Kennedy was born Feb. 1, 1834, in Wheeling, Va., and \s 
a son of Susana Kennedy. His father was born in Scotland, and came 
to this country about 1S15, settling at Pittsburg, where he worked 
at his trade — that of a silk weaver — many years. Mr. Kennedy 
spent his early life in a weaving factory. When about twenty years 
43 



674 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEV. 

old he went into the grocery business, and two or three years later 
went to steamboating. In Febrnary, 1865, he enlisted in the war 
of the Rebellion, serving until its close. He was then engaged in 
a rolling mill for four or five years, and from there came to the 
farm where he now lives. May 8, IS 74, he was married to Mrs. 
Mary J. Branyan, a widow with one child — Frank E. They have 
no children. Mr. Kennedy owns fifty acres of farming land, and is 
at present engaged in general farming and stock-raising. 

Charles E. Keyes, Principal of the Southern Ohio Normal 
School, P. O. Hockingport, is a son of Edwin and Sibyl (Sargent) 
Keyes, natives of Ohio and Massachusetts, respectively. His pa- 
rents were married in Ohio, and settled in Hockingport in 1S58. 
From thence, in 1860, moved to Tupper's Plains, where his father 
built a seminary, of which he was the Principal. In 1862 he en. 
listed in Company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, 
and was elected Captain. He enlisted most of the company him- 
self, they being largely students. In 1864 he was wounded at the 
battle of Lynchburg, Va., and died in the hospital there a month 
later. His wife died May 16, 1879. Charles E. was born in Lau 
rel Furnace, Ky., Aug. 31, 1855. He was educated at Tupper's 
Plains Seminary and at Marietta College, Ohio, and since then has 
been engaged in teaching. For three years he was Superintendent 
ofBelpre graded schools. Since coming to Hockingport he has built 
a large and commodious school building for the establishment of 
the Southern Ohio Normal School. Aug. 24, 1882, he married 
Mary, daughter of Charles and Mary (Curtis) Cook, natives of 
Parkersbnrg, Va., and Little Hocking, Washington Co., Ohio. 
Mrs. Keyes was born in Belpre, Nov. 30, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. 
Keyes are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Keyes is 
a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican. 

C. L. Knowles, a son of William and Sally (Woodward) Knowles, 
was born Sept. 20, 1833. His father died in 1870, at the age of 
eighty-one yeans, and his mother in 1871, aged seventy-one years. 
Mr. Knowles was reared on his father's farm, and received a moderate 
education in the old-fashioned log school-houses. In May, 1S61, he 
enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Rhodes, for 
three years, and when his time had expired re-enlisted and served 
till the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Louisville 
Ky., July 9, 1865. He was in the battles of Atlanta, New Madrid, 
second battle of Corinth, Savannah, Benton ville, S. C, and several 
others of less importance. April 22, 186S, he was married to Miss 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 675 

S. M. Cole, daughter of John and Mary Cole. Her father is yet 
living in Washington County, Ohio. Mr. Knowles takes pride in 
having line stock. He owns a good farm of about 300 acres, and 
stands in the front rank with the farmers of Athens County. 

Abner Lewis, farmer and blacksmith, P. O. Frost. His par- 
ents were Jonathan and Nancy (.Randolph) Lewis. They came to 
Ohio in 1812, and located in Belmont County, then moved to Mor- 
gan and then to Athens County, where they died after living to 
the ripe old age of eighty-three years. Abner was born in Bel- 
mont County, Ohio, May 2, 1821. He was educated in Ohio, and 
has followed fanning and blacksmithing. He now owns forty acres of 
land on section 11, and also works at his trade. During the war he 
worked one and a half years as Government blacksmith under Gen- 
eral Rosecrans. In 1842 he married Joanna, daughter of Benja- 
min and Hannah (Deweese) Grimes. By this union there were five 
children — Hannah, born April 17, 1813, wife of Benjamin Dailey; 
Nancy M., born Jan. 14, 1845, wife of John Lewis; George G., 
born July 2, 1847, married Minerva Goodwin; Amanson, born 
Nov. 13, 1850, married Elizabeth Black, living in Warren County, 
Ohio; Joanna T., born March 24,1853, wife of Jacob Kerschen- 
schlager, of Chillicothe, Ohio. Mrs. Lewis died April 30, 1856. 
Mr. Lewis married in 1856, Mary Ann, daughter of Shepley and 
Nancy (Nice) Martin . By this union there were rive children, only 
one living— Mary, born Aug. 4, 1861, wife of James Robinson, of 
Madison County, 111. Mrs. Lewis died July 22, 1867, and Mr. Lewis 
married Mary Ann, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (II nil) Hart- 
ley. She was the widow of Benjamin Hart, who died in the army. 
She had three children— John, born July 25, 1857; Eliza Jane, 
born April 26, 1860, wife of Charles Thompson; Benjamin Frank- 
lin, born Nov. 10, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have five children- 
Elizabeth, born Nov. 30, 1868; Edna, born Jan. 14, 1870; Sarah, 
born March 26, 1873; ,Henry, born May 11, 1875; Eda, born Oct. 
8, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Baptist church. 
Politically he is a Republican. 

Wofcnnan Lewis, postoffice Coolville, farmer, is a son of Henry 
and Lovina (Slater) Lewis, natives of Rhode Island and Massachu- 
setts respectively, who moved. from Berkshire County, Mass., in 
IS 13, to Belpre, Ohio, and in 1832 moved to Illinois and bought 
Government land near Quincy, where they died. Waterman was 
born in Berkshire County, Mass., Feb. 11, 1804, and came to Ohio 
with his parents. He was educated in Ohio and Parkersburg, Ya. 



676 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

He taught school some years, but the most of his life has been 
spent in farming. He came to Coolville in 1829 and went to work 
in a store for Charles Devol. A short time after, he and his 
employer bought out a distillery which they carried on, in connec- 
tion with the store, about eleven years. In the meantime they 
bought cattle, taking them to pasture lands the other side of the 
mountains, and from there driving them each year to Philadel- 
phia and Baltimore, and sometimes sending a boat-load to New 
Orleans. After a few years Mr. L. bought his present farm adjoin- 
ing the village of Coolville, where he has since lived. In March, 
1833, he married Matilda, daughter of Caleb and Matilda (Buck- 
ingham) Cooley, natives of the East, and among the first settlers 
of Troy Township. She was born Oct. 15, 1813, and died Jan. 31, 
18S2 . She was the mother of eight children, three living — Lovina, 
burn Aug. 11, 1835, now the widow of Charles Nesmith (she has 
two children — Henry and Carrie); Carson, born Jan. 6, 1851; Mar- 
tha, born Dec. 27, 1854. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Congre- 
gational church. He votes the Republican ticket, and has held 
most of the township offices, faithfully discharging his duty. Two 
of his daughters, after the age of womanhood, were drowned in 
the Hocking River only a few rods from his door. He is one of 
the oldest and most respected citizens of the valley. 

Samuel Livezey was born July IS, 1802, in Pennsylvania, a son 
of John and Ann Livezey, who were also natives of that State. 
His father died Sept. 9, 1834, and his mother, Feb. 24, 1854, aged 
eighty-six years. When Mr. Livezey was young, he went to Phil- 
adelphia and learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for about 
fifteen years, when he returned home and lived with his parents 
fifteen years, and then moved, in 1840, to Morgan County, Ohio, 
where he pursued farming until 18B6, when he came to Troy Town- 
ship. Athens County, where his widow now lives. Sept. 22, 1841, 
he was married to Rebecca Kind, daughter of James and Rebecca 
Kind, natives of Pennsylvania, They had a family of nine chil- 
dren, seven now living — John C, Lewis K., Samuel, Ann (now 
Mrs. McVeigh), Martha (now Mrs. Chambers), Emma and Sarah. 
Ames and Thomas S. are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Livezey both 
have a birthright to the Quaker or Friends church. 

Elizabeth McKwri, wife of A. J. McKim, deceased. He was a 
native of Pennsylvania. His father was Andrew and his mother 
Mary (Edgar) McKim, also natives of Pennsylvania, who moved 
to Ohio many years ago, where both died. A.J. followed the mer- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 677 

can tile business for a livelihood, and was a very successful business 
man. In 1844 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Susan 
(Ridenonr) Hoffman, natives of Maryland, but moving to Athens 
County, Ohio, in 1840. They had seven children. Mrs. McKim 
was born in Cumberland, Md., Dec. 21, 1819. Eight children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. McKim, two living — Charles, born June 26, 
1851, and Frank E., born June 22, 1861. Mr. A. J. McKim died 
in 1877. Mrs. McKim has a fine property. She is a member of 
the Congregational church, and a much respected lady. 

Mrs. Mary L. McKim, born in Athens County, Ohio, April 14, 
1819, is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Boyd) Whiteside, 
natives of Mercer County, Pa., who came to Ohio in 1812. She was 
married to Nicholas Edgar McKim April 9, 1835. He was. a na- 
tive of Butler County, Pa., born Dec. 17, 1811, and a son of Andrew 
and Mary (Edgar) McKim. He came to Ohio in 1823, but afterward 
returned to Pittsburg and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, finally 
locating in Hockingport, where lie died in 1878. Mr. and Mrs. 
McKim had seven children, only four now living — Andrew Jack- 
son, born Feb. 19, 1838. is now a Presbyterian clergyman in the 
city of Mexico; Mary Elizabeth, born Feb. 5, 1840, is the wife of 
Benj. Hoodman; Olive Frances, born April 3, 184S, is a teacher 
and living at home; Thomas, born June 22, 1S50, is a Methodist 
clergyman, located at Strawberry Point, Iowa. One son, now 
deceased, was a physician, and another a lawyer. 

John Mitchell, hotel keeper, Coolville, born Feb. 3, 1815, in 
Allegheny County, Pa., is a son of William and Esther (McNeal) 
Mitchell, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio about 1820, 
locating in Jefferson County, and in 1837 moved to Harrison 
County, where his father died in 1845. He was educated in trie 
Ohio common schools, and began life as a teacher, which he fol- 
lowed some fifteen years. He then went to farming and after- 
ward was in the mercantile business until the breaking out 
of the Rebellion, locating in Coolville in 1S55. In 1S37 he 
married Hannah, daughter of John M. and Sarah (Turner) Mor- 
rison, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio about 1818, and 
died in this State. Mrs. Mitchell was born in June, 1819. By this 
union there have been three children — William K, born in 1S40; 
John N., in 1842; James T., in 1847; all married and in busi- 
ness in Parkersburg. Mrs. Mitchell died July 12, 1881. Mr. 
Mitchell and wife were members of the United Presbyterian church. 
Mr. Mitchell is a member of the A. F. & A. M. fraternitv, and 



678 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

votes the Republican ticket. He has held the office of Clerk since 
1857, has been Assessor a year, and Justice of the Peace a short 
time, and has been for many years a notary public. 

Lafayette Mitchell, farmer, P. O. Coolville, is a son of William 
and Margaret (Spence) Mitchell, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio 
respectively. His father came to Ohio about 1820, where he died 
in 1865. "His wife died in 1840, and he married, in 1844, Clarissa 
Webster, who now lives in Meigs County. Lafayette was born 
in Athens County, Nov. 15, 1830. He was educated in Ohio, 
and has tajight school most of his life winters, and summers has 
worked on farms. June 20, 1852, he married Hannah Maria, 
daughter of Edward and Hannah Maria (Sweet) Lawrence, natives 
of New Hampshire, who came to Ohio about 1840, and now 
live in Athens County. Mrs. Mitchell was born Oct. 11, 1835. 
By this union there have been six children, live living — Ann 
Maria, born April 26, 1854, wife of Andrew J. Athey, of Clay 
County, Neb. ; Mary Florence, born July 21, 1859; Arthur Ed- 
wards, born Sept. 1, 1862; William Elmer, born July 19, 1868; 
Walter Lawrence, born Aug. 5, 1872 (deceased); Nettie Evern r 
born Feb. 15, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. M. is a member of the A. F. 
& A. M. fraternity. Politically he is a Democrat. 

Joseph Morrison, farmer, P. O. Coolville, is a son of John and 
Sarah (Turner) Morrison, natives of Pennsylvania. They came 
to Jefferson County, Ohio, and from there to Troy Township, 
where they died in 1875 and 1876. Joseph was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, Oct. 11, 1815. He has followed boating and farming all his 
life, and now owns 425 acres of land on fraction section 23, 
mostly well improved. In 1843 he married Fidelia L., daughter 
of Jacob and Anna (Paulk) Barrows. She was born Aug. 19, 
1822. To them were born ten children, nine living — John M., 
born Sept. 30, 1844. married and living on the homestead; Sarah, 
deceased; James T., born Sept. 30, 1848, living in Troy Township; 
Martha Jane, born April 8, 1S51, wife of Dean Ewers, of Coolville; 
Henry B., born Feb. 14, 1853; Samantha M., born July 20, 1855, 
wife of Alonzo Palmer, of Troy Township; Alexander M., born 
July 8, 1857; Mary A., born Dec. 8, 1860; Douglas, born July 14, 
1862, and Delmer F., born March 28, 1865. Politically Mr. Mor- 
ris* >n is a Democrat. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 679 

Montgomery Morrison, farmer, Coolville, is a son of John M. 
and Sarah (Turner) Morrison, natives of Pennsylvania. They 
came to Jefferson County, Ohio, about 1815. Montgomery was 
born in Jefferson County, where he was educated. He has fol- 
lowed farming most of his life, always living on one. He now owns 
220 acres of land on section 11, all under improvement, and an 
undivided half of 220 acres in Athens Township, also cultivated. 
In 1818 he married Samantha, daughter of Seneca and Lucy 
(Parsons) Brown, natives of New York and Ohio, now living in 
Lodi Township. Mrs. Morrison was born within a half a mile of 
where she now lives. By this union there were three children, 
all deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are members of the Bap- 
tist church. Politically Mr. Morrison is a Democrat. 

John M. Parker, farmer, postoffice Hoekingport, is a son ot 
Thomas and Ann (Bracy) Parker, natives of Pennsylvania. His pa- 
rents came to Ohio in 1836. John was the second of their eight chil- 
dren. They lived in Meigs County, where Mrs. Parker died. Mr. 
P. died in Hockingport, at the house of his son. John M. was 
born in Beaver County, Penn., Aug. 13,182-1. He came to Ohio 
when young and was educated here; he followed farming for a 
time and then learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he fol- 
lowed for several years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, 
Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteers, and served three years and forty-five 
days; was discharged at Jacksonville, Fla., in 1865; was on de- 
tached service as blacksmith most of the time. On returning 
home he engaged as a farmer, which occupation he has since fol- 
lowed, now owning forty acres of land. In January, 1851, he mar- 
ried Ethelinda, daughter of Craig and Susan (Paulk) Dutton, natives 
of Virginia and Massachusetts, respectively. They came to Ohio 
at an early day. Mr. Paulk locating here in 1798. Mr. Dutton was 
a farmer and died in 1S66. Mrs. Dutton is living in Mr. Parker's 
family at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Mrs. Parker 
was born Dec. is. L826. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are the parents of 
six children, four living — Charles C, born Oct. 22, 1851; Mary 
Eunice, born Oct. 3, 1857; Edwin K., born Feb. 29, 1860; Myrta, 
born Feb. 22, 1866. Thomas Scott and Addison Wilmer are 
deceased, Mrs. Parker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Parker is a member of the I. O. O. F. He votes 
the Republican ticket, and has held several of the township offices, 
lie takes considerable interest in the cause of education, having 
several times been a member of the School Board. 



680 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Thomas Richardson, farmer, postofficje Frost, the first child ot 
a family of five children, of Abraham and Vashti (Paulk) Richard- 
son. His mother was the widow of Mr. Frost when she married 
Mr. Richardson, and was one of the first settlers in Troy Town- 
ship, coming here about the year 1800, when Troy Township was 
very wild and unsettled. Thomas was born on the farm where he 
now lives and has always made it his home, March 21, 1811. 
His is a record few other men can show of having lived seventy-two 
years on one farm, and that the one their parents settled and died" 
on. The homestead has 100 acres, about 275 acres under good im- 
provements. Mr. Richardson was married to Miranda, daughter 
of William and Saloma (Barrows) Frost. Her father is de- 
ceased, and her mother is perhaps the oldest person living herea- 
bouts. This union was blessed with ten children, six now living — 
D. C.,born Feb. 23, 1838, living in Troy Township; Lewis, born 
Aug. 17, 1839; Olive was a twin, bornApril 12, 1811, wife of Charles 
Beebe, living in Arkansas; Samaria, born April 22, 1813, wife of 
Samuel" Splee, of Bel pre; Martha, born April 20, 1845; Harvey T., 
born Aug. 16, 1817, living on the homestead. The others are de" 
ceased. Mrs. Richardson died Feb. 10, 1851. Mr. Richardson 
married in 1857, Emily, daughter of Xerxes and Miranda (Barrows). 
Paulk. By this union there were two children, both deceased. 
Mr. Richardson votes the Republican ticket. 

David Russell is a well-known farmer near Ooolville, Ohio, and 
with the exception of C. H. Hays, whose sketch is found else- 
where, is the only survivor of the war of 1812 in Southern Ohio., 
In 1811 he enlisted in the war under General Harrison and went 
to New Orleans, where he began his campaign. He was promoted 
to the rank of First Lieutenant, served as such till the close of the 
war, when he was mustered out and came home. He was born 
April 25, 1795, in Pennsylvania. Although he is now eighty-seven 
years old, his mind is remarkably clear and his power of delivery 
is more than ordinary. 

William Scadott was born July 11, 1815, a son of John and 
Catherine (Wooifield) Scarlott. His father was born in 1781, and 
died in 1811. Mr. Scarlott's boyhood days were spent on the farm 
with his father, going to school in the winter until he was about 
twenty years old, when he turned his attention entirely to farming. 
In 1851 he moved to the place where he now lives, engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He his a good farm of 115 acres. Jan. 21, 
1S50, he was married to Miss Anne Noble, daughter of James 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 681 

Noble. They have four children — James N., who is now watch on 
the Helper at Torch, O.; John W., who is on the farm with his 
father; Mary E.,wife of David Marlo\v,of Virginia, and William E., 
who is now helping ran a saw-mill. Mr. Scarlett is a strong advo- 
cate of the temperance cause and is emphatically a Prohibitionist. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

G. B. Simms, hotel-keeper, farmer and Postmaster, Hocking- 
port, is a son of Oliver and Mary (Simpson) Simms, natives ofVir" 
ginia, and Corinth, Penobscot Co., Maine. They moved to Meigs 
Cjuntv,Ohio, in 1817, where they lived till 1852, when they moved 
to Athens County, where Mr. Simms died in 1S63. G. B. was born 
in Meigs County, Ohio, Jan. 21, 183S. He was educated in this 
State and remained on the farm till twenty-six years of age. In 
1861 he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-ninth Ohio, and served 
four years. He was discharged at Camp Denison, in July, 1865; 
he was train-master and several times shouldered his musket and 
did duty as a soldier also. After the war he went to the Western 
Territories — Kansas, Nebraska, Dakota, Nevada, Colorado and 
New Mexico — spending some two years, then returned to Hocking- 
port, where he has since resided. In 1875 he married Sarah E. , 
daughter of Joshua and Mary (Morrison) Safreed, natives of 
Chester County, Pa., and Jefferson County. Ohio, now living in 
Hockingport. Mrs. Simms was born in Jefferson County, Ohio , 
June 25, 1837. They have one child — Delmer Frank, born Feb. 
26, 1878. Mr. Simms is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity 
and votes the Republican ticket. He has held several of the town- 
ship offices; was appointed Postmaster in 1874 and still holds the 
office. 

Joscphus Tucker was born Oct. 24, 1821, in Athens County, and is 
a son of David and Sas:.n (Austin) Tucker, who emigrated from 
Virginia. His father died in December, 1846, and his mother 
in March, 1879. He spent his early days in hard work on the farm 
and in attending the public school in winter. When seventeen 
years old he began working by the month. He has worked hard, 
and has managed well, and at present owns 125 acres of good farm- 
ing land, and has it well stocked. March 23, 1848, he married 
Eliza A. Fulton, daughter of Samuel Fulton. They have had eight 
children, only five now living — Joanna (now Mrs. Goodrich), 
Zalinda (now Mrs. Mansfield), Mary (now Mrs. Persons), Hala, 
George W., Elijah, Samuel D, and Charles II. Mr. Tucker has 
held the office of Township Trustee for four years. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



682 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Theodore C. Walker, postoffice Coolville, adopted son of 
James B. Walker, of Wheaton, 111., was born in Michigan, July 
29,1839, and was educated at Oberlin, Ohio. He enlisted in 1861, 
in Battery I, First Regiment, Ohio Light Artillery, and served 
three years and four months, being in many of the severe battles of 
the war: second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Cross Keys, McDow- 
ell, Fredericksburg, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, and all the princi- 
pal battles to Atlanta. He refused promotion and went through 
the war as he enlisted — a fighting private. He was mustered out 
at CampDenison, Dec. 9, 1864. He went from there to Michigan, 
and engaged in teaching music and elocution in Grand Traverse 
College. After this he was elected County Clerk and Register of 
Deeds of Benzie County, Mich., with only one vote against him. 
Then he moved to Manistee County, and was Deputy Clerk for six 
years. After this he had charge of one of the newspaper offices, 
and was engaged in the abstract and real-estate business. From 
there he moved to Sandusky, Ohio, where he engaged in a manu- 
facturing business 3 . He was store-keeper and Private Secretary 
of the Ohio Reform School for a time, and then went to Virginia, 
where he began preaching, being ordained at Marietta. He now 
has charge of the Congregational church at Coolville. In Septem- 
ber, 1868, he married Mary P., daughter of M. C. and Mary D. 
(Dunlap) Metcalf. By this union there were four children — Arthur 
H., born July 12, 1870; Samuel Willis, born 1876; Dean A., bora 
February, 187S; Mary E., born Jan. 27, 1881. Mrs. Walker died 
March 9, 1881. Mr. Walker married, June 23, 1882, Emma L., 
daughter of John J. and Lovina (Ulm) Catt, who was born in 
Mason, Warren Co., Ohio, May 10, 1855. She is a member of 
the Disciple church. Mr. Walker votes an independent ticket. 

William Weatherby, postoffice Coolville, farmer, a son of Isaac 
and Elizabeth (Kennedy) Weatherby, was born in Washington 
County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1819. and was educated in Athens County. 
He has followed farming and boating all his life. He now owns 
sixty acres on section 19, where he lives. In 1838 l>e married 
Elizabeth, daughter of John and Nancy (Armitage) Cole, natives 
of Pennsylvania. By this union there were four children, three 
living — Salina, born March 24, 1839 ; John Wesley, born Aug. 
17, 1840 ; George Armitage, born July 24, 1845 (deceased) ; and 
Emily Jane, born Aug. 18, 1849, wife of Augustus Coe, of Nel- 
sonville. Mrs. Weatherby died June 17, 1850. Mr. Weatherby 
married, Jan. 29, 1852, Lorania, daughter of James and Deborah 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 683 

(Cole) "Weethee. They had a family of fourteen children — George, 
William, Mary, Clarissa, Charles, Lucinda, Sally, Sylvester, James, 
Daniel, Lorania, Ann, Caroline and Wallace. Mrs. Weatherby 
was born Dec. 28, 1831. Five children have been born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Weatherby, two now living — Walter Fremont, born July 28, 
1856; Emma, born Nov. 23, 1858. Those deceased are — Arminta 
Maria, Elza Elwood and Eva Viola. Politically Mr. Weatherby 
is a Republican. 

F. W. Wedge, farmer, born in Washington County, Ohio, Sept. 
26, 1821, is a son of Ira and Elizabeth (Leach) Wedge, natives of 
Connecticut, who came to Washington County, Ohio, about 1820. 
His father died in Washington County and his mother in Coolville, 
March 17, 1882. He was educated in Ohio, and followed farming 
till he was about twenty-one years of age; then learned the trade 
of a carpenter, which he followed several years, building saw-mills, 
etc. He afterward again began farming, and now owns a farm 
of 100 acres on sections 30 and 31. He was married in Novem- 
ber, 1845, to Emily A., daughter of Heman and Abigail (Cow- 
drey) Cooley. By this union there were five children, three living 
— Caroline Ellen, born Aug. 21, 1816, wife of A. C. Young, of 
Amesville, this county; Allie E., born Oct. 29, 1849, wife of J. P. 
Brawley, of Ames Township; Emma A., born Oct. 1, 1856, is the 
widow of Charles L. Pewthers. Simeon, Waldo and Ambrose are 
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wedge are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Mr. Wedge votes the Prohibition ticket. Mrs. 
Wedge's father and brother built the first flour-mill ever erected 
at Coolville in 1816, and did the flouring for many miles around. 
It was torn down about one year ago, and a large new one now oc- 
cupies the old site. . s 

S. C. White, merchant, P. O. Hockingport, son of Joseph and 
Sarah (Hall) White, was born in Wood County, W. Va., March 26, 
1823. He was educated in Virginia. His early life was spent as 
a boatman on the Ohio, where he owned several craft. Since com- 
ing to Hockingport he has been engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and now has a well-filled store of dry goods, groceries, boots 
and shoes, hats, caps, hardware, etc. In 1S74 he married Mary Isa- 
bel, daughter of Joshua and Mary (Morrison) Safreed. She was 
born Aug. 12, 1841. They have two children— Sarah, born June 10, 
1875, and Arthur, born Feb. 3, 1879. Mr. White is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He votes the Republican ticket. 



684 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



Mrs. Dorcas Wilson, is the widow of Nathan S. Wilson, who died 
July 27, 1881. She was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Nov. 3, 
]834, and is a daughter of John and Dorcas (Busbee) Ford, natives 
of Maryland. June 11, 1856, she was married to Alexander, son 
of John and Hannah (Lyell) Winters, of Pennsylvania. There 
was one child by this marriage — Aurelius Stanley, born Dec. 21, 
1857. Mr. Winters died May 20, 1864, and Mrs. Winters, April 
1, 1877, married Charles Green, son of Ebenezer Green. Mr. 
Green died Aug. 18, 1879, and Mrs. Green married, Feb. 10, 1881, 
Nathan Spencer Wilson, a native of Washington County, Ohio. 
He died July 27, 1881. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. She owns a farm of fifty-five acres on section 33. 




CHAPTER XXIV. 

WATERLOO TOWNSHIP— AGRICULTURAL, MINERAL AND STOCK. 

When Settled — When Organized — Metes and Bounds and 
Area — Old Settlers — Agriculture a.nd Population — Organi- 
zation and First Election — Who Elected and Who Voted — 
All Other Town Officers — Marshfield — Churches — Car- 
bondale — Mineral City — Biographical. 

when it was organized. 

While the territory which composes the township of Waterloo 
was not organized into a separate township until March, 1826, it 
was one of early portions settled by the pioneers of those days. 
Its first settlement dates back just one score of years before it 
received its memorable name, a name which holds a prominent 
place in English history, and which a few of her sons, although 
transplanted to American soil, still remember with a glowing 
pride. Thus when her people asked for a separate local govern- 
ment, this name was chosen, and her people in the battle of life 
have shown the heroic courage of those who fought and won upon 
its memorable but blood-stained held. 

METES AND BOUNDS AND AREA. 

The township is one of the three which lies upon the western 
line of the county, and is a congressional township in size, being 
six miles square, and containing 23,040 acres of land. It is 
bounded on the north by York Township, east by Athens Town- 
ship, south by Lee Township and Vinton County, and west by 
Vinton and Hocking counties, and is the central township on the 
border. Originally, and for the first quarter of a century of its 
existence, or nearly so, it was a part of Athens Township, and 
many of its citizens were prominent in the history of Athens 
County in early times. 

(685) 



686 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

OLD SETTLERS. 

The township was first permanently settled in the year 1806, and 
Moses Hewitt was the first to stake his claim and raise his cabin 
within its limits. His family was soon joined by others, and these 
came in the order named: Abram Fee, who settled on what was 
afterward called the Foster place; Ezekiel Robinett, Sr., and Colonel 
Wm. Lowry. Mr. Lowry's father first settled near Athens in 1797, 
when William was eighteen years of age. The nearest mill at that 
time was a floating one at Yienna, eight miles from the mouth of 
the Kanawha River. The old settlers did not always go that dis- 
tance, but pounded their corn, if a hand or a horse mill could not 
be found. Game was abundant and the trusty rifle furnished the 
meat. 

AGRICULTURAL AND POPULATION. 

Waterloo Township cannot be said to be the best agricultural 
township in the county, yet it has stretches of excellent land where 
grains and grasses grow most fruitful and luxuriantly. The topog- 
raphy of the township is hilly, and in many places rough and 
broken. It is, however, a good stock-raising township, for the 
hills and ravines make excellent pastures. The hills and broken 
surface are far from being waste ground, for under their surface lie 
beds of splendid coal, and although not as yet mined to any great 
extent, is still there awaiting the pleasure of capital and the 
brawny arms of the miner. It has exhibited its share of the 
steady growth of the county since its organization. Its first census 
was taken in 1830, and its population, 216; in 1840, 741; in 1850, 
1,016; in 1860, 1,483; in 1870; 1,695; in 1880, 1,957. 

The progressive spirit of her people is shown in well-cultivated 
fields, cozy residences, improved stock, and a general spirit of 
thrift which is seen on every hand. Waterloo received quite an 
influx of settlers, among whom were the families of Robert Cotton, 
Lewis Davis, James Mayhugh, Hugh Boden, Daniel McCoy, Sam- 
uel Allison, William Johnson and Joseph Johnson. They proved 
a valuable addition, and came from the counties of Morgan and 
Muskingum. 

The first mill was erected in 1801, on Margaret Creek, by John 
Hewitt. 

The first grist and saw mill in the township was built by Jo- 
seph Brookson, and when worn out, some years after, a saw- 
mill was rebuilt upon the same spot by Nelson Hewitt. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 687 

ORGANIZATION AND ELECTIONS. 

The organization of the township in March, 1826, required the 
election for township officers, and for that purpose an election was 
ordered to take place April 3, 1820, and the voting precinct was at 
the house of Joseph Hewitt. The Judges of the Election were : 
Abram Fee. Joseph Bullard and Silas Bingham, and Andrew Glass 
and Pardon C Hewitt were appointed Clerks. From Walker's 
History the following names of the voters were taken: 

"William Lowry, James Lowry, Joseph Hewitt, P. C. Hewitt, 
Ezekiel Robinett, Lemuel Robinett. Nathan Robinett, William 
Young, William Young, Jr., Silas Bingham, Andrew Glass, Jo- 
seph C. Martin, Horace Martin, Abram Fee, Joseph Bullard, John 
Bullard, Samuel Lowry, Jr., Abram Gabriel, Elias Gabriel and 
Elias Young. 

The election results were as follows: William Lowry and Jo- 
seph Hewitt were elected Justices of the Peace; Alexander Young, 
Elias Gabriel and Silas Bingham, Trustees; Andrew Glass, Clerk; 
Horace Martin, Treasurer; William Young and Ezekiel Robinett, 
Overseers of the Poor ; Joseph Lowry and Samuel Lowry, Fence- 
Viewers; William Young, Nathan Robinett, and John Bullard, 
Supervisors; William Lowry and Joseph Hewitt, Constables. At 
this time William Lowry and Joseph Hewitt were the only two 
Whigs in the township, yet they were both elected Magistrates, 
showing that party feeling did not enter greatly into the election. 

The following list gives the principal officers of the township for 
the succeeding years, the elections being held annually: 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

1827. — Trustees, William Lowry, Elias Gabriel and Silas Ben- 
jamin; Clerk. Andrew Glass; Treasurer, Horace Martin. 

1828. — Trustees, William Lowry, Abram Gabriel and Hezekiah 
Robinett; Clerk, Elias Gabriel; Treasurer, Lemuel Robinett. 

L829. — Trustees, William Lowry, Abram Gabriel and Hezekiah 
Robinett; Clerk, Elias Gabriel; Treasurer, Isaac Pearce. 

1830. — Trustees, Willi un Lowry, Abram Gabriel and Hezekiah 
Robinett; Clerk, William Young; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

1S31. — Trustees, William Lowry, Daniel Lowry and Jeremiah 
Thompson; Clerk, Samuel Lowry; Treasurer, Wilson Phillips. 

L832. — Trustees, William Lowry, Daniel Lowry and Jeremiah 
"Thompson; Clerk, William Handberry; Treasurer, Wilson Phillips. 



688 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1833. — Trustees, William Lowry, Daniel Lowry and Jeremiah 
Thompson; Clerk, William Handberry; Treasurer, Joseph Brooks. 

1834. — Trustees, William Lowry, Daniel Lowry and Jeremiah 
Thompson; Clerk, William Handberry; Treasurer, Joseph Brooks. 

1835. — Trustees, William Lowry, William Handberry and Sam- 
uel Lowry; Clerk, Elijah Lowry; Treasurer, Joseph Brooks. 

1836. — Trustees, John Mintun, William Handberry and George 
Hewitt; Clerk, David G. Benjamin; Treasurer, Daniel Lowry. 

1837. — Trustees, John Mintun. William Handberry and Will- 
iam Lowry; Clerk, David G. Benjamin; Treasurer, Elias Gabriel. 

1838.— Trustees, Hugh Laughlin, William Mills and Elias Ga- 
briel; Clerk, William Johnstone; Treasurer wanting. 

183!).— Trustees, Hugh Laughlin, William Mills and Elias Gab- 
riel; Clerk, R. H. Cotton; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

L840. — Trustees, William II mdberry, William Herron and Elias 
Gabriel; Clerk, K. H. Cotton; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

18-11. — Trustees, William Handberry, Pardon C. Hewitt and 
Elias Gabriel; Clerk, William Young; Treasurer, Alexander 
Young. 

1842. — Trustees, William Handberry, Pardon C. Hewitt and 
Elias Gabriel; Clerk, James Holmes; Treasurer, Elijah Lowry. 

1843. — Trustees, William Handberry, Simon Elliott and Elias 
Gabriel; Clerk, James Holmes; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

1 S44. — Trustees, William Handberry, Daniel McCoy and Elias 
Gabriel; Clerk, James Holmes; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

1845. — Trustees, John Mintun, Simon Elliott and Pardon C. 
Hewitt; Clerk, W. C. Allen; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

I^t6. — Trustees, John Mintun, William Lowry and Pardon C. 
Hewitt; Clerk, W. C. Allen; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

1847. — Trustees, John Mintun, Hugh Boden and Robert Mc- 
Neal; Clerk, James Holmes; Treasurer, Alexander Young. 

1848. — Trustees, John Mintun, Hugh Boden and John Means; 
Clerk, W. C. Allen; Treasurer, William Eerron. 

1849.— Trustees, Andrew Berron, Robert .MeXe.il and John 
Means; Clerk, W. C. Allen; Treasurer, William Eerron. 

L850. — Trustees, Eugh Boden, Robert II. Cotton and John 

Means; Clerk, W. C. Allen; Treasurer, William Herron. 

L851. — Trustees, Hugh Boden, Robert H. Cotton and Robert 
Spear; Clerk, David W. Mintun: Treasurer, William Herron. 

L852. — Trustees. Eugh Boden, Robert II. Cotton and Joseph 
MfaNeal; Clerk, David W. Mintun; Treasurer, William Herron. 





VlfarA' ti&. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 689 

1853. — Trustees, Hugh Boden, John Means and Joseph McNeal; 
Clerk, William C. Allen; Treasurer, William Ilerron. 

1854. — Trustees, John MintuD, Samuel Spencer and P. B. AVil- 
son; Clerk, George Dixon; Treasurer, William Ilerron. 

1855. — Trustees, William Lowry, Robert Spear and P. B. Wil- 
son; Clerk, George Dixon; Treasurer, William Ilerron. 

1856. — Trustees, William Lowry, Charles Bun- and Jonathan 
Mintun; Clerk, Asa Thomas; Treasurer, William Herron. 

1857. — Trustees, William Lowry, Charles Burr and P. B. Wil- 
son; Clerk, George Dixon; Treasurer, William Ilerron. 

1858.— Trustees, William Lowry, Charles Burr and P. B. Wil- 
son; Clerk, Bingham Goodrich; Treasurer, Hugh Boden. 

1859. — Trustees, Robert H. Cotton, William Swaim and Sam- 
uel Cagg; Clerk, Bingham Goodrich; Treasurer, Hugh Boden. 

1860. — Trustees, Robert II. Cotton, William Swaim and Sam- 
uel Cagg; Clerk, S. C. Teeters; Treasurer, Hugh Boden. 

1861. — Trustees, Moses Gabriel, William Swaim and Samuel 
Cagg; Clerk, A. G. Patterson; Treasurer, Hugh Boden. 

1862. — Trustees, Moses Gabriel, William Swaim and Samuel 
Cagg; Clerk, John Nichols; Treasurer, Hugh Boden. 

1863. — Trustees, Moses Gabriel, William Swaim and Peter 
Beckter; Clerk, John Nichols; Treasurer, Thomas Withers. 

l v <;4. — Trustees, James Boden, William Swaim and Richard 
Dowler; Clerk, A. G. Robinett; Treasurer, Thomas Withers. 

L865. — Trustees, James Bell, James Mayhugh and Moses Ken- 
nard; Clerk, Marcus L. Griswold; Treasurer, Nelson Squires. 

1S66. — Trustees, James Bell, Daniel McCoy and Joseph Mc- 
Neal; Clerk. H. C. Wilson; Treasurer, A. G. Patterson. 

1867.— Trustees, T. J. Allison, Abraham Martin and Joseph 
McNeal; Clerk, Lafayette Hawk; Treasurer, A. G. Patterson. 

1868.- Trustees, Samuel Cagg, E. II. Phillips and Richard 
Inns; Clerk, J. B. Miller; Treasurer, A. G. Patterson; Assessor, 
CM. Carman; Constables, H. C. Wilson and Joshua King; Jus- 
tice of the Peace, L. P. Armstrong. 

1869.— Trustees, W. C. Foster, P. B. Wilson and Richard Inns; 
Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, F. A. McVay; Assessor, C. M. 
Carman; Constables; II. C. Wilson, and G. II. Harper; Justice of 
the Peace, Robert McNeal. 

1870.— Trustees, Richard Inns, Samuel Cagg and E. II. Phillips; 
Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, F. A. McVay; Assessor, J. T. 
Dickerson; Constables, L. M. Holmes and S. T. Allen. 
44 



690 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1871.— Trustees, S. D. King, A. Condon and E. H. Phillips; 
Clerk, Levi Hunter; Treasurer, William Herron; Assessor, J. T. 
Dickerson; Constables, Elihu Cox and John Maxwell. 

1872.— Trustees, J. A. Armstrong, P. B. Wilson and C. M. Car- 
man: Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, James Love; Assessor, 
J. D. Dickerson; Constable?, Elihu Cox and S. R. Lowry. 

1873.— Trustees, P. B. Wilson, L. D. King and E. H. Phillips; 
Clerk, JVL L. Griswold; Treasurer, James Love; Assessor, J. T. 
Dickerson; Constables, S. R. Lowry and D. Mayhugh; Justice of 
the Peace, Daniel Hester. 

1874.— Trustees, E. II. Phillips, T. J. Allison and R. McNeal; 
Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, James Love. 

1875.— Trustees, E. II. Phillips, Robert McNeal and T. J. Alli- 
son; Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, James Love; Assessor, J. 
T. Dickerson; Constables, C. Y. Lewellyn and J. D. Cox; Justice 
of the Peace, John Boden. 

1876.— Trustees, E. H. Phillips, T. J. Allison and R mert McNeal; 
Clerk, II. II. Williams; Treasurer, James Love; Assessor, C. M. 
Carman; Constables, E. W. Gilbert and S. R. Lowry. 

1877. — Trustees, E. H. Phillips, A. Condon and John Young; 
Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, James Love; Constables, S. R. 
Lowry and E. W. Gilbert. 

1878. — Trustees, R. C. Harper, Sunuel Cagg and John Young; 
Clerk, C. Y. Lowellyn; Treasurer, John Boden; Assessor, Robert 
McNeal; Constables, S. R. Lowry and John Shaffer; Justice of the 
Peace, John Boden . 

1879. — Trustees, John Young, E. Jones and E. H. Phillips; 
Clerk, L. Y. Pickens; Treasurer, John Boden; Assessor, J. M. 
Swaim; Constables, John Shaffer and G. S. Clendenning; Justice 
of the Peace, Daniel Hester. 

1*80.— Trustees, P. B. Wilson, E. T. D.ivis, and John Young; 
Clerk, M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, John Boden; Assessor, S. R 
Lowry; Constables, G. W. Ely and II. W. Sayles. 

1**1.— Trustees, P.B.Wilson, P.Jones, and A.Condon; Clerk, 
M. L. Griswold; Treasurer, Leander Stright; Assessor, S. K 
Lnwn ; Constables, G. W. Ivy and J. N. McNeal. 

1882.— Trustees, E. Vickers, A. Condon andC. C. Pierce; Clerk. 
AY G. Galligher; Treasurer, John Boden; Assessor, John Young; 
Constables, Samuel Might and William McCoy; Justice of the 
Peace, Daniel Bester. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 691 

1883. — Trustees, P. B. Wilson, C. C. Pierce and P. Jones; Clerk, 
II. Fuller; Assessor, S. K. Lowry; Treasurer, L. Stright; Con- 
stables, J. M. Stewart and John Kennard. 

MAESHFIELD. 

The village of Marshfield is in the central portion of the town- 
ship, on the C, W. & B. Railroad, and about seven miles from 
Athens. It has a population of about 250. The following are the 
business firms of the village: 

William McPherson, general store; Joseph Kaler, general 
store; W. G. Gallagher & Co., drugs and groceries; L. Stright 
cV Son, tannery. 

The postoffice was established in 1859, since which time the fol- 
lowing have officiated as Postmasters. Hugh Boden, 1859 till 
1865; A. G.Patterson, 1865 to 1866; David Mayhugh, 1866 till 
L867; James Mayhugh, 1867; F. A. McYay, 1867 to*1870. M. L. 
Griswold was appointed in 1S70, and is the present incumbent. 

CHUKCHI.-. 

There are three churches, the Methodist Episcopal, Protestant 
Methodist, and the Christian, all holding regular services. 

Christ/."/' Church. — In 1870 a few earnest spirits united in the 
work of organizing a church, and their names were: T. J. Allison, 
J. M.'Swaim, Daniel Conkey, Marcus Griswold, II. W. Hewitt and 
a few others whose names were not remembered. They erected 
a neat and substantial place of worship, in connection with the 
A. F. & A. M., whose lodge-room is over the church. Their pres- 
ent able and efficient Pastor is the Rev. George Van Pelt. The 
church was dedicated Oct. 18, 1870. The dedication sermon was 
preached by the Rev. S. II. Bingman, as Pastor. The membership 
at the organization numbered forty, and the present membership is 
125. Since its organization there has been connected with the 
church 300 members. 

Tli- Methodist Protestant Church was erected in the year 1860, 
and dedicated in November of that year by its Pastor, Rev. Will- 
iam Bawden. The membership at organization in I860 was sev- 
enty, and the present membership fifty-two. The Pastor at this 
time is the Rev. D. G. Shirer, and the church is at this time grow- 

_ 



692 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, was organized in 1869, by 
quite a number belonging to that denomination, who had hereto- 
fore acted without that unity so desirable in church progress. The 
first members were: Prof. Miller and wife, Norman McLeod, wife 
and daughter, Alexander Shulis and wife, Joseph McPherson and 
wife, William McPherson and wife, and Byron McVay and wife. 
Soon after the organization steps were taken to erect a place of 
worship, which was completed the same year. Their first Pastor 
was the Rev. -Dickson, who did much to encourage its prog- 
ress. The present Pastor is Rev. C. D. Nichols. There are at 
this time twenty-eight members. 

Constitution Lodge, No. 426, A. F. d? A. M. y was chartered 
Oct. 20, 1869, the first meeting under dispensation having been held 
Feb. 22, 1869. The charter members were: William Golden, F. 
A. McVay, James Love, H. M. Cotton, R. C. Harper, William 
McPherson, David Mayhugh and E. B. Pickett. Of this number 
two are dead — F. A. McVay and E. B. Pickett. The lodge owns a 
nice hall, and is in a prosperous condition. Ninety-five have joined 
the lodge since organization. The present officers are: J. Boden, 
W. M. ; F. M. Barker, S. W. ; W. C. Holmes, J. W.; J. M. Swaim, 
Treas.;I. N. McCoy, Sec; Elmer Gabriel, S. D.; W. G. Galligher, 
J. D., and J. M. Stewart, Tyler. 

CARBONDALE 

is a nourishing mining village, with a population numbering be- 
tween 25<» and 300. The coal works were opened in 1S67, and 
soon after a branch railroad was laid and completed before the end 
of the year. The coal vein is four feet in thickness. Mining in the 
neighborhood is in its infancy. These works are said to have been 
the first opened in Southeastern Ohio. They are operated by Mc- 
Clintock & Smith. There are two general stores, one owned by P. 
J. Beckler and the other by the mining company, who employ 
from 150 to 175 men. They have no church building, but have one 
school. The postoffice was established in 1S80, and Mr. Charles 
Smith is still Postmaster. 

MINERAL CITY 

is a protege of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad Company, hav- 
ing been laid out by them. It has about 150 inhabitants, two stores 
with general stocks, Mr. E. Vickers owning one, and the other 
owned by Vorhes, Earhart & Co. There is also a drug store 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 093 

owned by Dr. Coleman, who is also a practicing physician. They 
have one nourishing public school and a postoffice, of which E. 
Vickers is the Postmaster. The future of the town does not come 
under the head of Great Expectations, but as it is a great conven- 
ience the citizens and farmers around are satisfied. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

T. J. Allison, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Athens 
County, Ohio, Dec. 24, 1S30, and is the son of William H. and Dor- 
cas (Gabriel) Allison. Mr. Allison was a native of Maryland, 
coming to Ohio when young, and settled in Jefferson County. In 
1S3T he moved to Morgan County and shortly after to Athens, 
where he remained for about three years, and then came to Water- 
loo Township, where he resided until 1864, with the exception of 
three years, daring which time he was engaged as a stone mason 
in Athens. While a resident of this township he was engaged in 
farming and sheep-raising, in which he was very successful. In 
1864 he went to Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio, where he became en- 
gaged in wool-buying, in which he was generally very successful, 
but at one time was a heavy loser by the "Boston tire," as he had 
a large amount of wool there. His loss amounted to about $60,000, 
from which he partially recovered before his death, which occurred 
in August, 18S0. Our subject was reared on the farm and re- 
mained with his parents until he reached his majority. He was 
married Oct. 2, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth A. Huron, a daughter of 
William Huron, a resident of this township. They were the par- 
ents of eleven children, ten still living — Arthur M., Mary L., Net- 
tie M., William L., Ida A., Dorcas L., William H., Nora Z., 
Abbie G. and Sadie. Mr. Allison's farm contains 270 acres of well- 
improved land, on which he has erected a pleasant residence. Dur- 
ing the wool season he deals largely in the commodity. He has 
held at three different times the office of Township Trustee, and his 
administration has ever been satisfactory to the people. He is a 
member of Constitution Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A. M.,in which 
he has held the office of Treasurer at] three different times. Mr. 
and Mrs. Allison are active and consistent members of the Chris- 
tian church, he being one of the Elders, and also Sabbath-school 
Superintendent, an organization in which he takes a great interest. 
Politically he is a staunch Republican. He is one of the Directors 
of the County Infirmary, in which capacity he has served for three 
terms. 



694 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

John Boden, station agent, M. & C. R. R., Marshfield, was 
born in Morgan County, Ohio, March 21, 1837. and is the son of 
Hugh and Ellen (Elliot) Boden, who came to Athens County in 
1S40 and located on a farm about one mile from Marshfield, where 
they remained until 1856. Mr. Boden was at this time appointed 
station agent for the M. & C. R. R. at this point, being the first 
agent after the completion of the road. He held several offices of 
trust — County Commissioner, Township Treasurer and Justice of 
the Peace for several years each. He was a member of the A. F. & 
A. M., Paramuthia Lodge, No. 25. He and his wife were both 
members of the Protestant Methodist church. Our subject was 
reared on the farm and remained with his parents until he was 
twenty-seven } T ears of age. In 1861 he came to Marshfield and 
became engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued 
for four years meeting with fair success, and on his father leaving 
he was appointed to his position as station agent. He was married 
Sept. 28, 1858, to Miss Malvina Gabriel, daughter of Elias Gabriel, 
one of the early pioneers of the township. By this union there 
were five children, four of whom still survive — Orland G., Elza 
E. (deceased), Mary E., George and Lafayette O. Ashe deserves, 
the people have confidence in him and have given him several 
offices of trust. He has been Township Treasurer four years and 
Justice of the Peace eight years. In 1SS1, on the opening of the 
Children's Home of this county, he was appointed one of its Trus- 
tees. His performance of these duties have given credit to himself 
and honor to his constituents. He is a member of Constitu- 
tion Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A. M.; Athens Chapter, No. 39, and 
Commandery No. 15. He is at present Master of his lodge, which 
office he has held for six years. Mr. Boden is unassuming in his 
manners, gentlemanly and courteous in his connection with others, 
and is highly respected by all. Mrs. Boden is a member of the 
Protestant Methodist church. 

George W. Ear/tart, of Vorhes, Earhart & Co., merchants, 
Mineral P. O., was born in Lee Township, Athens County, June 24. 
1856, and is the son of Dr. John and Ruth (McVey) Earhart. lie 
received his early education in the common schools and completed 
it in the academy at Albany and in Holbrook's Normal Institute at 
Lebanon, Ohio. In 1879 he entered the store of Vorhes Bros, at 
Albany, as a clerk, and continued with them for two years. The 
following year he was engaged with S. K. Hibbard in the same ca- 
pacity. He purchased an interest in the store of W. II. Vorhes 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 695 

at Mineral, in which he still continues. lie and his partner are 
young men of sterling qualities, and by their strict attention to the 
business receive, as they deserve, the confidence of the community 
about them and a liberal patronage. Mr. Earhart was married 
Sept. 27, 1880, to Miss Mary Hibbard, daughter of Henry Hib- 
bard, a resident of Athens Township. They have one child — John 
Douglas. 

Roheit G. Harper, farmer, local preacher and Elder in the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church, was born in Athens Township, Sept. 16, 
1823. lie was reared on a farm, and his early education was ac- 
quired by a limited attendance in the common schools. His re- 
ligious life began when he was seven years old. He united with 
the Methodist Episcopal church at the age of sixteen under the 
labors of Samuel Mattox, and has ever aimed to follow his teach- 
ings. He always took an active part in church matters, and has 
for the last thirty-five years been a preacher of the gospel. During 
this time he has taken over 1,100 persons into the church, and has 
preached over 1,300 funeral sermons. One year he preached seven 
over an average of one per day for the entire year. He is the 
owner of a fine farm containing 150 acres of improved land, on 
which are substantial buildings. He was married June 20, lS-ii, to 
Miss Catherine Six, daughter of George Six, a resident of Waterloo 
Township. Seven children were born to them, three still living 
— Leo (deceased), Vinton (deceased), Isador F., Serepta F. (de- 
ceased^, Henderson (deceased), Mary E. and William W. He 
married his present wife April 4, 1S67. She was Maria Caldwell, 
daughter of James and Maria Caldwell, residents of Pickaway 
County, Ohio. They have two children — Hubert C. and Amanda 
M. Mr. Harper is a member of the A. F. & A. M., being a 
charter member of Constitution Lodge, jNTo. 426, located at Marsh- 
field. 

I. Jy. McCoy, school-teacher, was born in Waterloo Township, 
Nov. 10, 1^47, and is the son of Daniel and Eve (Enlow) McCoy, 
natives of Washington County, Pa., who came to Athens County 
in 1836, and located in this township, where they remained until 
their death. They were both active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and were ever mindful of the wants of others and 
friends of the deserving poor. Mr. McCoy was politically a 
staunch Republican. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, 
and received his early education in the common schools and com- 
pleted it at the Ohio University at Athens. As a teacher he has 



696 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

been very successful, always gaining the confidence of the pupils 
and the respect of their parents. He married Carrie, the youngest 
daughter of John Clutter, of Athens Township. This union was 
blessed by the birth of two children — Myrtle A. and Don Hadley. 
By the death of his wife, Oct. 22, 1ST9, Mr. McCoy was bereft of an af- 
fectionate companion, and the children of a loYing mother. During 
the late civil war, when only seventeen years of age, he enlisted, 
Feb. 26, 1864, in Company C, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and went from Marietta, Ohio, where they were mustered 
in, to Chattanooga, Tenn., and there joined the army of General 
Thomas, and about May 1 was transferred to West Virginia, and 
was 'on the famous Lynchburg raid, participating in the battle 
of Lynchburg; was mustered out at Wheeling, W. Va., July 27, 
1S65, and returned to his native home. He is a member of the A. 
F. & A. M., Constitution Lodge, .No. 426, being the first to ap- 
ply for membership after it received its charter. He, at the pres- 
ent time, holds the office of Secretary. 

j5! H. Phillips, farmer and stock-raiser, son of E. V. and Tacy 
(Hopkins) Phillips, was born in Ames Township, Aug. 27, 1824. 
His father came to Athens County in 180S, and located in Ames 
Township, where he remained till his death, Aug. 21, 1859. His 
mother now resides in New England, Eome Township, and has 
reached the advanced age of seventy-six years. Our subject 
remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age. 
He learned the shoemaker's trade of his father, and worked with 
him in the shop and on the farm most of the time during his mi- 
nority. At the age of twenty-two he began business for himself 
in the shop at home. A year later he purchased the property now 
known as Dunbar's Hotel, and in connection with his trade carried 
on the hotel business for three or four years. He then went to 
Rome Township and purchased a farm near New England. After 
living here about twelve years he sold out and went to Alexander 
Township and purchased the Pntterson farm, and resided there 
about two years. He then moved to Waterloo Township, on to 
the farm where he now resides. His farm contains 355 acres ot 
well-improved land. Mr. Phillips is an excellent farmer, and has 
been enabled to accumulate a handsome property. He has held 
the office of Township Trustee for nine years, to the satisfaction of 
his constituents. Politically he is a Democrat, and was one of the 
first of his party to be elected to office in the township after the 
war. lie is a man of liberal ideas, and is ever willing to lend his 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 697 

aid to forward any laudable enterprise. lie was married April 10, 
1850, to Miss Allinda Breyfogle, a daughter of George Breyfogle, 
a resident of Canaan Township. By this union there were nine 
children — Augusta M., Franklin P., George E., Alice A., John 
E. (deceased), Lizzie T., Lucy M., Lena A. and William T. 

Henry Smith, carpenter, Marshfield, was born in Washington 
County, Pa., Nov. 10, 1S00, the son of William and Catherine 
Smith. His parents came to Ohio in 1812, and located in what is 
now Morgan County, it being at that time unorganized and in its 
natural state — a dense wilderness. Here they remained until their 
death. Our subject was reared on the farm and at the age of nine- 
teen became apprenticed to a carpenter, and spent two years in 
learning the trade. After this he went to work on his own account, 
and has followed his trade the greater part of his life. He was 
married in 1818 to Miss Mary Collins. They had five children — 
Louisa, Jackson M., Leander, William (deceased), and John. His 
wife died in 1S63, and he was again married March 1, 1S65, to 
.Mrs. Catherine Pierce, widow of Andrew M. C. Pierce. She had 
a family of eight children, three of whom are now living — Sarah 
V. (deceased), William S., Georgiana M. C, Susan J. (deceased), 
Manfred (deceased), M. Olivia, Sarah P. (deceased), Andrew M. 
(deceased). Mr. Smith came to Athens County in 1847 and lo- 
cated in Bern Township, where he resided till 1860, when he moved 
to Amesville and was engaged in the grocery business, in which he 
continued until 1881. He then came to Marshfield, and is now 
keeping the Swaim Hotel. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Pres- 
byterian church. 

Leander Stright, tanner and currier, Marshfield, born in Mercer 
County, Pa., June 6, 1SJ35, is the son of Young K. and Kachel 
(Scott) Stright. His parents came to Ohio in 1853 and located in 
Vinton County, where they resided two or three years, then came 
to Lee Township, Athens County, and remained five years. From 
this place they went to Harrison County, Iowa, where their father 
died. The mother now resides in Henry County, Mo., and 
has reached the advanced age of seventy-four years. When 
sixteen years of age, Mr. Stright became apprenticed to a 
tanner and currier and served four years. . Mr. Stright came 
to Ohio in 1855, and purchased a tannery at Ilebbardsville, 
where he resided until I860, then moved to Albany and car- 
ried on the same business for three years. In 1863 he came to 
Marshfield and purchased the property he now owns. During the 



098 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

late civil war he enlisted, May 25, 1862, in Company H, Eighty - 
seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, forming at Camp Chase, Co- 
lumbus, where they were mustered into the service. He went with 
his regiment to Baltimore, Md., and from there to Harper's Ferry. 
His company was sent from here to Knowland Ferry, to inter- 
cept General Lee. After being out on a skirmish for several daj-s, 
returned to Harper's Ferry, where they were all captured by the 
rebels, but were fortunately paroled the following day and returned 
to their friends at Frederick City, Md., and thence via Philadelphia 
to Delaware, O., where they were mustered out. He now carries 
on the business of a tanner and currier at Marshfield, where he 
does a thriving business. He was married Oct. 1, 1855, to Miss 
Catherine J. Fox. They have had seven children, five of whom 
are still living — Elizabeth A. (deceased), Mary E., Hiram B. r 
Janet A., Florence J., Cora (deceased), and Mabel Lee. Mr. 
Stright has always taken an active interest in the matter of edu- 
cation and music, and is ever among the foremost to forward any 
enterprise that will be of benefit to the community. He is a mem- 
ber of Constitution Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A. M. Mr. and 
Mrs. Stright are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. 

J. 31. Sicaim, farmer, son of William and Susan (Culberson) 
Swaim, was born May 5, 1831, in Athens County, in what is now 
Vinton County. He was reared on the farm and remained with 
his parents until thirty years of age, and was afforded only a com- 
mon-school education. He was married Oct. 9, 1851, to Miss Mary 
Grimm, a daughter of Thomas Grimm, a resident of this county. 
They are the parents of seven children — Thomas A., William E., 
Diantha E., Susan A., James F., John M. and Fay M. He has a 
fine farm containing 200 acres of improved land, well adapted to 
the raising of stock and grain, on which he has erected a pleasant 
and commodious 'residence. He has by his industry been enabled 
to accumulate a property sufficient to surround himself and family 
with the comforts of life. In 1879 he was elected to the office of 
Township Assessor, which he filled with credit. lie is a member 
of the A. F. A: A. M., Constitution Lodge, No. 426, in which he 
has held several offices. Mr. and Mrs. Swaim are members of the 
( 'hristian church, he having united when he was nineteen years of 
age. 

Elijah VlcJcers, merchant. Mineral City, was born in Belmont 
County, Ohio, April 30, L828, and is the son of Thomas and 
Hannah (Harmar) Vickers, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 690 

and located in Belmont County at an early day. In 1840 they 
moved to Washington County, where they resided until Mrs. 
Ticker's death. Mr. Vickers then sold out, and after remaining 
with his children for a short time '.vent to Iowa, where he now 
resides, having reached the advanced age of ninety -two years. The 
subject of this sketch was reared and remained with his parents on 
the farm until he reached his majority, receiving his education in 
the common schools. He was married, Oct. 30, 1849, to Miss 
Letitia McGirr, daughter of Alexander McGirr, a resident of 
Washington County, Ohio. By this union there were four children, 
only two of whom are now living — Sylvester (deceased), Alexander 
(deceased), Arthur and Ethel L. His eldest son was killed by light- 
ning while at work in the field near the house, when the storm 
seemed as yet to be in the distance, the sky overhead being per- 
fectly clear. After his marriage Mr. Vickers continued farming 
in Washington County until I860, when he went to Marietta and 
lived for one year. In 1801 he came to Athens County and 
located at Big Run Station, on the old line of the M. & C. R. R., 
where he became engaged in the mercantile business, in which 
he continued until 1872. He then went to Guysville and carried 
on the same business until 1876. He at this time moved to the 
farm now owned by H. II. Wickham, in Canaan Township, where 
he remained for one year; then went back to Guysville and 
remained till 1S78, when he came to Mineral City. On coming here 
he again entered upon a mercantile life, in which he still continues, 
receiving, as he deserves, a liberal share of the public patron- 
age. He was bereft of his wife Sept. 19, 1S76, after a lingering 
illness of about nine months. He was again married Nov. 27, 
1879, to Margaret A. Alexander, a resident of Muskingum County, 
Ohio. She is a lady of pleasant manners and refinement. His 
aim through life has ever been to be temperate in everything, and 
a consistent Christian. 

W. II. Vor/ies, ofVorhes, Earhart & Co., merchants, Mineral P. 
( >.. was born in Lee Township, Athens County, Aug. 13, 1S52, and 
is the son of Albert and Elizabeth (Morse) Vorhes. He remained 
with his parents until he reached his majority, and received his 
early education in the common schools, completing it in the acad- 
emy at Albany. During his minority he was engaged in assisting 
his father in the store at Albany. On reaching his majority he pur- 
chased ah interest with his brother in their father's business, in 



700 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



which he continued three years, meeting with good success. He 
then sold out his interest and was engaged in fanning and dealing 
in stock one year. The following year he clerked in the store 
at Albany, and the next year went to Kansas, where he purchased 
a ranch and was engaged in sheep-raising until the following Jan- 
uary. He returned to Ohio, May 1, 1S80, and built the store which 
he now occupies, and filled it with a line of general merchandise. 
He was married May 10, 1874, to Miss Ollie Whaley, daughter of 
John Whaley, a resident of Lee Township. They have one son — 
Arthur B. 




CHAPTER XXV. 

BERN TOWNSHIP— FERTILE SOIL, MINERAL WEALTH, MATERIAL 

PROGRESS, 

Location and Extent of Domain — Metes and Bounds — From the 
Records — List of Township Officials — Some of the Early 
Settlers — Mineral Deposits — Transportation only Needed — 
Churches — Cemeteries — Schools and Material Prosperity — 
Biographical. 

its location and extent of domain. 

This townshp lies in the extreme northeast corner of Athens 
County, is six miles from north to south, and five miles from east 
to west, and contains only thirty sections of land, or 19,200 acres, 
the eastern tier of sections having been set off to Washington 
County in 1807. The general nature of the county is hilly and 
broken, yet a large portion of its land cannot be surpassed for fer- 
tility. It is well watered by Federal Creek and Sharp's Fork, 
both of which traverse it from north to south, and there are several 
smaller creeks which flow into them. Besides these there are in- 
numerable springs all over the township. 

'The township has been exclusively settled by farmers and stock- 
raisers, there being no town or village within its borders, and as 
yet it has no postofhee — probably accounted for by its ample ac- 
commodations through postoffices in its borders. 

metes and bounds. 

It is bounded on the north by Morgan County, on the east by 
"Washington County, on the south by Rome Township, and on the 
west by Ames. It was originally included in Ames Township and 
was not separately organized till 1828, consequently much of its 
early history will be found in connection with that township. 

FROM the records. 

Bern was set off from Ames Township by the county commis- 
sioners March 3, 1828, and the electors were directed to meet at 

(701) 



702 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

the house of John Henry on the first Monday of April to elect 
township officers. The following is a list of its officers from its or- 
ganization to the present date inclusive: 

TRUSTEES. 

lS2S-'30, John Henry, James Dickey, John Wickham; 1831-'3, 
John Henry, David James, Jeffrey Buchanan; 1834, Dyar Selby, 
Sen., John Wickham, J. Dickey; 1S35, W. J. Brown, John 
Wickham, J. Dickey ; 1836, W. J. Brown, David James, J. 
Dickey; 1837, Matthew Henry, David James, J. Dickey; 1838, 
Matthew Henry, David James, Wm. J. Brown; 1839, Matthew 
Henry, James Dickey, Wm. J. Brown; 1810, J. E. Yore, James 
Dickey, John Work; 1841, David James, Thornton Swart, John 
Work; 1S42, David James, James Dickey, Dyar Selby, Jr.; 1843, 
Joseph McCune, James Dickey, Dyar Selby, Jr. ; 1S44, Joseph 
McCune, James Dickey, Reuben Hague; 1845, David James, James 
Dickey, Reuben Hague; 1846, Jesse Carr, Dyar Selby, John Work; 
1S47, David Colvin,Robert Henry, Wm. Rardin; 184S, David Colvin, 
Levi Ellis, Wm. Rardin; 1849, David Colvin, Edward Ginn, Calvin 
Tracy; 1S50, James Henry, Edward Ginn, J. E. Yore; 1851, Lewis 
Dille, Reuben Hague, Calvin Tracy; 1852, Lewis Dille, Edward 
Ginn, Calvin Tracy; 1853, Andrew Ogg, P. W. Lampson, J. E. 
Yore ; 1854, Andrew Ogg, J. S. King, J. E. Yore; 1855, H. C. 
Selby, J. S. King, John Whaley; 1856, H. C. Selby, P. W. Lamp- 
son, David Gilchrist; 1857, David James, Edward Ginn, David 
Gilchrist; 1858, Levi Rardin, J. M. Smith, George Wyatt ; 1859, 
Clark Dodds, W. Endicott, George Wyatt ;. 1860, Dyar Selby, W. 
Endicott, H. T. McCune; 1861, II. C. Selby, W. Endicott, W. 
W. Wickham ; 1862, Dyar Selby, Thomas Dickson, W. W. Wick- 
ham ; 1S63, E. Hanson, Thomas Dickson, W. W. Wickham ; 
1864, O. Ginbrd, Thomas Dickson, W. Endicott; 1865, Levi 
Rardin, Thomas Dickson, W. Endicott ; 1S66, H. C. Selby, Thomas 
Dickson, W. Endicott ; 1867, II. C. Selby, L. Driggs, Elijah Han- 
son; 1868, S. J. Wells, Elijah White, Elijah Hanson; L869, Elijah 
Sanson, D. W. Lambert, George E. Henry; 1870, Elijah Hans »n, 
W. M. Marquis, D. W. Lambert ; 1871, W. Endicott, D. W. Lam- 
bert, Wm. M. Marquis; L872, W. Endicott, II. T. McCune, Wm. 
M. Marquis; 1873, Charles Henry, G. II. Moore, G. W. Arm- 
strong; lS74-'5, Henry Broadwell, George II. Moore, G. W. 
Armstrong; 187''.. Henry Broadwell, Wm. M. Marquis, G. W. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 703 

Armstrong; 1877, A. C. Smith, Wm. M. Marquis, Abner Lam- 
bert ; 1878, A. C. Smith, John Marquis, Abner Lambert ; 1879, 
A. C. Smith, Abner Lambert, II. Broadwell; 18S0, A. C. Smith, 
Charles Henry, Elijah Hanson; 1881, Charles Henry, C. B. Mc- 
Cune, Elijah Hanson; 18S2, C.B. McCune, J. R. Wickham, Daniel 
Parkins, Jr.; 1883, J. R. Wickham, Isaac Armstrong, J. A. Mar- 
quis. 

JUSTICES OF THE FEACK. 

L828, Thaddeus Crippen, Wm. T. Brown; 1831, Matthew Henry, 
Wm. T. Brown; 1834, Levi Ellis. Robert Henry; 1836, David 
Dille; 1837, Robert Henry; 1839, DyanSelby; 1840, Robert Work; 
1841, Calvin Tracy; 1843, John Brawley, P. W. Lampson; 1844, 
Djar Selby, Jr.; LS46, John Brawley; 1847-'50, Dyar Selby, Jr.; 
1852, Philip W. Lampson; 1853, Thomas Bruce; 1854, Elijah 
Hanson; 1855, P. W. Lampson; 1857, Elijah Hanson; 1858, P. W. 
Lampson; 1859, Robert Henry (refused to qualify), Seaborn Carr; 
I860, Aaron Smith; 1S62, Seaborn Carr; 1863, Watson Harris; 
1864, W. W. Wickham ; 1866, Watson Harris; 1867, Edwin T. 
Glazier ; 1868, Hiram C. Selby; 1870, Geo. E. Henry ; 1871, H. C. 
•Selby; 1873, Geo. E. Henry; 1874, B. C. Pickering ; 1876, Geo. 
E. Henry; 1877, B. C. Pickering; 1879, Geo. E. Henry; 18S0, H. 
C. Selby ; 1882, Geo. E. Henry ; 18S3, Elijah Hanson. 

D. L. Dille has been Township Clerk and Richard Edgerton 
Treasurer for the past fifteen years. 

EAELT SETTLERS. 

Among the early settlers of Bern Township were: John Henry, 
.i native of Ireland, who came here in 1817; John Wickham, a 
native of Vermont; David and Daniel James, and Philip W. 
Lampson settled here in 1820; James Dickey, of Pennsylvania, 
and of Irish descent, in 1821. These with a few others, perhaps, 
formed the nucleus of what is now a prosperous and enterprising 
community, and by hard labor, undergoing trials which the present 
generation know nothing of, developed what was then a dense 
wilderness, turning it from its natural state into luxuriant fields 
of grain and grass, dotted over with pleasant residences and sub- 
stantial farm buildings. 

MINERAL DEPOSITS. 

There are valuable deposits of coal and iron in the township, 
and when properly developed will become a source of great wealth. 



704 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

A railroad by which the coal could be cheaply transported to the 
different markets is all that is needed to make Bern Township one 
of the busy coal fields of the Hocking Valley. Such a road is in 
anticipation, and has been surveyed, running through the town- 
ship from north to south along the valley of Federal Creek and 
Sharp's Fork of the same. There also exists an excellent quality 
of salt water, and in such quantities as would justify its being 
worked. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist Protestant Valley Church w&& organized in 1 856 with 
seven charter members, to-wit: John Whaley, Lucy Whaley, 
David Whaley, Sarah Whaley, Watson Harris, Nancy Harris and 
Sarah Vanzant. At its organization the Rev. Henry Lawson be- 
came its first Pastor. The house in which they worship was built 
the same year of their organization, and the church has been 
blessed with much good and a large membership, it numbering at 
one time eighty-six members. Its present membership is twenty- 
one, and the pastorate is under the charge of Rev. Luman. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1S56 at the 
Valley Church, and its original members, twenty in number*, 
among whom were: Rev. Oren Gifford, Olive Gifford, Ruby 
Gilford, Peter Ingle and wife, David Gilchrist and wife. Its first 
Pastor was Elder Clark and its present Pastor the Rev. D. W". 
Windsor. It has now a membership of about forty, which includes 
some of the best citizens of the township. 

United Brethren — Mt. Herman. — This church was organized 
in 1857. There was formerly an organization of this denomina- 
tion, but there are only three members left who formed the first 
members of Mt. llermon church — William Rardin, Rebecca Han- 
son and Elizabeth Work. The church was built in 1858 and has 
now a membership of about forty, with Rev. William Burnsworth 
as its Pastor. 

Westland Church was organized in 1877 with Rev. E. Robin- 
son for its first Pastor and about twenty members, among which 
were: J. Brille and wife, E. White and wife, Robert Brille, Sarah 
Vanzant, M. Watson and Sarah Funk. Its present membership is 
about twenty-five, and its Pastor, Rev. Wm. Burnsworth. 

Mt. Carmel Church was organized by Rev. Phillips, its first Pas- 
tor, in 1881, with ten members, as follows: Lewis Dille and wife, 
Alhert^Brooksand wife, F. W. Taylor and wife, Wm. Wanless and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 705 

wife, Joseph Harris and Clyde Harris. Its present Pastor is Rev. 
Wm. Burnswortb. 

i The Universalists organized a church in 1860, and among the 
first members were: John Wiekham and wife, T. Crippen and 
wife. Warner Wiekham and wife, Mrs. Oldcraft and Mrs. Ogg. 
Its first pastor was Rev. F. Jones, and the pulpit is now occasion- 
ally supplied by Rev. McMasters, of Marietta. 

SCHOOLS. 

There are nine school-houses in this township and the report for 
winter of 1882-1883 shows a full average attendance and fair prog- 
ress in all of them. The example set by the citizens of Athens 
has lecome infectious and educational progress has kept step with 
advanced civilization. This has made the people intelligent and 
progressive, and material prosperity has been the result, if 
Athens Cuunty has shown a great many educated and talented men 
who have made his'ory, it can be traced to the fact that one of the 
pillars upon which was reared a temple of pmgre^-sive people was 
built upon an educational foundation. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

J'imes Carter, Homer Township, Morgan County, was born in 
Bedford County, Penn., July 25, 1812, a son of George Carter, 
who came to Athens Cuunty, Ohio, in 1815 and located in Ames 
Township, where our subject was reared and educated, living with 
his parents until he grew to manhood. He was married in 1S36 
to Elizabeth McDonnald. By this union there were nine children, 
only three of whom are living — Melissa, George and Elizabeth. 
He and his wife are members of the Church of the Disciples, lie 
is an anient worker in the temperance cause. 

Richard EJ<j<rton* was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 7, 
1827, and came with his father's family to Athens County and 
settled in Mai ion Township, now Morgan County, in 1835, where 
he was rearedand educated, residing with his parents until he was 
twenty-one years of age. He was married April 20, L848, to 
Tama Vernon, a native of Belmont County. . Eight children 
were born to them, only six now living — William (deceased), 
Jeptha II., Mary Z., Sarah P.. John C, Ruth A., Edward R. (de- 
ceased), James A. Mr. Edgerton has always been engaged in 
fanning, but in connection with his farming pursuits, from L868 to 
45 



706 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1876, he engaged in the mercantile business at Plantsville. His 
farm contains 400 acres of good land where he makes a specialty 
of raising high grades of live stock. He has been elected by the 
people to many local offices of trust and responsibility. He and 
his wife are members of the society of Friends. 

Richard Elliott was born in Highlandshire, Scotland, in 1831, 
and came with his lather's family to the United States in 1837, 
and settled on a farm in Bern Township, where he was reared and 
educated. lie was married Sept. 18, 1857, to Miss Margaret J. 
Barton, a native of Athens County. They have eight children — 
John B., Alphia, Mary J., Charles, George, Eva, "William and 
Lewis, lie purchased his present farm in 1859, where he has since 
re.-ided. It contains 150 acres of good land under a high state of 
cultivation. 

Lorenzo Ellis was, born in Morgan County, Ohio, July 15, 1819, 
the oldest son of Levi Ellis, who came to Ohio from Vermont about 
the year 1815, and in 18-13 came to Bern Township, Athens County. 
He afterward moved to Chesterfield, where he passed the re- 
mainder of his days. His wife, Lucy Gibson, was also a r.ative of 
"Vermont. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom 
are still living. They were active and consistent members of the 
Baptist church for many years. Our subject was reared on a farm 
and received his education in the subscription schools. He was 
married March 17, 1851, to Miss Mahalia Dorithy, a native of 
Morgan County, Ohio. They have two daughters — Emma J. and 
Lucy A. Mi-. Ellis purchased his present farm in 1S05, containing 
2-45 acres of improved land. He and his wife are members of the 
Christian church. 

Washington Endicott was born in Belmont County, Ohio, a son 
of Charles Endicott, of Pennsylvania, and of English descent. lb' 
was born March 26, L821. His father died when he was thirteen 
years of age, and he went to live with an elder brother until he 
was seventeen, after which he worked by the month until he was 
twenty-two. lie was married Nov. 17, 1842, to Susana Ilan- 
a native of North Carolina. To them were born nine children. 
only seven now living — [saaG X.. Mary M.. Hannah I., Charles E., 
Samuel M., Washington J. and Eliza M. John W. and Elijah 
II. are deceased. After his marriage he rented land and followed 
the avocation of farming, and by strict attention to his farming 
pursuits he has been highly successful, and gave his children a good 
and practical education, and fitted them for useful citizens. In 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 707 

1555 he came to Bern Township, Athens County, where he has 
since resided. lie has a tine farm with all the modern improve- 
ments, lie lias been elected by the people to nearly all the local 
otiiccs of trust and responsibility. 

Edwin F. Glazier was born in Bern Township, Athens County, 
June 30, 1842, where he was reared on a farm and educated in the 
common schools. At the breaking out of the late civil war he en- 
listed in Company B, Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and 
participated in many hard-fought battles. In 1863 his term of en- 
listment expired, and he re-enlisted and served until the close of the 
war, and was mustered out of the service; returned to the home of 
his birth and for a time attended school, after which lie engaged in 
fanning, which he has since followed. In connection with his 
farming pursuits in 1875 he purchased the store at Big Run, 
Ohio, and engaged in the mercantile business for about four years, 
when he sold out and returned to his farm. lie was married Oct. 
19, 1870, to Hannah X. Greenwalt, of Washington County. They 
have three children — Aria M., Effa B. and William E. F. 

W. R. Goddardw&s born in Washington County, Ohio, March 
24, 1849. He was reared on a farm, and received his early edu- 
cation in the common schools, and spent three years at the Mari- 
etta College, after which he engaged in teaching school about 
three years. In the latter year he was electea to the office of 
County Treasurer of Washington County. He was first married, 
May 8, 1878, to Annie Black, of Washington County. They had 
two children — Blanche and Charles. His wife died Feb. 23, 1881. 
He was again married, Sept. 14, 1882, to Fanny E. Henry, a 
• laughter of Charles and Fanny (Dean) Henry, of Bern Township, 
Athens County, Ohio. He has a tine farm of 232 acres of good 
land on Federal Creek. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian 
church at Amesville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Palmer 
Lodge, No. 351. 

Charles Henry was born in Bern Township, Athens County, 
Ohio, April L8, 1821, son of John and Margaret Henry, who set- 
tled on the farm where our subject now lives, in 1817. He re- 
ceived his education in the schools at Amesville. He has always 
lived on the old homestead and cared for his parents in their old 
age. He was married Sept. 18, 1848, to Fanny M., daughter of 
Nathan and Fanny Dean, of Ames Township, Athens County. 
They have had five children — Charles E., Nathan Wm., Fanny 
E., Carlos D., Augusta M. (deceased). He has given his children 



70S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

upon their reaching their majority each a good farm. The home- 
stead contains 300 acres of land, and is one of the finest in the 
county. He has a fine residence and large and commodious barns 
and stables. He has a large and beautiful fish pond, well-stocked 
with the choice varieties of fish. Mr. Henry has always led a quiet 
life, never aspiring to publicity, but in 1SS1 he was persuaded by 
his friends to accept their proffered suffrage, and was elected by a 
large majority to the office of Director of the Athens County In- 
firmary, which he has filled with honor to himself and credit to Ins 
constituents. 

David Henry was born in Bern Township, Athens County, Jan- 
19, 1S27, son of John and Margaret Henry, where he was reared on 
a farm and educated in the common schools. He was united in 
marriage April 11, 1S50, to Miss Margaret A. Owen, of Ames 
Township, Athens County. They are the parents of eight chil- 
dren, seven only now living — Fiorina, Marcela, Ray, Jennie, 
Mary, Nora, George B. and Bradford. He has a fine farm con- 
taining 160 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. 

George E. Henry, the youngest son of Robert and Lavina 
(Glazier) Henry, was born in Bern Township, on the same farm 
and in the house where he has since resided, Aug. 15, 1S41. Re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools of his native 
township, finishing in the Ohio University, at Athens. I lis youth 
was spent in assisting his father on the farm and attending school. 
After leaving school he engaged in teaching until the breaking 
out of the late civil war, when he enlisted, June 24., ,1803, in 
Battery K, Second Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, and was ap- 
pointed Quartermaster-Sergeant, but served on detached duty 
as clerk in the office of Provost Marshal and Provost-Mar.-dial 
Generals at Knoxville, Tenn., until March, 1865, when he was ap- 
pointed Elospital Steward at Knoxville, and served in that capac- 
ity until Aug. L2 5 L8 15, when he was mustered out ot^ the service, 
after which he returned to his home in Bern Township and took 
charge of the farm where he has since resided. After serving in 
various township offices he was elected to the office of Justice oi 
the Peace, serving since 1870. lie was united in marriage, Sept. 
is. L872, to Sarah 0. Demming, daughter of Daniel and Louisa 
(Curti>) Deraming, horn in Washington County, July 15, li 
They have one son — Eeber Eomer, born July 13, 1^77. Mr?. 
Henry is a member of the Presbyterian church at Amesville. He 
is a member of the A. F. & A. M.. Amesville Lodge, No. 278. 
l!e is also a member i f Columbus Golden Post, No. 89, G. A. R. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 7Q9 

Captain Robert Henry, deceased, was born of Irish parents 
in Chester County, Penn., Djc. 11, 1797, and came with his 
father's family to Newport, Washington Co., Ohio, in 1801, and 
five years later re n >ve 1 to Warren, four miles below Ilarmer, 
and in the spring of 1817 came to Athens County, and located in 
what is now Bern Township, where he assisted his father in clear- 
ing his land and opening up their frontier home. Having more than 
an ordinary education he engaged in the winter in teaching school, 
working on his farm in the summer. He was united in marriage 
to Lavina Glazier, Nov. 30, 182G, by Judge George Walker. He 
immediately moved on his farm, where he continued to reside until 
his death, a period of over fifty-four years. During his life he hel 1 
several local offices of trust and resp msibility. He was naturally 
of a retiring disposition, which prompted him to refuse places of 
this kind unless tendered him under circumstances that left no 
doubt in his mind that it was the earnest wish of his friends 
that he should accept their proffered suffrage. In 1820 he 
was commissioned by Governor Jeremiah Morrow Captain of 
the Second Light Infantry Company, First Brigade, Third Di- 
vision, Militia of Ohio, which office he held until 1S30, when 
he resigned his commission. In the fall of 1829 he received 
the appointment as Postmaster at Amesville, being the second 
Postmaster in that township. In 1834 he was elected Justice of 
the Peace, which office he held for several years. Mr. Henry and 
his wife were ardent workers in the cause of Christianity, and 
united with the Presbyterian church at Amesville, at the time of 
its organization in 1832. He was very affable, courteous and gen- 
tlemanly in his intercourse with mankind, and received, as he de- 
served, the confidence and respect of all who knew him. His wife 
died Oct. 31, 1857, and he, Jan. 5, 1881, leaving four sons and two 
daughters and a large number of relatives and friends to mourn 
his loss. 

Matht w Henry, deceased, was born in Ireland in October, 1792, 
as, ,u of John and Rachel Henry, and when he was about six 
montha of age became with his parents to the United States', 
and located in Chester County, Penn., where he lived until 1801, 
when they removed to Ohio anl settled in Newport, Washington 
County. Five years later they moved to Warren, where they re- 
sided until August, 1817, when they came to Athens County, settling 
in what is now Bern Township, where he spent the remainder of 
his days. He was married Aug. 16, 1817, to Lavinia Proctor, 



710 IIISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

who was born in Danvers, Essex Co., Mass., April 12, 1793, and 
came with her parents to the then Northwestern Territory in the 
same year and located in Washington County, where she was reared 
and educated. After their marriage they settled on a part of the 
tract of land previously purchased by his father, where he set to 
work clearing his land and improving his home. He followed the 
avocation of a farmer until his death, and was highly successful. 
Although he never aspired to publicity he accepted the proffered 
suffrage of his friends and was elected to many local offices of trust 
and responsibility, having served as Township Trustee for several 
years, and Justice of the Peace several years. Mr. Henry and'his 
wife were active members of the Presbyterian church, having 
joined at the time of the organization in 1S32. They were the 
parents of eight children, five still living. Mr. Henry died March 
17, 1S65, at the advanced age of seventy-three years, having re- 
tained the mental and physical vigor of his youth to a remarkable 
degree. Nov. 23, 1882, his wife followed, at the age of eighty-seven 
years. 

Lorenzo Lovell was born in Morgan County, Ohio, July 13, 
1840, a son of Thomas E. and a grandson of Thomas S. Lovell, 
who was prominently identified with the pioneers of the county. 
Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education in the 
common schools. In 1861 he went to California and engaged in the 
lumber business in which he met with good success, and returned 
to Athens County in 1864. He was married Feb. 7, 1867, to 
Hannah T. Hopkins, of Morgan County. They have three chil- 
dren — Thomas S., Hannah S., George O. After his return from 
California he engaged in farming, and raising and dealing in live- 
stock. His farm contains 26S acres of good land under a high 
state of cultivation. 

Charles B. McCune, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Bern 
Township, Oct. 14, 1843, the fourth son of Samuel McCune. lie 
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, living 
with his parents until the breaking out of the late civil war, when 
lie enlisted, in September, 1862, in Company I, Seventh Ohio Cav- 
alry. He participated in many hard fought battles; among some 
of the more prominent were the siege of Atlanta and Nashville- 
Just after they raise! the siege of Atlanta he was taken prisoner. 
While out gathering feed for the horses the enemy made a charge 
and took several, and while going toward the enemy's lines our sub- 
ject started for the woods and hid behind the trees and thus 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 711 

escaped, walking six miles without shoe-, hat or coat. He was the 
< )iil v one who escaped. Three others afterward died in Anderson- 
ville Prison. He served for three years and at no time was he 
unable to attend to his duty, although once sent to the hospital but 
returned to his regiment without orders. He was discharged July 
4, 1865, and returned to his native home, where he engaged in the 
avocation of farming, which he has since followed. He was mar- 
ried Nov. 29, 1871, to Nannie Marquis, a daughter of William M. 
Marquis, a native of Noble County. They have two children — ■ 
Beruice G. and Effie I. He first purchased his present farm in 
1871 containing fifty acres, and by strict attention to his pursuits 
he has added to it from time to time until he has a hue farm of 110 
acres of good land under a high state of cultivation, where in 
1880 he erected a fine residence. 

Aaron Ogg was bom in Athens County, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1826. 
He was reared on a firm and educated in the common 'schools. 
He was married Sept. 17, 1851, to Theodosia Wickham. Ten 
children were born to them — William W., Izola, Clarinda, Lucy, 
Elmer E., Arthur, Lydia, Lindley, Leonard and Charles. Mr. 
Ogg followed the avocation of farming until the breaking out of 
the late civil war, when he was among the first to answer to the 
call for men, and enlisted in August, 1861, in Company B, Fifty- 
third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He engaged in the battle of Pitts- 
burg Landing, when he was taken seriously ill and was uiv.ible for 
active duty, and received an honorable discharge in November, 
18G2, and returned to li is home in Athens County and again en- 
g iged in farming. He now has a farm of seventy-five acres of 
good land. He is a member of the Columbus Golden Post, G. A. 
R.j and also a member of A. F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, 
No. 278. 

Andrew J. Ogg. farmer and stock raiser, was born in Athens 
County. O^t. 11, 1827, a son of Andrew and Lucy (Wrighf) Ogg, 
who came to Athens County among the first settlers. Our subject 
was reared on a farm. When he was about sixteen years of age 
he began work for himself, working out by the month for John 
Brown and George Walker for a period often years. Ab nit 1M7 
he purchased forty acres of land in Bern Township. He was mar- 
ried March 23, 1855, to Elizabeth Rithburn. Four sons and one 
daughter were born to them — David L., Sally A., Andrew L., 
William X. and Silas F. Mr. Ogg is a self-made man, having 
accumulated a large property by his own exertion and industry. 



712 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

He has a farm of 400 acres of good land, where lie makes a spe- 
cialty of growing live stock. About 1857 he moved to Morgan 
County where he resided for about sixteen years, after which he 
returned to his native county where he has since resided. He is 
a member of A. F. & A. M., Amesville Lodge, No. 278. 

Warren W. Selby was born in Washington County, Ohio, Doc. 
7, 1822, a son of D. S^lby. When our subject was about twelve 
years of age he came with his pirents to Bern Township, Athens 
County, and settled on the farm where he has since lived. He re- 
ceived his education in the common schools. He was married 
Jan. 1, 1850, to Emily Garratson, a native of Jefferson County, 
but a resident of Morgan County. Six children were born to 
them— Ida E., Susan, J. W., F. M., A. D. and Metta A. Mr. 
Selby's home contains 300 acres of improved land with a fine brick 
residence erected in 1867, which with its surroundings has no su- 
perior in the township. He has one of the finest orchards in the 
county. 

Ezra.H. Wolfe was born in Ames Township, Athens Co.. Ohio, 
Dec. 15, 1833, a son of George P. and Eliza (Walker) Wolfe. 
He was reared on a farm, and received his education in the 
common schools, residing with his parents until he was twenty- 
three years of age, when he went to Lee County, 111., and remained 
two years. He was married Feb. 26, 1860, to Miss Polly Swett, a 
daughter of Johnson and Polly Swett, who were among the pio- 
neers of this county. By this union there are five children — Aldie 
A., Lolie B., A. O., Lizzie L. and Frank C. After his marriage he 
remained on the old homestead for ab >ut three years, when he pur- 
chased a farm of sixty-six acres, which he added to from time to 
time until it contained 100 acres of improved land, where he 
resided seven years. In 1871 he purchased the farm where he now 
lives, in Homer Township, Morgan County. It contains 150 acres 
of good land, under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wolfe takes 
great interest in all the political questions of the day, and casts his 
suffrage with the Republican p ■irty. 

J iseph II. Wolfe, Eomer Township, Morgan County, was born in 
Porter County, Ind., Jan. 22, 1835, a son of Frederick and Mar- 
gret "Wolfe, who were natives of Ames Township, Athens County. 
When he was two years of age he came to Athens County with his 
parents, where he was reared on a farm and received his early edu- 
cation in the common schools, completing it in the Normal School 
at Albuiy, Lee Township, Athens Co., Ohio. After leaving 













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HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 713 

school he engaged in farming in the summer and teaching school 
in winter for about six years. He was married Nov. 1, 1855, to 
Nancy A. Sayers, a daughter of Stacy Savers, who came to Athens 
County from Marshall, W. Va., in 1835. They have five children 
—Stacy F.,Lona II., Nina R., Margie C. and Ettie J. Mr. Wolfe is 
the owner of 320 acres of improved land. He has been elected to 
nearly all the local offices in the township. Mrs. Wolfe is a member 
of the Church of the Disciples. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., 
Bishopville Lodge. 

George Wyatt, deceased, was born in Ames To vnship, Athens 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 21, 1821, the oldest child of John and Emily 
(Carpenter) Wyatt, and a grandson of Joshua Wyatt, who was 
prominently identified with the first settlers of Ames Township. 
lie was reared on a farm and received his education in the schools 
at Amesville, and bj T strict attention to his study he obtained 
mere than an ordinary education. He was married Dec. 20, 1842, 
to Miss DrusillaTedrow, a daughter of Jacob and. Mary Tedrow, 
who were among the pioneers of Jvjme Township. They had ten 
clii'.dren, only eight now living — Emily (deceased), Julia A., 
Chauncey P., Mary J., George E., Nettie L. (deceased), Charles 
S., Genevieve A., Leonna D., Byron W. Mr. Wyatt came on the 
farm where his family now lives immediately after his marriage. 
He and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church 
since 1842. Mr. Wyatt was foremost in lending his influence and 
donating from his own liberal means to every laudable enterprise 
that would be of interest and benefit to the county in which he 
resided. Besides caring well for those of his own household, he 
was not unmindful of the wants of others, and was the means 
of relieving the wants of many. He died April 9, 1873. 






rfSS EZf 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

CARTHAGE TOWNSHIP— THE BEAUTY OF ITS LANDSCAPE. 

The Act Wnicn Organized it — Taken From Troy Township in 
November, 1S19 — Area — Facts and Fiction Combined — Lost 
Kfcords — Office Holders — The Pioneers — A Panther's 
Familiarity — First Mill — First Postmaster — Population by 
Decades — Growth Slow, but Substantial — Churches and 
Schools — Biographical. 

the act that made it. 

Carthage Township was not organ"zed until 1S19, the territory 
being taken from Troy, and in the records of the Cjunty Com- 
missioners the following resolution appears: 

"Nov. 10, 1S19 — Resolved, That all that part of the township of 
Troy included in township 5, range 12, and the east half of town- 
ship 4, range 13, be a separate tow. iship by the nun j of Carthage." 

The township is six miles squire and has 23,040 acres of beauti- 
ful and fruitful hind. It is bounded on the north by Rome Town- 
ship, on the east by Troy Township, on the south by Meigs County, 
and on the west by Lodi Township, an 1 lies in the south tier of 
sections, and second from the eastern boundary line of the county. 
It is watered by the east branch of Shade Creek and several others 
of less magnitude. The surface is somewhat hilly, but of a less 
rough and rugged nature than some of her sister townships. The 
soil is of such a nature as to yield to the husbandman excellent 
crops of grain, and its green hilltops afford the bsst of grazing. 
which is one of the essentials to successful stock-raising. Thus it 
is found that land and water, hill and valley, are so united in this 
township as to combine all the essentials which go to make farm- 
ing a success. It is therefore not surprising that Carthage Town- 
ship, with its rich virgin soil, should entice the early settler to 
lo2ate here and secure the rich lands which produce such abundant 
returns for the lab >r expen lei. The emigrant 

" Sjught fresh fountains in a foreign soil, 
Tne pleasures less'ning the attending toil." 
(714) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 715 

When we take the beauty of its surroundings and the fertility 
of its soil, there is little more to wish for to the farmer or stock- 
raiser of Carthage Township, and he would indeed b3 hard to 
please it", in choosing an agricultural life, the lands of this town- 
ship did not till the full meed of his desire. Upon the organization 
of the township the inhabitants were directed to meet on a speci- 
fied day and elect township officers. The records of the township 
prior to 1855 have been lost, consequently no list of its early office- 
holders can be given, but among the first Trustees of the township 
were Stephen Buckingham, Joseph Guthrie, Francis Caldwell, 
Alex. Caldwell, Moses Elliott and^B. B. Lotlridge. The first Jus- 
tice of the Peace in the township was Milton Buckingham, and 
Joseph Guthrie and Francis Caldwell were among the earliest, als >, 
who held that office. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

The first known white settler of Carthage Township was Asha- 
bel Cooley, Sr., who came from near Springfield, Mass., and after 
traversing the dense wilderness between Muskingum and the Hock- 
ing, settled in this township in the year 1799, and with the aid of 
bis grown-np sons sooa prepared a home. lie was a man possessed 
of great native mental vigor, shrewd business tact, an 1 by his in- 
dustry an 1 integrity did much toward the advancement of civiliza- 
tion, and for many years held offices of trust in both township and 
county. In 1800 came Abram Frost who, with his large family, 
settled in this township, and in 1801 were joined by Ebenezer 
Buckingham, Sr., and his brother Stephen. In 1805 came Bernar- 
dus B. Lottridge, a native of New York. At the time of his 
coming there was not more than a dozen inhabitants in the town- 
ship, and the forests were full of their native denizens. A large 
panther walked into the cabin of Mr. Lottridge one evening and 
stood before the fire, whereupon Mr. Lottridge seized a large 
butcher knife and would have attacked him had it not been for the 
entreaties of his wife; her screams frightened the animal and it 
soon darted through the door and beat a hasty retreat. These eat y 
settlers were soon followed by Alex. Caldwell, William Jeffers, 
Moses, John and James Elliott, James Baker and many others, and 
the township became generally settled at an early day, all its parts 
having some attraction- for the pioneer. 



716 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

FIRST MILL. 

The first grist-mill in the township was built by Joseph Guthrie, 
in 1820, on his farm near the southeast corner of section 6. The 
power was derived from a small stream which took its name 
from him and is still known by the name of Guthrie's Creek. 
Since that time there has been several saw and grist-mills erected 
in the township, but they have all gone out of existence. There 
are none in the township at the present time worthy of mention. 
The business of Carthage is solely agricultural and there is 
not a village within its limits. It has one postoffbe, established 
in 1851, called Lottridge postoffiee from its being located in the 
Lottridge neighborhood. The first Postmaster was Edward Law- 
rence, who retained the position for many years. 

POPULATION. 

As before stated, the township was not organized until 1819, and 
in 1820 the population was 320. During the following ten years it 
only increased seventy-five in its population, in 1830 b:ing 395. 

The next decade it nearly doubled, as the census report of 1840 
showed a population of 731. In 1850 it was 1,087; in 1860, 1,127; 
while in 1870 it was 1,272, and in 1880 it had reached 1,308. It 
will be seen by these figures that the growth of the population in 
Carthage Township has been slow, even below what should have 
been its natural growth, but it has an enterprising, thrifty class of 
people which gives stability to the community in which they are 
located. There has been nothing of importance to disturb the se- 
renity of the people of this township tor many years. With this 
steady means of population the area of cultivated lands has be- 
come more extended, and with it those great additions to the prog- 
ress of civilization and Christianity, schools and churches. 

CHURCHES. 

Carthage Township has five churches, as follows: Two Method- 
ist, one Presbyterian, one United Brethren and one Christian. 

The Methodists were the pioneers of this township, their society 
being organized as early as 1812. O.ie of their churches is located 
in the extreme western part of the township, on section 35. 
and the other on fraction 2, near tli3 residence of John Law- 
rence. The Christian church was the next to organize and is lo- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 717 

cated in the southern part of the township on section 19. The or- 
ganization was effected in about 1835, and the United Brethren in 
about 1810. 

The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1850 and they have 
a very neat church located on section 23. The churches in this 
township are all in a flourishing condition and only need energetic 
work to extend their usefulness and the greater exercise of their 
influence for good. With their surroundings they have* a splendid 
field for labor, and should be fully used to extend their power and 
tor the good of the churches and for the glory of God. 

SCHOOLS. 

The schools of Carthage Township number nine ar.d are all 
in a condition of progressiveness. In fact, if there is any one 
tiling that has shown the sound judgment of the people of this 
township it has been their determined and persevering effort in 
the cause of education. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

John Barnhill, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, June 26, 1828, 
is a son of Robert Barnhill, a native of Ireland, who came to 
America when quite young. When he was seven years old his 
parents removed to Coshocton County, where he lived till twenty- 
one years of age. He then came to Athens County and lived a 
short time, and then went to Wayne County, 111., returning after 
three years to Carthage. He was married Feb. 17, 1850, to Mar- 
garet Swiss, of Carthage Township. They have eight children — 
Elizabeth C, John W., Burgett, Louisa J., Rosilla, Sarah E., 
Samuel and Catharine F. Mr. Barnhill received but a limited 
education in his youth, but by careful observation and study he has 
acquired a good practical education. He is giving his children the 
best advantages that the county affords, that they may be fitted to 
fill any station in life. ■ 

C. Bason, born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Dec 10, 1834, is a 
son of Joseph Bason, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1805, now 
residing with his son. When he was four years of age his parents 
moved to Washington County, where he was reared and educated. 
In 1855 he came to Carthage Township, and in 1860 bought the 
farm where he now resides. He has 200 acres of well- improved 
land, with a fine residence and farm buildings. He was married 



718 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

March 15, 1360, to Elizabeth J. Alger. Four children were born to 
them — Joseph, J. M., Esther A. and Sarah Ellen. Mrs. Bason 
died May 27, 1867. Politically Mr. Bason is a Republican. 

George Blazer, son of David and Mary (Davis) Blazer, was born 
in Washington County, Pa., April 16, 1801. When twenty -one 
years of age he went to Columbiana County, Ohio, and engaged, in 
coal-mining and in salt works eight years. In October, 1836, he 
came to Athens County, and settled on what is now known as the 
old Burson farm. He was for many years engaged in buying and 
selling land, so has changed his residence a number of times, 
though the most of the time he has lived in Lodi Township. Since 
1878 he has made his home with his son-in-law, William Day. 
Aug. 12, 1825, he married Susan Moore. They reared a family of 
eleven children — Cyrus, David, Hiram, James, Mordecai, William* 
Charles, Harriet, Mary, Sarah A. and Joanna. Six sons and two 
sons-in-law were in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion. 

Joseph Caldvjell, deceased, was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
settled in Carthage Township in an early day, where he improved 
a good farm. He married Mary Fish, a native of Meigs County, 
Ohio. They had one child — Mary, who married A. W. Nickeson, 
of Meigs County, Dec. 8, 1880, and is now living on the old home- 
stead. They have a fine farm of 240 acres all under a good state 
of cultivation. Mr. Caldwell died June 16, 1862, aged forty-three 
years, five months and nine days. 

William Day, born in Lodi Township, Athens Co., Ohio, 
April 26, 1838,* is a son of James and Lucy H. (Pearson) Day, 
his father a native of New Jersey, and his mother of New Hamp- 
shire. He is the oldest of a family of three sons and one daughter. 
He was married May 13, 1858, to Sarah A. Blazer, and settled on 
section 1, Lodi Township, where he lived four years. He then 
bought the farm on section 25, Carthage Township, where he still 
resides. He has 215 acres of good land and is engaged in general 
farming, making a specialty of raising sheep and cattle. Aug. 27. 
1S64, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventy -fourth 
Ohio Infantry, and was discharged June 28, 1865. He is a mem- 
ber of the A. F. & A. M. fraternity, at Coolville. 

James JZHlott, son of Moses Elliott, was born Jan. 22. 1826, in 
Carthage Township. He resided on the farm where he was born 
till 1879 when he bought the farm where he now lives. He has 
300 acres pf well-improved land, with good buildings. Mr. Elliott 
has served as Township Clerk fourteen years and Township Treas- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 719 

urer twelve years. Jan. 22, 1875. he was appointed Postmaster at 
Lottridge. He was married April 12, 1855, to Catherine, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Jane Hammond. They have three children— Ann 
Jane, born May 10, 1857; Charles Lincoln, July 0, I860, and Rob- 
ert Grant, Ang. 29, 1S64. 

J. D. Evans, eon of Hans and Elizabeth Evans, was born Sept. 
22, 1837, in Morgan County, Ohio. When he was quite small his 
parents came to Lodi Township and settled on what is now the 
Windell Shott farm. When he was eight years of age they moved 
to Bedford Township, Meigs County, where our subject was reared 
and educated, spending the greater portion of his early life in farm- 
ing and milling. May 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, One 
Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Infantry. His term of enlistment 
was short but was distinguished by memorable events in the Shen- 
andoah Yalley, on the James River, around Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, in the intrenchments befure Washington and other important 
service. In the fall of 1870 he came to Athens County and settled 
on the farm where he now resides. He has ninety acres of good 
land well improved. He was married March 13, 1862, to Augusta, 
daughter of S. T. Hull, of Lodi. They have four children — Sam- 
uel E., Martha J., Hiram and Grove. Politically Mr. Evans is a 
Republican. 

Moses Elliott, deceased, was bcrn in County Donegal, Ireland, 
Feb. 1, 1784, a son of John and Fanny (Blain) Elliott. He came to 
America in 1819, landing at New York, a r ter being fifteen weeks 
at sea. He first settled in Washington County, Pa., where he 
Lived four years, Dec. 5, 1825, he came to Athens County, stop- 
ping first at Ilockingport, and Dec. 8 came to Carthage. He was 
married in 1815 to Jane, daughter of James Cuscaden. They reared 
a family of seven children — John, Mary, Susannah, Eliza Jane, 
-lames, Frances Ann and Sarah. The two eldest were born in Ire- 
land, the next three in Washington County, Pa., and the two 
youngest in Athens County. Mr. Elliot was Justice of the Peace 
twelve years and Township Clerk and Trustee several years. In 
religious faith he was a Methodist. Politically he was a Republi- 
can. He died Dee. 19. 1854. 

D. G. Frost, born in Lodi Township, Athens Co., Ohio, March 
7, 183 1, is a son of Abner and Rachel (Sullivan) Frost. In 1835 
or '6 his parents moved to Meigs County, and years after his 
father went to Wisconsin, where he died, in 1852. D. Q. was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and when twenty years of age went to 



720 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

learn the cabinet-maker's and carpenter's trades, working at the 
two combined a number of years. July 1, 1855, he married Ruth 
Ann, daughter of Aaron Stout, a pioneer of Carthage Township. 
Ang. 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Six- 
teenth Ohio Infantry. The regiment was in the battles of Mnor- 
field, Winchester, New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Fisher's 
Hill, Hatches Run, and numerous others. He was discharged June 
24, 1865, and returned home. In the spring of 1867 he bought 
the farm where he now resides. He has 100 acres of good land, 
which he has improved in a line manner. Mr. and Mrs. F:ost 
have four children — Clarence, El wood, Albert and Allen. Polit- 
ically Mr. Frost is a Republican. He has held most of the town- 
ship office?. He is a member of the Christian church. 

J. W. Glazier, son of Walter Glazier, was born Jan. 14, 1844, 
in Athens County, Ohio. Aug. 18, 1862, he enlisted in Company 
I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Ohio Infantry; was in the principal 
battles of the Shenandoah Valley and around Petersburg and Rich- 
mond; was slightly wounded twice, and was taken prisoner and 
taken to Belle Isle. Was paroled and exchanged, and came home 
for a short furlough, then rejoined the regiment at Martinsburg, 
and was with them till the close of the war, being present at the 
surrender of Lee's army; was discharged at Richmond, mustered 
out at Camp Denison, and returned home. May 6, 1868, he mar- 
ried Mary M., daughter of Seneca and Irena Hatch, of Rome 
Township. They have two children — Frank W. and Fannie Fern. 
In 1871 Mr. Glazier moved on his present farm, where he has 
ninety-seven acres of good land. He is engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, making a specialty of Alderny cattle. Politically 
Mr. Glazier is a Republican. 

Walter Glazier, son of Abel and Sally Glazier, was born July 
6, 1S07, in Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio. In June, 1831, he 
married Elizabeth Bolander, of Ross County, Ohio. Seven children 
were born to them — R. B., Mahala, Laura, Lavinia, James, Mary 
Jane and Elizabeth. Dec. 21, 1850, Mr. Glazier married Mrs. 
Laura P. Glazier, daughter of Elijah Hatch, of Athens County. 
They have three children— Sybil V., E. P. and Addie Rosella. Mr. 
Glazier came to Carthage Township in 1837, and now owns a farm 
of 262 acres of fine land. 

James Hammond, son of Peter and Jane Hammond, was 1>< m 
Dec. 19, 1826. He received but a limited education, his as-i-t- 
ance being required on the farm. He lived at home till thirty 
years of age. April 6, 1864, he married Susan, daughter of II. II. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. _ 721 

and Susan Parsons. They have no children, but have adopted 
James W. Kincaid and Abertha Bursons into their home. They 
are members of the Presbyterian church, and are among the influ- 
ential citizens of Carthage Township. Mr. Hammond has a farm 
of 300 acres, well improved, with a good dwelling and commo- 
dious barn. 

John Hammond, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1822, 
is a son of Peter and Jane (Long) Hammond, natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, his father of English and German, and his mother of Irish 
and German descent. He was the third of a family of nine chil- 
dren — William, Eliza, John, Oliver, James, Mary, Katherine, 
Margaret and Seth. His early life was spent on a farm, his educa- 
tion being received in the common schools and by studying at 
home. In 184:2 he came to Carthage and built a tan house, follow- 
ing that business six years very successfully. He then bought 100 
acres of wild land on section 24, which he cleared and improved, 
living there till 1865, when he bought the farm where he now 
lives. He has 242 acres which is well adapted for the raising of 
stock, in which Mr. Hammond is extensively engaged. He has a 
fine two-story residence, built in modern style and well furnished. 
Aug. 28, 1844, he was married to Belinda Caldwell, who died 
leaving three children — Samantha, Mary and Edward, Oct. 30, 
1S67, he married Catharine Caldwell. They have three children — 
Henry, Bettie J. and James Arthur. Mr. Hammond has held the 
office of Justice of the Peace six years. 

D. II. Jones, son of II. B. and Susan Jones, was born July 30, 
I s 44, the second of a family of eight children, also one of four of 
the family that served their time out during the war. He enlisted 
June 0, 1S61, in the war of the Rebellion, in Company C, Third 
Ohio Infantry; was mustered in the service at Camp Denison, then 
sent to Virginia under the command of McClellan; was at the battle 
of Rich Mountain and through the campaign of .Virginia until De- 
cember, 1861, then transferred to the Western army under General 
Mitchell's command. In May, 1862, he had his jaw broken in a skir- 
mish near Governor Clay's farm in Alabama. He was also in a skir- 
mish in 1862 at Bridgeport; in the battle of Perry villein 1862, receiv- 
ing a Blight wound, and in the battle of Stone River was wounded 
in the right side, from the effect of which he has never recovered. 
Be, with the rest of the regiment, was detailed mounted infantry 
in Streight's raid through Georgia; during the time was in some 
severe skirmishes; was taken prisoner with the rest of the com- 
46 



722 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

mand and taken to Belle Isle, paroled and returned to Camp Chase, 
Ohio; from there engaged in the Morgan raid through Ohio, then 
returned to the army, but did only gu trd duty on account of com- 
manding officers being prisoners. He was discharged June 20, 
1804, and returned home. Feb. IS, 1865, he married Miry St. 
Clair, who died leaving one son, John H. March 25, 1S68, he 
married Lurena Rogers, daughter of John Rogers, a soldier in the 
war of 1812. They have three children — Geneva B., William C, 
and Myrtle A. Mr. Jones owns one of the best farms in the 
township. He has 100 acres with a two-story residence built in 
18S2, and a good barn and farm buildings. 

Edward Lawrence, son of Moses and Sarah Lawrence, was born 
in Grafton County, N. H., April 16, 1810. He was the sixth of a 
family of ten children, three of whom are now living. He was 
married Jan. 19, 1832, to Maria S.veet, a native of INew Hamp- 
shire, and five years later he came to Athens County, locating on 
the farm, where he still resides. It was only partly cleared, but 
he has improved it, till now he has one of the best farms in the 
township. He was the first Postmaster of this township, holding 
the position twenty-four years. He has been Township Trustee 
two years and Treasurer two years. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have 
four children — Hannah, Nathan, Eiza and Charles. One sod, 
Arthur, enlisted in Company K, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry; was 
wounded at Atlanta, Ga., July 22, 1804, and died Aug. 27, 1864. 
Mr. Lawrence has been a member of the Methodist church thirty 
years. Politically he is a Republican. 

John Lawrence, born May 2, 1808, in Grafton County, IN. H., 
was a son of Moses and Sarah (Johnson) Lawrence. His early lite 
was spent on a firm, and he received but a common-school education. 
In 1837 he started for Athens County, coming with teams; was 
forty-two days on the road . He settled in Carthage Township on 
the place where he now lives. It was then a wild, heavy timbered 
piece of land, but now, through the industry of Mr. Lawrence, it is 
a fine, well-cultivated farm of 200 acres, with first-class improve- 
ments. March 20, 1831, Mr. Lawrence married Keziah J. Sweet, 
of Belknap County, N. II. Tney have five children — Anna, 
Charles, Mahala, Horace and Mary. A son, "Wesley, enlisted in Com- 
pany E, One Ilundrei and Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, at New- 
ton, N. C. He was wounded, from the effect of which he died 
March 14, 1805. Mr. Lawrence has been a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church sixty years. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 723 

N. S. Lawrence, son of Edward and Maria (Sweet) Lawrence, 
was bom in Carthage Township, Jan. 6, 1844. In May, 1864, lie 
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fortieth Ohio Infantry, 
and was discharged Sept. 3, 1864. Oct. 8, 1867, he married Mar- 
tha, daughter of Francis and Catharine (Flick) Griffin, of Troy 
Township. In November, 1867, he moved to the farm where he 
now resides. He has 186 acres of land under a high state of culti- 
vation. In 1877 he built a fine two-story residence. Mr. and Mrs. 
Lawrence are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politi- 
cally he is a Prohibitionist. 

Bernardus B. Lottridge, son of Tnomasaud Eiizab2th Lottridge, 
was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y ., in 1780. When nineteen 
years of age he married Abigail Bull, and removed to Niagara, 
where he lived four years. In 1803 he came to Athens County, being 
among the first settlers, and located on wild land. He improved, 
with the help of his two sons, 525 acres of heavily timbered land, 
and at the time of his death was one of the well-to-do citizens of the 
count}'. Mr. and Mrs. Lottridge's children were — Isaac, John, 
Caroline, Simon, Emma, Maria, Thomas, Sarah, George, Joseph, 
Amanda, Catharine and Marcus. Mr. L >tcridge was a member of 
the Methodist church forty years. 

J. D. Lottridge, section 3, Carthage Township, was born Jan. 2, 
L818, the son of B. B. Lottridge, one of the pioneers of this county. 
Our subject was reared on a farm, and received his education in 
the common schools. In August, 183S, he married M irgaret Mc- 
Cleon. Five children were born to them — Geraldine, Ellozine, 
Caroline (deceased), Josephine V. and William. Mrs. Lottridge 
died March S, 1S80. May 10, 1881, he married Mrs. Rebecca J. 
Robertson. She is the mother of one child — Nettie R. Mr. Lott- 
ridge has a fine farm of 170 acres, all well improved. 

Simon II Lottridge, the oldest native of Carthage, now living in 
the township, was born Feb. 3, 1807, son of B. B. and Abigail 
(Bull) Lottridge. He was married in March, 1829, to Elizabeth, 
daughter of Ben Coddington, an early settler of Troy Township. 
.After his marriage he removed to Marietta, Ohio, and remained 
about a year; then removed to McArthur, which was then in Athens 
and now Vinton County, where he lived seven years engaged in 
the wool-carding business. In February, 1838, he returned to the 
old homestead, where he has since resided. He has a fine farm of 
260 acres, all well improved. He has held the office of Justice 
two terms, Assessor two years, and Township Trustee several years. 



724 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Politically he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Lottridge have had 
eight children, six now living — Catharine, Lydia, Almira and Al- 
vira (twins), Sarah and May. Abigail and Mary Jane are deceased. 
Mr. Lottridge is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

G. TV. Lowden, born in Meigs County, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1841, is a 
son of John and Margaret Lowden, natives of England, who set- 
tled in Meigs County in 1833. He enlisted in the war of the Re- 
bellion in the Second West Virginia Cavalry, and served three 
years and four months; was in the battles of Pottsville, Lewis- 
burg, Lynchburg, Winchester, Cedar Creek and numerous others; 
was discharged at Wheeling, W. Va. He married Sarah Lax, of 
Meigs County, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth Lax. They 
have five children — Thomas S., Lizzie, John, George and Earl E. 
One daughter, Annie, died in March, 18S2, aged eight years. Mr. 
Lowden owns a farm of eighty acres under a good state of culti- 
vation. Politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. 

C. McNeil, deceased, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, April 
29, 1827, the son of Archie McNeil, a native of New York. He 
was reared a farmer, and received his education in the common 
schools. He was married Nov. 14, 1S50, to Lydia A. Gleason, of 
Vinton County. He came to Carthage Township in 1855. Feb. 
14, lS65,he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-ninth 
Ohio Infantry. He died April 15, 1865, leaving a wife and two 
children — Hiram H. and Perry P. Mr. McNeil was a member of 
the United Brethren church; a kind husband and father, and a 
good neighbor, he was respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Mc- 
Neil still resides on the old farm with her son Perry P., who is a 
teacher. 

Eli P. Persons, born Dec. 24, 1827, in Carthage Township, 
Athens County, Ohio, is a son of Sylvester and Lydia Persons, na- 
tives of Connecticut and Virginia respectively. His father died 
when he was twenty years old, and the next four years he worked 
by the month at farming. He was married Oct. 24, 1851, to Su- 
san Bail, a native of Pennsylvania. Aug. 25, 1862, he enlisted in 
Company K, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry, but by the exposures of 
army life he lost his eyesight, and in November he was granted a 
furlough, but not recovering was discharged in February, 1863. 
Mr. and Mrs. Persons have five children — Sylvester, Almira J., 
Samuel, Elizabeth and Horace. Politically Mr. Persons is a Re- 
publican. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 725 

M. Pierce, born Sept. 29, 1823, in Meigs County, Ohio, is a son 
of Isaac and Fanny (Stout) Pierce. When three years of age he 
lost his father. When sixteen years of age he commenced to learn 
the tanner's and shoemaker's trades, at which he worked about six 
years. In 1845 he purchased the farm where he now resides, 
which he has brought under a good state of cultivation. He is 
now engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In September, 
1815, he married Mercy Daily, daughter of Benjamin Daily, a 
pioneer of Athens County. They 'had a family of five children — 
Mary Jane, Florinda, Isaac, Louis Eldora and Emma Serilla. 
Mrs. Pierce died Jan. 6, 1S75. Jan. 9, 1876, Mr. Pierce married 
Mrs. Mary (Day) Swarts. She has five children — Merzer, John, 
Israel, James and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are 
members of the Christian church, lie has been an Elder in the 
church several years. 

Elijah liwinion, born in Lewis County, W. Va., March 25, 
1811, is a son of Samuel and Ann (Batty) Runriion. When 
eleven years of age his parents moved to Kanawha County, W. 
Va., and soon after to Jackson County, where he was reared and 
educated, remaining there till 1849. In the latter year he came 
to Ohio, settling first in Meigs County, and moved to Athens 
County in 1861, where he still resides. He was married Aug. 29, 
lS33,'to Harriet B. Smith, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of 
John and Susan Smith. They have six children — Rebecca, Mary, 
Catherine, James, Milo and Alexander. Mr. Runnion has been a 
member of the Methodist church sixty years. Politically he is a 
Republican. 

M. M. Runnion, Carthage, was born March 14, 1817, a native 
of Virginia. He was reared on a farm and received his education 
in the common schools. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Sixtieth Ohio Infantry. He was in several battles, and 
was discharged in August, 1865. Sept. 12, 1877, he married Ann 
Jane Elliott. They have two children — Lonna T. and Robert J. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rnnnion are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. In politics Mr. Runnion is a Republican. 

JnaesRussel, son of David Russei, was born in Coshocton County, 
Ohio, July 7, 182S, and came with his parents to Athens County 
in 1837. He lived at home till he arrived at manhood, receiving 
a limited education in the common schools. He was married Nov. 
22. 1863, to Perezinda Price, a native of Athens County, and a 
daughter of James M. Price. They have seven children — Lincoln, 



726 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Sheridan, Adson, Clinton, Emma, Adi, Alma. Mr. Rnssel bought 
the farm where he now lives in 1853. He has 133 acres. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. 

John Russell, son of David Russell, of Troy Township, was born 
in Coshocton County, Ohio, Dec. 26, IS 19. He came to Athens 
County with his parents in 1838, and lived in Troy Township till 
he was of age. He was married May 27, 1S47, to Nancy Morrison, 
of Jefferson County, Ohio, daughter of John Morrison. They have 
seven children — Winfield, Hannah, Timothy, Eber, Grant, Lot and 
Mahlon. Mr. Russell has a fine farm of 218 acres, with a good 
two-story house and comfortable farm buildings. Politically he is 
a Republican. 

William Russell, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, born 
May 19, 1824, is a son of David Russell. His parents came to 
Athens County when he was thirteen years old and settled in Troy 
Township, where his father still resides. Dec. 1, 1853, he married 
Mary Elliott, a daughter of William Elliott, a native of Ireland. 
They have four children — Alruira, Selden C, David E. and "Will- 
iam. Mr. Russell bought the farm where he now resides in 1854. 
He has 180 acres of good land with a good residence and farm 
buildings, where he has all the comforts of" a home. He is a 
genial, whole-souled man and has the respect and confidence of all 
who know him. 

Amasa Saunders, a native of Delaware County, N. Y., ami a 
son of Jonathan and Mary (Buck) Saunders, was born March 20, 
1S09. He was the second of a family of eight children. When 
he was nine years of age his parents came to Athens County, locat- 
ing in Carthage Township, which at that time had but few voters. 
His early life was spent in helping to clear the heavily timbered 
land, and he received but a limited education in the subscription 
schools. April 16, 1834, he married Louise Alden. T\\ay have but 
one child, a son — A. N. Saunders, a prominent man of this town- 
ship. Mr. Saunders has been a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal church fifty-two years, and is one of its liberal supporters. He 
has one of the best farms in the township, and has acquired it by 
his industry and good management. 

A. N. Saunders, proprietor of Slade Valley stock farm, is a son 
of Amasa Saunders. He was born in Carthage Township, July 
20, 1835, and was reared and educated in his native township. 
Nov. 29, 1860, he married Harriet A., daughter of Moses and 
Roxanna Flanders. They have three children — Arthur B., Eva 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 727 

M. and Ida R. Mr. Saunders moved to his present farm in 1866. 
He has one of the best farms in the township, consisting of 690 
acres, and makes a specialty of high grade and registered Spanish 
merino sheep. He spends both time and money for their improve- 
ment and is rewarded by being the owner of the best flock in Ath- 
ens County, having taken the first premium wherever he has 
exhibited them. Politically he is a Republican. He i6 a mem- 
ber of the Methodist church. 

V. Smith, son of Frederick and Elizabeth Smith, was born Nov. 
16, 1813, in Germany. He learned the weaver's trade in his 
native country and worked at it till 1843, when, wages being low, 
he determined to come to America. lie landed in New York after 
a voyage of thirty -two days, and came to Athens County, settling 
in Lodi Township, where he now has a good farm of 150 acres. 
He has a store of general merchandise, having a good stock of 
dry goods, boots and shoes, etc., where he has a go:>d trade. He 
was married in Germany to Miss P. Richport. They have eleven 
children — Anthony, Peter, John, Fred, George, Jacob, Phoebe, 
Sophia, Elizabeth, Mary and Michael. Politically, Mr. Smith is a 
Democrat. He is a member of the Catholic church. 

Aaron Stout, Sr., was born near Trenton, N. J., June 2, 1768. 
He came to Ohio in 1806, settling in Meigs County. In 181-1 he 
came to Athens County and settled on section 19, Carthage Town- 
ship. He married Sarah Praull, and to them were born nine chil- 
dren — Letitia, George, Abner, Fanny, Mary, Ruth, Charles, Aar«.n, 
and John. 

Aaron Stout, Jr., was born in Meigs County, Ohio, July 6, 
1810. When four years of age he came to Carthage Township, 
where he was reared and educated. He was married March 23, 
1833. to Martha MtTntyre, a native of Pennsylvania, born May 11, 
1808. They had a family of six children — Lizzie, Ruth Ann, 
Sophia, Harrison, J. M. and Sarah Jane. Mr. Stout was a mem- 
ber of the Christian church. He died May 5, 1866. 

Clonics Stout, son of George and Eliza Stout, was born on the 
farm where he now resides April 24, 1827. November, 1854, he 
was married to Ellen Gregory, of Carthage Township. Mrs. Stout 
died Nov. 11, 1S68, leaving one child— Addie. . Nov. 20, 1870, 
Mr. Stout married Louise Wiley, daughter of James Wiley, of 
Meigs County. They have one daughter — Mary Belle, born Oct. 
19, 1876. Mr. Stout has 402 acres of well-improved land with a 
fine dwelling, well furnished, and surrounded by shade and orna- 
mental trees. Politically he is a Republican. 



7:28 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Cyrenus Stout, son of George and Eliza Stout, was born in 
Meigs County, Ohio, and came to Carthage Township, Athens 
County, when four years of age, where he was reared and educa- 
ted. Nov. 18, 1841, he married Mary Childs, daughter of Seth 
and Dinah Frost Childs. They had three children — Leander, 
Elmedia and George W. In 1841 Mr. Stout settled on the farm 
where he now resides. He has 610 acres of good land which he 
has brought from a wild state to its present highly cultivated condi- 
tion. He has a good residence, well furnished, where his family 
have all the comforts of a good home. Mr. Stout's present wife 
was Sarah M., daughter of Moses Elliott. They were married 
Nov. 3, 1859, and have three children — Horace, John and Jerome. 
Politically Mr. Stout is a Republican. He has held the offices of 
Township Trustee and Treasurer, and Assessor. 

George Stout, deceased, son of Aaron Stout, Sr v , was born near 
Trenton, N. J., March 17, 1792. When fourteen years of age he 
came with. his parents to Ohio. He was married in 1S20 to Eliza 
Buzzard, a daughter of Peter Buzzard. In 1825 he came to 
Athens County and settled on section 19, Carthage Town- 
ship, which at that time was wild timbered land, but he went 
bravelv to work and brought it under a good state of cultivation. 
Mr. and Mrs. Stout had a family of three children — Cyrenus, 
Charles and Fannie (Mrs. Hecox). Mr. Stout was a member of 
the Christian church for over thirty years. He died April 21, 
1875, aged eighty-three years. Mrs. Stout died Aug. 17, 1S69. 

J. 31. Stout, son of Aaron and Mirtha Stout, was b)rn in Car- 
thage Township, Sept. 19, 1812. where he was reared and educa- 
ted. Aug. 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and 
Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and was in all the regiment's engage- 
ments except the fight round Petersburg, when he was detailed at 
headquarters. He enlisted as private, and was discharged as Duty 
Sergeant June 23, 1865. July 1, 1S67, he married Lulinda Hecox, 
daughter of Truman Hecox, of Meigs County. They hive five 
children — Adella Moselle, Emerson, El mont, Mrytie Jeanette and 
Elmy. Mr. Stout has a good farm of 182 acres, and is engaged 
in general farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the 
Christian church. Politically, he is a Republican. He has never 
been an aspirant for office, though frequ sntly urged by his friends 
to accept one. 

s Iden C. Stout was born in Carthage Township, July 7, 1833. 
He received a goi d edu at 'on in the common schools and at Cool- 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 729 

villc Seminary. When twenty -six years of age lie married Mary 
Jane, daughter of J. Davies, of Meigs County. lie first settled 
on section 25, where he lived seven years. He then bought a farm 
on section 32 where he still resides. He has 460 acres of good 
land, well improved, and is engaged in general firming and stock- 
raising. In August, 1.864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hun- 
dred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, and was discharged at the 
close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Stout have four children — Anna 
S., Ida Rosilla, Elmer C. and Dora Aurilla. Mr. Stout's father » 
Charles Stout, came to Carthage Township in 1814 and lived here 
till his death, July 2, 1856. He married Roxy Childs, and to them 
were born three children — Selden C, Marinda and Samantha. 

W. 0. Stout was born in Meigs "Connty, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1851, a 
son of Aaron and Mary (Hoffman) Stout. His education was 
received in the common district schools and at Tapper's Plains 
Seminary. When twenty years of age he embarked in the mer- 
cantile business at Osage, and five years later came to Carthage. 
In L879 he move 1 to his brother-in-law's farm, which contains 
260 acres of lmd under a good state of cultivation, with good 
buildings, and is engaged in .general farming and stock-raising. 
Oct. 1, 1873, he married Mary A., daughter of John Lawrence. 
They have two children — Nora May and Charles Leslie. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Stout is a Republican, and is at present Clerk of Car- 
thige Township. He is a member of the Methodist church. 

Francis Tibbies, son of John and Jane Tibbies, was born in Car- 
thage Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1826. His youth was 
spent in assisting his father to improve the farm, receiving but a 
limited education in the subscription schools. He now owns a 
fine farm of 200 acres, all well improved. Miy 21, 1856, he mar- 
ried E. J. Elliot, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of William 
Elliot, who settled in Athens County in 1842. They have three 
children— -E!za G., Sarah Frances and William E. One son, 
Albert, died in 1861; another, Add ism B., died April 2, 18S3, and 
a daughter, Nellie, died in 1882. Politically, Mr. Tibbies is a 
Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

John Tibbies, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 16, 
1796, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hayes) Tibbies. He was 
reared in his native State, and in 1817 came to Athens County, 
Ohio, and settled on the farm now owned by his son Francis. It 
was wild, heavily timbered land, the nearest house being four 
miles east of it. He improved a farm of 130 acres, and, being a 



730 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



brick-maker by trade, made the brick of which his residence is 
built. He was married in 1818 to Jane Caldwell, a native of Ire- 
land, who came to America when five years of age. They had a 
family of six children— James, Alexander, Frances, Elizabeth, 
John, Joseph. Joseph and Alexander were members of the Seventy- 
fifth Ohio Infantry and died in the service in 1S62 and 1S63. Mr. 
Tibbies died Jan. 4, 1S66, and his wife, April 19, 1S78. 

Daniel Walker, born in Indiana County, Pa., Oct. 11, 1S00, 
was a son of Adam and Hester (Chance) Walker. His father 
died in 1S13, of yellow fever. When fifteen years of age he came 
to Jefferson County, Ohio, and resided about five years. May 1, 
1820, he was hired to drive a four-horse team to Orange Township, 
JVIeigs County. Jan. 28, 1825, he married Mary Ryther, a native 
of Ohio, who died Aug. 28, 1S76, leaving two children — Sarah 
Ann and R. Becky. In the fall of 1826 Mr. Walker bought a 
farm on section 25, where he lived five years and then traded it for 
100 acres in the southwestern part of the section where he still re- 
sides. June 10, 18S0, he married Mrs. Ruth (Wingate) Frost a 
native of Pennsylvania. She has two children — Olive and Ange- 
lina Mr. Walker has an adopted -son — Charles Albeit Sarson. 
Politically he is a Democrat. He has held the office of Township 
Trustee a number of years. In religious faith he is a Methodist. 




CHAPTER XXX1L 

DOVER AND TRIMBLE TOWNSHIPS. 

Outline — Early Settlers — Township Officials — Sunday Creek 
Valley — Mineral Resources — Social Periods — Biograph- 
ical. 

Every locality, however contracted, or, in the estimation of the 
masses, without anything worthy of note, has its historical ma- 
terials that deserve to-be collected, and accurately written and faith- 
fully preserved. Such is strictly true of the territory whose his- 
tory we propose to sketch. 

But few pages of this history are occupied with the Dover and 
Trimble divisions, and Sunday Creek Valley plays a very subordi- 
nate part in the county affairs, while worthy of afar more extended 
notice. 

outline view of the whole district. 

There is a high elevation, like a natural mound, in southern 
Trimble, which throws within your horizon the whole territory, in- 
cluding the valleys of Sugar Creek, Hocking and Lower Sunday 
Creek, with its eastern and western tributaries. The scenery 
from this elevated position is exceedingly varied and beautiful. 
Nature, in this landscape, has evidently scouted at every feature of 
dull monotony. She has scattered profusely her hills and dales. 
The eastern and western ridges with their numerous spurs have 
formed a very interesting kaleidoscope. The eye never tires with 
views so constantly changing. South Dover, including £ome five 
or six sections situated on both sides of Hocking, constitutes the 
river division. Wolf's Plains, together with Chauncey and Salina 
with their surroundings, are flat, being covered with gravel beds 
of the drift period. These river sections are rich in soil, and valua- 
ble. The plains are noted for their immense tumuli, covering the 
remains of great warriors that fell in battle. Along this part of 
Hocking were located the rude mills that supplied the early inhab- 
itants with flour and corn meal. The salt works of Chauncey and 
Salina were very productive for many years, being a source of con- 
siderable revenue to their proprietors, and giving employment to 

(731) 



732 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in my h mis. Through South Dover down the Hocking Valley are 
now two completed railroads, the Hocking Valley an 1 the Ohio 
Central. These railways will, in time, make this district quite val- 
uable. Should Chauncey and Salina be occupied by a new class of 
enterprising capitalists who shall turn their attention to coal and 
iron, these towns would soon enter upon their resurrection life. 
Within this district is located the County Infirmary. It has a farm 
of about 130 acres.- It is a valuable tract, situated principally on 
the river bottom, and aids the county materially to sustain her poor. 
This institution is a creditable specimen of county infirmaries. 

IN SOUTH DOVER 

are situated two villages — Chauncey and Salina. Chauncey is sit- 
uated on a level plot of ground forming a tongue of land between 
the mouth of Sunday Creek and Hocking. It has been a town of 
considerable trade, especially during those years of the active man- 
ufacture of salt. Its location is favorable for the building up of a 
large town. There is ample building room for 20,000 inhab- 
itants. Should some of our Eastern capitalists make Chaun- 
cey a center of operation in coal-mining and iron making, there 
would sx>n gather into its locality a large and thriving population. 
It being situated on the Ohio Central and at the terminus of Sun- 
day Creek Valley, it would have the a ivantages of two valleys, 
Hacking and Sunday Creek. 

Salina is located on Hocking River, about one mile above Chaun- 
cey. It has been noted for its silt manufactures under Gould & 
Green. It was a thriving village while those enterprising citizens 
had the management oi' the salt interests. Like Chauncey, it is 
now in a transition state. Tne tim9 may soon come when Salina 
shall wake up and grow with the growth of the surrounding country, 
ami be ranked among the noted towns of the Hocking Valley. 

NORTH DOVER AND TRIMBLE, OR LOWEK SfXDAY CREEK VALLEY. 

Before entering upon a description of Lower Sunday Creek "\ a 
ley, it will be in place to sketch some statistics of Dover and 
Trimble townships. 

Dover was cut off from the western part of Ames an 1 organized 
into a township April 4. L811. The act that passed the Bjard ot 
County Commissi >ners was the following: " Ordered that so much 
of the township of Anus as lies we-t ot' th.9 thirteenth range be 



HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 733 

erected into a separate township by the name of Dover. Ordered, 
further, that the Clerk of the board notify the inhabitants of the 
township of Dover to meet at the house of Othniel Tuttle, in said 
township, on Saturday, the 20th of April instant, for the purpose 
of electing township officers." Dover then included the present 
townships of Ward, Green and Starr, of Hocking County, and Trim- 
ble, York and Dover, in Athens County. The principal settlements 
were, at that early date, on the waters of Sunday Creek. 

The early settlers of Dover Township are mostly contained in 
the following list: Daniel Weethee, on sections 12 and 18, in Sun- 
day Creek Valley; Josiah True, on sections IS and 24; Abraham 
Pugsley, the father of a large family, settling in the same valley; 
Azel Johnson, joining farm of Daniel Weethee; Henry O'Neill , 
Samuel Tannehiil, Barney J. Robinson. Cornelius Sho emaker. Ne 
hemiah Davis (known as Elder Davis),' James Pickett ^> Jeremiah 
Cass, Jonathan Watkins (father of a numerous family that settled 
mi Sunday Creek), the Nye family, Reuben J. Davis, Resolved Ful- 
ler aud brother, George Wilson, Benjamin Davis, Uriah Nash, 
Eliphalet Wheeler, Rejita — LLuxlbut, Samuel Stacey, Thomas 
Smith, Uriah Tippee, (Abner Connet ff and others. The geological 
and geographical features will be noticed under the head of Lower 
Sunday Creek Valley. 

These families were principally of the New England States; hardy 
pioneers who left comfortable homes in the East for the compan- 
ionship of wild beasts and savages, in a distant wilderness. Such 
materials are required for successful frontier life. 

Dover Township has three villages, two of which (Chauneey 
and Salina) have already been described. Millfield is located very 
pleasantly on the west bank of Sunday Creek, on sections 16 and 
IT. The town can number its half century of years, yet there being 
in it no distinguished manufactories its growth has not been very 
satisfactory. It has a flour-mill, two dry-goods stores, a blacksmith 
.-h'>p,an excellent school-house, two shoe shops, a postofKce,a wagon- 
maker's shop, and some other public buildings. The Ohio Central 
Railroad has a station in Millfield. Should capitalists open coal 
works in that village it might soon be a very thriving town. 

After the division of what is called the " Coonskin library," which 
t< ok place January, 1816, the Dover division was removed to the 
residence of Jcsiah True, near Millfield, where it continued to re- 
pose in comparative slumber till 1876, when it was waked up to 
become a unit of curiosity in the Centennial. The entire separa- 



734 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEV. 

tion and removal did not take place, however, till Dec. 21, 1S30, at 
which time u Dover Library Association " was incorporated with 
Daniel Weethee, Alanson Hibbard, Azariah Pratt, Sr., Josiah 
True, John B. Johnson, William Hyde and John Pugsley, 
the original proprietor of Millfield, as the original incorpora- 
tors, and Daniel Weethee, Alanson Hibbard and Azariah Pratt as 
Directors for the first year. 

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES FROM 1S25 TO 1883. 

]825, Resolved Fuller, Daniel Weethee and Samuel B. Johnson; 
1S26, Jonathan Allen, Simon H. Mansfield and William Bagley; 

1827, Jeremiah Morris, Simon II. Mansfield and Josiah True; 

1828, Resolved Fuller, Simon H. Mansfield and Josiah True; 1829, 
Jeremiah Morris, Simon H. Mansfield and Horace Carter; 1S30, 
Daniel Weethee, Simon H. Mansfield and Josiah True; 1831, Sam- 
uel Stephens, Jeremiah Morris and Josiah True; lS32-'33, Samuel 
Stephens, Robert Conn and Josiah True; 1834, John Armstrong, 
Robert Conn and Josiah True; 1835, Jeremiah Morris, Jonathan 
Connett and Josiah True; 1836-'37, John Armstrong, S. R. Fox 
and Josiah True; 1838, record lost; 1839, John Armstrong, Mat- 
thew McCune and David Tarrned; IS 40, Mason B. Brown, Harry 
Clark and Josiah True; 1841, Jeremiah Morris, Matthew McCune 
and Josiah True; 1842, John Armstrong, Matthew McCune and 
Josiah True; 1843-44, Albert Harper, Matthew McCune and Josiah 
True; 1845, William Hyde, Matthew McCune and Josiah True; 
L846, Azariah Pratt, Matthew McCune and Josiah True; 1847, 
Heury Brown, Matthew McCune and Josiah True; 1S4S, Azariah 
Pratt, Matthew McCune and Josiah True; 1S49, William Edwards, 
Austin Fuller,Josiah True; lS50-'51,MatthewMcCnne,Austin Fuller 
and W. S. Hyde; 1852, Matthew McCune, Austin Fuller and James 
Culver; 1S53, Seth Fuller, Austin Fuller and John Spencer; 1S54, 
Seth Fuller, W. S. Hyde and John Spencer; 1855, Samuel Augus- 
tine, W. s. Hyde and Woodruff Connett; lS56-'57, John Cradle- 
baugh, W. S. Hyde and Austin Fuller; 1858, John Cradlebaugh, 
W. S. Hyde and E. D. Harper; 1859-'60, John Cradlebaugh, Aus- 
tin Fuller and O. G. Burge; 1861, Alexander Stephenson, Austin 
Fuller and O. G. Burge; L862, Ebenezer Pratt, Joseph Tippy and 
\Y. S. Hyde; 1S63, O. G. Burge, Joseph Tippy and \V. S. Hyde; 
L864, O.'d. Burge, J. W. P. Cook and W. S. Hyde; lS65-'66, O. 
G. Burge. J. W. P. Cook and W. S. Hyde; 1867, 0. G. Burge, R. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 735 

N. Fuller and W. S. Hyde; 1868, George Connett, Samuel Au- 
gustine and Ebenezer Pratt; 1869, Henry -Brown, Woodruff Con- 
nett and F. L. Junod; 1870, Woodruff Connett, 0. G. Barge and F. 
L. Junod; 1871, F. L. Junod, William Edwards and O. G. Burge; 
1>72. William M. Edwards, H. Connett and Ebenezer Pratt; 1873, 
William M. Edwards, William Cornell and Hiram Fuller; 1874, 
Hiram Fuller, William M. Edwards and William Connett; 1875, 
George Connett, A. B. White and L. A. Sprague; 1876, A. B. 
White, D. H. Cunningham and Henry Martin; 1877, Henry Mar- 
tin, Ezra Cornell and J. W. P. Cook; 1878, Henry Martin, J. W. 
P. Cook and Hiram Fuller; ls79, Henry Martin, J. W. P.Cook 
and A. B. White; 1880, Austin True, F. L. Junod and Nathan 
Picket; 1881, Joel Sanders, Silas II. Stephenson and Samuel Au- 
gustine; 1882, Joel Sanders, Silas II. Stephenson and Samuel 
Augustine; 1883, Silas II. Stephenson, Daniel Fulton and John 
Brawley. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FROM 1825 TO 1883. 

1826, D. Herrold; 1827-'31, Josiah True; 1832-'33, Simon II. 
Mansfield; 1834-'37, Josiah True; 1839, Frederick Cradlebiugh ; 
1811, John Armstrong; 1843, Jooiah True; 18-45, Charles P. Smith; 
1846, Hiram Fuller; 1851, Charles P. Smith; 1852, J. W. P. Cook; 
1853, Hiram Fuller; 1854, William Edwards; 1855, E. D. Varner; 
1856, Hiram Fuller and C. R. Smith; 1858, Josephus Calvert; 
L859, Hiram Fuller and John Smith; lsP,2, J. W. P. Cook, Hiram 
Fuller and John Smith; 1865, Job S. King; 1868, Hiram Fuller, 
Charles It. Smith and John Smith; 1871, Hiram Fuller, John 
Smith and Job S. King; 1874, Hiram Fuller, William M. Edwards 
and Job S. King; 1876, Hiram Fuller; 1877, Job S. King; 1878, 
John Cradlebaugh; 1879, Hiram Fuller and J. A. McKee; 1880, 
Andrew J. Learned; 1881, Silas H. Stephenson; 1882-'83, J. A. 
Mclvce. 

A postoffice was established at Millfield in 1834, and at Chauncey 
in 1838. 

TEIMBLE TOWNSHIP. 

Trimble Township, so named from a former Governor of Ohio, 
was a part of Ames Township till 1811, and of Dover till 1827, at 
which time it was organized into a separate township. On its 
north, east and west are the counties of Perry, Morgan and Hock- 
ing; on the south is Dover Township. It is drained principally 



736 ' HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

by the . northern branches of Sunday Creek. Its original white 
settlers located their claims on the east and west branches, near the 
north and northwest limits of the township. Solomon Tattle, 
Sr., with his son, Cyrus Tattle, and his brother, Nial Tuttle, 
from Vermont, settled on the cast branch of Sunday Creek in 1S02. 
In their vicinity soon after, Joseph McDaniel and William Mor- 
row located their families. William Bagley and his brother John 
Bagley, loaving Vermont in 1820, settled on the west branch of 
Sunday Creek, near the present Ilartleyville. 

John Bagley erected a factory and grist-mill. They were rude 
specimens, but they supplied the wants of the people. William 
Bagley settled on school section No. 16; farmed some and was as- 
sociated with his brother John in the milling and factory business. 
Another brother, Samuel Bagley, being a tanner, erected the first 
tannery (the only one) in the township, 1822. 

In 1822 a school was taught, near the forks of the creek (the 
present location of Sedalia) by Nancy Bagley, of Vermont, a sister 
of William, John and Samuel Bagley. This was the first school 
in the township. About 1821: John Morrow taught a school on 
the east branch, in the Tattle, Morrow and Dew settlement. The 
school-house was a fair specimen of those pioneer buildings. It 
was a house 12 x 15 feet, composed of round logs, the ground for 
its floor; one log cut out on each side for light, oiled paper instead 
of glass. Door three feet by five, on wooden hinges, with a wooden 
latch, moved by a tow or leather string. In the end opposite to 
the door was the fireplace, occupying the principal part of the end, 
with a chimney composed of unhewn stone, or sticks and mad. In 
this rude Bpecimen of the early seminaries, on one of its high wooden 
leg rough puncheon benches, sat our distinguished and honorable 
citizen, E. II. Moore, book in hand, legs dangling (being too short 
to reach the floor), eyes intent on spelling out the words of his 
lesson. In 1882 Mr. Moore taught school in the same place. 

The Christian religion has always had a place on Sunday Creek, 
and Trimble Township has. shared in its divine munificence. The 
Baptist, Methodist, and Christian denominations were the first to 
occupy the attention of the people. They are still the leading 
organizations. Other views have been proclaimed but have not 
been productive of any flattering results. The principal mill of 
Trimble Township was commenced at Oxford, now Trimble, by 
Jonathan Watkins in L825. It was burned in 1865. After some 
years it was rebuilt, and continued as a water-mill till 1882. Since 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 737 

then it has been changed into a steam mill, and is furnished with 
all modern improvements in the flour-making line, and is doing 
an excellent business. 

Agriculture is still, as it always has baen, the chief occupation of 
its citizens. Mining of coal, however, has been such as to supply 
the home demand. In the future, mining will perhaps take the 
first rank. The minerals of the valley will be more fully noticed 
under the head of Sunday Creek A r alley. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The first election for township officers was held at the residence 
of William Bagley, James Price, James Bosworth, and Jeremiah 
( !ass being the Judges, and Samuel B. Johnson and Cyrus Tuttle, 
Clerks. 

TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES. 

1827, "William Bagley, James Bosworth, Solomon Newton; 1828, 
Jeremiah Cass, Elijah Alderman, Solomon Newton; 1829, Joseph 
McDonald, James Price, Solomon Newton; 1S30, David Eggle- 
ston, James Price, Solomon Newton; 1831, Jonathan Watkins, 
• lames Price, Solomon Newton; 1832, wanting; 1833, Elijah Al- 
derman, Tliomas Dew, John I vers; 1834, Elijah Alderman, Luther 
Mingus, Enoch Putter; 1835, wanting; 1836, Solomon Newton, 
Andrew McKee, William Shaner; 1837, Jonathan Watkins, An- 
drew McKee, William Shaner; 1838, Solomon Newton, Andrew 
McKee, Ebenezer Shaner; 1839, William McKee, Andrew McKee, 
Johnlvers; 1840, Thomas L. Love, Andrew Rutter, wanting; 1841, 
James Hoge, W. J. Hartley, wanting; 1842, James fioge, John 
B. Johnson, wanting; 1843, James Lloge, Isaac N. Joseph, Will- 
iam J. Hartley; 1844, William McClellan, Isaac N. Joseph, William 
J. Hartley; 1845, Andrew McKee, Caleb Carter, Isaac Blackwood; 
1846, wanting; 1847, William McClellan, Andrew Dew, J. D. 
I)avis;1848, Andrew McKee, Andrew Daw, J. D. Davis; 1849-'50, 
William McClellan, Andrew Dew, J. D. Davis; 1851, William 
McClellan, William H. Peugh, S. T. Grow; 1852, wanting; JS53, 
James Hoge, John Ivers, wanting; 1S54, Andrew Daw, John 
I vers, William McClellan; 1855, wanting; 1856, Joseph Allen, 
i'.. Worrell, Andrew Dew; 1857, Benjamin Norris, John M. John- 
son, Andrew Dew; 1858-'59, William II. Peugh, William McClel- 
lan. S. P. Grow;lS60-'61, William II. Peugh, William McClellan, 
L. II. Bhinehart; 1S62, William II. Peugh, William McClellai, 

47 



73S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Samuel Wood worth; 1863, Samuel Banks, John Shaner, Samuel 
Wood worth; 1864, Samuel Bank?, John Gift, Dorsey McClellan; 
1865-'66, Milton Monroe, John Gift, J. C. Lefever; 1S67, William 
II. Peugh, Isaac Blackwood, Lemuel Bethel; 1868, Samuel Banks, 
J. M. Amos, Joseph Allen, 1869; Samuel Banks, E. H. Watkins. 
William Biddison; 1870, Samuel Banks. James S. Jennings, Will- 
iam Biddison; 1871, S. H.Johnson, J. W. Jones, Isaac Blackwood; 
1S72, David Glenn, William H. Peugh, Joshua Sands; 1873-'75, 
William II. Peugh, Joseph Allen, Jacob L. Wyatt; 1876, A. B. 
Johnson, William H. Peugh, Jacob L., Wyatt; 1S77, William II. 
Peugh, A. B. Johnson, Jacob L. Wyatt; 1878, Jacob L. Wyatt, 
James H. Jones, James F. Kempton; 1879, James H. Jones, 
William II. Peugh, W. W. Anderson; 1830-81, James H. Jones, 
William Biddison, William II. Peugh; 1882-'83, James II. Jones, 
.Richard Daniels, William II. Peugh. 

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FROM 1827 TO 1883. 

1827, William Bagley; 18-30, James Price and Jeremiah Cass; 
1833, Daniel Frazer and Samuel Mills; 1831, Emory Newton; 
1836, Seth Pratt and Samuel Mills; 1838, Solomon Newton; 1S39, 
Samuel Mills; 1810, David Allen; 1841, John Ivers; 1812. Morris 
Bryson; 1841, John Ivers;. 1845, Morris Bryson; 1847, Isaac X. 
Joseph; 1818, George W. Roberts; 1850, Aquilla Norris and Ben- 
jamin Norris; 1851, Benjamin Morris and George W. Roberts; 
1853, Alexander McClellan; 1854, William Biddison; 1856, Isaac 
N. Joseph; 1857, John M. Johnson (resigned Feb. 3. 1858); 
185S, Morris Bryson; 1859, William II. Peugh; 1S61, Morris Bry- 
son; 1862, Lemuel Bethel; 1861, William Biddison; 1865. William 
Koons; L867, J. S. Dew; 1868, Samuel Banks; 1869, James F. 
Kempton, resigned; 1870, James Rutter; 1871, J. L. Porter; 1 V 7I. 
E. N. Alderman; 1876, William II. Johnston; 1877, James Ratter; 
187S, W. II. Johnston; 18S0, W. W. Anderson; 1882, James N. 
Sands; 1883, Joseph W. Joiu>. 

SUNDAY CREEK VALLEY. 

Under this head will be included all that remains to be said of 
Trimble and .North Dover, except such general remarks as will be 
appropriate to notice in the scientific chapter of the " History of 
Hacking Valley." 

Under the above caption will be given a brief view of its topog- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 739 

raphy, geological structure and its resources, together with its 
past history. Our space is too limited to enter into detail. We 
must leave the reader to amplify our thoughts and outline sketches 
as his knowledge and interest may dictate. 

Sunday Creek Valley is fan-shaped, with its axis at Chauncey, 
near the mouth of the creek, and its radiating parts spreading out 
so as to include all the territory drained by Sunday Creek and its 
branches. 

The springs which give rise to the extreme branches of Sunday 
Creek are wider apart than its head and mouth — wider than long. 

Sunday Creek Valley has its bottom lands, yet they do not form 
one of its distinctive features. It is composed, principally, of 
ridges, spurs, inclined plains, ravines, gulches and valleys. It has 
a face for every point in the heavens. It has vastly more sur- 
face than sky. Its base is contracted, but the sum of its surfaces 
is very considerable. Though we thus truthfully describe its terri- 
tory, we are happy to say that it has but a few rods of waste land. 
Sunday Creek Valley has every variety of soil and exposure. Its 
bottom lands are, in spots, composed of sand, produced by the dis- 
integration of its sand rocks; in other localities they are alluvial; 
in other parts, clay, with a great variety of mixtures. Our nor- 
thern surfaces are often steep, the strata not being dissolved by the 
extremes of heat and cold, or by storms. Our northern slopes are 
generally the most productive. Our southern hillsides are often 
rather poor, yet they have their special uses. Our east and west 
exposures are quite productive. 

Sunday Creek Valley has its agricultural resources, still agricult- 
ure is not its specialty. Its soil produces fair crops of wheat, rye, 
Indian corn, potatoes, grass, turnips, and all kinds of vegetables 
Buited to its latitude. Its hills are suited to the rearing of sheep, 
cattle, and all kinds of stock. It is a land adapted to vine am' 
fruit culture. One advantage it has, worthy of special note; such 
is its variety of soil and exposures that there is scarcely ever a 
season without fruit, either on the ridges, on the slopes, in the ra- 
vines, or on the bottom lands. The soil, if scientifically cultivated, 
is quite productive, capable of sustaining a dense population. 

MINERAL RESOURCES OF SUNDAY CREEK VALLEY. 

Its mineral deposits are the most noted feature of Sunday Creek 
A alley. In its coal deposits it is, perhaps, superior to any other 



740 HISTORY OF HOCKING A'ALLEY. 

territory of equal size in the State. Tiiis will appear by an exam- 
ination of its geological structure, which we proceed, briefly, to in- 
vestigate. 

Sunday Creek Valley is an erosion of the lower coal measures, 
there being no discoverable marks of volcanic action. In the 
gulches, ravines and valleys, the strata are in place on opposite 
sides — a proof that running water formed them. These depressions, 
therefore, are erosions, and the entire valley is a ''wash-out" of 
past ages. The process is still in progress, every flood wafting 
tons of disintegrated rocks and minerals toward the Mexican Gulf. 
It will be readily seen that the main stream and its tributaries are 
increasing in length, are becoming wider from bank to bank, 
while their flow decreases in velocity. The waters are lowering 
the dividing ridges and spurs, while they are filling up deep 
cavities and evening the inclined planes at the bottoms of the prin- 
cipal streams. The washing-down process would, in time, make 
plain of the valley. In the gulches, ravines and valleys, the strata 
for 600 feet are vertically exposed. Shafts have been sunk to 
the fire-clay under the great seam of coal, and salt wells have 
penetrated 400 feet further. The strata are, therefore, known in 
a vertical section of 1,100 feet. We are more particularly con- 
cerned with the strata of the upper 700 feet. Beginning our 
examination of this vertical section twenty-six feet below the Nel- 
sonville coal seam (great seam) we find our lowest coal vein two 
feet and six inches thick. This is a rich, gas-producing coal. 
Twenty-six feet above this vein is the great coal seam. In live 
wells its average thickness is nine feet three inches. In three shafts 
its average is about the same. This is for the entire surface of 
35,000 acres. Seventy-five feet above the great vein is the Bailey'fi 
Run coal. In the lower Sunday Creek Valley this seam lies at the 
bases of our hills. Its average thickness is four feet six inches. 
Very excellent coke has been made from this seam of coal. It is 
an excellent gas-making and parlor coal. This coal is mined by 
drifting. The following analysis of a sample of this coal from sec- 
tion 34, Dover, was male by Prof. "Wormley (State Chemist): 
"Specific gravity, 1.309; moisture 4.20; ash, 2. GO; volatile com- 
bustible matter, 35.20; tire carbon, 5S.00; total, 100.00 parts. Sul- 
phur, 1.04; sulphur left in coke, 0.41; percentage of sulphur in 
c >ke, 0.67; gasper pound in cubic foot, 3.07; color of ash, gray; 
c >ke compact." Tne State Geologist makes the following remark: 
"This shows a very excellent coal. The ash is small and the fixed 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 74 1 

carbon is large, and the amount of gas is also large. The coal 
loses so much of its sulphur in coking that the coke is relatively 
free from it. 1 ' Thirty-seven feet above the Bailey's Run coal seam, 
with a thick vein of iron ore between, is a vein of about two feet 
of coal. About seventy-five feet above this ssam is another vein of 
coal two and one-half feet thick. About 200 feet above the last is 
the Pittsburg, or Pomeroy, coal vein, from four to eight feet thick. 
h\ this vertical section of 700 feet we can count thirteen horizons 
of iron ore and eleven horizons of limestone. 

Sunday Creek Valley contains a vast amount of excellent sand 
rock for glass-making and building purposes. It has large quarries 
of flag-stone. Its deposits of fire-clay are immense. Our six coal 
seams will aggregate about twenty-seven feet. Our two workable 
seams average thirteen feet. 

Such is a brief outline of the mineral resources of Sunday Creek 
Valley. This is claimed of the valley, that, for variety of min- 
erals, amount and quality, as a whole, its peer cannot be found. 
Trimble Township and North Dover have more mineral wealth 
than can be found under an equal area (35,000 acres) anywhere else 
in Ohio, or perhaps in the world. We shall have occasion to 
strengthen these statements when the mineral resources of Hocking 
Valley are investigated. We- shall now take up the history of this 
valley from the time that it began, to be settled by the whites. 

We have already given its civil history. Its schools, its social 
and religious history demand further attention. Society is the 
normal state of all living beings. Man is no exception to this gen- 
eral law. The world has been peopled by groups; groups have 
formed societies; societies have been gathered into villages, towns, 
cities, States, kingdoms and empires. Thus was America peopled; 
thus was Ohio settled; and by the same law Sunday Creek Valley 
received its first white inhabitants. The Ohio Company's pur- 
chase gave cast to the first settlers of the valley. Those that had a 
desire to go West from the New England States, hearing such flat- 
tering accounts of the district now forming Southeastern Ohio, pur- 
chased lands of that company, and moved West to occupy them. 
Sunday Creek Valley, therefore, received its first white population 
from New England. They brought with them, as a matter of ne- 
-ty, their religion, manners, customs and educational spirit. 
But the valley to which they removed was truly a "howling wil- 
derness/' Savages occupied the lands that they had purchased, 
and. with various wild beasts, disputed with them the right of pos- 
session. 



742 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

A change in their manner of living was a necessary consequence. 
New thoughts followed, and, consequently, a new coursi of action. 
In a few years they were comparatively a new people — AVilderness 
Yankees. They formed new ideas in every department of human 
thought. "With minds as free as their breathing apparatus, they 
began to entertain new religious notions. They read their Bibles 
and did their own thinking. So soon as they were sufficiently 
numerous to have religious assemblies and form churches, the 
fruits of independent thinking were^clearly seen. Xo Xew Eng- 
land churches were ever formed in Sunday Creek Valle^y. The 
inhabitants were principally what were called '".New Lights,*' 
and afterward "Christians," more usually denominated ^Dis- 
ciples," and by their enemies, " Campbellites." Methodist and 
Baptist churches have often been formed, but their prosperity has 
not been very satisfactory. 

Schools have always been sustained. Education belongs to New 
England life. A love for it is inherent in their very being. The 
branches taught were at first few, imperfectly understood, and un- 
skillfnlly taught. In the early settlements, teachers knew nothing 
of geography, but little of English grammar, taught reading, 
writing and spelling. All higher branches of science were the 
great unknown. 

SOCIAL FERIODS OF SUNDAY CREEK VALLEY. 

These will be the better illustrated by examining their materials 
of dress. For the sake of convenience, we divide its past history 
into periods, named after the chief article of clothing. 

1. Buckskin Period. — When the people had worn out their 
Eastern wardrobes, to replenish with like articles was impossible. 
They were, therefore, obliged to go like the savages, or clothe them- 
selves with some domestic production. They tanned deer-skins, 
fashioned garments, and clothed their nakedness. Some tall court- 
ships and interesting marriages belong to this primitive age. 

'2. Linsey- Woolsey Period. — The age of primitive simplicity soon 
began to yield to the march of Yankee progress. Flax and wool 
were combined and woven into cloth. Garments made of these 
materials became the fashionable wear ot' this advanced period; not, 
however, without the cry of "pride" and ••extravagance.'* 

3. The Modern, or Silk Period. — This period was never fully 
adopted, except by the " npper ten.-." The calico period is the 



H1ST0KT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 713 

popular one of the valley. These four periods — the Buckskin, 
Linsey-Woolsey, Calico and Silk, mark the progress of society in 
Sunday Creek Valley. 

BIOGRAPHICAL — DOVER. 

William Bell, section 30, Dover TWnship, was born in Leices- 
tershire, England, April 11, 1811, and came to America in 1861 
and settled in this county, where he has since lived. Mr. Bell 
cleared thirty-three acres of land on middle branch of Bailey's Kun. 
He moved to his present farm April 3, 1883. He was married May 
2, 1869, to Jane R. Price, daughter of Abel C. Price, of Trimble 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bell have had five children, of whom two 
are living — William A. and Bebecca A. The deceased were — Sarah 
A., Frances E. and Lucy A. Mr. Bell owns 125 acres of land and 
is engaged in raising stock. Mrs. Bell was born in Dover Town- 
ship near Kidwell's mill, Oct. 1, 1839, the same year Kidwell's 
mill was built. 

Il't rum Bingham, late of Salina, now of Athens Township, was 
born near Athens, July 22, 1826. lie was brought up on a farm 
and educated in Athens. In 1S51 he went to California and mined 
about three years; was then engaged in the dairy business, and af- 
terward ran a meat market six years. He then went to Idaho 
where he lived two years, then resided one year in Wallawalla, 
Washington Territory. The steamer (Independence) that he and 
family took for the Golden State, wrecked off the coast of Jamaica 
Island, but they pulled in to Kingston and were all rescued. They 
were taken to Panama, where they remained a month, then went 
by steamer to San Francisco, arriving there March 6, 1852. They 
returned by the Nicaraugua route in 1866. Mr. Bingham has 
since resided in Athens County, except four years, when he was in 
Columbus, Ohio, in the grocery business. He engaged in the gro- 
cery business in Athens for two years. During the years of 1881 
and 1882 he engaged in the manufacture of salt at Salina, Athens 
County, and in the spring of 18S3 he bought a farm in Athens 
Township, where he removed about the first of April, lie was 
first married to Lovina Lamb, daughter of Sylvanus Lamb. They 
had two children, one living — Surges. Mrs. Bingham died in 1818, 
and he married Miss Salama Weis, daughter of Jacob Weis, a na- 
tive of Germany, who came to this county in 1819. and still resides 
here, at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. Bingham own? property 
in Athens. 



744 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Orrin It. B/'rge, Superintendent of the Agricultural Depart- 
ment at the Athens County Infirmary, and brother of O. G. Burge, 
of Chauncey, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Aug. 30, 1833. He 
was brought up and partially educated in his native town. The 
family removed to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, when Orrin was a boy. 
lie has spent] his life thus far on a farm. He came to Athens 
County about 1852. He was married Jan. 15, 1857, to Jane C, 
daughter'of James Stephenson. They have but one child — James 
J. Mr. JBirge has held his present position for the past ten years. 
He is a member of the Christian church. 

Tobias Boudinot, section 17, Dover Township, was born in 
Meigs County, Ohio, March 27, 1S22, and is a son of John Bou- 
dinot, of Knox County, Ohio, and a native of New Jersey. He 
was reared on the farm, and received a common-school education. 
He came to this township in 1S39, where he has since lived. He 
was married Aug. 14, 1844, to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles 
Southerton, who came to this county in 1832. They had seven 
children, three living — Jennie E., Tobias T., and Cassius H. One 
son, Elmer H., died Jan. 29, 18S2, in his twenty-first year. A 
daughter, Mrs. Lucy J. Peters, died at the age of twenty-two 
years and left two children. Mr. Boudinot owns 147 aciesin this 
county and 320 acres in Carter County, Mo., and is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. He was Infirmary Director for three 
years, and Township Trustee one term. He is a member of the 
Christian or Disciple church. His father is now ninety-three years 
old. He came to this county in 1839 and resided here until within 
the last few years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our sub- 
ject's grandfather's brother, Hon. Elias Boudinot, LL. D., was 
George Washington's private secretary ; was President of the first 
Bible Society that ever assembled in the United States and was 
President of the first Continental Congress that ever assembled in 
America. He was also renowned for his generosity: he donated 
339 acres of land adjoining Philadelphia to the American Bible 
Society, and gave $10,000 in cash to the same society, 813.000 to 
the poor, and $5,000 to purchase spectacles for the poor. He 
was of French d< scent. 

John W. Brawley, section 13, was born in this township June 
15, 1831, and is a son of James Brawley, who came to Athens 
County with his parents when a .-mall boy and died here in April, 
L873. Our subject was reave 1 on a farm and received a common- 
school education, lie was married duly 4, 1859, to Susan, daughter 




^n^L JC 




HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 745 

of Hiram Fuller. They have four children — Nellie, Clarence, Ida 
and Mary. Nellie married George Merry. Mr. Brawley owns a 
farm of 118 acres and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

Ormond G. Surge. — The Burge family differ in their spelling 
of the family name; our subject spells it with a " u," while his 
brother, Orrin R., and some others spell it with an " i." The 
subject of this sketch was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 7, 1S20, 
and is a son of Orrin Burge, deceased, also a native of Litchfield, 
and of English descent. He brought his family to Cuyahoga 
County, Ohio, in 1S30. Our subject came first to Athens County 
in 1838, and bought land in Waterloo Township. lie remained 
in Nelsonville in the boot and shoe business from 1S41 until 1846. 
lie then came to Dover Township, where he has since resided and 
operated his farm at Chauncey. In 1856 he married Emily Coe, 
daughter of John Coe, a pioneer of Athens County. They have 
had six children — Lemuel, Caroline, Leanora, Wallace, Jane and 
Cora. Mrs. Burge died June 7, 1867. She was a member of the 
Free-Will Baptist church. Mr. Burge is a member of the Chris- 
tian church. Mr. Burge held the office of Township Trustee of 
Dover Township for twelve years, and Assessor four or five years. 
He has recently sold his farm and resides with his son Lemuel in 
Chauncey. 

Wdliam W. Burge, son of O. (x. Burge, of Chauncey, was born 
in Dover Township, this county, June 5, 1855. He was reared 
on the farm and educated in Weethee's College at Mt. Auburn, 
this township. He married Ida M. Lapham Aug. 31, 1879. She 
is a daughter of Simon Lapham, of Cleveland. They have one 
child— Clara M., a bright-eyed little girl of two years. Mr. Burge 
is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the 
Suns of Temperance and of the Christian church. 

Simeon W. Cass was born in Dover Township, Oct. 11, 1821, 
and is a son of Jeremiah Cass, a native of Rhode Island, and an 
early settler at Amestown, this county. He was one of the party 
that cut the first, road through the wilderness from Marietta to 
Amestown. He was a single man then and lived with a Mr. 
Wyatt. lie married Sarah AVright, by whom he had eleven chil- 
dren. They reared three boys and seven girls. His father, Amos 
Cass, came to Marietta with his son and settled on Sunday Creek 
where he died many years ago. Jeremiah Cass removed with his 
family to Trimble Township, this county, when Simeon was an 
infant, and when he was about fifteen years old returned to Dover 



740 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Township. Mr. Cass was a soldier in the late war in Company 
II, One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio National Guards. He was 
married April 30, 1S43, to Elsie J. Ilaning, daughter of Aaron 
Ilaning. They had five children, of whom three are living — 
Sarah, Emily and Adelaide C. One daughter, Mrs. Rlioda Davis, 
left nine children, and the other, Mrs. Mary J. Gibson, left two 
children. Mrs. Cass died Aug. 3. 1^7n April 2, 1879, Mr. Cass 
married Sarah Simons, daughter of Admatha Simons, of England. 
They have had two children — Blanche G., deceased, and Susan F. 
Mr. Cass has been a member of the Christian church about twenty- 
five years, and has been Elder since the fall of 1SG3. His mother 
still" lives in this township at the age of ninety-three years. 

Charles P. Clester, section 7, was born in this township Oct. 2. 
L848, and is a son of Samuel Clester, a native of Pennsylvania, 
who came to Athens County over forty years ago. where he died in 
L869. Our subject was reared on the farm and educated at Wee- 
thee's College in this township. lie was married in November, 
l s »:'.'. to Carrie McAfee, daughter of John McAfee, of this county. 
They have two children — Sadie and Carrie, aged twelve and nine 
years respectively. Mr. Ciesterowns 155 acres of land and is en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Su- 
gar Creek Methodist Episcopal church. 

Hyrcanus Connett was b >rn in this township Feb. 26,1844. 
He was educated in the Ohio University at Athens, lie worked 
for M. M. Green A: Co. at Salina about eight years, then returned 
t > the farm. He was married in March. l s 71. to Elzina Bean, 
daughter of Isaiah lC>an, of Pleasanton, Ohio. They have one 
child — Delia May. Mr. Connett owns 160 acres ot valuable land 
in Athens Township, but resides at present on the old home place 
in Dover Township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Woodruff Connett, the father ot the above, was born in 
Athens T twnship, this county, March 6, L810, and is a son of Ab- 
ner Connett. who came to this county in 1798 from Pennsylvania. 
He was reared on the farm and educated in a subscription school 
and has always been a firmer, lie wis married March 22,1833, 
I i Lucy P. Dorr, by whom he had two children — Lydia (now Mrs. 
Isaac Bassett) and Hyrcanus. Mrs. Connett died Jan. 22, 1881. 
Mr. Connett and his son own over 300 acres of valuable land. 

Danii I iginally spelled Kutz) was born in Somerset 

County, Pa., M \ l x _7. and is a son of David Coots, deceased, 

a native of Bedford County, Pa., whobrouffht his family to Athens 



BI8T0EY 01 I VALLEY. 747 

nty in l s 37. They witnessed the building of the Hocking 
Canal, and saw some of the Irish rows among the hands employed 
on that work. Mr. Coots whs reared on the farm, and for eighteen 
■ the most extensive farmers of the county. For 
the past four years he has had the mail route between Cham 
and iSalina. He was married Feb. 14. 1855, to Frances It. Nye, 
daughter of Thedoru3 Nye, deceased. She was born in Chester, 
Meige Co., Ohio. They have had eight children, four living — 
Ella M., Mary M., Frank T. and Emma B. The family are all 
members of the Methodist church. 

John Coufoon, section B, Dover Township, was born in this 
township. Oct. 9, 1846. He was reared on the farm and edu- 
cated at Weethee's College and at New Plymouth, Ohio. He 
learned the carpenter's trade when a boy. and still works some at 
building railroad bridges. He ale ) learned surveying, and has fol- 
lowed that business more or less for the past fifteen years. He 
own- eighty-six acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. Mr. Coulson's father, James Coulson, was born 
in Washington County Pa., Feb. 14. 1817, and came to this county 
in 1844. He was married in 1844, just before starting West, to Sarah 
A. Mountz, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are living 
— John, Samuel, Nancy and Daniel. There are 200 acres in the old 
home place, where his widow now lives. He died March 15, 1883. 
The deceased was twice elected and once appointed to the office oi 
1 raty Surveyor of Athens County. He was a Quaker in relig- 
ions belief. He was an industrious and useful nun. and a kind 
husband and father. 

Ebenezer Dains, section 30, Dover Township, was born in Guern- 
sey County, Ohio, May 10, 1820. lie came to this county in 1831 
with his parents, where he has since resided, with the exception 
of tour years — one year in Perry County, Ohio, and three in 
Indiana. II is father, Jacob II. Dains (deceased), was a native 
of New rersey. Mr. Dains owns 133 acres of land, and is engaged 
in farming and stock-raising. He was married July 15. 1841, to 
( 'atherine Dewitt, daughter of James Dewitt. They have had thir- 
teen children, oi whom ten are living— George W., Jasper N., 
Mary, Elizabeth, James, Lydia, Sarah, William, Thomas and Eliza 
J. One son. John, died in his seventeenth year. 

Joseph. B. Doughty, druggist, of Chauncey, was born in Gran- 
ville, Lie-king Co.. Ohio, Jan. 19, 184C, and isason ofKev. Richard 
Doughty, a Methodist Episcopal minister. Mr. Doughty began 



748 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

taking care of himself at the age of ten years; lie worked on the 
farm, in coal mines, and clerked in stores several years. He 
was a soldier in the late war, in Company II, Eighty-fifth Ohio 
Infantry, and helped chase Morgan through Kentucky in 1863. He 
was discharged and then enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and 
Thirty-fifth Ohio Infantry, in the spring of 1864, and served for 
about ten months; eight months of the time he was in prison (hav- 
ing been captured at North Mountain) and was a part of the time 
in Andersonville. He went to Noblesville, Ind., in 1866, where 
he remained two years, and came to Hocking County in 1868. In 
1871 he helped build the Btraitsville branch of the Hocking Valley 
Railroad. Came to Chauncey in 1873, and in 1874 went to Perry 
County, Ohio. He returned to Chauncey in 1877, where he has 
since been engaged in the drug business. He was married in De- 
cember, 1872, to Kate, daughter of Dr. A. J. Shrader, of Nelson- 
ville. They have four children — Blanche M., Jessie S., Richard 
D. and Sarah I. 

Thomas Ellis, a prominent farmer of Dover Township, is a na- 
tive of Lincolnshire, England, and was born in the city of Grant- 
ham, May 21, 1S17. His father, Richard Ellis, was a native of 
Doddington, England. Mr. Ellis emigrated from his native land 
to Dover Township in 1^42, where he has since lived. He was 
married March 2, 1846, to Mary A. White, a daughter of John S. 
White. They had three children, two living — Mary and Sarah. 
For twenty-two years Mr. Ellis carried on a blacksmith shop in 
Millfield, when he sold out and bought his present farm on Sun- 
day Creek, one mile north of Chauncey. It consisted of 510 acres, 
160 of which he gave his daughter. He is now engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. Mr. Ellis still has in his possession a piece 
of the first carriage that was run in the Sunday Creek Valley. It 
was built by -Mr. Reynolds, from Nova Saotia, in 1S43. 

Austin Fuller, deceased, late of Millfield, was born in Dover 
Township, this county, May 14, 1S14, and was a son of Resolved 
Fuller. He was brought up on the farm, and educated in a sub. 
scription school. lie was always a farmer. Oct. 10, 1835, he 
married Miss Mary Pratt, daughter of Azariah Pratt, and sister 
of Ebenezer Pratt, of this township. The} 7 had twelve chil- 
dren born to them, of whom eight are living — George, Resolved, 
Dudley, Carlin L., Abigail, Mary, Eva and Flavins. Abigail is 
the wife of Rev. Ephraim Wayman, of Chillicothe, 111. Eva is the 
wife of Elder Samuel W. Brown, of Washington, Pa. One 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 749 

daughter, Mrs. Sarah Fuller AVyatt, died and left four children. A 
gon, Melzer N., was also married, and left two children at his 
death. Mr. Fuller was a L faithful member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. 

Dudley D. Fuller, of MillfieM, was born March 4, 1S47, son of 
Austin Fuller. lie was reared on a farm, and educated in a com- 
mon school and "Weethee's College. He followed farming for some 
time. He enlisted in the late war in Company A, One Hundred 
and Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and served nine months; was dis- 
charged and enlisted in the Navy Department, in which he served 
on the United States steamer Huntress until the close of the war. 
Mr. Fuller was married Oct. 8, 1876, to Mary J. AVyatt, daughter 
of George AVyatt. They have had four children, one living — Edith 
A. Mr. Fuller was appointed Postmaster at Millfield in March, 
1 v 79.- He keeps a general store, doing an annual business of §8,000. 

Russell JV. Fuller, M. D., was born in this township Jan. ■';. 
1817. His father, Resolved Fuller, was a native of Connecticut, 
and came to this county in 1790. He walked the entire distance 
from Connecticut to this county with another boy. He was born 
in 1780, and was therefore but sixteen years old at that time. 
AA'hen he reached this then wilderness he had just three shillings. 
or oTj cents. He was industrious and economical, worked hard 
and grew wealthy. He bored the Chauncey salt well, and owned 
and operated the salt works there for some time. At one time he 
owned all the land where Chauncey now stands. He had a family 
of nine children, but two of whom are living — Russell X. and Hi- 
ram, of Marshtield, this county. The subject of this sketch was 
married in 1S40 to Eliza B. Cooley, daughter of Caleb Cooley. 
They have eight children—Charles, Mary, Emma, Kate, Esther, 
John R., Milton and Henry II. The Doctor was Assessor of this 
township two terms, Township Trustee one term, and Township 
Treasurer one term. He commenced the practice of medicine in 
1 - 15, but has given np most of his practice of late. He owns a 
farm of 300 acres and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

Daniel Fulton, section 29, Dover Township, was born in Alex- 
ander Township, this county, Aug. 21, 1822. His father, Loam- 
mia Fulton, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came with his 
parents to Athens County when about five years old. and settled in 
the woods among wolves, deer, panthers, wildcats and Indians. 
Tne subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and educated in 
a subscription school. He commenced to learn the carpenter's 



750 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

trade when seventeen years old. He worked on canal-locks on 
Hocking Canal about eight years, and built bridges several years. 
He has also carried on the farm until the present time. He was 
in the employ ot the Hocking Valley Iron Company as their 
agent for three years. Mr. Fulton was married Dec. 24, 1S46, to 
Lucy W., daughter of Josiah True. They have five children — 
Harmon, Mary and Emma (twins), Sarah Ida and John A. Mr. 
Fulton is a member of the Free-Will Baptist church. He owns 
361 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. 

John Harvey, farmer, section 1, Dover Township, was born in 
Washington County, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1826. His father, James 
Harvey, a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, born in November, 1S02, 
came to Barlow Township, Washington Co., Ohio, in ISIS. Mr. 
Harvey spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and attended 
a subscription school. He learned the carpenter's trade with his 
father, and also learned the wagm-maker's trade. He followed 
the latter, of winters, for many years. He came to this county in 
1S53 and located in Dover Township, where he still lives. He en- 
listed in the late war in Company H, One Hundred and Forty first 
Ohio Infantry. He was married Feb. 5. 1S54, to Sarah, daughter 
of Jonas Rice. They had six children — James R., John O, Mary. 
Nettie, J. Henry and Elinor H. Mr. IL.rvey owns 145 acres of 
land and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He built sev- 
eral of the houses in this neighborhood, among them that of A. J. 
Willmarth, Alanson Courtney, Hugh Poston and Captain Phil- 
lips. 

James C. Headley, section 12, Dover Township, was born in 
Monroe County, Ohio, April 3, 1S40, son of Isaac Headley, of 
Morgan County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in 
a common school, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School 
May 25, 1881. He was married April 20. 1S65, to Rhoda Lewis, 
daughter of Jacob Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Headley have had seven 
children, of whom five are living — Laired J. V., Sabra L. O., Irena 
L. S., Sitha A. F. and Lucretia J. Mr. Headley came to this 
county in 1S69. For nine and a halt' years he ran a saw-mill, but 
at the present time is engaged in general farming. 

William JJuinj was born in Wales, Oct. 2, 1836. He was 
educated in the public schools of Wales, and came to America in 
1850, stopping in New York City; thence to Pittsburg and Pome- 
rt >y, Ohio, where he lived about a year. He then worked on rail- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 751 

roads a while, and came to Chauncey in 1856, where he has since 
resided, with the exception of the time he was in the army, and 
has worked in the coal mines at the Chauncey Salt Works. He 
enlisted in May, 1862, in Company E, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, 
and participated in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and 
Fredericksburg, and was discharged in May, 1864, on account of 
disability, caused by a wound through the large part of the left leg, 
at the battle of Gettysburg. He was married May 26, 1858, to 
Lydia A. Birge, daughter of William A. Birge, of this county. 
They had six children, four of whom are living — Wilford, Will- 
iam, Winifred and John. Mr. Henry is a member of the Sons 
of Temperance. 

William S. Hyde was born in Homer Township, Morgan Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 29, 1819, and is a son of William Hyde, a native of 
JNew York City, who came to Morgan County, Ohio, about 1817. 
In 1S27 he removed to Millfield, this county, where he died Sept. 
15, 1846. He owned large tracts of land around Millfield, and was 
extensively engaged in farming and in the mercantile business. 
Our subject was educated in a select school. He bought the farm 
where he now resides in 1860, and has recently £o!d it to the Buchtel 
Iron Company, but still resides here and is employed as the com- 
pany's agent. lie was married in the fall of 1813 to Iletta C. 
Andrews, daughter of Samuel Andrews. They have four chil- 
dren — Achsa, Emma, William and Maurice. Emma is married to 
Smith Jennings, of Nelsonville, and William to Adda Conant. and 
resides in Fairfield County, Ohio. Mr. Hyde was Infirmary 
Director of this county for nine years, and for many years was 
Trustee of Dover Township. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

Nbrval W. James, shoemaker and farmer, was born in Coshoc- 
ton County, Ohio, March 16, 1833, and is a son of William James, 
a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio about 1832. The 
family removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1844. Mr. 
James came to this county in 1847, where he still resides. He 
was a soldier in the late war, in Company I, Thirty-sixth Ohio 
Infantry, about five months. He participated in the battle ot 
South Mountain, where he was wounded, on account of which he 
was discharged. He received a common-school education, and 
learned the shoemaker's trade in 1863, which he has since followed. 
Be has worked at his trade in Millfield about fifteen years. He 
ako carries on his farm of eighty-five acres on section 3. He was 



7.V2 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

married Sept. 24, 1865, to Ruth, daughter oi William S. Gardner. 
They have seven children — Jessie, Minnie, William S., Nerval. 
Robert C, Ruth and an infant daughter. Mr. James was Post- 
master at Millfield for three years. 

William Johnson, section 30, Dover Township, was born in 
Ames Township, Athens Co., Ohio, April 13,1828. His father, 
.lames Johnson, a native of Pennsylvania, settled at Somerset, 
I HiiOj when only a lew log cabins were there. The subject of this 
-ketch was reared on a farm, and educated in a common school, 
lie was married in March, 1853, to Elizabeth Gallington, daughter 
of Chester Gallington, of Helen Furnace, Ohio. They have had 
five children, ot whom two are living — Lydia and Dew. Lydia is 
the wife of Noah Johnson. Mr. Johnson, subject of this sketch, 
ewns 160 acres of land. 

A. J. Learned^ M. D., was born in Dover Township, Athens 
I o., Ohio, July 28, 1843. During his youth he worked on the 
farm in the summer and spent a part of the winter in attending the 
public schools. After he had attained some knowledge of the 
common branches, he entered the Weethee College, in Athens 
County. Aug. 19, 1SG1, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio 
Infantry, and served until Nov. '.». L864. lie then came home, and 
June 15, 1S07, was married to Mary Daines, by whom he has seven 
children. In 1S73 Mr. Learned began the study ot medicine, and 
soon afterward entered the Columbus Medical College, at Colum- 
bus, Ohio, where he graduated in 1877. lie immediately began 
the practice of medicine, and has built up a fine practice, having an 
extended reputation as a physician. 

Martin R. Learned was born in Washington County, Ohio. Jan. 
17, 1820. His father, Daniel Learned, a native of Connecticut. 
horn in 1767, moved to Washington County, Ohio, in 1S14, and to 
1 >over Township, Athens County, in 1821. His mother was Cath- 
erine (Gilliland) Learned, born in 17>9. in New Jersey. He was 
reared on the old homestead and educated in a subscription 
school. Mr. Learned learned the trade of a millwright when young; 
followed that trade and the chair-making trade for about twenty 
years. He still has chairs in his possession that he made over 
forty years ago. lie built several flat-boats some years ago, ami 
during the high water he would run them down Sunday Creek 
to Booking, thence to the Ohio River. For the past twenty 
years he lias been engaged in tanning. lie was married Jan. 
• '>. 1842, to Mi-, I'rsula Werner, a daughter of John Werner. 



HISTORY 01 HOCKING VALLEY. 753 

Thev bad four children, but one living — Eliza J., now the 
of James L. Howard. One daughter, Marietta, died at 
the age of thirty-four years. She was the wife of Sardine 
. Mr. Learned own- L62£ acres of valuable land. 
. the Learned family settled in the woods of Dover Town-hip 
L821, there were numerous deer, wolves, bears, panthers, and a 
few elk. There are but two men in the to wd ship who were , ; 
when they came. Mr. Learned'-, father died ' 28, 1862, at 

the age of ninety-five years. His mother is still living, and is 
ninety-four years old. She re granddaughter. M 

Eoward, on the old homestead, which our subject still o 
Daniel Learned was married twice, and was the father of twenty- 
four children. 

Aaron Lewis, the oldest native of York Township now living in 
Athens County, was born Feb. 18,1819 3am el Lewis, a 

native of Allegheny County. Pa., and an early settler of York 
Township, Athens County, having settled here prior to thewai 

_'. Our subject was brought up mostly on the old homestead, 
and educated in a subscription school; often had to walk three 
mile- through the deep -now in the wood- to school. Mr. L 

married Dec. 25, L844, to Sarah I'M:, daughter of Claudius 
L. Fisk. They had two children, both dead. One daughter, 
Emma J., left two children — Madge Dew and Mabel Russell, she 
having been married twice. Mrs. Lewis died Feb. 17. 1857, and 
Mr. Lewie again married, Sept. 14, 1859, Ruth 0. Summers, 
daughter of Thomas Summers. They had seven children, six liv- 
ing — Douglas A.. Francis M., Zua, Lee, Maggie and George W. 
Mi'. Lewis went with his parents to the head of Racco >n, in York 
men he was eleven years old, where he lived until the 
building of the Hocking Canal, when he returned to Hocking 
- uiviile, and 1. 'led in the valley. He 

removed to hi-, present farm in Dover Township in 1875, where he 
owns 320 acres of valuable land, and is»engaged in farming and 
He was A - - )f York Township for nineteen 
I for that township many years. Mr. Lewis 

. of an eno . partially petrified, 

which was found in the Hocking River by a Mr. Schoonoverin the 
iter of 1 -71-"2. It is supposed that it had lain beneath the sand 
and water for over 100 year-. 

• 



754 HISTORY OF HOCKING YALLEY. 

Pulaski Lowry, an enterprising young business man, was born 
in Dover Township, this county, July 20, 1850. His father, Will- 
iam Lowry, was born in Athens Township in 1801, and was a son 
of Robert Lowry, a native of Ireland, and one of the first pioneers 
of Athens County. Our subject received a common-school educa- 
tion. He is now operating the Chauncey Salt "Works, and makes 
twenty-five barrels of salt daily. This salt is of the purest and best 
quality. Mr. Lowry was married in June, 1872, to Sarah J. North, 
daughter of Henry North, of Chauncey. They have had six chil- 
dren, four of whom are living — Alvira, Almira, Alice and Mary. 

Abram Martin, Superintendent of the Athens County Infirmary, 
was born in Lee Township, thiscounty, Nov. 29, 1S24. His father, 
Samuel Martin, was a native of Virginia, and an early settler of 
Athens Count} 7 . His mother was Hepsibah Merritt Martin. Our 
subject was the fourth of nine children, five of them now living — 
David, of Yinton County, Ohio; Elijah, of Woodson County, Kan 
sas; Abram; Josephus, of Yinton County, Ohio, and Nancy M., 
now Mrs. Cottrell, of Chariton Count}', Mo. Three of the de- 
ceased were grown — Harriet, Caleb and Thomas. Mr. Martin was 
reared on the farm and had very limited educational advantages, 
only having attended school for nine months in all. He was a 
soldier in the late war, in Company C, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, 
for three years and one month, and participated in the battles of 
Louisburg, second Bull Run, South Mountain, x\ntietam, and 
many others. He was married Jan. 6, 184S, to Charlotte, daugh- 
ter of George Robinette. They had eight children, seven of whom 
are living— Ettie R, Hattie B., Charles W., George W., David M., 
John M. and Ella. Mr. Martin has always lived in this county 
except about six years spent in Yinton County. lie has held the 
present office since 1878. He owns a farm of 100 acres in Water- 
loo Township. 

Henry F. McCoy, M. D., physician and surgeon, Millfield, was 
born in Waterloo Township, Athens Co., Ohio, May 12, 1849, and 
and is a son of Daniel McCoy (deceased), a native of East Scotland, 
who settled in Athens County about 1842. Our subject's mother 
died when he was sixteen years eld. and this broke up the family 
and he was thrown entirely upon his own resources. He educated 
himself and taught school for seven years. During the last two 
years of his teaching he read medicine. During the winter of 
1877-'78 he took a course of lectures at the Columbus (Ohio) Medi- 
cal College, and practiced the following season in Nelsonville, Ohio. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 755 

He then returned to college, and graduated with high honors in 
the class of 1879. He at once removed to Chauncey, where he has 
built up a large and lucrative practice. He received two calls the 
day he located in Chauncey, and has practiced more or less every 
day since. He was married March 6, 1879, to Elizabeth, daughter 
of William Hawk, of Athens Township. They have one child — 
E. Maud. The Doctor is a Mason, and a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. 

Joseph A. McKee, section 35, Dover Township, was born in 
Trimble Township, Dec. 26, 1835, and is a son of William McKee, 
now of Morgan County, Ohio, but a native of Greene County, Pa., 
who came to Athens County about 1820, and lived here till 1881. 
He is the father of seven children, four living — George W., Mary 
A., Sarah and Joseph A. One son, William W., was killed at the 
battle of JResaca in the late war. Mr. McKee was married Jan. 
17, 1858, to Mahala Snyder, a daughter of George Snyder. They 
had. nine children, seven of whom are living — Sarah E., Mary I. 
Clara, William A., George W., Joseph J. and John A. Mr. Mc- 
Kee was Clerk of Trimble Township for six years, and was elected 
Justice of the Peace for Dover Township in 1879, and re-elected in 
1882. Hejhas been Clerk of the Board of Education nearly ever 
since he became of age. He came to this township in February, 
1868. He owns eighty acres of land, and is engaged in general 
farming. 

James McKitrick, M. D., was born near Morristown, Belmont 
Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1815, and is a son of John McKitrick (de- 
ceased), a native of Washington County, Pa., and an early settler 
of Belmont County. James left home when quite small, and early 
learned the blacksmith's trade. At the age of twenty-one years he left 
the shop and engaged in the mercantile business in Morgan ville, Ohio, 
where he remained [five years. He then read medicine under Dr. 
James Rusk, with whom he practiced six months. In 1841: he came 
to Milllield, where ho built up a large practice and remained until 
1865, and then came to Chauncey and practiced until 1S81, when 
failing health compelled him to give up his practice, and he now 
resides on his farm adjoining Chauncey. His successor, Dr. H. 
V. McCoy, is a graduate from the Columbus Medical College, and 
a successful physician. Dr. McKitrick has always been an indus- 
trious and useful man. He has carried on his farm, and attended 
to his practice, enduring many privations and hardships. He was 
married March 29, 1815, to Miss Sarah W. Hyde, daughter of 



756 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEV. 

William Hyde (deceased), an early settler of Athens County. They 
have one son — William S., who resides in Chauncey, and is a farmer 
and stock-raiser. The Doctor is a Presbyterian in religious faith, 
but is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Chauncey. 
He was always noted for his generosity and liberality, and always 
visited poor families when called, with or without pay. 

Jeremiah Morris, deceased, late of Dover Township, was born 
in Washington County, Penn., April 7, 1797, and was a son of 
Joseph Morris, a native of New Jersey. He came to this county 
about 1825. He married Mary A. Southerton, by whom he had 
five children, two living — Joseph and Dianna; one son, Jeremiah, 
died at the age of twenty-one years. Mrs. Morris died Jan. 19, 
1832. Mr. Morris married, July 14, 1S33, Bethany L., daughter 
of Hamilton Lapham. She was born in New York State, Aug. 
21, 1811. Mr. Morris died May 3, 1871. He was a member ot 
the Christian church. 

John Mourn, merchant, Chauncey, was born in York Township, 
Athens County, Oct. 11, 1831, and is a son of John Mourn, de- 
ceased, a native of Ireland, who came from Maryland to this 
county about 1818, and settled in the woods at Thompson's Ford, 
on Hocking River. He was the father of nine boys and one girl, 
of whom our subject was the third child. He was reared on the 
old homestead and received a common-school education. He started 
to California in the spring of 1852, overland route, arriving there 
the following October, and returned by the Nicaraugua steamship 
route in the fall of 1855, and settled in Dover Township, where 
he has since resided. He ran a saw-mill near Chauncey for three 
years, and was foreman of the Chauncey Salt Works for about eight- 
een years. In 1878 he became established in the mercantile busi- 
ness in < 'hauncey. He keeps a full line of everything usually kept 
in a first-class general store, and is doing a good business. He has 
held the office ot Clerk of Dover Township for the past eight years r 
and for the past five years has held the office of Postmaster at 
Chauncey. In the fall of 1S55 he married Sarah Six, a daughter ot 
Leonard Six, deceased. They had six children, of whom three are 
living — Addie, John W. and James B. One daughter, Araminta, 
died at the age of sixteen years, and a son, Saudell S., died at the age 
of six years. Three of Mr. Monro's brothers, Patrick, Robert and 
Thomas, were soldiers in the late war, in the Sixty-third Ohio In- 
fantry. The two latter were sticken down with the measles while 
in the service and died soon after returning home. Mr. and Mr. 
Mourn are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 757 

William Ogg, section 7, Dover Township, farmer, stock-raiser 
and mechanic, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, May 14, 1833. 
His father, Andrew Ogg, came to Athens County when a young 
man and settled in Ames Township, and afterward removed to 
Hocking County. He returned with his family to Athens County 
in 1834, where he died in 1S65. Our subject learned the carpen- 
ter's trade when a young man, and followed that avocation con- 
tinually for twenty-eight years, when he began farming, though he 
occasionally works at his trade, lie was married June 5, 1856, to 
Eliza Tippe. They have had seven children, three living— Wes- 
ley, Sarah and Joseph. Mr. Ogg owns 110 acres of valuable 
land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

Rev. J. Green Potter, section 30, was born in Jefferson County, ]S\ 
Y., Oct. 27,«182S, and is a son of Jacob Potter, a native of Poultney, 
Vt., who removed to Jefferson County, N. Y., when a young man, 
and came with his family to this county in 1836, where the sub- 
ject of this sketch has since resided. He was brought upon a farm 
and received a common-school education, but for the most part is 
a self-made man. He has been a local preacher in the United 
Brethren church for the past twelve years. Mr. Potter was married 
Oct. 15, 1855, to Sarah M. Thomas. They have had eight children, 
seven of whom are living — Henry G., Mary P., Hettie E., Lulu 
M., Frank, Minnie R. and A. Eugene. One daughter, Ella, died 
in her seventeenth year. Mr. Potter taught school a few years when 
a young man. His son, Henry G., is in the employ of the Chicago 
Stock Publishing Company. Miss Hettie is a prominent teacher 
of Athens County. 

Ebenezer Pratt was born in Marietta, Ohio, June 19, 1813. 
His father, Azariah Pratt, was a native of Saybrook, Conn., and a 
descendant of Lieutenant William Pratt, who came from England 
to America in 1633, and was an early settler of Hartford. Aza- 
riah Pratt came to Marietta, Ohio, in the spring of 1788, but soon 
returned and remained until after the close of the Indian war. His 
wife, Sarah Nye, was in the fort at Marietta during that war. and 
saw the Indians attempt to kill George Meigs. Our subject came 
with some of the family to Dover Township in 1821 and did some 
work on their land, and one or two years later they moved here. 
He has since lived on the same farm. II is educational advantages 
were very limited. He was married, Dec. 31, 1835, to Susan W. 
Wells, daughter of Varnam G. Wells. They had six children, 



758 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

four living — Mary, Minerva J. , Panthea and Sarah. ; one daughter, 
Lucy, died at the age of forty-three years. Mr. Pratt was Trustee of 
Dover Township about twelve years. He owns 1S6 acres of valu- 
able land, and is engaged in general farming. 

WiU lam H. Price, son of John H. Price, was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, April 11, 1850. He was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived a common-school education. He came to Athens County in 
July, 1870; has worked at various avocations, but has followed min- 
ing coal the greater part of the time for the past five years. Mr. 
Price married Mary J. Larch, April 11, 1S7S. They have one child 
— William H. Mrs. Price's father, John Larch, is a resident of 
Athens County. 

Peter Push, section 30, Dover Township, was born in Bedford 
Count}', Penn., March 11, 1806. His father, John Push, of 
Pennsylvania, brought his family to Perry County, Ohio, in 1S12. 
The subject of this sketch came to this county about 1830, which 
was then inhabited by deer, wolves and other wild animals, and 
has lived here ever since. Mr. Push was married Oct. 20, 1S26, 
to Susannah Linscott, daughter of Israel Linscott. They have had 
eleven children, of whom four are living — Calvin, George, Almira 
and Minerva. Alva J. was married, and at his death left four chil- 
dren — Peburta, George, Barbara E. and Martha. George carries 
on the farm. Another son of our subject, Hiram, died at the age 
of eighteen years. Mr. Rush owns sixty-live acres of land. 

Joel Sanders was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 16, 
181-4. His father, Benjamin Sanders, a native of Georgia, was a 
Quaker, but was excommunicated for marrying Sarah Wilkins. 
Joel was the third of their sixteen children, of whom seven are 
living — Milton, of Boston, Mass.; Joel; Jesse, in Iowa; Alusha N., 
of Chicago; llebecca, of Wis.; Mrs. Margaret Ellis, of Iowa, and 
Mrs. Lizzie Donahue, of Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Sanders was 
married May 14, 1838, to Cynthia B., daughter of Ezra Johnson, 
an early settler of Athens County, who died here in 1873, in his 
eighty-fourth year. They have had five children, four living — Ben- 
jamin N., Charles D., Lewis W. and Chester L. One son, Joseph 
M., died in 1862 at the age of sixteen years. Mr. Sanders came 
to Athens County with his parents in 1830. lie was Postmaster 
at Millfield for seven years; was Trustee of Dover Township three 
years, Superintendent of Infirmary eight years, Township Clerk 
seven years, and was elected Justice of the Peace in 1882. One 
son, Charles D., was a soldier in the late war. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 759 

Ebmezer Shanerw&s born in Muskingum County, Ohio, .Jan. 7, 
L81 -1. His father, Adam Slianer, was born on Little Yah River, 
Pa., about 1784; and his grandfather, Matthias Shaner, was a 
German by birth and a Revolutionary soldier. Adam Shaner set- 
tled in Muskingum, Ohio, in L805. The subject of this sketch 
was brought upon the farm and educated in a subscription school- 
He helped to operate the first saw-mill that was built in the vicin- 
ity of Zanesville. He came to this county in December, 1834, 
where he has since lived, except a short time spent in Morgan 
County. lie was married March 18, 1834, to Mary A., 
daughter of Joseph Taylor. They have had eleven children, six 
living— Adam, Debora A., Loviua E., Samantha R., George and 
HattieM. Mr. and Mrs. Slianer lost three sons in the late war 
while lighting for their country. Oliver P. was" in Company A, 
Thirty-first Ohio Infantry. Davis was in Company A, Sixty-third 
Ohio Infantry, and Justice T. was in Company B, Seventy-fifth 
Ohio Infantry. The others, Elizabeth J . and Win. II., were aged 
eighteen and two'years respectively. Mr. Shaner was also a sol- 
dier in the late war, in Company A, Sixty-third Ohio Infantry. 
lie was taken sick and was discharged after being in the hospital 
about eighteen months. He now draws a pension. Mr. Shaner 
has always been a farmer, and has seen many hardships and priva- 
tions. 

William O. Silvey , agent of the Hocking Valley Railroad Com- 
pany, express agent and Postmaster at Salina, Athens County, was 
born in Marietta, Ohio, May 24, 1845, a son of John Silvey, a 
native of Pennsylvania, who resides in Middleport, Ohio. Our 
subject received his education in Wheelersburg, Ohio, working on 
a farm near by in summer, and attending school winters. lie 
enlisted in the late war, in < iompany E, Thirty-third Ohio Infantry, 
for three years, and participated in the battles of Stone River, 
Chickamauga and Resaca. He was then taken sick and sent to Hos- 
pital No. 3, Nashville, but in a few days was detailed one of Gen- 
eral Rosecrans's clerks, in which capacity he served until he was 
discharged in October, 1864. He worked at feeding horses for the 
Q-overnmenta short time after returning from the war, then went 
to Racine, Ohio, where he engaged in the silversmith trade, but 
soon after abandoned it and engaged in the boot and shoe business, 
lie went to Vincent Station on the M. & C. R. R. in L868, where 
he learned telegraphy. He came to Salina in 1869, and clerked in 
the Salt Company's store, and had charge of the telegraph office 



760 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

here at the same time. As soon as the railroad was completed to 
Salina he entered into the employ of the company at Nelsonville, 
and about a month later took charge of the office at Salina, where 
he still remains. Mr. Silvey was married Oct. 26,1871, to Aurelia 
Chamberlin, by whom he has one child — "William II. Mrs. Silvey 
died Oct. 26, 1874, and he again married, May 1, 1877, Ruth Bar- 
ker, daughter of Joseph Barker, an early settler of Athens County. 
This union lias been blessed with two children — Effie May and 
Annie Aurelia, the former live j^ears and the latter three years 
old. Mr. Silvey is a Mason and a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. 

Charles It. Smith was born in Rhode Island, Dec. 12, 1817. 
His father, Stephen Smith, was a sea captain for many years, some- 
times being absent from home two years at a time. Our subject 
received his early education at Providence and Newport, R. I., and 
in the Manual Labor School at Pawtucket. At the latter place he 
prepared for college and entered Brown University in 1835, but 
left at the close of the Sophomore year, on leave of absence, and 
finally drifted to Hocking Valley, Ohio, and never returned. 
"When he came West he had no definite object in view, but came 
merely to see the world west of the mountains. His route here 
was via Long Island Sound, Hudson River, New York Central R. 
R. (then terminating at Utica), Erie Canal, Lake Erie, to Ashta- 
bula; thence by stage to Steubenville; thence by Ohio River to 
Marietta; thence on horseback to Athens, arriving at the latter 
place in August, 1839. He clerked for ten months in Norman 
Root's store, when he was homesick and started home, but his 
finances gave out at Pittsburg, and he w T ent to work to obtain 
money to complete his journey. "While there he met Frederick 
Harbach, a young surveyor from Massachusetts, who was also 
homesick and without money. They talked matters over and con- 
cluded to go "West, whereupon they put their scanty means together 
and bought a skiff and some provisions and floated down the Ohio 
River to the mouth of the Hocking, where our subject stopped off 
temporarily, while Harbach went to St. Louis, intending to send 
for Smith as soon as he should find a position for him; but he never 
sent tor him. Mr. Smith then came to Chauncey, which was then 
just building up. After a short time as bookkeeper, he became 
clerk for Ewing, Vinton & Co., the original salt company, and 
afterward became superintendent of their business. The first 
coal that was shipped from Hocking Valley into the market was 



HfSTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 761 

done under Mr. Smith's supervision. By his scientific system of 
bookkeeping and calculation, he showed to the Hocking Valley 
Coal and Salt Company that they were making no money on the 
salt produced, and they abandoned its manufacture in 1881. Our 
subject was appointed Postmaster of Chauncey in 1842, and the 
same year was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace. He 
filled both offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to the peo- 
ple tor many years. For six years he was Infirmary Director, and 
for many years Treasurer of Dover Township. The Esquire was a 
prominent candidate before the Republican nominating convention 
in 1876, and in 1879 he left the party and now votes with the Dem- 
ocrats. He was married in December, 1842, to Eliza Everett, ot 
Ames Township, a daughter of George Everett (deceased), an early 
settler of that township. They had four children, two of whom 
are living— Maria (now Mrs. Thomas Sheppard, ot Nelsonville), 
and Charles R., Jr., of Chicago. One son, Frederick H., died, in 
Missouri, May 15, 1873, at the age of twenty-six years. Mrs. 
Smith died July 17, 1849, and he again married, April 7, 1851, 
Rachel Haning, a daughter of Isaac Haning, by whom he has had 
four children, two living — George H., a merchant of Chauncey, 
and Mary A., now Mrs. Geo. H. Knight, ot Providence, R. I. Mr. 
and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian church in 
Athens. 

David Smith was born in Ward Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
June 19, 1849, a son of Robert H. Smith, of Missouri. Mr. 
Smith spent his boyhood days on the farm, and attended the com- 
mon schools. At the age of twenty he came to Chauncey, and has 
since been engaged in mining coal. For the past two years he has 
worked in the mine at the Chauncey Salt "Works. He was married 
March 19, 1S72, to Anna, daughter of Nathan Pickett, an old set- 
tlor of this county, but now a resident of Kansas. They had three 
children, two of whom are living — Nettie and Robert. He is a 
member of I. O. O. F. 

William SmifJi was bom in this township June 18, 1845, and 
is a son of John Smith, a native of Athens County. His grand- 
father. Samuel Smith, was a native of Virginia, and an early settler 
in Athens County. Mr. Smith was a soldier in the late war, in 
Company A. Sixty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and 
accompanied Sherman to the sea. He was married Jan. 1, 1S66, 
to Dorcas, daughter of John Shannon. She was born in "Waterloo 
rownship, this county. Her father came with his parents to this 



762 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

county when a small boy. Mr. Smith's parents had fourteen chil- 
dren, nine of whom are now living — Isaac, Samuel, William, John, 
Elisha, Ezra, Mary, Elizabeth and Belle. The father died in 1873, 
at the age of sixty-nine. Mrs. Smith's parents had nine children, 
six of whom are living — Jackson, Sarah, Eleanor, Nancy, John and 
Dorcas. 

Charles W. Southerton, Sunday Creek Valley, one and a half 
miles north of Chaunce}*, was born in Dover Township, where he 
now lives, May 22, 1831. His father, James Southerton, came to 
Athens County from Englandin 1820, and settled where our sub- 
ject now resides. He married Harriet Renment, and they had 
eight children, four now living — James P., Harriet (Mansfield), 
Rhoda A.' (White), and Charles W-, who was brought up on the old 
homestead and received a common-school education. He owns 
520 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. He was married Dec. 9, 1S57, to Lydia Deshler, daughter 
of Christopher Deshler. They had four children, but one of whom 
is living — Cora C. One son, Hiram W., died at the age of eight 
years. Mr. Southerton's father died in 1810. 

James P. Southerton was born in the parish of Sussex, England, 
Dec. 17, 1811, and is a son of James Southerton, a native of the 
same place, who brought his family to this county in 1821, and 
settled in Dover Township. Our subject was educated in the 
select, or subscription, schools of the pioneer days. There was a 
log cabin where the family settled, and one acre slashed. Mr. 
Southerton has helped clear two farms. When he settled where he 
now lives it was in the woods. He was married in June, 1S3G, to 
Elizabeth II., daughter of James Musgrave, a native of Virginia. 
She was born in Tyler County, Va., and came to Muskingum 
County with her parents in 1S33, and to this county in 1835. They 
have had thirteen children, of whom eight are living — Sarah A., 
William B., Clark N., L. Horton, Hiram, Maria, Edwin and Alice. 
Mr. Southerton has worked at the cooper's trade winters for the 
past thirty or more years. He owns 223 acres of valuable land, 
and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mrs. Southerton is 
a member of the Methodist church. 

Jonathan Spaulding, section 1, Dover Township, was born in 
Hillsboro County, N. II., March 29, 1805, a son of A. Spaul- 
ding. He went with his parents to Windham County, Vt, in 
1816, where the father died. Our subject went to Massachusetts 
in 1822, to Maryland in January, 1829, and Philadelphia in 1S30. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 763 

He helped build the first railroad that was built in the United 
States, between Quincy and Milton, Mass., in about 182-i. It was 
only four miles long. Mr. Spaulding worked at granite-stone cut- 
ting twelve years. From 1834 to 1836 he superintended the build- 
ing of the first railroad that crossed the Allegheny Mountains. He 
helped build the first railroad out of Baltimore, and the first one 
out of Philadelphia. He also helped to run the first railroad en- 
gine ever run in the United States. In 1836 he helped build the 
limestone bridge on the turnpike across Will Creek, at Cumber- 
land, Md., and in 1837 he came to Zanesville, Ohio, where he cut 
stone three years. He came to Athens County in 1810, where he 
has been farming and working at his trade until the last few years. 
He was married in March, 1836, to Melinda Parr, a native of Ad- 
ams County, Pa. They had eight children, five living — Jonas R., 
William A., John M., Susan R. and Mary A. One son, Eli, died 
at the age of twenty-one years. Mrs. Spaulding died in January, 
1870, and Mr. Spaulding was married in July, 1872, to Mrs. Sidney 
Bay, who died in January, 1873. His son, William A., lives on 
the old homestead with his father and runs the farm. He married 
Mary Hoisington, by whom he has two children — Lizzie and Bertie. 
The family are Methodists. John H. Spaulding married Charlotte 
Richmond and has two children — Harrie and Nellie. He lives ad- 
joining the old homestead in Dover Township. 

John A. Stephenson was born in Newark, Ohio, Feb. 21 , 1835, 
and is a son of James A. Stephenson, who brought his family to 
Athens County in 183!». Our subject was reared on a farm and 
educated in Nelsonville. He farmed from 1857 to 1861, when he 
enlisted in the late war in Company H, Sixty-third Ohio Infantry, 
and served four years. He was in detached service all the time in 
the commissary department, under supervision of Colonel Gr. W. Ba- 
ker. He was present at the battles of Corinth, Champion Hills, siege 
of Vicksburg, Brandon, Nashville, Iuka and others. He came to 
Chauncey in 1866. Oct. 29, 1S57, he married Clara Birge, daugh- 
ter of William A. Birge. They have four children— Ollie L. (now 
Mrs. J. K. Brown), James W., Grade O. and Bertha B. Our sub- 
ject's brother, James K. P. Stephenson, was killed at the battle of 
Bull Run, while in defense of his country. Mr. Stephenson has 
been a miner for the past seventeen years, and has worked all that 
time in the mine of the Chauncey Salt Works. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. 



764 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Austin True, section 18, Dover Township, was born on the old 
homestead, where he now resides, March 6, 1818, and was a son 
of Josiah True (deceased). Mr. True was brought up on the old 
homestead, and- received but limited educational advantages. He 
has always lived on the farm, and formerly was extensively engaged 
in dealing in stock, buying and shipping to Baltimore. He was 
married Feb. 11, 1844, to Jane, daughter of Resolved Fuller. They 
have had four children, three of whom are living — Hiram, Sarah 
and John. The first married 'Julia Weethee, and had one child — 
Marcus W. His wife died, and he then married Helen Moore. 
They have two children — Evelyn and Augusta. Sarah True mar- 
ried Levi Sprague, and has had five children — Florence L. (de- 
ceased), "Wiley T., "Warren V., Myra G. and Jennie E. John True 
married Mattie Maxwell, and has three children — Effie J., Laura 
E. and Lydia. Hiram was in the late war about nine months. He 
is now a physician in McConnelsville, Ohio. Mr. True owns about 
1,000 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock- 
raising. Mrs. True died in October, 1853. Mr. True never seeks 
for office or public favors. 

J. P. Weethee is descended from New England parentage. His 
father, Daniel "Weethee, and his mother, Lucy "Wilkins, came from 
Southern New Hampshire to Ohio in 1798. Mr. "Weethee settled in 
Dover Township, Athens County. Miss Wilkins being then sin- 
gle lived with her parents in the vicinity of Athens. After their 
marriage thev began their log-cabin life on Sunday Creek, in 
North Dover. An unbroken wilderness covered that part of the 
county. The Indians were there, but were preparing to move 
toward the distant "West. This couple had no company for some 
years but the red man and the wild beasts of the impenetrable 
forests — the bear, the panther and numerous packs of wolves, which 
congregated on hills and points in early eve to hold their night 
revels, and serenade the stars. Such a life was in gloomy contrast 
to the refined society of their New England homes. They were 
young, however, and a bright future was in anticipation. 

Mrs. "Weethee ended a long and quiet life on the same farm, 
while her husband, who survived her some years, died in Ames 
Township. They now sleep quietly together on a rise of ground, 
which commands a pleasing view of their early wilderness home. 

J. P. "Weethee, the subject of this memoir, was one of a numerous 
family born in a wilderness. His early thoughts were such as his 
surroundings would naturally suggest. His infancy, childhood ami 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 765- 

early youth were confined exclusively to Sunday Creek, and to 
what his Sunday Creek home was able to teach. His childhood 
was without any except parental instruction. His schooling in early 
youth was confined to two or three months in the year. His 
teachers knew nothing of the science of geography, had but lim- 
ited knowledge of the higher rules of arithmetic, and very seldom 
taught even the first principles of English grammar. Under such 
imperfect tuition Mr. "Weethee spent his first fifteen years. "With 
a view to a more educational turn of lite Mr. "Weethee, in the fall of 
1827, entered the Academical Department of the Ohio University. 
Being so imperfectly drilled in the primary branches, and knowing, 
little else than the uncouth manners of backwoods boys, his proa-, 
ress in Latin and in other branches was by no means flattering to 
himself or to the expectations of his relatives. He has often re- 
marked that his first year at the University was apparently thrown 
away, and yet it prepared his constitution for the severe drill which 
followed in after years. It was a preparatory year. In the fall 
of 1532, one-half year being occupied in teaching, Air. Weethee 
took the degree of A. B., and that fall, about a month after his 
graduation, he commenced the study of medicine, under the private 
tuition of A. V. Medbery, M. D., a practicing physician of Athens. 
Under his instruction Mr. "Weethee continued two years. The mis- 
cellaneous exercises of those two years opened up to Mr. "Weethee 
a new field of future usefulness. During the vacation that fol- 
lowed his graduation, a camp-meeting was held by Rev. John 
Morgan and others, Cumberland Presbyterian ministers from the 
South (Alabama). In the great revival of that camp-meeting, Mr. 
Weethee made a profession of faith in Christ, and during the follow- 
ing winter joined the Athens church of that denomination. 

During the two years of Mr. "Weethee's medical studies he was 
occupied in Sabbath-schools, in various religious meetings and in 
Scripture investigations. Another field of future usefulness, one 
that seemed more vitally important, now called his attention — the 
ministry; for to do good, rather than to make money, appeared to 
Mr. "Weethee the highest motive of existence. In the fall of 1834 
Mr. "Weethee went to Pittsburg, Penn., and placed himself under 
the care of the Pennsylvania Presbytery of the Cumberland Pres- 
byterian church and commenced his studies for the ministry under 
Rev. J. Morgan, then Pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian con- 
gregation at Uniontown, Pa. At that location was Madison College, 
whose first President was Rev. II. B. Bascom, the great orator of 



766 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the time. Difficulties in the Methodist Episcopal church finally 
caused the college to suspend. By invitation of the trustees he 
opened a school in the college building. For the first three weeks 
he had but three pupils. He remained at the college eight years, 
graduated classes, and saw for years over 100 students during 
each session. Those were for Mr. Weethee (he being President) 
years of great mental exercise. He had at times to fill each pro- 
fessorship. He commenced teaching at sunrise, and usually heard 
from fifteen [to twenty classes a day. On Saturdays he rode 
eighteen miles to a church, preached at night and on Sabbath at 
11 a. m., and rode home in the afternoon ready to commence col- 
lege exercises on Monday morning. He had no mental vacation. 
In 1842 Mr. "Weethee was elected to the Presidency of Beverly 
College, Washington County, Ohio, and in the fall of that year he 
moved to Beverly and took charge of the institution. This college 
was placed under the care of the Pennsylvania Synod of the Cum- 
berland Presbyterian church. It being in the vicinity of Marietta 
College, an old and well-established institution, its prospects were 
by no means flattering. During his first winter (1812 -'3) Mr. 
"Weethee took his first departure from what is generally regarded 
the "Orthodox faith." 

On examining the prophecies'relative to the future, more espe- 
cially those of Daniel ii., vii., viii. and ix., and of the Apocalypse, 
Mr. "Weethee concluded that those chains of prophecy were about 
to close, and as they brought the Son of Man again from heaven he 
believed that the advent was near. He considered it his duty to 
make public his convictions, being fully persuaded that the mes- 
sage would be glad tidings to all that loved his appearing. Oppo- 
sition to those doctrines soon taught Mr. "Weethee that Paul was 
mistaken when he said, " that a crown was laid up for all that 
loved his appearing," or that there were but few Christians. Op- 
position, however, did not deter him from proclaiming the truth. 
AVherever amongst all denominations a door was opened, Mr. 
"Weethee was heard in heralding the coming Redeemer. 

In the fall of 1S11 Mr. Weethee, by invitation, visited Cincin- 
nati, where he continued to preach during part of the winter. In 
the following spring (1815) he removed to Cincinnati and took 
charge of the Second Advent congregation, with which he con- 
tinued till the spring of 1818. His ministerial labors while re- 
siding in the Queen City were constant and quite severe. In the 
spring of 1818 he removed to Boston, Mass., and took charge of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 767 

the Chardon Street Church, where he remained till the fall of 1851. 
During his sojourn in Boston Mr. Weethee's labors in the great 
proclamation were more arduous than at Cincinnati. He was 
called to attend tent meetings in various parts of New England. 
He held protracted meetings in New York City, continuing six 
weeks, he speaking every night; also at Philadelphia, Lancaster, 
Baltimore, Brooklyn, Providence, Worcester, Bangor, Me., Wood- 
stock on the St. John's, N. B., Halifax, Nova Scotia, and in various 
other locations in the East. While residing in Boston Mr. Wee- 
thee took his second departure from popular orthodoxy, the re- 
jection ol man's natural immortalit} 7- . and the doctrine of endless 
torment. He holds Paul's declaration to be literally true, that 
"the wages of sin is death [not eternal conscious torments], but 
the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." 

In the fall of 1851 Mr. Weethee returned again to Ohio, visiting- 
Cleveland and Cincinnati. In a severe winter he returned from 
Cincinnati to Sunday Creek, the place of his nativity. In the fall 
of 1S53 he took charge of the Amesville Academy, and continued 
in that institution two years teaching and preaching. 

In the summer of 1855 he was elected President of Waynesburg 
College, located at Waynesburg, Greene Co., Pa. This college 
belonged, in its management, to the Pennsylvania Synod of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In the fall of 1855 Mr. Wee- 
thee removed to Waynesburg and entered upon his duties as Pres- 
ident of the college. In that institution was a female department 
so constructed (not by the charter) as to give two heads to one in- 
stitution. This arrangement did not suit his ideas ol a college. 
Still he continued there till the fall of 1858, when he resigned and 
returned to Ohio. During Mr. Weethee's Presidency the number 
of students increased from 70 to 143. He was not forced to leave, 
but he deemed it best so to do. He graduated three classes. 
During his sojourn in Waynesburg he was called upon by the citi- 
zens to do much of the preaching. By request of the citizens he 
delivered a course of seven lectures, two hours each, to large audi- 
ences, on the nature and destiny of man. 

In 1865 Mr. Weethee commenced teaching at his own residence 
which afterward grew into Weethee College, which was incorpo- 
rated. Many students attended this institution. Its location is 
high and commanding and the site unusually healthy. Owing to 
its surroundings the institution has never commanded, at anyone 
time, a large number of students; still it has had a reasonable patron- 



768 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

age. Mr. Weethee put all his means into the buildings, apparatus and 
cabinet, and consequently cramped himself as to his pecuniary re- 
sources. From 1S69 to 1875-'6 he was a worker in the Atlantic 
& Lake Erie Railway scheme, which afterward was changed to 
the Ohio Central. His labors of nearly seven years were lost in 
that enterprise. He was a Director and attended the last meeting 
of its board. That Ohio Central is the father of the present Ohio 
Central. 

Mr. Weethee consumed time in geological researches to ascertain 
the mineral resources of Sunday Creek Valley. His reports are 
found in parts of the State geological reports of Dover and Trimble 
townships, Athens County. From 1876 to the present time (1883) 
he has resided at his own quiet home on Mount Auburn, North 
Dover, Sunday Creek Valley. He spends his time principally in 
writing on the prophetic Scriptures, which are published weekly in 
a religious periodical called The Restitution. His views on great 
moral and religious topics are unpopular, yet he is fearless in pro- 
claiming his convictions. He thinks it safer to please God than to 
bow to the opinions of men. On all Scripture doctrines he consults 
the original Hebrew and Greek. What they teach he receives as 
the Divine voice. 

Mr. Weethee's habits have always been strictly temperate, mostly 
teetotal. He has never made use of tobacco, regarding the practices 
of chewing and smoking filthy, intemperate and morally degrading. 
He never uses ardent-spirits as a beverage. He pities the weak- 
ness of the drunkard, and utterly abhors the drunkard-makers. 
Had he the power dram-shops would immediately cease from the 
earth, and men from necessity would remain sober. He is there- 
fore a high type of prohibitionism. He uses neither tea nor coffee. 
The proceeds of these habits he devotes to the proclamation of the 
glad tidings of Christ's coming and reign. 

At the age of twenty-four years he married Miss Ann C. KreppSj 
of Philadelphia, with whom he is now living. She has always been 
to him, what every wife should be, a helpmate. A lady of deep re- 
ligious convictions, she has always aided her husband, by her indus- 
try and strict economy, to carry the gospel to the poor. Depriving 
herself of all luxuries she saves means to send to the aid of mission- 
ary efforts in distant lands, especially to the Hebrews. 

Ten miles due north of Athens in the valley of Sunday Creek, in 
a beautiful Gothic cottage on Mount Auburn, lives this couple in 
peace and in domestic quietude, Mrs. Weethee diligently occupied 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 769 

with her domestic affairs and with her garden of choice flowers, 
watching also the signs of the times, while her husband at his desk, 
pen in hand, choice books before and around him, sends forth 
weekly articles from the prophecies. Though living in retirement, 
yet by means of his pen he speaks weekly in various cities of the 
United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Holland, Switzerland, 
Jerusalem, India, New Zealand and to other parts of the world, look- 
ing for that blessed hope, the appearing of the Great God, even our 
Savior, Jesus, the Christ. 

Laurentius Weethee, deceased, late of Dover Township, was 
born on the old homestead in North Dover, on Sunday Creek, 
March 10, 1810, and is a brother of Prof. Perkins Weethee, of 
this township. Our subject was educated in the common schools. 
The family removed out of the old house into the new one when he 
was four years old, and he lived there until his death, and ate within 
two feet of the same place for sixty-four years. He was married 
Feb. 25, 1826, to Lucy Nye. They had three children, but one 
now living — Lydia, now Mrs. Dr. Sprague, of Toronto, Canada, 
Mrs. Weethee died Feb. 23, 1864, and Oct. 1, 1865, he married 
Mrs. Nancy Johnson, daughter of John D. Johnson, of Pennsyl- 
vania. They had three children — Emma, Albert and Lucy. Mr. 
Weethee died March 28, 1879. He was a man of very marked 
character, honest, upright, benevolent, and the poor man's friend. 
He was a kind neighbor, and true Christian gentleman. He was 
a farmer and stock-raiser, and owned 540 acres of valuable land, 

Andrew J. Willmarth was born in Fairfield, Franklin Co., 
Vt., Juno 17, 1811. His father, Rufus W. Willmarth, was also a 
native of Fairfield and a son of Ephraim Willmarth, a Revolu- 
tionary officer, who was wounded at the battle of Bennington. 
The Willmarths are descendants of John Willmarth, who came from 
England to America in a very early day. Our subject's Grand- 
father Willmarth and two brothers, John and Asa, were ship car- 
penters. Mr. Willmarth came to Muskingum County, Ohio, with 
his parents in 1818, and to this county in 1832, where he has since 
resided except three years spent in Clinton County, Ohio. He 
was married in the fall of 1833 to Sarah, daughter of Jacob Larue. 
They had one child — Sarah, now Mrs. Madison. Mrs. Willmarth 
died and he married, May 15, 1867, Mary, daughter of James 
Pugsley. Mr. Willmarth owns 137£ acres of valuable land. 
49 



770 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF TRIMBLE TOWNSHIP. 

Josiah Allen, dealer in hardware, furniture and lumber, senior 
member of the firm of Allen & Chadwell, is the oldest son of J. 
J. and Amanda R. (nee Fowler) Allen. He was born in Trimble 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 1859, and lived with 
his parents until manhood. He attended the common schools and 
six terms at the Mt. Auburn College; during a part of that time 
was engaged as teacher of the grammar branches. He attended 
the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, during the 
spring term of 1881. In the fall of 1878 he began teaching a 
Normal School at Trimble, and was thus engaged until 18S2. He 
also attended the Ohio University at Athens during the spring 
term of 1879. June 1, 1882, he engaged in the lumber and hard- 
ware business near Trimble. Dec. 20, the same year, he estab- 
lished his present business iu Trimble with Mr. Chadwell, and 
they now have a flourishing and increasing trade. Mr. Allen is a 
Master Mason, member of Bishopville Lodge, No. 470, A. F. & 
A. M. He is a member of the Disciple church and an ordained 
minister. 

gliomas Biddison, farmer, the oldest son of William and Mar- 
garet (Forker) Biddison, was born in Perry County, Ohio, July 10, 
1837. When fourteen years of age his parents removed to Athens 
County. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself. 
Aug.l7,1864,he enlisted in Company E,' One Hundred and Seventy- 
fourth Ohio Infantry, as a private for one } r ear, at Hartleyville, 
Ohio; was engaged with his regiment at Murfreesboro in 1864, 
and was wounded and sent to the hospital, and remained until 
February, 1865, when he received a furlough and was home one 
month. He then returned to Columbus and remained a short 
time; then to Camp Denison, where he was discharged, May 29, 
1S65. After his return home he purchased a farm, but sold it a 
year later and purchased a grist-mill in Morgan County. He ran 
his mill seven years and then sold out and rented land in Trimble 
Township, and farmed five years. He then purchased the farm on 
which he now resides. Jan. 8, 1860, he married Delilah, daughter 
of Morris and Emily (Edwards) Bryson, of Trimble Township. 
They have ten children — Henry, Maria, Elmer G., Luella, Sidney 
M., Silas, Ores A., Dilla M., Garfield, Clades L. and Rosie E. 

William Biddison, Jr., farmer, is the second son of William 
and Margaret (Forker) Biddison. He was born in Perry County. 
Ohio, Dec. 10, 1847. When he was three years of age his parents 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 771 

removed to Athens County, where he was reared, and received a com- 
mon-school education. March 5, 1865, he enlisted in Company A,One 
Hundred and Ninety -sixth Ohio Infantry, as a private for one year. 
He was with the command in the Shenandoah Valley; mustered out 
at Baltimore in September, 1865,and returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, 
where he was discharged Oct. 1, 1865. He then returned home 
and worked on a farm a year, and in the coal mines during the 
winter of 1866. In March, 1870, he rented land and farmed three 
years. He then removed to the home farm near Trimble and 
lived there four years. In April, 1877, he returned to the farm 
on school section, and has been farming to the present time. He 
has served as Township Trustee two years. Dec. 23, 1879, he 
married Loretta, daughter of S. T. and Mary (Swift) Kempton, of 
Trimble, Ohio. They have six children — Mary M., Laura A., 
William T., Dosie A., and Bertha M. and Bessie W. (twins), all 
at home. Raymond died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Biddison are 
members of the Disciple church. 

Wm. H. Braddock, jeweler, is the oldest son of M. J. and 
Julia (Meloy) Braddock, of New Lexington, Ohio. He was horn 
March 23, 1859, at New Lexington, Ohio, and lived there with 
his parents until nineteen years old, receiving a common-school 
education. March 3, 1879, became to Trimble, Ohio, and worked 
at his trade as jeweler, in the store of G. A. Russell, until Oct. 23 of 
that same year, when his father-in-law gave him property in Trim- 
ble, where he located his present business and has continued to the 
present time with an increasing business. During the years 1880 
and 1S81 he had groceries in connection with his jewelry busi- 
ness. He is a Master Mason, member of Bishopville Lodge, 
No. 170, A. F. & A. M., Bishopville, Ohio. July 3, 1879, he mar- 
ried Clara, daughter of James and Mary A. (Vore) Duffee, of 
Trimble, Ohio. They had one child — William M. Mrs. Braddock 
is a member of the Disciple church. 

Isaac E. Chappelear, proprietor of livery and feed stable at 
Corning, Perry County, and Trimble, Athens County, second son 
of James W. and Mary (Murphy) Chappelear, was born near Ring- 
gold, Morgan Co., Ohio. At the age of twenty -one years he 
rented a farm in Morgan County, and farmed four years. From 
August, 1S80, to August, 1881, he was engaged in the sale of patent 
medicines for M. C. Chappelear, of Zanesville, Ohio, traveling 
through the counties of Muskingum, Washington, Athens, Guern 
sey, Morgan, Noble and Harrison. In the fall of 18S1 he was en- 



772 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

gaged in the hardware and grocery business at Byesville, Guernsey 
Co., Ohio, for three months, when he traded his stock of goods 
for lands in Missouri. In the spring of 1882 he established his liv- 
ery and feed stables at Corning, Ohio, and in February, 1883, he 
opened his stables at Trimble. He is a Master Mason, member 
of Lodge No. 470, A. F. & A. M., Bishopville, Morgan Co., Ohio; 
was Senior Deacon of lodge from November, 1878, to November 
1879, and Secretary from November, 1879, to November, 1880. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Harvey D. Danford, M. V., physician, is the second son of 
John and Mary (Bradrick) Danford, and was born in Homer Town- 
ship, Morgan Co., Ohio, Sept. 23, 1844. He lived with his 
parents on the farm until seventeen years of age, and received a 
common-school education. In October, J 861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was with that regiment 
some five months, when on account of his age he was sent home. 
Returning home he attended select school until June, 1863, when 
he enlisted in Company I, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, as a private 
for three years, or during the war. His command was first sta- 
tioned at Covington, Ky. ; from there to Lexington, Ky.; then at Fort 
Clay until February, 1864. They were then removed to Burside 
Point on the Cumberland River. In March they were removed 
to Knoxville, Tenn., and for several months were engaged in scout- 
ing the surrounding eountry; from there to Greenville, Tenn. In 
the spring of 1864 he was detailed by special order as an Orderly to 
Colonel C. G. Hawley, acting Brigadier-General, and served in that 
capacity until his term of service expired. July 25, 1865, he was 
discharged with his command at Knoxville, Tenn., and mustered 
out at Camp Denison, Ohio, Aug. 24 following, and returned home 
and attended school for a few months. Then engaged in the oil 
business for a short time. In the fall of 1S66 he began the study 
of medicine with Dr. W. E. "W. Shepard, of Nelsonville, Ohio; 
was with him three years, and during that time took two courses 
in the medical college of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating March 1,1870. 
May 1, 1S70, he located at Trimble, Ohio, with Dr. John Dew. They 
practiced together three years. Dr. Danford is a member of 
Bishopville Lodge, No. 470, A. F. & A. M., Bishopville, Ohio; 
Athens Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M.; Athens Council, No. 15, R.A 8, 
M., and Athens Commandery, No.15, Knights Templar. April 10, 
1872, he married Lydia, daughter of Morris and Emily (Edwards) 
Bryson, of Trimble. They have one child— Yernon G. Mr. Dan- 
ford is a member of the Disciple church. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 773 

Silas J. Danford, dealer in general merchandise, is the senior 
member of the firm of Danford 6c Bradrick, Trimble, Ohio. He 
is the second son of John and Mary (Bradrick) Danford, and was 
born in Morgan County, Ohio, Feb. 7, 1848, and lived with his 
parents on the farm until manhood. He attended the common 
select schools and at the age of seventeen commenced teaching. In 
the spring of 1808 he attended the Iowa University at Mt. Pleas- 
ant, two terms. After leaving the University he taught school 
during the winter of 1868 and 1869. He returned to Morgan 
County, Ohio, in the spring of 1869, and resumed teaching, mak- 
ing his home at his father's. In the spring of 1871 he went to 
Iowa and Missouri in the interest of a patent hay-rake and fork, 
and was there three months. He returned home in the summer of 
1S71, and taught until the spring of 1873, when he went to Akron, 
Ohio, and attended the Akron Business College one term. He 
then taught until September, I s 77. when he came to Trim- 
ble, Ohio, and purchased a grocery of E. X. Morehead. In 
the fall of 1880 he added dry goods, having at other times com- 
bined stationery and notions. In 1881 he added hardware in 
connection with his other business and continued the business alone 
until Dec. 1, 1881, when he formed a partnership with John F. 
Chadwell, and conducted the business under the firm name of Dan- 
ford & Chadwell one year. In December, 1S82, they dissolved 
partnership by mutual assent. He then rented his property to 
other parties and purchased the property and established the 
present firm where they now are doing an increasing business 
near the depot. Since the spring of 1878 he has been Township 
Treasurer. He is a member of the Disciple church. 

JI- P. Davis, If. Z>., physician, is the oldest son of Malon 
and Hylinda (Anderson) Davis. He was born near Long Island, 
N« J.. May 13, 1813. His parents moved to Zanesville, Ohio, 
when he was a small boy, and from there to "Wolf Creek, Morgan 
Co., Ohio, where he lived and worked on a farm and received 
a common-school education. He taught school during the winter 
months, and attended college for a time at Granville, Ohio. At 
the age of twenty-one years he began the study of medicine with 
Dr. E. "W". Tinker, of Rosseau, Morgan Co., Ohio, and was with 
him about three years. In the spring of 1838, he located in 
Amesville, Athens County, and practiced there three years. He 
then removed to Perry County, Ohio, and practiced there two 
years; then lived in South Charleston, Ohio, one year, when he 



774 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

returned to Perry County and purchased a farm near Miller Town 
and carried on farming in connection with his practice until the 
spring of 1852. In April, 1852, he sold his property and pur- 
chased a farm near Trimble. In December, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company E, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years as 
First Lieutenant. In May, 1862, he came home with the remains 
of his son who died at Corinth, and resigned his position and re- 
sumed the practice of his profession and farming until his death, 
Feb. 29, 1876. Dec. 13, 1838, he married Lydia A.,. daughter of 
Samuel and Mary II. (Tinker) Morrow, of Perry County, Ohio. 
Four children were born to them, only two now living — Amanda S. 
and Arius N. Lydia V. died at the age of two years. Malon Oscar 
died at Corinth, Miss., May 27, 1862. He was drummer of Com- 
pany E, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mrs. Davis lives at 
the homestead with her son Arius. 

Lewis W. Fulton, farmer, Trimble Township, Athens County, 
is the oldest son of Zephaniah and Laura (Fay) Fulton. He 
was born in Dover Township, Athens County, April 27, 1847, 
and lived with his parents until seventeen years of age, working 
on the farm and attending the common schools. Sept. 27, 1S64, 
he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Reg- 
iment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Trimble, Ohio, as a private for 
one year, and was engaged in the battles of the Cedars near Stone 
River, Overhaul Creek, Decatur, Ala., near Kingston, N. C, 
joined Sherman near Goldsboro, N. C, and was present at John- 
son's surrender, returning to Columbus, Ohio, where he was dis- 
charged July 6, 1865. He then returned home and purchased 
a farm in Trimble Township. In 1869 he sold his farm and 
removed to Doniphan County, Kas., and purchased lands and 
farmed one year. He then sold his lands and returned to Trim- 
ble Township and purchased the farm on which he at pres- 
ent resides, though he sold it in February, 1883, and is now em- 
ployed by O. D. Jackson in managing his lumber interests. July 
15, 1867, he married Miss Clarisa A., daughter of A. II. and 
Almira (Phillips) Chute, of Ward Township, Hocking County. 
They have three children — Laura L., Mary F. and Chester A., all 
at home. Two children, Augustus and Lucy, died in infancy. 
Himself and wife are members of the Disciple church. 

Oliver D. Jackson, owner and proprietor of mines and store, 
and founder of the town of Jacksonville, is the only son of Joshua 
H. and Mary (Bean) Jackson. He was born in York Township, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 775 

Athens County, May 18, 1848, and lived there until 1854, when 
his parents removed to Ward Township, Hocking County. At the 
age of nineteen years lie began teaching school, and taught daring 
the winter season four years. Aug. 25, 1872, he and his father 
established a hardware store at New Straitsville, Perry Co., Ohio, 
under the firm name of J. H. Jackson & Son. In September, 1875, 
he purchased his father's interest and continued the business alone 
until May 1, 1877, when he sold a portion of his business there, 
and removed a portion of his stock to Bessemer and established a 
general mercantile store, and in November following removed his 
business to Buchtel, and April 1, 1878, he sold an interest in the 
business to the Akron Iron Company. He was then having full 
charge of the management of the store and live-stock business of 
the company until Sepf. 10, 1882, when he sold his interest to the 
Akron Iron Company. In April, 1880, he purchased the first lands 
where he is now in business, and has added adjoining lands con- 
tinually to the present time. He began business at this point Sept. 
15, 1882, and is now shipping coal from his mines, and has a vil- 
lage Jaid out covering sixty acres. Sept. 7, 1875, he married Jane, 
daughter of David and Tryphena (Jndd) Eggleston, of Ward Town- 
ship. Hocking County. They have four children — Minnie E., 
William W„ Frederick II. and Edward B. 

J. W. Jenkins, miner, oldest son of William and Isabel (Roach) Jen- 
kins, was born near Oakhill, Jackson Co., Ohio, Dec. 23, 1854, and 
lived there with his parents until sixteen years old, attending the 
common-schools. At the age of sixteen years he was amployed as 
brakesman on the M. & C. R. R. After working there one year 
he returned home and attended school two years. He was then en- 
gaged mining ore near Iron ton, Ohio, about six months; then was 
watchman on steamer Fleetwood, on the Ohio River, one year. In 
1873 he went to the Ozark Iron Works, in Missouri, and was in 
charge of stone work for three months, when he went to Illinois 
and worked on a farm a short time, after which he returned home 
and attended school a year. He then taught and attended school 
alternately, two years. In 1877 he went to the Buchtel Furnace, 
Athens County, and worked there three years. In 18S0 he was at 
Nelsonville a few months, and then went to Orbiston and worked 
until the fall of 1882, when he purchased property at Jacksonville, 
and is now engaged in sinking shafts at the mines. He is a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 541, I. O. O. F., Haydenville, Ohio. May 7, 
1878, he married Mary, daughter of P. D. and Nancy (Dennis) 



776 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Conner, of Orbiston, Hocking County. They have two children — 
Edward A. and Annie I. 

Solomon H. Johnson, farmer and mill-owner, dealer in grain and 
stock at Trimble, Ohio, is the fifth son of John B. and Adaline S. 
(Tinker) Johnson. He was born Jan. 23, 1837, in Trimble Town- 
ship, Athens County, and lived with his parents until manhood, 
receiving a common-school education. His father dying when he 
wa3 eighteen years of age, he began managing the farm for his 
mother, and doing business for himself. In April, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company H, Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a pri- 
vate, for three months, was appointed Corporal, and served as such 
during the term of his enlistment. He was in West Virginia and 
skirmished with the enemy there. He was discharged at Athens, 
Ohio, in August, 1861. He then re-enlisted in Company A, Sixty- 
third Ohio Volunteer .Infantry, as a private, for three years. At 
the organization of his company he was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant and served as such until May 29,1862, when he was 
promoted to First Lieutenant of same company, and served as such 
until the battle of Farmington, Tenn., where he received an injury 
from a shell which disabled him to such an extent that he resigned 
in October, 1862. He was at the battles of New Madrid, Mo., 
Island No. 10, Farmington, Iuka, Miss., second battle of Corinth, 
Miss. After he returned home in 1862, he resumed farming and 
etock-dealing for several years. During the years 1872 and 1873 
he built a mill in partnership with his brother, S. M. Johnson, as 
half owner, and was thus engaged until February, 187S, when he 
sold his interest to his brother, continuing his farm and stock busi- 
ness, dealing in fine horses. In the spring of 1S82 he formed a 
partnership for the construction of his present mill interest, the 
firm of Johnson, Wolf & Co., he being the senior member. He 
was elected Township Treasurer in the spring of 1876 and served 
two years. Jan. 22, 1865, he married Sarah E., daughter of 
David and Sarah (Dickson) Jones, of Hocking County. Mr. and 
Mrs. Johnson are members of the Diseiple church. 

J. II Jones, farmer, second son of David and Sarah (Dickson) 
Jones, was born in Ward Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, April 
1, 1810. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-sec- 
ond Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Nelsonville, Ohio, as a private for 
three months, and was discharged at Athens, Ohio, in August, 
1861. He then returned home and resumed farming until the 
spring of 1864, when he was called out 100 days in the Ohio 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 777 

National Guards. Served four months and was discharged at Camp 
Chase in the fall of 1864:. His regiment was on duty at Washing- 
ton, D. C, when Early invaded Maryland. When discharged he 
returned home and resumed farming. In March, 1868, he pur- 
chased the farm where he now resides. He has served as Town- 
ship Trustee for six years. Oct. 7, 1869, he married Nancy M., 
daughter of David and Mary (Morrow) Spencer, of Perry County, 
Ohio. They have five children — Edgar C, Carlos P., Oscar D., 
Orpha M. and Hannah E. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of 
the Disciple church. 

J. IF*. Jones, farmer and dealer in real estate, oldest son of David 
and Sarah (Dixon) Jones, was born in York Township, Athens 
County. March 8, 1836, where he lived with his parents until 
ten years of age. Dec. 23, 184<">, his father was drowned in Hocking 
River, near Nelsonville. His mother then removed to Homer 
Township, Morgan County, where he lived with her one year. He 
then lived with Jonathan Nesmith in Dover Township until four- 
teen years of age, when his mother removed to York Township and 
he lived with her and attended school during the winter. At the 
age of fifteen years he began hauling coal in Nelsonville, and worked 
during the summer and went to school during the winter for sev- 
eral years. In 1855 he was apprenticed to William Weller, of 
-X ulsonville, to learn the boot and shoe trade and worked six months. 
The following year he worked at boot and shoe making for S. H. 
Tinker, of Nelsonville. He then had charge of a canal boat three 
months and dealt in stock. He then rented a farm until 1861. 
Sept. 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-third Regiment 
Ohio Infantry, at Trimble, Ohio, as a private for three years; was 
in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Farm- 
ington, first and second battles at Corinth, and was one of a num- 
ber who hauled two thirty-two pound Parrot guns by hand from 
New Madrid to Tiptonville, eighteen miles; also at Iuka and with 
his regiment to Eastport, Tenn., where he was detailed as Hospital 
Steward and served as such until discharged. He was discharged at 
Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1861. In February, 1865, he purchased a 
farm in Trimble Township and farmed and worked at the boot and 
shoe trade for two years. He then added more lands and farmed 
in partnership with his brother James until 1872 when he pur- 
chased his brother's interest. He sold his farm February, 1873. 
He was then employed by Thomas Ewing buying lands and pros- 
pecting until 1879. August, 1879, he purchased the Allen farm 



77 s HISTORY OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

and has been engaged in farming and dealing in real estate and Btook 
to the present time, lie tilled the office of Township Clerk, i>.'>:> 
ami L856; Trustee, L868, and Special Trustee nine years; was Land 
Appraiser in 1880, ami is at present Justice "t" Peace, lie is a 
Master Mason, member of Lodge No. 470, A. F. & A. M., Bishop- 
ville. Morgan County. Dec. 8, L864, he married Martha E., daugh- 
ter of George S. and Sarah (Smith) Anderson, of Socking County. 
They had seven children — Sarah L., Ella L., dames S., Joseph E., 
Elmer L., Aliee B. and Silas 11. His wife died Jan. 10, 1881, aged 
forty-two vears. .Inly 12, 1881, he married Laura, daughter of 
Jacob L. ami Rebecca (Miller) Wyatt, oi Trimble Township. They 
have one child — Frederick L. His wife is a member of the Dis- 
ciple church. 

James F. Kempton, fourth son of Stephen X. and Abigail (Tol- 
bert) Kemp ton, was born in Trimble Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, March 1, 1841, ami lived With his parents on a farm until 
twenty years o( age, attending the common school. April 27, 1801, 
he enlisted in Company 11, Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, as a private, for three months, and served his term of en- 
listment in West Virginia and Maryland; was discharged at Athens, 
Ohio, Aug. 31, L861. In September, 1861, he re-enlisted in Com- 
pany 1>. Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, for three 
years, and was appointed Second Sergeant of his company. In 1862 
he was promoted to First Sergeant o( company, and served as 
such until November, L863. lie was taken prisoner at the battle 
of Gettysburg, Pa., duly 22, 1863, and was confined in Libbv and 
Belle Isle prisons, Va., for twenty days, when he was exchanged 
and returned to his command. In November, L863, he was com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant, and sent home on recruiting service, 
and was thus employed until April. 1801, when he returned to his 
regiment in Florida, and was promoted to First Lieutenant and 
assigned to the command of his company. At the battle ofGains- 
ville, Florida, he and the majority o( the regiment were taken prison- 
ers; were in prison a 6hort time in Macon, Ga., thence to Charleston, 
S. 0., under tire of the Federal batteries two months. He was 
then removed to Columbia, S. C; remained there until March 1, 
when he was removed to Wilmington, N. C, and then exchanged. 
Soon after he reported at Washington, D. C, and was discharged 
in March, L865. lie was engaged in the battles of MoPowell. \\ . 

Ya.. Chaucellorsville, John's Island. Gettysburg, Fa., White Point 
Landing, Camp Baldwin and Clay Ridge, Florida. Returning 



779 
in harness-maki 

\\c. ■ I 3. Ho 

.' 

-■ 
] bis farm to 0. D. J 

• 
. inel and E izabeth (E 
] 
F. and Frank T. Mr. and Mrs. K 
Dis< 
8tepJu T. Kempton, Eactnrer a 

\ 
ton. and ira« born near N -• a., Jan. 13, 182( I 

■ 

the;. 

one year. They then cam 
. .' - I 
•; T icker place, »nd fai 
fan; 

>n of land in section 13, 1 

Ifr. K';:: Fnl- 

a 

and shoe trad 

himself near l ar. and then work< 

in Trimble, for - 

.op in Trim', 
- to the present time, 1 
Dnrii g 

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— A mar. of \V*r. 

... John I-'.. . . . 
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and V 

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iam A. and - 

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moved v 



780 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

County, and three years later removed to Hocking County and 
lived three 3 T ears. They then returned to Athens County, Dover 
Township, where Peter R. lived with his parents, working on the 
farm, tending the grist-mill, and going to school till twenty-one 
years of age. He then worked in his father's mill for wages 
until 1865. During the year 1S65 he was in the employ of the 
New York and Ohio Oil Company. He then rented and farmed 
until the spring of 1873, when he purchased the farm where he 
lives. Aug. 8, 1863, he married Miss Frances E., daughter of 
Zephaniah and Laura (Fay) Fulton. They have five children — 
Florence E., Chester A., William Z., Mary A. and Charles. Har- 
vey R. died at the age of two years. Mr. Kidwell and wife are 
members of the Disciple church. 

Samuel M. Lefever, carpenter, joiner, contractor and builder, 
undertaker and proprietor of the Central Hotel, Trimble, Ohio, is 
the fourth son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Step) Lefever. lie was born 
in Trimble Township, July 6,1840, and lived with his parents until 
nineteen years of age. At the age of nineteen he was apprenticed 
to C. C. Mingus to learn the carpenter's trade ; was with him eight- 
een months. He then worked four months with D. Andrews and 
I. P. Lefever. Dec. 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Seventy- 
fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years as a private; was in 
the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Chancellors ville, 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, siege of forts Wagner and Gregg, be- 
fore Charleston, and several minor engagements, during his term 
of service. Feb. 15,1865, he was discharged at Jacksonville, Fla., 
and returned home. He worked with B. C. Lefever for two years, 
and then began contracting and building for himself, and has con- 
tinued in the business to the present time, adding that of under- 
taking some nine years since. He is a Fellow Craft Mason, and 
member of Nelsonville Lodge. Jan. 1-1, 1871, he married Mary 
E., daughter of Isaac and Rachel (Burley) Hedley. They have 
two children — Webster E. E. and Isaac H. D. 

John B. Love, farmer, is the oldest son of Thomas L. and Hannah 
(James) Love. lie was born near Trimble, Ohio, Sept. 1, 183-1, and 
lived with his parents until manhood, receiving a common-school 
education. At twenty-one years of age he leased land and farmed 
until 1861. Dec. 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Seventy- 
fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, for three years, and was 
with his command in West Virginia. In September, 1862, he was 
discharged for disability, having received injuries from which he 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 781 

has never fully recovered. In 1863 he removed to Jefferson 
County, Iowa, and rented land eight years. He then returned to 
Trimble, Ohio, and purchased a portion of the home farm, where 
he still lives. He was Postmaster at Hartleyville one year. Dec. 
27, 1853, he married Sarah A., daughter of Henry and Jane 
(Posey) May, of Morgan County, Ohio. They have three children 
— James L., of Hocking County; William C. and Sylva J. They 
have lost three children — Warwick A. in infancy, Riley M. in his 
second year, and Samuel F. at the age of seven years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Love are members of the Disciple church. 

William Palmer, Superintendent of coal mines at Jacksonville, is 
the second son of William and Ann (Tickle) Palmer. He was born 
in Devonshire, England, Feb. 10, 1849, and lived there with his 
parents until fourteen years of age, attending the common schools. 
He then went to the lead mines at Cornwall, and worked there four 
years. When eighteen years of age he came to the United States 
with his older brother and began mining coal at Gilberton, Penn. 
They contracted to open a tunnel near Gilberton, and completed the 
work in six months. lie then returned to England, and in Decem- 
ber, 1868, came again to the United States, and was at Wheeling, 
W. Va., five months. Then he went to Benwood and mined two 
years and six months; from there to Sparta, 111.; then returned to 
Jefferson County, Ohio, and mined at the Rush Run mines. Feb- 
ruary, 1871, he was engaged in opening new mines at Floodwood, 
Athens County. The company failing, he returned, to Benwood; 
thence to Doanville, Athens County, opening new mines; thence 
to Straitsville, Perry County, then returned, to Doanville; then en- 
gaged in opening the Hamley Run mines in Athens County; then to 
Shawnee, Perry County; then purchased land in Harden County, 
Ohio, with a view to farming, but a few months after changed his 
views and returned to Athens County, and leased the Desteiger 
coal mines and worked them one year. He then had charge of the 
Laurel Hill mines as superintendent two years; then removed to 
Columbus, Ohio, and contracted laying sewer-pipe six months; 
then returned to Laurel Hill; from there went to Buchtel, and 
mined three years; then to Orbiston, Hocking County, and was 
Superintendent of the mines twenty months. He then had charge 
of the Buchtel mines a few weeks, when he engaged to O. D. Jack- 
son in 1882, to superintend opening his mines. He is a member 
of Buchtel Lodge, No. 712, I. O. O. F., and has filled the chair of 
Vice-Grand in his lodge. March 12, 1874, he married Martha E., 



782 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

daughter of Eli and Mary (Williams) Six, of Athens County. They 
had three children — Bessie A., John and Mary. They have lost 
two children — William E. died at the age of two years and six 
months, and Medoria died in infancy. Mrs. Palmer is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

C. H. Pettit, manufacturer of buggies and spring wagons, is the 
second son of John and Nancy (Deaver) Pettit. He was born in 
Deerfield Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, April 23, 1847, and 
lived there with his parents until seventeen years of age, receiving 
a common-school education. Sept. 4, 1864, he went to Afton, Un- 
ion Co., Iowa, and worked in a saw-mill during the winter. In the 
spring of 1865 he went to work for Abraham Hunt, of Peoria, Ma- 
haska Co., Iowa., to learn the carriage and wagon trade, and served 
as an apprentice until the spring of 1867, when he returned to Mor- 
gan County, Ohio, and worked at Deavertown, for Henry Deaver, 
on jour, work, near four years. Sept. 3, 1872, he came to Trimble 
and established his present business. He is agent for the Milburn 
wagon of Toledo, Ohio. April 10, 1872, he married Louisa, daugh- 
ter of Morris and Emily (Edwards) Biyson, of Trimble. They have 
three children — Harley E., Barton H. and John Garfield. Mr. and 
Mrs. Pettit are members of the Disciple church. 

J. W. Robinson, blacksmith and manufacturer of road and 
spring wagons, is the second son of Thomas W. and Magdaline 
(Haning) Robinson. He was born near Pomeroy, Meigs Co., Ohio, 
Sept. 16, 1857. When he was thirteen years of age his parents re- 
moved to Deavertown, Morgan County, where he lived until man- 
hood. At the age of twenty-one years he went to work for Frank 
Deaver to learn the blacksmith's trade, and served an apprenticeship 
of three years. He then came to Trimble and established his pres- 
ent business. He is a Master Mason, member of Deavertown Lodge, 
No. 172, A. F. & A. M., Morgan County, Ohio. June 7, 1S77, 
he married Lizzie, daughter of William and Mary (Particious) 
Tysinger, of Morgan County, Ohio. They have two children — 
Thomas W. and George \V. 

George A. Russell, dealer in general merchandise, oldest son of 
L. W. and Elizabeth A. (Morrow) Russell, was born near Chapel 
Hill, Perry Co., Ohio, July 10, 1841, and* removed with his 
parents to Trimble, Athens County, in 1842, where he received a 
common-school education. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
II, Twenty -second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private for three 
months. He was appointed Second Sergeant of his company, and 




to-. 




aae 4rT> o<J9wl* 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 78 > 

served as such during his term of enlistment. He was in the West 
Virginia campaign, and was discharged at Athens, Ohio, in Au- 
gust, 1861. Sept. 5, 1861, he re-enlisted in Company B, Seventy- 
fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private, for three years. He was 
appointed First Sergeant of his company, and served as such until 
Oct. 31, 1862; was engaged in the battles of McDowell, Cross; 
Keys, South Mountain, second Bull Run, White Sulphur Springs 
Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Oct. 31, 1862, 
he was promoted to Second Lieutenant and had command of his 
company from the battle of Chancellorsville to the battle of Get- 
tysburg, where he was wounded and came home on furlough and 
remained two months. He returned to Annapolis, Md., and was 
discharged for disability Dec. 18, 1863. Returning home in 1863 
he engaged in the mercantile business with his father at Trimble, 
Ohio, under the firm name of L. W. Russell & Son for one year, 
when he purchased his father's interest and conducted the busi- 
ness alone one year. He then [sold an interest to John S. Dew, 
and conducted the business under the firm name of Russell & Dew 
for three years. He then purchased Dew's interest and continued 
the business alone until 1876, when he again became associated 
with his father under the firm name of L. W. Russell & Son, and 
was thus associated one year. He purchased his father's interest 
and has conducted the business alone to the present time. He has 
served as Township Treasurer a number of years, Treasurer of 
Special School Fund, and Postmaster from 1865 to the present 
time. He is a Master Mason, member of Lodge No. 470, A. F. 6z 
A. M., Bishopville, Ohio. May S, 1864, he married Almira J., 
daughter of Dr. John S. and Angeline (Pugh) Dew, of Trimble, 
Ohio. They have four children — Clara B., Carlos A., John D. 
and Daisy. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Disciple 
church. 

Hezekiah T. Sanders, owner and proprietor of saw and planing 
mill, Trimble, Ohio, is the oldest son of Levi and Henrietta 
(Martin) Sanders. He was born near Augusta, Carroll Co., 
Ohio, Nov. 5, 1826, and lived there with his parents, working on 
farm until fourteen years of age, and then learned the cooper's 
trade, working at it until twenty years of age. He then removed 
with his parents to Monroe Township, Perry County, where they 
lived two years, and he worked for his uncle in a saw-mill one year. 
He and his father then purchased a farm with a water-power saw- 
mill and carried on the mill and farm five years. They then traded 



784 IUSTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

their mill for some wild lands and cash and rented a farm near 
Xelsonville, where they lived two years. He then purchased 
lands in Ward Township, Hocking County, and improved it and 
lived there engaged in farming, cahinet-making and making chairs 
fourteen years. In 1864 he enlisted in Company G, One Hun- 
dred and Fifty-first Ohio National Guards, for 100 days; was 
stationed at Washington City and was engaged with Early's 
forces there in 1864; was discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, and re- 
turned to his home and business in Hocking County. In 1869 he 
removed to Salt Lick Township, Ferry County, and purchased 
property and carried on the cabinet and undertaking business un- 
til November, 1880, when he sold his property and purchased his 
present mill property. April 17, 1853, he married Sarah F., daughter 
of Mrs. Malinda Hines, of Perry County, Ohio. They have nine 
children — Byron H., Antoinette, Levi H., Horton L., Nora D., 
Rosa B., Riley S., Arvinie, Bertie R. Harvey B. died in infancy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are members of the Disciple church. 

Seth Shaner, M. D., farmer and physician near Hartley ville, 
Ohio, is the oldest son of Willian and Nancy (Tharp) Shaner. He 
was born in Trimble Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Feb. 15, 
1838, where he has lived with his mother to the present time, his 
father dying when Seth was a small boy. He began teaching schoo 
in 185S and taught during winter and farmed in summer for twelve 
years, excepting his military term. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in 
Compan}' G, One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio National Guards. 
at Gallipolis, Ohio, for 100 days and served until September, 1864, 
when he was discharged at Gallipolis, Ohio, and returned home. In 
1866 he began the study of medicine. In 1869 and 1870 he at- 
tended lectures at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, 
and during the winter of 1873-'74 attended lectures at Jefferson 
Medical College, Philadelphia. He is now practicing medicine 
and farming in Trimble Township. 

William Shaner, farmer near llartleyville, Ohio, second son of 
William and Nancy (Tharp) Shaner, was born near llartleyville, 
Athens County, May 5, 1810. Aug. 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
A, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantrv,as a private for three years. 
After the battle of Corinth he was appointed Corporal ami served aa 
such until he re-enlisted as a veteran. He was in the battles of Stone 
River, Mill Springs, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Dallas, 
Resaca,Kennesaw Mountain and Marietta. In January, 1864, here- 
enlisted as a veteran in the same company and regiment as a private; 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 785 

rounded at the siege of Atlanta, Aug. 7. 1864. He was then in 
field hospital for a time, thence to Chattanooga hospital, from th< 

i there to Je lie. Ind., from there to Camp 

-on. where he was fnrlong orae, to the President's elec- 

tion. On his return to Denison, he was transferre 
Ohio, where he remained until March. 1865, when he was trs 

ipany II. Sixth Re _- . and on 

duty on Johnson Island until June I he was trans- 

ferred to Cincinnati and remained one month; then returned to 
Johnson's Island, where he was discharged A ._ - 55. He ".hen 

returned home and purchased a farm, on which he now resides. 
He is a Master Mason, member oi L g VI . A. F. & A. M. . 

Lopville, Ohio. Sept. 2 . L878, :.e married >* .... daugh- 

ter of Elijah and Mar . of Perry County, 

son — Dares A. Mr. Shaner is a member of 
Methodist 
•/. Taylor^ farmer, third son ofC and Mary '. . Seym 

->orn in II . England, Jan. 5. - In 

The came with his parents to the - ad -ettled in 

M iski] euro County. Ohio, i • r / ille, where he lived until 

1846, working on a farm and a" . tool. In 1846 he re- 

moved to Trimble Township A.I tens I and purchased wild 

lands and cleared a farm, where he has i and fanned to the 

sent time. April 7, 1852, he married . _ . _ ter of 

hen and . . _ K , of Trimble T 

have nine children, five sons and fonrda -Edward, of 

Trimble Township; Emily J., wife of Richard McKinley, of Trim- 
: Sarah E., James. Albert M.. Alfred II.. Joseph S . 
Mary and Flora F.. all at home. Mary F. died at th s two 
member of the Di church. 

Men fan W. Tharp, farmer, second Fames an Hannah 

rn in M iskiognm County. Ohio, March 
L831. When h -ears old his parents moved to 

Trimble ty. Al theageofeig I 

egan working for wages on farms. V .-nty-five : 

. he rented and farmed four year-. When twenty year- 
he purchased a farm, on which his fatherlivel nnt en he 

: m, and. in I860. the one on which he 

re=i - - pt 27, 1856, he married Mr-. Sarah Post, of Perry 
County. They have four children — James D.. Amanda J.. Re- 
becca E. and John W. Mrs. Tharp is a member of the Disciple 
church. 



786 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Thomas J. Tharp, farmer, fifth son of James and Hannah 
(Withers) Tliarp, was born in Trimble Township, Athens County, 
Aug. 30, 1S43, and lived with his parents until eighteen years of 
age, working on the farm and attending the common schools. Sept. 
5, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, at Trimble, as a private, for three years; was in the 
battles of Monterey, Shaw's Ridge, McDowell, Franklin, Stras- 
burg, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, Freeman Ford, Sulphur Springs, 
Waterloo Ridge, second battle Bull Run, Aldie, Chaucellorsville, 
Gettysburg, Hagerstown, Fort Wagner, John's Island, Camp Bald- 
win, Gainesville, Poc.italigo Bridge, and Charleston. His regiment 
was at Jacksonville, Fla., one year. He was home after the battle 
of Gettysburg two months on special recruiting service. Was dis- 
charged at Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1861:, when he returned home. 
In March, 1865, he enlisted as a veteran in Company C, Fifth Regi- 
ment U. S. Troops, and was stationed at Washington, D. C, three 
months; Hartford, Conn., for a short time; Burlington, Vt.; Staten 
Island, New York, six months, where he was discharged, March 
25, 1866. He then returned home and purchased a farm. In 1S70 
he sold his farm and rented two years. In 1872 he purchased 
where he now resides. May 5, 1866, he married Rebecca E., 
daughter of John B. and Adaline S. (Tinker) Johnson, of Trimble, 
Ohio. His wife died Sept. 24, 1866. Sept. 6, 1S6S, he married 
Clarissa, daughter of George W. and Harriet (Shaner) McDonald, 
of Trimble Township. They have four children — Lydia M., 
Georgia A. B., Hannah F. and Harriet E., all at home. Mrs. Tharp 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Charles' S. linker, farmer, the second son of Elisha and Lydia 
(Shepperd) Tinker, was born in Hampshire Count}'-, Mass., May 
5, 1804. When a small boy his parents removed to Canada. 
At the beginning of the war of 1812 they returned to the United 
States and settled at Albany, N. Y., where they lived about 
five years. They then removed to Virginia, and lived one year; 
from there removed to Zanesville, Ohio, and lived until 1823. In 
1823 his parents moved to Perry County, where they died. At the 
age of twenty-one years he began driving a dry-goods and notions 
wagon for his brother, S. II.. Tinker, through the counties of Mor- 
gan, Perry, Washington, Athens, Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence; 
was employed thus two years. He then engaged in merchandising 
at Milllield for two years. He then removed jto Athens and lived 
there tour years, and then rented a farm near Milltield and farmed 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 787 

three years. In January, 1843, his father-in-law gave him the farm 
on which he now resides with his son, R. W. Dec. 12, 1827, he 
married Almira, daughter of Resolved and Elizabeth (Nash) Fuller, 
of Athens County. They have six children — Charles H., of Trim- 
ble Township; Eugene A., ofTopeka, Kan.; Resolved "W., on home 
farm; Austin IT., in Ross County, Ohio; Roxana, widow of Henry 
Freeman, of Chauncey, Ohio.; Frances A., wife of II. Pierce, law- 
yer, of Alma, Kan. Three children are deceased — Elisha W., a 
physician, died May 12, 1879, at the age of thirty-six years; their 
second daughter, wife of Christopher Woodworth, of Dover Town- 
ship; Lavina A., wife of John Boidenot, died Jan. 5, 1872, in 
Illinois. Mrs. Tinker died Feb. 16, 1875, in her sixty-eighth year. 
She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for a number 
of years before her death. 

Josiah True, deceased, a companion and friend of Daniel 
"Wecthee, and one of the pioneers of the county, was born in New 
Hampshire, Oct. 25, 1770. He came to Marietta in 1793, and to 
Dover Township in 1800. lie held the office of Justice of the 
Peace in Dover from 1815 till 1851, and was respected and pop- 
ular. He died Sept. 16, 1855. Mr. True was one of the founders 
of the " Coonskin Library " of Ames Township, and always a 
leader in pioneer improvements. One of the first spinning wheels 
introduced into Dover was bought by him in 1803. Having ac- 
cumulated a few bear and deer skins he carried them on his back 
to Zanesville, forty miles distant, purchased the wheel with the 
proceeds of the skins, and brought it home on his back. He 
walked all the way, and made the round trip of eighty miles in 
two days. Mr. True at a very early day bought some choice apples 
at Marietta and sowed the seeds from them, from which he estab- 
lished the first nursery attempted in the county. Most of the old 
orchards on Sunday and Monday Creeks were planted from this 
nursery, and some of the trees are still bearing. 

Joshua Warehime, farmer, oldest son of John and Mariah 
(Niozum) "Warehime, was born near Barnesville, Ohio, Aug. 8, 
1830. "When twelve years of age his parents removed to Xoble 
County where he lived until manhood, working on a farm and at- 
tending the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he 
rented lands and farmed two years. He then removed to Morgan 
< "unty and purchased a farm, and lived there about twenty years. 
In 1869 he came to Athens County and purchased a farm where he 
lived nine years when he traded it for the one on which he now re- 



788 HISTORY OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

sides. Nov. 19, 1850, he married Nancy, daughter of Hugh and 
Jane (Moreland) McOathrin, of Noble County, Ohio. They have 
three children — Maria E., wife of Henry M. Copely, of Fairfield 
County; Margaret, wife of William II. Hilton, of Athens County, 
and Jacob, of Fairfield County. Mr. and Mrs. Warehime are- 
members of the Protestant Methodist church. 

William J. Wells, farmer, sixth son of William and Nancy 
(Stephens) Wells, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1828, 
and lived there with his parents until manhood, working on a farm. 
He received a common-school education. At the age of twenty- 
one years he purchased a farm in Monroe County. In 1S53 he re- 
moved to Morgan County, Ohio, and purchased a farm near 
Mountsville. In 1S63 he removed to Saline County, 111., and lived 
one } T ear, when he returned to Morgan County, Ohio. In 1S71 
he came to Athens County and purchased the farm on which he 
now resides. Oct. 11, 1819, he married Hannah, daughter of 
Aaron and Elizabeth (^Stephens, Morris, of N^oble County, Ohio. 
They had four children — James, of Athens County; Aaron, of 
Morgan County; Nancy J., wife of Daniel Masters, of Hocking 
County; Mary E., wife of J. W. Howard, of Athens County. 
May 5, 1S60, his wife died in her thirty -third year. May 10, 1861, 
he married Sarah, daughter of Simeon and Nancy (Timmons) 
Hale, of Morgan County. They have three children — Julia, wife 
of C. Edwards, of Athens County; Pearly and Bessie, at home. 

Thomas R. White, dealer in drugs and medicines, son of 
(i. lv. and Hannah (Scott) White, was born in Morgan County, 
Ohio, April 7, 1851, and lived there with his parents until man- 
hood. At the age of eighteen years he went to work on a farm 
for his uncle, F. D. Scott. When twenty years of age he engaged 
with Brown Mauley Plow Company, of Malta, Ohio, as a carpen- 
ter, for three years, reading medicine during the time with a 
view of going into the drug business. In the soring of 1871 he 
purchased an interest in a portable saw-mill and ran the mill three 
years under the firm name of White & Hamilton. In September, 
1>77. he sold his mill interest, and in November of the same year 
purchased a drug store of Sanborn & Co., at Winsor, Morgan 
Co., Ohio, and was in the business there until May, L880, when 
he sold his store to W. E. Gratewood and clerlced for him three 
months. Oct. 19, L881, he located in Trimble, where lie is now en- 
gaged in the drug business, owning the property and doing aliv 
and increasing business, ile was Township Clerk of Winsor 



BISTORT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 789 

Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, one year. Dec. 14, 1879, he 
married Alice, daughter of Abel S. and Jane (Forsyth) Newton. 
They have two children, twin boys, Clifton S. and Clinton C. 

Jacob L. Wyatt, farmer, the fifth son of John and Catherine 
(Michael) Wyatt, was born in Athens County, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1833. 
At twenty-one years of age he began farming on rented land. 
When twenty -seven years of age he purchased a farm in Trimble 
Township. In 1868 he sold his farm and rented until 1872, when 
he again purchased in Trimble Township. In 1874 he sold this 
farm and rented until 1876, when he purchased the farm on which 
he now resides, lie has served as Township Trustee six years. 
Nov. 21, 1854, he married Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and 
Rachel (Cook) Miller, of Morgan County, Ohio. They had five 
children— Hester, wife of William Druggan, of Athens County I 
Alice, wife of Albert Johnson, of Morgan County; Laura, wife of 
Joseph Jones, of Athens County; Eva, at home; Mary, died in in- 
fancy. His wife was a member of the United Brethren church. 
She died Feb. 17, 1865. Aug. 8, 1666, he married Mrs. Maria, 
widow of Allen Miller, of Athens County. They have five chil- 
dren — George W., Charles G., Thomas L., Cora M. and Clara E., 
all at home. Allen G. died July 10, 1882, in his thirteenth year. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt are members of the Disciple church. 

Joseph Z'tmmerman, farmer, is the oldest son of Henry R. 
and Elizabeth I Brown) Zimmerman. lie 'was born in Homer 
Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1842. When ten years of 
age he came with his parents to Trimble Township, Athens County, 
where his father purchased a farm. April 1, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany II. Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Trimble, as 
a private, for three months. When his term of service expired he 
was discharged at Athens, Ohio, Aug. 4, 1861. Oct. 20, 1861, he 
re-enlisted in Com] .any A, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as 
a private, at Chillicothe, Ohio, for three years. Before the second 
battle of Corinth he was appointed Third Sergeant of his company 
and served as such to the close of the war. Jan. 1, 1863, he en- 
tered the veteran service and was in the battle of Decatur. Ala.; 
from there he was with Sherman to the sea, participating in all 
the battles, and was discharged July 17, 1865. lie returned home 
and purchased the farm on which he resides. Sept. 16, 1866, he 
married Lydia A., daughter of J. B. and Adaline S. (Tinker) 
Johnson, of Trimble Township. They have six children — Horace 
A., Mary E., Charles O., George A., Emet and Marcus D. Mrs. 
Zimmerman is a member of the Disciple church. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

LODI TOWNSHIP-AN AGRICULTURAL TOWNSHIP MIXE WITH 
PETRIFACTIONS AND INDIAN TRADITIONS. 

Organization and Bounds — Population — Topography — Petrifac- 
tions — Lead and Indian Traditions — First Election, Fourteen 
Yotes — The Pioneers — Schools and Some few Remarks — 
Churches, Villages, Business — Township Officers from 
1827 to 1883 — Biographical. 

organization and bounds. 

This township was organized in April, 1826, and its territory 
was originally a part of both Alexander and Carthage Townships. 
It is in township 1, range 13, and is bounded on the north by Ca- 
naan, and east by Carthage townships, south by Meigs County, and 
west by Alexander Township. It is a congressional township, six 
miles square, and has 23,010 acres of good, arable land. It is wa- 
tered by Shade River, which enters the township at the northwest 
corner and, running diagonally, leaves the township at the extreme 
southeastern part. This divides the township almost equally in 
two parts, and the bottom lands along the stream are rich and fer- 
tile, yielding in corn and grasses abundant crops. The township is 
somewhat rough along the banks of the streams, and is a township 
of hills and valleys. The valleys are small, and the hills while 
not so fertile yield plentifully in grasses. Stock is an important 
element in the growing prosperity of the township. 

population, etc. 

For the first thirty years of its settlement Lodi seemed to im- 
prove, and up to 18G0 was well in the van of material progress, 
both in wealth and population. After the war she seemed to have 
first halted and then retrograded. The first census after becom- 
ing an independent organization was in 1830, when the population 
was 276. In 1810 it was. 751; 1850, 1,336, and in 1860 it reached 
1,598. This was her largest population. Whether the war brought 
on the stagnation that followed, or it has arisen from other causes 

cannot be told; the fact only is of record that her population has 

(790) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 791 

slowly decreased, even its natural increase being lost. In 1870 
the population was given at 1,551, and in 1880 % 1,550. At this time 
the township has even signs of perfect repose. 

PETRIFACTIONS. 

There has not been much coal or iron development in this town- 
ship, but quite a number of specimens of petrified pieces of wood, 
etc., have been found upon the banks and in the bed of Shade 
.River, which has given that stream of water — the main water- 
course between the Hocking and the Ohio rivers, into the latter of 
which it flows — considerable of a local reputation, and makes it a 
spot sought for by geologists and other men of science who delve 
in the hidden or wonderful works of nature. The principal petri- 
factions found have been in a gulch which leads into this river, on 
section 35, and it is in this ravine that signs of early days are 
found, showing that the Indians had found lead in its natural state, 
and had melted or separated it for their use from its impurities. 
Lead blossoms have been found at different times, and specimens 
of the ore showing from sixty to seventy per cent. of pure galena have 
been occasionally picked up. The trees along the banks of the river 
show that the Shawnee tribe was in some way connected with the 
Delawares, for on many trees will be found strange figures carved 
or cut in, such as turtles, etc. There is no doubt that a thorough ex- 
ploration would develop much of interest to the scientific world, 
and also unfold much wealth which now lies hidden from the gaze 
of mam 

ELECTION. 

The first township election was held in tlie spring of 1827, and 
it is stated that but fourteen votes were polled. This is probably 
true, as three years later there were but 276 people in the town- 
ship, which would give less than fifty votes, allowing a voting 
population of one to six of the inhabitants. 

THE PIONEERS. 

These men, like all the first settlers who became the advanced 
guard of civilization, had their troubles and. trials, and also the 
pleasures, of pioneer life. Of the latter hunting was the main one, 
and of the former going to mill was one of their heaviest burdens; 
that is, it took much valuable time and fatiguing trips, for at first 
the burnt log as a mortar or a hand-mill did but little to supply a 



792 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

large family. There were not many settlers living in the surround- 
ing townships when Joseph Thompson first settled in Lodi, and 
not many years after, or in 1815, before he began the erection of a 
mill. This was the first flouring or rather grist mill in all that 
section of country for many years. The farm property has since 
come into the possession of Henry Blazier. The mill lias long 
since disappeared. The next mill mentioned was built in 1825 
by Ezra Miller, of small size, and it, too, like the first one, has dis- 
appeared. A steam flouring mill now occupies the spot with a 
capacity equal to the demand. Near the center of the township 
another steam mill is in operation which fully supplies the wants 
of people in the surrounding country. 

SCHOOLS. 

Next to the milling interest, which was one of necessity, that 
which occupied to a large extent the adult population was the ed- 
ucation of their children. In this regard the citizens of Lodi Town- 
ship have exercised a wisdom which few have surpassed, and all 
could emulate with profit. The log cabin, with its rude and simple 
furniture, has given place to the well-built and well-finished and 
furnished school-houses of to-day. Pleasant Valley Seminary, lo- 
cated formerly at Jersey vi lie, was opened in December, 1867, and 
was under the superintendency of Prof. Daniel D. Clark, a graduate 
of the Ohio University. The public schools are all doing well and the 
attendance the -past school session was fully up to the average. 

The first religious society formed at Lodi was by the Methodists, 
in 1820, under the supervision of Rev. Goddard Curtis. They wor- 
shiped for many years in a small school-house on Shade River. At 
present the Methodisis have two flourishing societies. About 1840 
the Christians (or Campbellites) formed a society and built a 
church which, soon after its completion, was demolished by a large 
forest tree falling on it. They have since erected a good frame 
church at Jerseyville. 

There are in Lodi Township three villages. Jerseyville is situ- 
ated a mile and a half west of the center of the township, and eon- 
tains two stores, one harness shop, one blacksmith shop, one hotel, 
a postoffice, one cabinet shop and two churches — Methodist Kp.s- 
copal and Christian. Its population is about 175. Garden is sit- 
uated two miles southeast uf the center of the township, on the 
bank of Shade River. It contains a store, gunsmith shop, black- 
smith shop, postoffice and one church— Methodist Episcopal. 



HISTOJRY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 793 

Moretown is situated a mile and ahalfsouthwestofthecenterof the 
township. It lias a population of about 1 50, and contains one store, 
two blacksmith shops and a postoffice. These arc the only vil- 
. the population being mostly agricultural. Yet while but lit- 
tle enterprise is being exhibited at this time, there is do township 
in the county where more true hospitality, intelligence and moral 
worth can be found than among the people of the beautiful hills 
and valleys of Lodi Township. 

TOWNSHIP 01 l [CERS. 

The following list contains the names of the principal township 
(.Hirers from L827 to the present time: 

L827-'28. — Trustees, Joseph Thompson, Elam Frosl and John L. 
Kelly; Clerk, G. D.Drake; Justice of the Peace, Joseph Thomp- 
son. 

I m>!>. — Trustees, Joseph Thompson, Rufus P. Cooley and John 
L. K'.-lly-, Clerk, G. I). Drake; Justice of the Peace. Rufus P. 
Cooley. 

L830. -Trustees, Francis B. Drake, Thomas Milesand Abner Frost: 
Clerk, G. D. Drake; Justice of the Peace, Rufus P. Cooley. 

1831. -Trustees, Joseph Thompson, Elam Frost and John L. 
Kelly; Clerk, G. D. Drake: Justice of the Peace, Rufus P.Cooley. 

L832. — Trustees, Joseph Thompson, Thomas Mile- ami A. M. 
Williamg; Clerk, Rufus P. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Rufus 
P. Cooley. 

1 833. -Trustees, John Bodwell, Francis B. Drake and Abner 
Frost; Clerk, Joseph 15. Force; Justice of the Peace, Joseph 
Thompson. 

L834. Trustees, Luther Din-more, John L. Kelly and J. 15. 
Force; Clerk, Rufus P. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Joseph 
Thompson. 

Trustees, Luther Dinsmore, John L. Kelly and G. II. 
Cooley; Clerk, RufnsP. Cooley; Justices of the Peace, Rufus P. 
ey and Luther Dinsmore 

L836. — Trustees, Charles Brown, John L. Kelly and John Carl- 
ton; Clerk, Rufus P. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Luther Dins- 
more. 

L837. — Trustees, Samuel Day. George Eaton and Cyrus O. Mc- 
Grath; Cleric, John L. Kelly; Justice of the Peace, Smith C. Allen. 

L838. — Trustees, Joseph Bobo, John Carlton and David Whaley; 
Clerk, John L. Kelly; Justice of the Peace, Churchill Creesy. 



794 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1839.— Trustees, Calvin P. Dains, Ezra H. Miller and Rnfus P. 
Cooley; Clerk, John L. Kelly; Justice of the Peace, William Lee. 

1S40. — Trustees, Samuel Day, "Wakeman Hull and Ruins P. 
Cooley; Clerk, John Cather; Justice of the Peace, Richard St. 
Clair. 

1841. — Trustees, Samuel Day, Julius Stone and George Blazer; 
Clerk, John Cather; Justice of the Peace, Julius Stone. 

1S42. — Trustees, Samuel Day, Jehu Acley and Churchill Creesy; 
Clerk, Jonathan Witham; Justice of the Peace, David II. Miles. 

1843. — Trustees, Wakeman Hull, Jehu Acley and Churchill 
Creesy; Clerk, John Cather; Justice of the Peace, Richard St. 
Clair. 

1844. — Trustees, John Cather, Jehu Acley and Churchill Creesy. 

1845. — Trustees, Joseph Cremer, John L. Kelly and John Whit- 
tington; Clerk, Stephen Gates: Justice of the Peace, David H. 
Miles. 

1846. — Trustees, James G. Roberts, Wakeman Hull and John 
Whittington; Clerk, Joseph Cremer; Justice of the Peace, Isaac 
Woodyard. 

184T. — Trustees, Julius Stone, Wakeman Hull and John L. 
Kelly; Clerk, Joseph Cremer; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Wood- 
yard. 

1S4S. — Trustees, William Jeffers, Wakeman Hull and John L. 
Kelly; Clerk, William II. Hull; Justice of the Peace, John 
Cather. 

1S49. — Trustees, William Jeffers, D. II. Miles and Amos Moore; 
Clerk, L. D. Evans; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Woodyard. 

1S50. — Trustees, William Jeffers, Joseph Cremer and William 
Bart; Clerk, Matthew Wilson; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Wood- 
yard. 

' 1851. — Trustees, Churchill Creesy, Ebenezer Williams and Will- 
iam Bart; Clerk, R. P. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Lorenzo D. 
Evans. 

l s 52. — Trustees, Churchill Creesy, Ebenezer Williams and D. 
H. Miles; Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Wood- 
yard. 

1^53. — Trustees, Joseph Cremer, Ebenezer Williams and D. H. 
Miles; Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justice of the Peace, Isaac Woodyard. 

1854. — Trustees, E. Williams, David Hart and William Jeffers; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. Evans and 
David Hart. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 795- 

1855.— Trustees, William Wilson, D. D. Miller and William 
Jeffers; Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. 
Evans and David Hart. 

1856. — Trustees, John Kelly, D. D. Miller and William Jeffers; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. Evans and 
David Hart. 

1857. — Trustees, John Kelly, D. D. Miller and William Jeffers; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. Evans and 
Elisha Langhead. 

L858. — Trustees, John Kelly, David Hart and William Jeffers; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. Evans and 
Elisha Langhead. 

1859. — Trustees, John Kinney, David Hart and William Jeffers; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. Evans and 
Elisha Langhead. 

1860. — Trustees, John Cowan, Joseph Creesy and William Jef- 
fers; Clerk, Isaac Bedell ; Justices of the Peace, Lorenzo D. Evans 
and Elisha Langhead. 

1861-'2. — Trustees, John Cowan, Joseph Creesy and Lewis 
Dains; Clerk. Isaac Bedell; Justice of the Peace, Benoni P. Pierce. 
1863. — Trustees, John Cowan, Joseph Creesy and John Cather; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justice of the Peace, John Kelly. 

1S64. — Trustees, John Cowan, Joseph Creesy and James Wilson; 
Clerk, Isaac Bedell; Justice of the Peace, Nelson Lord. 

1865. — Trustees, John Buck, A. J. Howard and Lewis Dains; 
Clerk, E. P. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Nelson Lord. 

1S66. — Trustees, Moses Lawrence, A. J. Howard and F. J. 
Cremer; Clerk, P. P. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Waldron S. 
Williams. 

1867. — Trustees, William Jeffers, Joseph Creesy and F. J. 

Cremer; Clerk, John Cather; Justice of the Peace, Nelson Lord. 

1S6S. — Trustees, William Jeffers, Joseph Creesy and F. J. 

Cremer; Clerk, John Cather; Justice of the Peace, William J. 

Shaffer. 

1869.— Trustees, A. J. Howard, William Poston and John 
Cowan; Clerk, P. R. Cooley; Justice of the Peace, Lorenzo D. 
Evans. 

1870. — Trustees, James Ti money, Hugh Meighen and E. M. 
Carsey; Clerk, Edgar Hermans; Justice of the Peace, John 
Cather. 

1871. — Trustees, Asa Dains, John Kinney and James Timoney; 
Clerk, Edgar Ilemans; Justice of the Peace, James Patterson. 



796 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1872. — Trustees, Moses Lawrence, W. S. Williams and Joseph 
Creesy; Clerk, Heniy Butts; Justice of the Peace, L. D. Evans. 

1873. — Trustees, Moses Lawrence, Joseph Creesy and Asa 
Dains; Clerk, G. W. Burson; Justice of the Peace, John Kinney. 

1874. — Trustees, Joseph Creesy, Joseph Bishop and E.L. Sargent; 
Clerk, G. W. Burson; Justice of the Peace, John Kelly. 

1875. — Trustees, O. Orr, Joseph Bishop and A. Dains; a Clerk, 
G. W. Burson, Justice of the Peace, L. D. Evans. 

1876. — Trustees, O. Orr, D. Ziggafoose and Joseph Bishop; 
Clerk, G. W. Burson; Justice of the Peace, W. S. Williams. 

1877. — Trustees, D. Ziggafoose, Oscar Orr and M. Joston; 
Clerk, Edgar Hermans; Justice of the Peace, William Jeffers. 

1878. — Trustees, Daniel Ziggafoose, M. Joston and W. L. Hawk. 
Olerk, E. L. Sargent; Justice of the Peace, L. D. Evans. 

1S79. — Trustees, James Bean, E. M. Carsey and John Kelly; 
Clerk, Jacob Wilson. 

1880. — Trustees, Samuel Poston, E. M. Carsey and Oscar Orr; 
Clerk, Matthew Wilson; Justice of the Peace, William Jeffers. 

1881. — Trustees, George German, S.T. Pierce and John Kelly; 
Clerk, Jacob Wilson; Justices of the # Peace, W. S. Williams and 
S. T. Hull. 

1882.— Trustees, W. M. Williams, E. M. Carsey and D. Zigga- 
foose; Clerk, L. Aton. 

1883. — Trustees, E. M. Carsey, Daniel Ziggafoose and Dennis 
Timoney; Clerk, L. Aton; Justice of the Peace, William Jeffers. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Richard Angell, deceased, son of John Angell, was born in 
England, April 6, 1790. When thirteen years of age his parents 
came to America, settling in New Jersey. He was married in 
August, 1811, to Mary Bougher, a native of Bucks County, Pa. 
In 1816 they removed to Allegheny County, Pa., where they re- 
sided till 1812. They then came to Lodi Township and settled on 
section 29. Mr. Angell bought two sections of land, of which but 
twenty-five acres was cleared. lie was a member of the Presby- 
terian church. Though a man having large business interests he 
never had ;i lawsuit, and probably no man in the township had 
more friends or fewer enemies than he. Mr. Angell died Nov. 
30, 1875, his wife having preceded him May 1,' 1874. They had 
a family often children eight now living — Jane, Richard, James, 
William, Hector, Mary, Thomas G. and Sarah Ann. John and 
David are deceased. 



HIST0KY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 79 T 

Thomas G. Angell, son of Richard and Mary Angell, was born 
in Allegheny County, Fa., Feb. 1, 1S31. lie came to Lodi Town- 
ship. Athens Co., Ohio, when eleven years of age. He was 
reared on a farm receiving his education in the common schools. 
March 8, 1856, he married Mary, daughter of Richard Phillips. 
They have three children — Lydian M., Emma F. and Elmer G. 
May 2, 1864, Mr. Angell enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty- 
first Ohio Infantry. He was mustered out as First Lieutenant. 
He has a fine farm of 380 acres and one of the best residences in 
the township. He makes a specialty of Spanish merino sheep, hav- 
ing one of the best flocks in the county. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican. He takes an active interest in politics, though no aspirant 
for office. He is a member of Athens Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & 
A. M. 

Lima Ato?i, born Aug. 13, 1850, is a son of John and Margaret' 
(Wheeler) Aton. He is the seventh of a family of eight children. 
His early life was spent on a farm and in attending the common 
schools. Jan. 9, 1869, he married Emma G. Snyder. They have 
three children, Lizzie C, John M., and Raymond L. Mr. Aton 
owns sixty acres of good, well-improved land, and is engaged in 
farming and stock raising. Politically he is a Republican. He 
has filled the offices of Assessor and Township Clerk with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to his friends. 

S. C. Baker, son of James and Louisa (Worthen) Baker, was 
born in Meigs County, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1840. When quite young 
his parents moved to Coolville, Athens County, where his father 
was engaged in milling. When he was ten years of age they moved 
to Carthage Township. July 22, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
K, Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry. He was in some of the hottest 
battles of the war, among them New Madrid, Corinth, Decatur T 
the Atlanta campaign and Bridges, S. C, where he was wounded 
ami lay in the hospital three months. He was discharged July 
24, 1865, having served four years. He was married Sept. 22, 
L867, to Margery A. jSTickerson. Mr. Baker owns an interest in a 
portable saw-mill, lie has a good residence- and twenty acres of 
land. Politically he is a Republican* Ho is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

James Beam, farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, March 28, 1841, 
a son of Jacob and Sarah Beam, natives of Pennsylvania. Com- 
ing to Ohio thev located at Cincinnati, where thev remained a 



79S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

short time, then moved to Meigs County, where our subject was 
reared. He enlisted at the age of twenty-one in Company I, 
Ninety-second Ohio Infantry, going into'camp at Marietta, Ohio, 
where they remained two months; then went to Point Pleasant, 
Ya. ; then up the Kanawha to Jolly Bridge; from there to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. ; then up the Cumberland to Carthage, where they had 
a skirmish with Morgan, just before his raid through Ohio. They 
then joined the Fourteenth Corps, commanded by General Thomas, 
at Murfreesboro; then moved on after Bragg, driving him beyond 
Chattanooga; then fought the battle of Chickamauga. He after- 
ward participated in several battles, among them Mission Ridge 
and all the battles through Georgia, siege and flanking of Atlanta, 
then marched to the sea; then through the Carolinas and to 
Washington, D. C, where they were mustered out. He then re- 
turned home and located where he now resides. He was married 
Oct. 31, 1866, to Ann Eliza Fox, daughter of Rev. John O. Fox. 
By their union there are three children — John M., Althe L., Sarah 
F. Mrs. Beam died and he was again married, Sept. 22, 1S7S, 
to Alwillda C, daughter of Aaron C. Comstock. The3 r have one 
child — Ann Eliza. Mr. Beam is politically a Republican. 

Joseph Bishop is a native of Bethlehem, Pa., born Nov. 4, 1S31. 
His father, Daniel Bishop, was also a native of Pennsylvania. He 
came to Athens County with his parents when ten years of age. 
He remained at home till the breaking out of the late civil war, 
when, Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Seventy-third 
Ohio Infantry, and served three years. He was married Nov. 0, 
1865, to Miss Coen, of Carthage Township. They have no chil- 
dren, but have an adopted son — Charles F. Flanders. Mr. Bishop 
owns a good farm of 174 acres all well improved and is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. lie is a member of Guysville Lodge, 
A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a Republican. He has served 
three years as Township Treasurer, and three } r ears as School 
Trustee. 

William Blackwood, one of the prominent farmers of Lodi 
Township, was born in Bedford County, Pa., Aug. 4, 1817, a son 
of James and Susan (McLean) Blackwood, the father of Irish and 
the mother of Scotch descent. When William was quite young 
his parents removed to Harrison County, Ohio, where he was reared 
and received a limited education in the subscription schools. He 
came to Lodi Township in 1851, and located on the farm where he 
now resides. He owns 340 acres of land, well improved, with 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 799 

good buildings, all gained by energy and good management, Mr. 
Blackwood commencing life by working for $10 per month; but by 
perseverance lie has become one of the wealthiest men in the 
township. He was married Sept. 25, "1842, to Rachel Hill. They 
have seven children — Harvey L., Phoebe S., Amanda R., Melissa 
L., Lizzie R., Angie R. and Eva A. 

John Burson is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born 
June 16, 1S30. When eight years of age his parents came to 
Lodi Township, Athens County, where he was reared and educa- 
ted. Feb. 25, 1855, he married Sarah C. Creamer, of Lodi Town- 
ship. They are the parents of two children — Mary Dell and 
Herbert S. In 1859 Mr. Burson opened a general store on rather 
a limited scale, but by his fair and honorable dealing he has se- 
cured the confidence of his patrons and now has a large trade, 
keeping a complete line of the best goods, including dry goods, 
groceries, boots and shoes, and notions. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, being at present Recording Steward, 
and is one of the substantial citizens of Lodi Township. 

W. ]V. Burson, a native of Athens County, was born in Feb- 
ruary, 1852. He was reared a farmer and remained at home till 
of age. Jan. 16, 1872, he married H. C. Cather, a daughter of 
John Cather. In 1S77 he opened a general merchandising store 
at Pratt's Fork, where he has since resided. He has a large stock 
of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc., and com- 
mands a good country trade. 

Quincy Cather, born in Lodi Township, Athens Co., Ohio, 
May 10, 1848, is a son of John Cather, an early settler of this 
township. He was reared on a farm, receiving his education in 
the common schools. In May, 1S82, he opened a store of general 
merchandise, where he now has a large trade from the surrounding 
country. Nov. 10, 1870, he married Mary Peirce. They have 
three children — Edie, Emmett and Emily. 

Lucius Coe, son of Chester and Roxy (Eggleston)Coe, was born 
in Onondaga County, N. Y., in December, 1811. His father was 
a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of Connecticut. When 
seventeen years of age he was employed as clerk in the grocery 
store of Nathaniel Eggleston; remained with him four years and 
then went to New York City, where he was a salesman in a va- 
riety store several years. In 1841 he came to Ohio and lived on a 
farm in Vinton County two years; then returned to New York 
City and remained till 1S61, when he came to Lodi Township 



800 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

where he lias since resided. He now has a large stock of dry 
goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc. He was married Sept. 27 T 
1865, to Rebecca H. Sanders, a native of Carroll County, Ohio. 
They have two children — Harriet Jane and George A. Mr. Coe 
is a member of the Presbyterian church. 

David Cowan, son of John and Mary (Means) Cowan, was born 
in Westmoreland County, Penn., Oct. 28, 1828. When he was 
eighteen months old his parents came to Ohio, locating in Guern- 
sey County, where he was reared and educated. In 1856 became 
to Athens County and located on the farm where he still resides. 
He has 200 acres of well-improved land on section 33, Lodi Town- 
ship. He was married Jan. 16, 1859, to Mary E., daughter of 
Jacob Hank, of Lodi. Seven children have been born to them, 
five now living — Martha, Eva E., Sarah M., Cora E. and John. 
Mary and Fannie are deceased. Mr. Cowan is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican. 

Joseph Creamer, deceased, was a native of Somerset County, 
Penn., born in May, 1805. When eighteen years of age he com- 
menced to learn the tanner's trade, at which he worked the most 
of his life. When twenty-three years old he married Mary Mor- 
rison, also a native of Pennsylvania. They had a family of nine 
children — Asbury, Frank I., Norman (deceased), Belinda C, Sarah 
L., Mary A., S. M., Ella, Charles L. Mr. Creamer came to Athens 
County, locating in Lodi Township, in 1838. He held most of the 
township offices to the satisfaction of his constituents. He was 
a liberal supporter of the Methodist church, and it was mostly 
through his efforts that the church at Jersey ville was built. He 
was also largely instrumental in the building of the Jerseyville 
seminary. He died May 5, 1877, after a long and useful life. 

S. M. Creamer is a native of Athens County, Ohio, born Aug. 9, 
1813. He received a common-school education, being reared a 
tanner. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio 
Infantry, and served three years and three months. He was in the 
battles of Stone River, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Pulaski 
and Chattanooga. lie married Hannah McClurg, a native of West- 
moreland County, Penn. Six children have been born to them — 
Norman A., John L., Augustus B., V. May, Lulu B. and an infant. 
Mr. Creamer has a fine farm of 200 acres, and is extensively en- 
gaged in raising fine merino sheep. Politically he is a Republican. 
Mr. and Mrs. Creamer are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 801 

Joseph Creesy, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Eastman) Creesy, 
was born in New Hampshire, Aug. 1, 1824, and came to Athens 
County, Ohio, in 1852. He is by trade a wheelwright, and for 
several years after coining here worked at his trade. He now 
owns a farm of 100 acres, ail under a good state of cultivation, with 
a comfortable house and farm buildings. He has held the offices of 
Township Trustee and Land Appraiser, and by his fair-dealing has 
secured the confidence of all who know him. He was married 
Jan. 2, 1848, to Matilda Reynolds, a native of Athens County. 
They have two children — George and Anna. 

E. E. Curtis, son of Joseph Curtis, was born in Meigs County, 
Ohio, April 1, 1840. When three years of age his parents removed 
to Tupper's Plains, where he was reared and educated. Aug. 5, 
1861, he enlisted in the Second Virginia Cavalry, and served till 
June 3, 1865, taking an active part in several hard-fought battles, 
among them Cedar Creek, where he was wounded in the shoulder, 
and his horse shot from under him. Oct. 10, 1866, he married 
Susan Bean, of Lodi Township. They have three children — Mary 
E., Addie and James K. Mr. Curtis is by trade a wagon-maker. 
He is well-patronized, and has earned for himself and family a good 
home. 

J. W. Dillenger, son of Charles and Amanda J. Dillenger, was 
born in Lodi Township, May 14, 1849. His early life was spent 
on the farm and in attending the schools of his township and Ath- 
ens. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred 
and Eighty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and served till the fall of 1865. 
In September, 1874, he married Harriet, daughter of S. D. Miles, 
of Lodi. They have one child — Herbert F., born March 14, 1876. 
Mr. Dillenger has a good farm of 135 acres which he intends to 
have well improved. Politically he is a Republican. He is a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His father, Charles 
Dillenger. was a native of New Jersey, and an early settler of 
Lodi Township. His mother, Amanda J. Simms, was a native of 
Virginia. They had a family of seven children — Sarah C, J. TV., 
T. J.. TV. II., C. F., E. J. and Nancy E. Mr. Dillenger died in 
1865. 

Lorenzo Dow Evans, son of Dr. John and Eleanor (Day) Evans, 
was born in Sussex County, Del., Jan. 3, 1815. He was married 
Feb. 8, 1838, to Ann Wine, also a native of Delaware. Five chil- 
dren have been born to them, only three now living — William A., 
John L. and Elizabeth J. S. TV. and Mary are deceased. S. TV. 
51 



802 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and through the expos- 
ures of army life lost his health, though he lived till May 5, 1876. 
Mr. Evans enlisted in June, 1862, in the Ninety-second Ohio 
Infantry, Company I, and was discharged as First Lieutenant in 
August, 1S63. He has been Justice of the Peace about thirty 
years, and has also served as Constable and Clerk. Politically he 
is a Republican. He has a farm of 250 acres, and makes a spe- 
cialty of stock-raising. He is a member of the Methodist church, 
and has been a temperance man fifty years. 

Abner Frost, son of Samuel and Esther Frost, was born in Meigs 
County, Ohio, Sept. 21, 1821. He received but a limited educa- 
tion, his early life being mostly spent in helping to clear a tim- 
bered farm. When he first moved on his present farm it was wild 
land, but he has brought it under a good state of cultivation and 
now has one of the finest farms in the township. He has 184 
acres, all well improved, with a nice residence, and the largest 
barn in the township. In June, 1869, he went to Iowa and 
remained fourteen months, but returned again to his old home. 
He was married March 18, 1S65, to Mary A., daughter of John aud 
Puth (Cass) Secoy. They have two children — Lucy, born March 
30, 1867, and Minnie II., born Aug. 12, 1878. 

Samuel Frost, deceased, son of Benjamin Frost, of English 
descent, was born Nov. 14, 1791. He was married Jan. 12, 1812, 
in Allegany County, N. Y., to Esther Miles, a native of Vermont. 
They came to Ohio in 1816, first settling in Meigs County. In 
1825 they came to Athens County where he lived till his death. 
They had a family of eight children — Hiram, Miles, William, 
Abner. Luther, Rosannah, Elizabeth and Eunice. Mr. Frost waa 
killed Dec. 14, 1855, by falling through the hatchway of a steam- 
boat at Cincinnati. Esther Frost remained with her son Abner 
until her death, May 7, 1882, she being nearly eighty-six years 
old. She was born May 22, 1796. 

Zhnri Hoge, born Aug. 15, 1816, was the eldest of eleven chil- 
dren of John and Mary (Workman) Hoge, of Fayette Connty, Pa. 
His early life was spent on the farm and in attending school. 
When seventeen years of age he commenced to work at the car- 
penter's trade, following that occupation twenty years. In 1855 
he moved on to the farm where he now lives, consisting of 150 
acres under a good state of cultivation. He has a fine residence, 
furnished in accordance with the taste ot a refined and cultured fain- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY". 803 

ily. He was married March 24, 1842, to Margaret Brill, a native 
of Guernsey County, Ohio. They have five children — Melissa, 
Mary, Emeline, Eunice and Rosa. 

William Howard, born in Holmes County, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1820, 
a son of Zadock Howard, a native of Greene County, Pa. When 
seventeen years of age he went to Morgan County and resided 
there about nine years. He was married April 14, 1840, to Sarah 
Ann Hutchinson, daughter of Richard Hutchinson. From this 
union there were six children — Nancy Jane, Fanny, McDonald, 
William Jasper, Mary Ellen and Sarah Elizabeth. They are all 
alive but Mary Ellen. He came to Athens County in 1846, and 
located on the farm where he still resides. He has 262 acres of 
well-improved land and a good residence. By industry and good 
management he has gained a comfortable home. His wife died 
June 30, 1859. He was married to Elizabeth Gaston, Oct. 17 
1861. From this union were two children — Elmer Elsworth and 
Annie May. Elmer is dead. 

Hiram L. Hull, son of S. T. Hull, was born in Lodi Township, 
Athens County, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1848, and was reared and educated 
in his native township, residing at home until he arrived at man. 
hood. March 24, 1866, he married Mary E. Smith. Seven children 
have been born to them, five living — Florence, Samuel, Charles, 
Lucy and Hattie. Allie and Absalom are deceased. Mr. Hull has 
a farm of 120 acres, under a good state of cultivation. 

S. T. Hull, born in Delaware County. N. Y., July 16, 1819, 
was the youngest of ten children of Samuel and Rachel (JBostick) 
Hull. When he was four years of age, his parents moved to Ul- 
ster County, N. Y., where he was reared and educated, living there 
till he was twenty years of age. In 1839 he came to Athens County, 
locating in Lodi Township. He was married March 10, 1842, to 
Maria Withara. Five children were born to them, only four liv- 
ing — Augusta, Hiram S., Adaline and Jessie B. Samuel is de- 
ceased. S. T. Hull enlisted in November, 1861, in Company Iv, 
Seventy-third Ohio Infantry. He was in the battles of Cross Keys, 
Gettysburg, Lookout Valley, Mission Ridge, Chancellorsville, Re- 
saca and Dallas. At the latter place he was wounded May 27, 1864, 
losing an arm. He was discharged Aug. 1, 1865, being mustered 
out as Sergeant. He lived eight years in Washington County, Ohio, 
and one year in Kansas, then returned to Lodi, where he still re- 
sides. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace five years. 



804 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Stephen W. Hull, son of Wakeman and Jane (Stewart) Hull, 
was born in Meredith, Delaware Co., 1ST. Y., Jan. 13, 1818. May 
29, 1836, he started for Athens County with a team, and arrived 
at Lodi Township, June 19. In 1836 he settled on the farm where 
he now resides. He has eighty-two acres of land, and a good rear 
dence. He has held several township offices, and was Postmaster 
one month under Buchanan and Lincoln's administrations. He has 
been married three times: the first time Oct. 19, 1839, to Mary P. 
Masters. They had two children— W. B. and N. N. Aug. 1, 1849, 
he married Nancy Wilmarth. One child was born to them — Edgar 
E. Aug. 20, 1874, he married Mary Elizabeth Jennings. They 
have two children — Nora Ann Elizabeth and Phoebe Lucinda Jane. 
Mr. Hull is an Elder in the Presbyterian church. 

George Jeffers, son of 'Squire William Jeffers, was born in Lodi 
Township, Oct. 21, 1842. His early life was spent on the farm 
and in attending school. In August, 1860, he went to Mississippi 
and remained till the breaking out of the Rebellion. The 'day after 
the firing on Fort Sumter he took passage on the steamer West 
Moreland for the North, having agreed to volunteer in the South- 
ern army in order to get away. In June, 1863, he enlisted in 
Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, for 
six months, but served nine months, being discharged in March, 
1864. He returned home and remained on the farm with his 
father till Aug. 4, 1864, when he again enlisted in Company D, 
One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio, and served eleven months. 
He was in the Nashville campaign under General Thomas, and 
participated in many hard-fought battles. He was discharged July 
28, 1865, as Sergeant. Mr. Jeffers was married Jan. 18, 1868, to 
Elizabeth M. Burley, of this township. They have four children 
— Florence. Ida M., Mary M. and P. J. Mr. Jeffers owns a farm 
of 181 acres of well-improved land and is engaged in general firm- 
ing and stock-raising. He is one of the most successful farmers of 
his age in the township. Politically he is a Republican. 

George W. Jejfers was born in Carthage Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 19, 1825. When he was a child his parents moved to 
Lodi Township. His father died when he was small and he was 
obliged to rely on his own resources. He never had shoes to 
wear till he was eight years old. When nine years old he left 
home and lived with strangers three years. He then returned to 
live with his mother, and when only twelve years old commenced 
clearing heavily timbered land for the purpose of setting out an 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 805 

orchard and raising grain. In 1838 hard times came on, and the 
money could not be raised to pay the taxes, so the land was sold, 
but he afterward redeemed it. He chopped wood at 25 cents a 
cord and offered to make rails at 25 cents a hundred. He made 
hundreds of pounds of maple sugar, and sold it for 6 cents a pound, 
taking it in trade. When but fourteen years old he could do as 
much work in the harvest field as a tn'an, and when fifteen could 
cut and split 2u0 rails a day. When twenty years old he was mar- 
ried to Mary Ann Kirgan. In 1849 he went to Henry County, 
Iowa, driving through with a team in nineteen days; had only 62£ 
cents left when he got there. He went to Marion and Clark coun- 
ties and entered 160 acres in each county. He improved his land 
and afterward sold it for a good price. Feb. 23, 1857, he started 
for Cass County, Neb., and after a journey of fifteen days crossed 
the Missouri River on the ice, with three yokes of oxen and a heavily 
loaded wagon. He bought 320 acres of choice land for $1,700. 
He lived there fifteen years and had the privilege of helping to 
make Nebraska a State. In 1872 his family ties were broken, and 
he returned to Ohio. In 1876 he married Maggie Burson and set- 
tled in Pleasant Valley. He was a member of the Methodist 
church forty years, but in 1878 joined the Christian church, of 
which he is now an Elder. Mr. Jeffers has always assisted liber- 
ally in the building of churches and school-houses. In an early 
day he was called the strongest man at log-rollings and house-rais- 
ings, and was always ready to assist his neighbors in settling up 
the Hocking Valley. Mrs. Jeffers's father, James C. Burson, was 
born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1801, and died in 1870. He came 
to Athens County, Ohio, in 1839. March 10, 1822, he married 
Hannah Powell. They had eight children — Elizabeth, William, 
Catherine, John, Esther, James, Margaret and Hannah. Mr. 
Burson was an Elder in the Christian church the greater part ot 
his Christian life, and strove to build up good society, and worked 
for the interest of his county. He cleared and got under cultiva- 
tion seventy-five acres of land in the Hocking Valley, and saw 
very hard times as an early settler in raising his family. His 
widow still survives, and is in her eighty-fourth year. 

Lewis H. Jeffers, born Dec. 4, 1838, in Athens County, is a son 
of William Jeffers. July 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thir- 
tieth Ohio Infantry; was at the last battle of Bull Run, Champion 
Hill, siege of Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., and was discharged 
Aug. 27, 1864. Sept. 30, 1864, he married Olive Brooks, of Alexan- 



806 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

der Township. They had nine children, seven of whom are living — 
Stella, Mary L., Wade E., George H., Emma M., Rodolph and 
Clyde Oottis. William and an infant son are deceased. Mr. 
Jeffers has 300 acres of land under a good state of cultivation, with 
a good residence and farm buildings. 

William Jeffers, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Athens 
County, Ohio, April 24, 1819. His father, George Jeffers, was a 
native of Pennsylvania, of English parentage. In 1S26 he moved 
to the farm where the subject of our sketch still resides. William 
Jeffers was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. 
In 183S he married Mary Daily. Eight children were born 
to them, only six now living — L. H., George, William, S. C, C. 
F. and Elizabeth J. Winfleld S. and Mary are deceased. Four 
sons were in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Jeffers has been Jus- 
tice of the Peace six years. He has a fine stock farm, making a 
specialty of Spanish merino sheep. He is a member of the Chris- 
tian church. He is an enterprising man, and always takes an 
interest in anything that tends to the advancement of his county. 

John Kelly, son of J. L. and Joanna Kelly, was born in Meigs 
County, Ohio, in November, 1824, and came to this township with 
his parents when an infant. He was married July 28, 1841, to 
Matilda Price. They have nine children — John L., Ivy, Adaline, 
Joseph, Joanna, Levi, Harriet, Charles and Effle. Mr. Kelly has 
served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and as Township Trustee. 
He is a member of the Christian church. Mrs. Kelly's grand- 
mother, Margaret Snowdon, was the first white woman in Athens 
County. 

J. L. Kelly, deceased, son of E. and Silence (Edmunds) Kelly, 
was born in Cayuga County, N. Y. His father came to Athens 
County, Ohio, with his family, and was one of the first settlers of 
Carthage Township. There was a family of four sons and two 
daughters. J. L. resided at home till nineteen years of age. When 
twenty-four he w r as married to Joanna Price, who was born in the 
block house at Marietta, Ohio. He lived in Meigs County two 
years, and in 1^25 located in Lodi Township. He had a family ot 
eleven children — John, Louisa, Perilla, L. E., Louis, Silence, Lu- 
cinda (deceased), Jane, Olive, William and Joanna. 

John L. Kelly, son of John and Matilda (Price) Kelly, was born 
June 18, 1815, in Lodi Township, where he was reared and edu- 
cated. June 20, 1802, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twen- 
ty-ninth Ohio Infantry, ami served a year, lie was married Dec. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 807 

21, 1868, to Lydia Barley, who died leaving one child — Rosa. Dec. 
25, 1876, he married Sarah Tower. They have three children — 
Matid, Lucas and Dessie. Mr. Kelly owns a farm of eighty acres, 
well improved. 

John Kincade was born in 1815 in Clarksburg, Pa., a son of Jo- 
seph and Sarah Kincade. His parents came to Athens County 
when he was small, first settling in Guysville. He worked with 
his father in the mill and on the farm till manhood, then worked 
three years in the Coolville Mill. He then moved on the farm 
now called the Chalker farm; lived there a while and then went to 
Guysville and worked in the mills there three years; then moved 
one mile above Guysville and built the Kincade Mill, where he 
lived about thirty years. In 18S1 he rented the Shade Valley 
Mills two years. He now is in Harmony. He was married 
April 1, 1840, to Harriet Hale. They had four children, only two 
now living — James Edwin and Jnstina. Mrs. Kincade died July 

22, 1851. Jan. 1, 1852. he married S. E. Kelley. They have had 
eight children born to them — Mary Irena, John William, Laura 
A., Charles Ellsworth, Melville, Izetta May, Emma. Dell and 
Edna Matilda. Politically Mr. Kincade is a Democrat. He has 
been a member of the Baptist church thirty-four years. 

James Kyle, son of John Kyle, was born in Guernsey County, 
Ohio,, Dec. 25, 1825. He was reared and educated in his native 
county, and when twenty-six years of age came to Lodi Township, 
locating at Garden, where he was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness eleven years. He is* numbered among the best business men 
of Lodi Township and is always alive to the interests of the com- 
munity. He was married when twenty years of age to Mary Jane 
Dean, a native of Marion County, Ohio. They have two children 
— Rachel Rebecca and Stephen W. 

Samuel Poston, son of John and Isabel Poston, was born in 
Canaan Township, Athens Co., Ohio, June 7, 1837. He was mar- 
ried Nov. 15, 1857, to Elizabeth Ross, of Carthage Township. 
They have six children— Elsie D., Alice G., Effie J., Nettie F. 
Herbert and Elmer. The first four years after his marriage Mr. 
Poston resided in Canaan Township. He then moved to Lodi 
Township, living on the farm now owned by William Poston 
three years. He then returned to Canaan Township and resided 
two years, when he went to Bedford Township. Meigs County, 
and remained three years. In the spring of 1S72 he came to Lodi 
Township and located on section 24. where he still resides. He 



80S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

has 287 acres, well improved, with a good residence and farm build- 
ings. Politically Mr. Poston is a Prohibitionist. He has held 
the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor. 

William Poston, born in Hampshire County, W. Va., Nov. 7, 
1826, is a son of John and Isabella (McVicker) Poston, of English 
descent. In 1833 his parents came to Athens Count} 7 , Ohio, and 
settled on Sugar Creek, where they lived two years and then moved 
to Canaan Township. William's earl} 7 life was spent in assisting 
to clear wild timbered land. He attended the common schools, 
and by close study and observation has acquired a good practical 
education. When eighteen years of age he commenced life for 
himself by working by the mouth. Oct. 13, 1849, he married 
Miss T. Osborn, daughter of Ezra Osborn. In 1867 Mr. Poston 
came to Lodi Township and settled on the farm where he still re- 
sides. He has 175 acres mostly improved, with a good house well 
furnished. He has read law to some extent, and has been very 
successful in the profession. In politics he is an independent 
Democrat. He is no aspirant for office, but has served as Town- 
ship Trustee. He is a firm believer in the Christian religion, and 
is always ready to do anything to advance its cause. Mr. and 
Mrs. Poston have six children — Mary Jane, Lydia Frances, John, 
Laura Elizabeth, Margaret Adaline and Cora Belle. He has given 
his children the advantage of a good education, so that they may 
be fitted for any position that they may be called upon to fill. 

Isaac Sargent, a native of Washington County, Penn., was 
born June 1, 1817, and was a son of George and Sarah (Parkhurst) 
Sargent. He spent his youth on a farm, receiving but a limited 
education in the subscription schools. In 1S36 he came to Athens 
County, settling in Lodi Township, where he has since resided with 
the exception of seven years spent in Meigs County. Mr. Sargent 
is by trade a shoemaker, but has worked at his trade only about 
twenty winters, the rest of his time being spent in farming. He 
now owns a farm of 200 aci'es, good, well-improved land, where he 
has all the comforts a good home can provide for his declining 
years. He was married Jan. 10, 1839, to Charlotte Davis, daugh- 
ter of Calvin P. and Jane (Sloan) D.tvis. They have three chil- 
dren — Sarah Jane, Margaret Jane and E. L. 

Windell Shott, son of John and Catharine (Learnes) Shott, was 
born in Prussia, Dec. 16, 1818, and was the fourth of a family of 
ten children. When he was eighteen years of age his parents 
came to America, landed at Baltimore after a voyage of seventy- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 809 

three days. They went to Pittsburg, Pen n., and remained three 
months; then came to Ohio, locating in Monroe County. Two 
months later Windell went to Belmont, where he lived about four 
years, when he went to Guernsey County and remained two years. 
He then returned to Monroe County, and in 1842 came to Athens 
County. He first lived on the old Beard farm a year, and then 
bought eighty acres where he now lives. He his by industry and 
frugality acquired a good property, owning at present 500 acres of 
well-improved land. In May, 1S41, he married Catharine Timothy, 
a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and a daughter of Peter and 
Elizabeth Timothy. They have ten children — Elizabeth, Mary, 
Catharine, John, Nicholas, William, Andrew, Sarah, Alice, Mar- 
garet. Mr. Shott was Postmaster a number of years, and it was 
through his influence that the mail-route from Guysville to Hull 
and Lottridge was established. 

David G.Steuart, son of John Steuart, was born in Bath County, 
Va., Nov. 4, 1813. His grandfather, Win. Steuart, was a native of 
Scotland, but educated at Belfast, Ireland. David G. was reared on 
a farm and received but a limited education. He came to Athens 
County, Ohio, in 1852, first settling in Athens Township. In 
1876 he bought the farm where he now resides on section 17, Lodi 
Township, containing 120 acres of well-improved land, and makes 
a specialty of sheep-raising. He was married Nov* 18, 1841, to 
Rachel Calahan, of Virginia. They have two children — Charles 
«H. and Elizabeth V. Politically Mr. Steuart is a Republican. 

James K. Watkins, a native of Ohio, was born Sept. 26, 1833, 
a 6on of Andrew and Elizabeth Watkins, his father a native of 
Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. He was married Sept. 4, 
1856, to Sarah A., daughter of Richard Angell, a prominent pio- 
neer of Lodi Township. In 1864 Mr. Watkins bought the farm 
where he now resides. He has 100 acres of good land, well culti- 
vated, and good farm buildings. Politically he is a Democrat. 

Abraham M. Williams, deceased, was a native of New Jersey, 
born July 16, 1798, of German parentage. He was married to 
Margaret Force, a native of Rahway, N. J., born April 8, 1796, of 
French descent. In 1829 they came to Lodi Township, being 
among the first settlers, and located near Jersey vi lie, on what is 
known as the Burson farm. Tiiey reared a family of nine children 
— S. T., Henry C, Jeremiah M., Waldron S.. Mary E. , Margaret 
T., Harriet S, Wilbur M., William II. Margaret and Jeremiah 
are deceased, the latter dying a prisoner of war in 1862. Mr. Will- 



810 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

iams was a strong Union man; four of his sons were soldiers in the 
late war. He was a member of the Baptist church. He died in 
November, 18S1. Mrs. Williams died May 29, 1869. 

Wilbur M. Williams, son of Abraham M. Williams, was born 
in Lodi Township, March 6, 1837. He received a common-school 
education, residing on his father's farm till twenty-four years of 
age. Sept. 18, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eighteenth Ohio 
Infantry, and was in the service three years and two months, never 
being off duty during the time. He was in the battles of Stone 
River, Pulaski, and a number of others. He had his clothes torn 
by bullets, but was never wounded. He was discharged in No- 
vember, 1864. Dec. 24, 1865, he married Belinda C. Cramer. Six 
children have been born to them — Stella M., Joseph E., Gladius, 
Mary M., Bertha B. and Anna. Mr. Williams has a tine farm of 
340 acres, and is engaged in general farming, giving considerable 
attention to the raising of sheep. Politically he is a Republican. 
He is a member of the Methodist church. 

Hiram G. Withers, M. D., a native of Ohio, was born Dec. 26, 
1818, a son of Jonathan and Martha (Sarting) Withers, natives of 
Massachusetts. He was the second of a family of twelve children, 
eight sons and four daughters. His early life was spent in attend- 
ing school and assisting on the farm, where he remained till twenty- 
two years of age. He then removed to Western Ohio. He 
commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Benj. Alworth, and 
finished with Dr. David McCune, receiving his certificate from the 
latter. He came to Athens County in 1860, and has built up a 
large practice. He has a good residence and is very pleasantly 
located in Jerseyville. Nov. 27, 1848, he married Ellen Stevenson. 
Six children have been born to them — William H., Mary E., Henry 
S., Agnes, Edward and Lucy N. 

William Ziim, sou of Moses and Theresa (Tharp)Zinn, was born 
in Franklin County, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1S57. He was the fifth of six 
children. His early life was spent at Grove Point, where he re- 
ceived his education. When eighteen years of age he went to 
Columbus and engaged in the grocery business three years. He 
then went to Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and remained eighteen 
months. He then returned to Columbus and engaged in the whole- 
sale flour business two years, when he came to Athens County and 
located at Cahaanville, Ohio. February, 1883, he came to Hull's 
and bought out W. Shott. lie keeps a large stock of dry goods, 
groceries, boots and shoes, notions, etc. and is laying the founda- 
tion of a srood trade and successful business life. 



HISTOKY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 811 

William Blackstone, M. D., eldest son of John and Jemima 
Blackstone, came of English-Welsh ancestry. He was born in 
Botetourt County, Va., May 24, 1796. John Blackstone was 
a native of Kent County, Md., born March 9, 1772, and Jemima 
(King) Blackstone was a native of Virginia, born Sept. 19, 1773. 
When but a t'ev? years old William Blackstone was brought by his 
parents to Pickaway County, Ohio. Remaining there but a short 
time, the Blackstone's removed to Ross County, where they set- 
tled and made a farm near Bainbridge. On this farm the early 
years of William Blackstone were passed Few indeed were the 
advantages offered the youth for obtaining an education, but young 
William's innate thirst for learning conquered adversity, and when 
he arrived at an age when he began teaching he was the most thor- 
ough scholar of any teacher in the pioneer schools of Southern 
Ohio. His first teacher was White Morgan, who taught in a log 
school-house in the Demitts Bottom, some two miles from the 
Blackstone cabin. When William had arrived at the age of about 
twenty-four his literary attainments and exemplary habits attracted 
the notice and admiration of Dr. Benjamin Doddridge, of Bain- 
bridge, Ohio, himself a classical scholar, who taught him Greek 
and Latin and gave him a very fair education in the classics. 
During this time he also read medicine with Dr. Doddridge, from 
whom he obtained sufficient knowledge of the science of medicine 
to engage in the practice. Having received an offer from Dr. 
Luckey, of Circleville, Ohio, he went to that place and formed a 
partnership with him. He continued with Dr. Luckey about a 
year when he removed to Bloomingburg, Fayette County, and 
began the practice of medicine alone. About one year later he 
attended a course of lectures at Transylvania Medical College, at 
Louisville. On his return from Louisville he stopped at Bain- 
bridge, Ohio, to participate in the most important and happy event 
in any man's life, his own marriage. On the 28th day of April, 
1824, he was united in marriage with Julia M. Doddridge, eldest 
daughter of Benjamin and Sophia Doddridge, of Bainbridge, Ohio. 
She was born in Brook County, Ya., Nov. 1*',, L806. Her 
father, Dr. Doddridge, was a fine classical scholar, and graduate 
of Yale College. He came to Ohio as early as 1810, and was 
widely known and highly esteemed as an able physician and schol- 
arly gentleman. Ohio at so early a period in its settlement as 
1810 contained few such men of letters and polished physicians as 
Benjamin Doddridge. After their marriage Doctor and .Mrs. 



S12 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Blackstone went direct to Bloomingburg where the Doctor resumed 
the practice of medicine. About two years later they removed to 
Clarksville, Ohio; from there they removed to Piketon, Pike County, 
thence to Richmondale, Ross County; from there they went to the 
then new town of "Waverly. In none of these places did they 
remain but two or three years at most, the Doctor all the time con- 
tinuing the practice of medicine. During their stay at Waverly 
the Doctor attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, from 
which he graduated with honors in 1834. In 1S39 Dr. Blackstone 
came to Athens, fresh from his graduation at Cincinnati, and being 
a fine literary scholar and learned in medicine he took rank at 
once among the verj T best physicians in all the Hocking V^ alley 
region. Of the eight children resulting from the union of Will- 
iam Blackstone and Julia Doddridge, but two survive — Doctor 
Benjamin Doddridge Blackstone, a practicing physician of Mar- 
tinsville, Ind., and Doctor John King Blackstone, practicing at 
Hebron, Ind. The deceased were Julia M., wife of Dr. W. P. 
Johnson, of the Surgical Institute at Indianapolis, Ind.; Adaline 
O., died in infancy; William, Sophia Adela, Elizabeth Lillian and 
William Victor. In the pure moral life of Dr. Blackstone there is 
much to admire, much that is worthy of emulation. His profes- 
sional life extended over about a half century, and during all these 
years of devotion to his profession he practiced medicine, not for 
the attainment of mercenary ends, but for the relief of suffering 
humanity. A member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ath- 
ens, he was ever willing to lend his name or his influence to every 
moral enterprise. Doctor Blackstone died suddenly in his office at 
Athens. March 17, 1879. Mrs. Blackstone resides in her own quiet 
home in Athens, in the enjoyment of many devoted friends. She 
is a member of the Presbyterian church, in which she is an earnest, 
enthusiastic worker for the advancement of every worthy Chris- 
tian enterprise. 




CHAPTER XXIX. 
HISTORY OF HOCKING COl K 7 ] V THE HOCKING VALLEY— THE 

white max's advent and red m exit 

Those Who Led the Van oj Civilization The Fibsi Pioneebs 
— The County Organization A<t Eabli Regobds Eagle 
Bali Obeee County Commi Fibsi Meeting Fibsi 

Gband Juby Gbeen and Laubel Townships Obganized 
Numbebed -Items — Falls-Gobe and Jackson Ma mo.. B 
ton- — Ia/j. and Coubi souse MinebalTalk — Pbogbess — Popu- 
lation, 1840 Taxation E • Sentinel, 1842— -Some- 
thing 01 Eably Days — Something about a Name— Typo 
phy — Metes and Bo 

THOSE WHO LED THE VAN OJ CIVILIZATION. 

When the first white man trod the soil of Hocking, it was ae an 
armed foe of the tlien po ibil. Thin was the march 

of Governor Dunmore in his waragainst I te Indians of J77L His 
line of March led him over part of the soil of this county. On his 
return it seems that so me of his men deserted; ande e i them 

selves as squatter igns of the soil. The Indians com plained 

of this in later years, and a treaty was hold in abeyance for nearly 
a year until the squatters were driven from the land. It can- 
not be po told whether any of these men were located within 
the limits of Hocking County as now formed, but Athens County 
was known to have had a few, and relic-; of their abodes have 
found. The treaty of Lord Dunmore with the Indians proved a 
temporary affair, for after the war of the Revolution was closed 
Dunsmore'e work had to be done over again, and the same m< 
used. When peace found a home on the soil of the Northwest Terri- 
tory, it did not take long to people it with a race of hardy pio- 
neers, whose courage nothing could daunt, 

relaxed, whose labor and endurance caused the wilderness to <Y. 
pear, and prosperity to drape the fields with promises of a go 
harvest. It is not necessary here to repeat the advent, purchase 
and settlement of the Ohio Company; that lias been fully recorded 



814 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in the preceding pages. What is to be given here is the history of 
Hocking when the first permanent white settler chose the beauti- 
ful valley of the Hocking as his home. 

THE FIRST PIONEER. 

Christian Westenhaver, a resident of Maryland, left his home in 
that State in 1796, with the intention of finding a home within the 
limits of the Northwest Territory. Wintering at Fort Belpre, he, 
in the spring of 1797, removed his family to the Little Hocking 
and not being suited, the following year, 1798, he settled in 
this county on Oldtown Creek, on land subsequently owned by 
Homer Wright. The old log cabin — or remnants of it — was still 
standing as late as 1870. In a short time a house was reared, and 
in the meantime his family followed him in a canoe, worming 
themselves up the Hocking River. His stock of provisions was 
small, but game was plenty, which drove the haggard face of star- 
vation far into the backgrounds. Mr. Westenhaver was a type of 
the early pioneer, strong, rugged and enduring, and for twenty- 
two years lived the life of an upright man, and a neighbor whose 
services were ever at the command of those who needed them. He 
died on his farm in 1830. 

Mr. Westenhaver settled on his place in March, 1798, and he 
was followed the next two months by John Pence and Conrad 
Brian, brothers-in-law, locating their families in a log cabin where 
Andrew 7 Kern's house now stands. They entered two eighty-acre 
lots east of the town, not far from Westenhaver's, on section 12, 
and on land now within the limits of the city of Logan. John Pence 
took the lower eighty acres, since known as Braggtown, and Con- 
rad Brian the upper eighty acres, erecting his cabin on the ground 
afterward occupied by Dr. Bishop, since deceased. This land in- 
cluded the lower part of the town, from Goose Creek to the Roch- 
ester Corner. A few years later this tract so pleased the eye of 
Thomas Worthington that he gave Brian 81,000 for it. Wortli- 
ington a few years afterward, in 1811, became Governor of the 
State. 

John Pence lived to the age of sixty-eight years, and proved 
himself an honorable man and kind neighbor. He left a family of 
twelve children. His third and fourth, Joseph and Rebecca, were 
the first white children born in Hocking County. His brother-in 
law, Conrad Brian, lived to the age of eighty years, dying in 1856,- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 815 

on his farm, a large one purchased with the money arising from 
his sale to Governor Worthington of his first eighty acres. 

Pence and Brian were followed in a very short time by several 
pioneers, which formed quite a neighborhood. They were Israel 
Francois and family, Jacob Fruheart and family, Michael Beard, 
Patrick Beard, two daughters and a granddaughter. They made 
quite an opening on the river, since known as the lies farm, raising 
quite a crop of corn and vegetables, especially potatoes. This con- 
stituted the population of Hocking County up to the following 
spring, 1790, which made the county's population at that date twen- 
ty-two, being nine men, five married women, three young women 
and eight children. In this latter year came William Brian, John 
Kent and Watts, also two families locating near Scotch Creek. 
In 1800 several families came in, dotting here and there, making 
an opening for more permanent settlers. In 1801 two families loca- 
ted near the falls, clearing quite a spot directly on top of the high 
land west of McCarthy's house. 

Between the years of 1802 and 1805 large numbers of floating 
emigrants flocked in. Some made permanent establishments; many 
others after squatting down and making small openings became dis- 
satisfied and left the diggings. Subsequent to 1805 came in a tamily 
by the name of Myers, locating and clearing quite a portion of the 
land now known as the Stiers farm, at the same time the Young 
and Smith families, also Moses Starr, entering a farming tract 
about four miles east of Logan, then a dense wilderness. Three 
years later, in 1808, Benj. Biddle and family located on part of 
the land since owned by John Westenhaver. He was one of the 
prominent citizens of that early day; was one of the Associate 
Judges, and his son, Judge Biddle, of Indiana, occupied a proud 
position on the bench of that State. Judge Benj. Biddle died at 
his residence and was buried near the home on the river, and on a 
spot he loved so well, since marked by a handsome monument, the 
act of his son. There was a steady influx of settlers to nearly all 
parts of the county, especially up and down the valley of the 
Hocking and on Raccoon Creek. In the years from 1809 to 1814 
quite a number of new settlers arrived. Henry O'Neill and 
his two sons, James and Thomas, came in the spring of 1810. 
They settled on southeast quarter section 25, on the south lank 
of Raccoon Creek. They found pioneer life full of incidents, for 
wild game and snakes were plentiful. Henry O'Neill was a Jus- 
tice of the Peace of Starr Township. James Lee settled in the 



$16 «\ OF ikvk: \. \ \ 

and Jos, Ludlow in L817. The Wrights, 
-. Dysons, Youngs and bfoores name during t ho 

wv > 81 Land thov woto followed :i tow years later 

1 Peters, I I Bowens, These all set 

■\ j ,- . r 1S1 5 Gteorge Ba 

Greek In 180T, but little was known of him 
: in I s s or 1809 Ssmnel Friend, John Morse, and 
ge flThtte ?« 1808; the; - so on Laurel 

. what is now Perrj Township, 
ment np tin • 1816* or 18 

\ >raham Pitcher, Andrew 

s Koons and H man by the 

v - ed in 1812, 01 - Q8 -I and £S, followed in 

K ( . Josiah Cantrel, John Foi 
. i ■.. > - - ■ . 

[t was about this time that a few ventures 
spirits s inks . c, around which linger, 

s daj, wild leg - y, the belief in the 

axist< nee ' - is tradition si ites, table 

i . " Back manj pears s Da ' 

Phe first 
is in 1S0S or 1809, 

.;:\ C - Ebj settled on 
md he h i 

3 , . v ICOSAS D 

ement was made in IM4. 

i - 
Chris - 

- - . 5 . .. gle and s 

3 

inks of Rush C k on s 
Phese pioneers \ tnd men.' 

- n 

. 

Elock 
discussion, a sons 

j s 

i popula- 

- s tla - . - 

x. - for sur- 



BI9T0£f 01 ''J? 

'I t of a /-'• 

a 

V 

i 

) it. 

■ 
I 
and a 1817 

Pete 
p it 

■ 
1 
( J' J "J 7 -. 

b tt .. 

■ 
of M; 1782, 

B . v . ^ e and pi g 

a separate chapfc 

I 

■ 
jainin Biddlc ] ■ P diet 

/I/- Act to erect the eowdy of Hocking and to attach par oj 
county of Boss to t) t of Jack 

I j it enacted 
- 
bom 



818 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

ty-five, township fourteen, and range sixteen; thence south to the 
southeast corner of the thirteenth township in the same range; 
thence west three sections to the southwest corner of section thir- 
teen in the same township and range; thence south to the south- 
east corner of section nineteen, township eleven, and range sixteen; 
thence west to the southwest corner of section thirty-one, township 
twelve, and range seventeen; thence south to the southeast corner 
of section thirty-six in township ten, range eighteen; thence west 
to the southwest corner of section thirty-one in township ten, range 
nineteen; thence north to the northwest corner of section thirty, in 
township twelve, and range nineteen; thence east to the southeast 
corner of section twenty-four in said township and range; thence 
north to the northwest comer of section eighteen, in township thir- 
teen, and range eighteen; thence east to the southeast corner of 
section twelve, same township and range; thence north to the north- 
west corner of section eighteen, township fifteen, range seventeen; 
thence east to the northeast corner of section thirteen, in same 
township and range; thence south two sections to the southeast 
corner of the twenty-fourth section in the same range; thence east 
to the place of beginning, be, and the same is, hereby erected into 
a separate and distinct county by the name of the county of Hock- 
ing. 

Sec. 2. That all suits or actions, whether of a civil or criminal nat- 
ure, which shall be pending, and all crimes which shall have been 
committed within said counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield, pre- 
vious to the organization of the said county of Hocking, shall be 
prosecuted to final judgment and execution within the counties in 
which such suits shall be pending, or such crimes shall have been 
committed, in the same manner as they would have been if no di- 
vision had taken place; and the sheriff, coroner and constables of 
the counties of Athens, Ross and Fairfield shall execute within 
such parts of the county of Hocking as belonged to their respect- 
ive counties previous to the taking effect of this act, such process 
as shall be necessary to carry into effect such suits, prosecutions 
and judgments; and the collectors of taxes for the counties of 
Ross, Athens and Fairfield shall collect all such taxes as shall 
have been levied and imposed within such parts of the county of 
Hocking as belonged to their respective counties previous to the 
taking effect of this act. 

Sec. 3. That all justices of the peace and constables within those 
parts of the counties of Ross, Athens and Fairfield, which by this 



HISTORY OF HOCKING- VALLEY. 819 

act are erected into a new county, shall continue to exercise the 
duties of their offices until their terms of service expires, in the 
same manner as if no division of said counties had taken place. 

Sec. 4. That on the first Monday in April next the legal voters 
residing within said county of Hocking shall assemble within 
their respective townships, at the usual place of holding township 
elections, and elect their several county officers, who shall hold 
their offices until the next annual election: Provided, That when 
any township shall be divided in consequence of establishing the 
county of Hocking in such manner that the place of holding town- 
ship elections shall fall within the counties of Ross, Athens and 
Fairfield, then and in that case the electors of such fractional town- 
ships shall elect in the next adjoining township or townships in 
said county of Hocking. 

Sec 5. That the courts of the said county of Hocking shall be 
holden at the house of Thomas Pullen in township No. 14, range 
No. 17, until the permanent seat of justice for said county shall 
be established. 

Passed Jan. 3, 1818. 

Sec. 6 was attached to this act which gave to Jackson County 
township 9, ranges 18 and 19, from Ross County, both afterward 
taken from Jackson and given to Yinton County. 

The organization of the county gave it a slight notoriety, and 
quite an influx of settlers made it their homes during the next 
few years. Logan received many of these immigrants who came 
from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The principal trouble 
with the new comers was the chills and fever which was prevalent 
in those early days, and which discouraged many from remaining, 
for in most cases those not acclimated had to go through a course 
of this debilitating sickness. 

EARLY RECORDS. 

The first deed recorded is in Book A, Folio 1, and is from John 
and Phoebe Pence to Robert Long. It conveyed one acre of land 
for and in the consideration of $20, and was dated April 15, 1818. 
Dutton Lane placed it upon record. This gentleman was also the 
first Justice of the Peace for the township, and had something like 
two cases a year. 



820 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Thetirst marriage of record reads as follows. 
STATE OF OHIO, ) gg 
Hocking County. f 

I hereby certify that on the 4th day of May, a. d. 1818, I joined 
together in the holy state of matrimony Thomas CNeil and Nancy 
Lee, of lawful age. 

[seal.] Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of May, 
a. d. 1818. Dutton Lane, J. P. 

This was not the first marriage in the county, however. A 
brother of the above, James O'Neil, was married several years be- 
fore the organization of the county, and several others are men- 
tioned in the township histories. This being the first of record it 
is given, and the following, which was the second one placed on 
the book, was by 'Squire Lane also, who married Benjamin Stim- 
son and Eve Matthias Dec. 16, 1818, and Samuel Fetherolf, J. P., 
united David Strawser and Rhoda Starkey, Dec. 22, 1818. 

EAGLE AND SALT CREEK. 

The first meeting of the County Commissioners was held 
April 25, 1818, and their names were Dutton Lane, David John- 
ston and Benjamin F. Smith. Their first act was to appoint Royal 
Converse, Clerk. Business then opened and petitions were 
received from the inhabitants of township 10, ranges IS and 19, 
praying to be incorporated into an election district. This was 
granted and the township named " Eagle." These are the pres- 
ent townships of Eagle and Jackson in Vinton County. The elec- 
tion ordered at the same time was to be held on May 9, 1818, at 
the house of Moses Dawson. The next business was also for an 
election precinct, and this time it was township 11, ranges IS and 
19, whose inhabitants wanted a township organization. It was 
granted, and named "Salt Creek." This includes the present 
townships of Salt Creek and Benton. The election was also 
ordered for May 9, ISIS, and at the house of Bastian Fousts. 
Elections were held that year in Eagle, Salt Creek, Starr and Fall 
(now Falls) townships. The election resulted in favor of Peter 
Ilaynes for Sheriff; Isaac Peterson, Coroner, and for John Rat- 
cliff, Jacob Straus and Dutton Lane, Commissioners. The Sheriff 
gave a bond in the sum of £4,000, signed by George Goul and 
Daniel Karshner as securities. The Commissioners appointed 
John A. Peters Collector. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 821 

PROCEEDINGS FIRST REGULAR MEETING. 

It seems that the first regular meeting of the County Commis- 
sioners was June 1, 1818. The following was the first order of 
record: 

'•''Ordered at the first regular meeting of the Commissioners of 
Hocking County, June 1, 1818, That ferry license for the ensuing 
year be assessed at two dollars. 

" That the rates of ferriage across the Ilockhocking River is estab- 
lished as follows: For man and horse, 12 1-2 cents; for footman, 
6 1-4 cents; for four-horse wagon, loaded, 50 cents; for four-horse 
wagon not loaded, 37 1-2 cents; for two-horse wagon, loaded, 37 1-2 
cents; for two-horse wagon, not loaded, 25 cents; for one-horse cart 
or wagon, loaded, 18 3-4 cents. 

" That the rate of tavern license be assessed $6 for the ensuing 
year. 

"Retail merchants and peddlers, $10." 

At this meeting the Commissioners went into a written contract 
with Gasham M. Peters to build a county jail, to be placed on the 
northeast corner of lot 1, in the town of Logan. This lot was sit- 
uated on the corner of Walnut and Hunter streets. This contract 
was afterward withdrawn, June 20, and a part of Samuel Smith's 
house, in the language of the court, was "to be considered the county 
jail, except in State cases, which commitments shall be in Fairfield 
County." The cause of the withdrawal of jail contract may be 
found in the following order, at another meeting, July 20, 1818, 
which read: 

" Ordered, That the jail in Logan be accepted from the Hon. 
Thomas Worthington in accordance with his proposition." 

At this meeting, June 1, 1818, it was ordered, that the petition 
for a road from west of Main street in Logan, in a westerly direc- 
tion, to intersect the old county road near the Falls be granted." 

Also, that I3enj. Webb, Andrew Crocket and Joseph Johnson be 
appointed viewers of the proposed road from the east end of Main 
street in Logan, to intersect the old county road at or near the 
upper bridge across Oldtown Creek; $105 damage was paid to 
John Pence, Sr., in the locating of this road. 

GRAND JURY. 

I There were one or two other meetings of the Commissioners 
that year, but nothing of importance transpired, being road 
business and some other matters of purely local affairs. The first 



822 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Grand Jury called for in Hocking County was composed as follows: 
Aaron Young, Foreman; Robert Watts, John Zellows, Fred. 
Bitcher, David Dutcher, Chas. Westenhaver, Michael Warren, 
Chas. Wright, Watson Peterson, George Hansell, Isaac Peterson, 
Samuel Moore, Geo. Randebaugh, Coon Bryan, Cornelius Shoe- 
maker. 

The first session of the Court Commissioners held in January, 
1819, was at the house of Joseph Whipple, which * was designated 
as the court-house, at the session Dec. 19, 1818. At that session 
a petition was presented by the inhabitants of township 12, range 
18, original survey, asking for the privilege of electing their own 
trustees, which was granted. This township is the present Laurel, 
which comprises the above township and range. 

ROADS AND TOWNSHIPS. 

At the regular June meeting, 1819, the road from Logan to the 
Jackson County line, which had been viewed previously and re- 
port of the viewers received, was ordered by the County Court to 
be opened upon, the line marked out to be thirty-three feet wide. 
March 13, 1820, a road was laid out from Logan to Sunday Creek, 
toward Marietta; another, Oct. 2, 1820, from Logan to the county 
line toward Chillicothe; and still another from David Johnston's 
to Logan, March 14, 1821. These Avere the main roads opened. 
They were all to be forty feet wide. 

Jan. 21, 1819, Samuel Tannehill, Christopher Westenhaver and 
Samuel Moore were appointed appraisers to lay off the sixteenth 
section of township 12,of range 18 (Laurel), into convenient lots, 
and to value the same on the application of the trustees of said 
township. This was the first sixteenth section laid off. On the 
20th of the next September another petition was filed for the same 
purpose in connection with a petition by the inhabitants, township 
12, range 17, to organize into an independent precinct, which 
was granted in both cases, and an election was ordered to be 
held at the house of David Johnston, Oct. 18, 1819. This was 
the present Swan Township, which lay in that township and 
range. At this time, and apparently for the year 1819, Wm. Wal- 
lace was Clerk of the Board of Commissioners. In the following 
year, 1820, he was appointed Auditor, or probably appointed the 
fall before, but gave his bond March 13, 1820. He was appointed 
in 1821 and 1822. Congressional township 13, of range 16, 
was the next to organize and elect trustees. This was a part 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 823 

of the present Green Township and all of Falls-Gore. Its election 
was held April 29, 1820, at the house of Samuel Tannehill. G. 
M. Peters, who was the first Treasurer, was reappointed in June, 
1820, 1821, 1822 and 1823. The tax levy for the jear 1820 was 50 
cents on the $100 valuation on real property, and 30 cents 
on horses and 10 cents on cattle. The road tax on real estate in 
1819 amounted to $87 dollars, and this was divided among 
the four townships, as follows: Falls, $31; Starr, $30; Eagle 
$11.37i and Salt Creek, $18. 374-. 

In 1821 Salt Creek Township asked to vote for trustees for its 
sixteenth section, and the same year, and at the June term, Good 
Hope Township is first spoken of. Its first election was held at the 
house of John Francisco, Sept. 29, 1821. It was a part of con- 
gressional township 13, range 18. 

A road was ordered opened to Cbnnelsville in 1826, and another 
to Fairfield County line, along the river, in December, 1823, both 
not to exceed forty feet in width. 

GREEN AND LAUREL. 

Green Township was organized in 1823, the following order 
being made June 2 of that year: 

" Ordered, That so much of township 13, of range 1G, as lies north 
of Hocking River, and so much of township 14 as lies in Hocking 
County, be laid out into a separate township, to be known by the name 
of Green Township." 

At the same date the north four tiers of sections, now Marion 
Township, and two tiers of sections, each in Starr and Green, were 
added to Falls Township for voting purposes, though this order 
slightly interferes with the lines as given to Green Township above. 
Laurel was not organized as such until March 2, 1824, although she 
had been a separate voting precinct since 1820. The order was as 
follows: 

" Ordered, That the original survey of township 12, range 18 
be organized under the name of Laurel Township." 

There were numerous changes in those early days in town- 
ship and also county lines. For instance, Green Township 
took in north of the river and Falls-Gore, which was so much 
of township 14, range 16, as lay in Hocking County. Falls 
was also changed several times. Good Hope and Marion, which 
belonged to Falls Township, was petitioned to be set apart, June 
7, 1824, as a separate township. This was done the following De- 
cember, and an election ordered on the first Monday of April, 1825, 



824 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

at what was then "called the paper-mill. The township was to be 
called Good Hope. 

John Brown was County Treasurer in the year 1824. 

TOWNSHIPS NUMBERED. 

The County Commissioners seemed to have divided their time 
between laying out roads and changing township lines, and in mix- 
ing up congressional townships and ranges as to make it almost 
impossible to find out just where the lines of a municipal township 
were to be found. At the June term, 1825, being the regular 
term, the Commissioners set to work to overhaul the entire munic- 
ipal divisions of the county, arrange their boundaries and give 
them numbers as well as names. 

TOWNSHIP AND RANGE LINES. 

This action of the County Commissioners makes it necessary 
to more clearly understand them — that the incongruity of the 
congressional township lines of the State and that of the Ohio 
Purchase should be explained. From the north and south line 
of the Ohio Company's purchase west, the congressional town- 
ships are regular, but crossing that line the congressional town- 
ship changes, and even the Ohio Company failed to run theirs 
the same; its first tier of congressional townships, on the west 
side, being one number more and different from the one adjoin- 
ing. There will be found that the State congressional township 12 
is opposite township 14 of the Ohio Purchase, and the next town- 
ship east, in the purchase, is No. 13; then it seems to run regular 
enough for two ranges when it again changes, and the Ohio Pur- 
chase is in very bad shape. This was caused by making the Ohio 
River its base line and numbering accordingly, starting at every 
range as No. 1. The river running northwest, cut the number ot 
townships down from fifteen to seven; that is, rauge 17 had fifteen 
congressional townships, while range 13 had but seven, and they 
also numbered their sections from the southeast corner of their 
township instead of the northeast. Dr. Cutler, General Putnam 
and their followers seemed to have had level heads upon the subject 
of education a trifle superior to some of a later day, but their sur- 
veying parties were indifferent as to whether they could square 
the circle, or that a triangle was not just as good as a right angle for 
a base line. The congressional townships of the Ohio Purchase 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 825 

are a curiosity from their inconsistency in numbering, This will 
explain the position of the different townships as named and num- 
bered by the County Commissioners at their June term, June 7, 
1825. 

NO. 1. FALLS TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That congressional townships 13 and 14 and one 
tier of sections in township 15, on the east side, all in range 17, 
form the township of Fall, and be known as No. 1." 

NO. 2. GREEN TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That township 13 and so much of township 14 as 
lies in Hocking County, all in range 16, shall form the township 
of Green and be known as No. 2." 

NO. 3. STARR TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That so much of townships 11 and 12, of range 16, 
as lie in Hocking County shall be Starr Township, and known as 
No. 3." 

NO. 4. SWAN TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That township 12, of range 17, be known by the name 
of Swan and be numbered 4." 

NO. 5. EAGLE TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That township 10, of ranges 18 and 19, be called 
Eagle Township, and be known as No. 5." 

NO. 6. SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

" Ordered, That township 11, and so much of township 12, of 
range 19, as lies in Hocking County, and township 11, in range 18, 
shall form Salt Creek Township and be numbered 6." 

NO. 7. LAUREL TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That township 12, of range 18, shall bs Laurel Town- 
ship, and be known as No. 7." 

NO. 8. GOOD HOPE TOWNSHIP. 

"Ordered, That so much of township 13, of range 18, and 
township 15, of range 17, as lie in Hocking County, excepting one 
tier of sections on the east side of township 15, shall form Good 
Hope Township, and be numbered 8." 



826 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ITEMIZED. 

The election of Daniel Harsh, as County Collector this year, 
1826, was the first time this office was made elective. 

Washington Township was organized June 5, 1826, and was 
township 13, of range 17, which was taken off" of Falls. This was 
No. 9, but nothing was said about the number. 

The first brick house, probably, in Hocking County was that ot 
Abraham Bitcher, erected in 1825; that is to say, at the June term 
of the court, 1826, Mr. Bitcher got $750 for the use of his brick 
house as a court-house three times, which is the only record of a 
brick house in the county up to that time. 

Then Jacob Myers, who was the fortunate possessor of a stal- 
lion, for breeding purposes, was equally unfortunate in not hav- 
ing a license. The matter was compromized by Jacob leaving $20 
in the county treasury for incidental expenses. 

The three per cent, fund in 1826 was appropriated by the Com- 
missioners for the purpose of building a bridge across the Hocking 
River at the Falls, which was let to Demascus Weyman for the sum 
of $794, the following year, Nov. 3, 1827, and accepted as finished 
by the Commissioners at the June session, 1829. 

The clerk of the court, Dec. 3, 1827, asked the County Com- 
missioners to pay him some Court fees which certain defendants 
were unable to pay. The Commissioners respectfully declined, 
not considering it a lawful account. 

The total receipts for the fiscal year, ending June 1, 1830, was 
$1,010.39 9-10, and the amount paid out $910.95 6-10. This left a 
balance in favor of the county, of receipts over expenditures, of 
$99.44 3-10. 

Mr. A. G. Bright was appointed Assessor in 1828 and Treas- 
urer in 1829. 

FALLS-GORE AND JACtfSON. 

The inhabitants of Falls-Gore petitioned to have them transferred 
from Green Township to Falls, which was done March 4, 1828. 
Logan, as a voting precinct, was much nearer to them than in 
Green, and so they wanted to be changed, as they were compelled 
to come to the county seat on business. 

DECEMBER 6, 1831, 

is the date on which Jackson Township became an independent 
municipality. It is composed of township 10, range 18, and named 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 827 

after General Andrew Jackson, and the first election was held at 
the house of Frederick Garrick, Dec. 24, 1831. 

NO. 11. MARION TOWNSHIP. 

It was nearly a year from the above day that Marion Township 
came into existence, as follows: 

" Ordered, That the petition of the inhabitants of that part of 
Good Hope and Falls townships lying in congressional township 
15, of range 17, in Hocking County, be made a separate township, 
to be called Marion, and known as No. 11." 

The election was ordered held at the house of Frederick Cowick 
on the 29th day of December, 1832. 

The State road from Logan to Thornville, Perry County, was 
opened Dec. 2, 1833. In 1834 six sections of Eagle Township, be- 
ing from No. 1 to 6, inclusive, in township 10 of range 19, were 
taken from Eagle and added to Salt Creek Township, where they 
still remain, giving that town forty-two sections of land, being 
those six sections over a congressional township. There was little 
to interest the people in the proceedings of the Commissioners for 
many years. It was on Dec. 5, 1836, that 

BENTON TOWNSHIP 

had a local habitation and a name, having been organized that day 
in the following words: 

" Ordered, That the petition of the inhabitants of township 11 of 
range 18 be granted, and that in compliance therewith that said 
township be set off from Salt Creek and be made a separate town- 
ship, by the name of Benton, and known as No. 12." 

JAIL AND COURT-HOUSE. 

The old jail and the old court-house were getting to be both 
insecure and dilapidated, and it was decided to erect new ones. 
The first move was for a' county jail, which it was decided to 
build by the County Commissioners at their meeting in May. 
May 3, 1837, the Commissioners contracted with Win. Montgom- 
ery for the erection and completion of a county jail building for 
the sum of $2,118. Mr. Montgomery gave a guarantee bond of 
$4,000, signed by C. W. James, Thomas WoHhington, F. B. 
Drake, James Jones, R. Green and Elijah James as securities. He 
completed the building the same year. The court-house was not 



828 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

put under contract until March 4, 1839, nearly two years after. 
Win. Montgomery also secured this contract, the consideration 
being $8,800. The contract called for a building modeled after 
the county court-house of Portage County and a bond was ex- 
acted for a faithful performance of contract in the sum of $10,000. 
Upon this paper the following names appeared as securities, to 
wit: James Jones, George Bright, Jno. B. Zimmerman, Chas. W. 
James and Frederick Mullenhour. The County Commissioners 
who let the contract were Robert McBroom, Madison Lemon, and 
W. H. Dunkle. The building was finished the following year, 
1841, and accepted by the Commissioners. It is still standing 
and occupied by the officials of the county. This building and 
the jail, like the completion of the Hocking Canal, seemed to open 
a new era in the county's history, and a step forward in advanced 
progress. The next step was the starting of a newspaper, 
which was to become permanent the following year, but ere that 
point is reached there are matters of some importance to be 
recorded. 

SOME MINERAL TALK. 

All this time the progress of the county had been from a purely 
agricultural standpoint, and few up to the date of the county's or- 
ganization were aware of the immense resources of coal and iron to 
be found within her borders. One of the writers on this subject 
has placed Logan within twelve miles of the center of the coal fields 
of the Hocking Valley, while another locates her in the " bowels" 
of the same field or mining district. The fact of the case is, the 
latter is right, though these same " bowels" cover a wide ex- 
tent of country. Had the first writer stated that Logan was within 
twelve miles of the center of the present mining district he, too, 
would have made a correct statement. Without doubt, the six 
townships on the east side of Hocking will, when developed, show 
in coal and iron the equal of Straitsville and Nelsonville. Coal is 
all around Logan, but little has been done to bring to the surface 
the immense quantities of iron ore, the inexhaustible deposits of 
coal, the vast amounts of tire-clay and the beautiful and valuable 
timber, all of which is spread over hill and dale, in the vicinity of 
the valley, all within easy access, if utilized and brought into use. 
There is no location in the valley where manufacturing interest 
would pay a. better profit than within this county of Hocking, and 
the site of its capital city is peculiarly situated to make it one of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 829 

the greatest manufacturing centers of the State. It combines all 
the elements of business success in that line — wood and water in 
abundance; coal and iron at her door, inexhaustible in quantity; 
water and steam power at nominal cost; fire-clay, saltpeter and 
glass sand in lavished quantity, with rail and water transportation 
facilities. Man cannot ask more, and capital need seek no farther 
for a place where the cost of production can be reduced to a 
minimum, or where a market can be found nearer to the place of 
manufacture. Besides this, Hocking County possesses another 
great advantage. Her soil is rich and fertile, and the consumers 
and producers being so Dear together would give to one a market 
for his product, while the other would receive the benefit of low 
prices, less, at least, the cost of transportation. The day cannot 
be far distant when capital, seeing its opportunity, will fill this 
valley with machinery that will develop the riches with which 
Providence, with a lavish hand, has filled this county, and which 
needs but the magic hand of genius and the open-handed but fos- 
tering care of capital to yield for the benefit of man its inexhaustible 
hidden wealth. The magnificent future of Hocking County is not 
one of doubt or of mystery; time and capital will develop it. The 
former is certain, but this future could be brought nearer if a com- 
bined effort was made on the part of the people to induce capital 
to concentrate its energies here. 

IN THE MATTER OF PROGRESS. 

From the organization of the county Hocking steadily advanced, 
and from a population of 2,000 in 1820, she had in 1840 reached 
the number of 8,510. This was a very good showing. The Hock- 
ing Canal, which enabled the operators in coal and iron to get 
their output to market, and the farmer to dispose of the surplus 
product of his farm, was a boon to them, and it brought a boom to 
the county. Settlers began to pour in, and prosperity was seen 
on every hand. It was completed in 1840, but the knowledge pf 
the fact that it would be built was sufficient to give all business a 
8 tart two or three years before its completion. The coal operators 
especially, took advantage of the knowledge, possessed and enlarged 
their field of action, to be ready to take advantage of the new form 
of transportation. So the decade between 1830 and 1810 showed, a 
sound and substantial advance in both population and wealth, with 
a still brighter promise for the next decade. The following was 
the census of 1840 by townships: 



830 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Logan City, 436; Falls, 1,625; Green, 1,189; Starr, 622; Salt 
Creek, 821; Laurel, 836; Good Hope, 469; Benton, 448; Washing- 
ton, 1,124; Marion, 1,370; Savan, 759; Jackson, 472 — total, 9,735. 

1842. 

In the first number of the Hocking Sentinel, issued June 
24, 1842, an interesting item was published of the taxation of the 
county for that year. The total tax receipts weje $8,257.69. Con- 
trast that with that of forty years later, and the increase is astonish- 
ing, that of 1882 being $104,059.68. The same paper gave a list 
of attorneys of Logan, or rather those who were progressive enough 
to announce their names and business through the means of the 
press. They were: Alex. Van Hamm, A. De Long, Joseph Lovell, 
Harry Lovell and Joseph Cradlebaugh. The old newspaper files 
are a valuable repository of early history, and it is a pity 
that a paper could not be published from the date a settlement 
could boast of a cross-road outfit — a store, a blacksmith shop, a 
shoemaker, a school-house and four or five residences. The record 
of weekly doing would prove interesting. 

HOCKING SENTINEL, 1842. 

Through the courtesy of Mr. Lewis Green, editor of the Sentinel, 
a copy of the Hocking County Sentinel of date Sept. 9, 1842, was 
placed in our hands. It was a six-column folio. S. W. Tucker 
editor, and Tucker and Wright, proprietors. Then, as now, the 
paper was Democratic, and it had at its head Wilson Shannon for 
Governor. Its county ticket to be voted for in October was: 
Sheriff, Frederick Mullenhour; Auditor, Alexander White; Treas- 
urer, Flavius Case; Commissioner, Christian Eby, Jr.; Coroner, 
N. M. Stinchicomb; Surveyor, Thomas B. Jones. 

John White was President of the " Democratic Association " 
(so-called), and B. R. Graham, Secretary. Mr. Mullenhour, was 
then Treasurer; Wm. Nelson, Sheriff, and C. W. James, Clerk of 
Hocking County. Flavius Case was Superintendent of Public 
Schools. The paper was terribly exercised over the Whig bolt in 
the Legislature to prevent the districting of the State into congres- 
sional districts, twenty-nine Whig members refusing to occupy 
their seats, which left less than a quorum. It headed a column, 
" Thunderings of the Press," which contained extracts from the 
leading papers of the State and of the East. Thos. Corwin was then 
Governor, and he received a good share of the indignation ex- 
pressed, he canvassing the State while^Governor, in the interest of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 831 

the partisan bolters. Tyler's vetoes were referred to, and the general 
news of the day was found in its columns. It was for the times a 
very creditable paper. The Legislative district, in 1842, was com- 
posed of the counties of Ross, Pike, Jackson and Hocking. A 
convention to nominate members for the Legislature was called to 
order by Allen G. Thurman, and on his motion Flavius Case, of 
Hocking, was made temporary chairman of the convention. The 
convention was held at Richmond, Ross County. The district had 
three Representatives to elect. Two were nominated, and Hocking 
not being ready, her choice was to be nominated at a later day. 

The townships composing the county were: Falls, Green, Starr, 
Swan, Jackson, Salt Creek, Laurel, Good Hope, Washington and 
Benton. 

Congress was in the long session and did not adjourn until Aug. 
31, 1842, and the Rocking Sentinel gave it the following greeting: 
"Nothing will be more pleasing to our readers than the knowl- 
edge of the fact that Congress adjourned on the last day of August. 
It will be the fault of the freemen of the country if such a mad, 
reckless, unprincipled band of traitors again disgrace the halls of 
Congress." 

Such was a relic of the past, and one name is mentioned then 
that stands to-day the greatest man in the State and one of the 
ablest statesmen in the whole country, the Hon. Allen G. Thurman. 

NO STEP BACKWARD. 

Hocking County took no step backward in the decade between 
1840 and 1850. They were ten years of prosperity, coined by the 
sweat of the laborer's brow, whether in the field or in the mines, 
whether in town or country. It was a steady advance all along the 
line. Farms increased, stock of all kinds doubled in number, the 
population rose to 14,119 (nearly 50 percent, increase), the output 
of the coal interest quadrupled itself and a high carnival of pros- 
perity greeted the people on every hand. 

GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING. 

Hocking County was organized March 1, 1818, and was formed 
from the counties of Fairfield, Ross and Athens. Since that 
time changes have been made, losing and gaining, equally, yet 
making the correct boundary of to-day possible only by waiting 
until changes had ceased. Previous to 1850 her territory was as 
now, excepting Ward Township, the east half of Starr, the two 



832 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

north tiers of sections in Marion Township, and only two of the south 
tier of sections of Perry. In 1S50 Vinton County was organized, 
her first County Court being held in March of that year. At that 
time Hocking lost three townships, Jackson, Swan and Brown, 
which went to Yinton County, but received in return the remain- 
der of Starr, Perry and Marion townships, and in February, 1851, 
Ward Township from Athens County. In 1S40 Hocking County 
had the following townships : Benton, Falls, Good Hope, Green, 
Jackson, Laurel, Marion, Salt Creek, Starr, Swan and Washington. 
It had at that time 442 square miles of territory. 

ITS NAME. 

The name is taken from the Hockhocking River, which flowed 
through the county, and was a contraction of the name which has 
also since been applied to the river itself. So far as the county was or 
is concerned, the abbreviating of the name may not be of special 
importance, but the abridgement of the name of the river, de- 
stroying alike its meaning and musical cadence, is something for 
which there is no necessity and no reasonable explanation. Hock- 
hocking, in the language of the Delaware Indians, signifies a bottle; 
the Shawnees had it Wen-tha-Kagh-yua sepc, i. e., bottle river. 
John White, in the American Pioneer, says : "About six or seven 
miles northwest of Lancaster there is a fall in the Hockhocking 
of about twenty feet; above the fall for a short distance the creek 
is very narrow and straight, forming a neck, while at the falls it 
suddenly widens on each side and swells into the appearance of the 
body of a bottle. The whole, when viewed from above, appears 
exactly in the shape of a bottle, and from this fact the Indians 
called the creek Hockhocking." 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The land is generally hilly and broken, but there are many rich 
and beautiful valleys that yield bountifully to man's labor. It is 
one of the best watered counties in the State, and along these 
streams are rich tracts of valley land, not large in area, but pro- 
ductive from the banks of the streams to at least half-way up the 
hills that skirt the streams. The Hocking enters the county from 
the northwest, in Good Hope Township, and continues a south- 
easterly course, passing through Fall and Green townships and 
touching Marion and Starr, meandering about one and a half in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 833 

the former and two miles in the latter township, which it leaves 
and passes into Athens County. Then there are Monday and 
Sunday creeks and Snow Fork in the northeast ; Raccoon Creek 
and its branches in the southeast ; Salt Creek and its branches, 
Queer Creek and Big Pine Creek and their branches, the last emp- 
tying into Salt Creek and watering the Central, Southern and South- 
western portion of the county, while Laurel Creek and several tribu- 
taries leave the county on the west side. Besides these there are a 
.dozen other creeks, and springs innumerable. Stock-raising could 
become an immense and profitable business if followed. There is 
a growing interest in this department of agriculture, but it is still 
in its infancy, and if the real capacity of the county for stock-rais- 
ing purposes is considered, the stock business is a very young in- 
fant. Corn, wheat and grasses are the principal productions, with 
some tobacco, maple sugar and vegetables generally. 

The Wyandot Indians were the possessors of the soil at the time 
of the advent of the pale faces, and in this county, about one mile 
below the county seat, or Logan City, at the confluence of a small 
stream with the river, the tribe had quite a large town. The name 
of " Oldtown" was given to the creek, and it still retains the name. 
About five miles southeast of Logan, in Green Township, are two 
mounds, of the usual conical forms, about sixty feet in diameter at 
the base, erected entirely from stone, evidently brought from a 
great distance to their present location. This was the state of these 
mounds in 1845. The formation of the county shows it to have 
been a paradise for the animal kingdom, and they seem, from 
almost ever} 7 description given of early times, to have enjoyed 
their elysium. 

METES AM) BOUNDS. 

The county has had no changes since 1851, and her present mu- 
nicipal divisions are: Benton, Falls, Good Hope, Green, Laurel, 
Marion, Perry, Salt Creek, Starr, "Washington and Ward. She is 
bounded on the north by Fairfield and Perry counties, on the east 
by Perry and Athens counties, on the south by Vinton and 
Athens, ami on the west by Pickaway and Ross counties. The 
statistics of the county will enlighten the reader to the productions 
of the county, both in agriculture and mineral. Ward Township 
is credited with being the richest in mineral, and Perry with great 
men. Both these points may be open to discussion. So far, 
53 



834 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



Hocking: County ranks in regard to soil and production as one of 
the best agricultural counties in the valley of the Hocking — not 
as large a quantity of land for cereals and stock-raising as some 
others, but what there is of it is in no wa} r behind other lands in 
productiveness. There has been no county in the valley, if even in 
the State, that can show so steady a progress from 1820 to 1880 in- 
clusive. Only one decade, that between 1S60 and 1870, but what 
shows the same onward march, and the rank and file of the Union 
army will easily explain that. 

It was not until transportation became a veritable fact that the 
mineral productiveness of the county began to take its place in the 
aggregate of productive wealth, and not then to any very great 
extent, for the State itself was but an infant in the development of 
its mining interests. 






P ft C^L/ 



CHAPTER XXX. 

AGRICULTURAL AND MINERAL-LOCAL EVENTS. 

Iron Manufacturers — Progress and Flood — Yield of 1859 
— Local History — Valuation and Taxation — 1867 to 1S75 — 
Jail — Births and Deaths, 1873 — County Infirmary — Its 
Cost and Officers — Assessment Returns, 1874 and 1S76 — Ag- 
ricultural Products and Stock for 1S70, 1875 and 1880 — 
Hocking County Assessment, 1882 — Coal Output — Two Items 
— Hocking County Agricultural Society — From 1853 to 
1SS2 — Suspended — The Record of a Crime — Murder of 
the Weldon Family — Patrons of Husbandry — Oil Well — 
A Curiosity — The Hollow Poplar Tree — Postal Routes and 
Tally Ho! — Normal Institute — From 1868 to 1882. 

iron manufactures. 

The mineral interests of this valley are given in Chapter LV, but 
some local matter is here added. Early in the decade between 
1850 and 1860 the coal interest, which had begun to assume con- 
siderable proportions at Straitsville and Nelsonville, suggested to 
the manufacturing interests that they might utilize the great ore 
deposits of iron by erecting furnaces in the valley. Hocking and 
Vinton counties had vast quantities of iron ore of good quality, 
and capital came forward to engage in its conversion into pig iron. 
The first furnace erected in Hocking County was the Hocking Fur- 
nace, owned by Messrs. Moore & Birrd, in 1851. This was a 
success, and another one was started in 1853, called the Logan 
Furnace. The firm was composed of the two Dunn Brothers, Bishop 
and others, and was completed ready for business in 1854. As 
soon as this was fairly under way a stock company was formed to 
build the Five Mile Furnace in Starr Township. The principal 
stockholders were Daniel Dunn, of the Dunn Brothers, William 
Montgomery, John Westenhaver and Robert Wright, and went 
by the firm name of Robert Wright & Co. There were other 
stockholders, but these were the largest holders. The company 
sold it out in 1858 to John Garrett, who operated it to 1865, and 
after ;i few years sold to another company, and changed the name 
to Union Furnace. It now belongs to the Amalgamated or Con- 
solidated Company spoken of in another place. 

(835) 



836 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

The first iron ore discovered in the county, and which caused the 
subsequent building of the furnaces, was in 1818, and just north 
of and near by Logan, by William Montgomery. He not long 
after entered into a contract with the Dresden Furnace Company, 
in Muskingum County, to deliver 1,000 tons of ore, which contract 
was fulfilled. 

The following is the ratio of material used for one ton of iron, as 
manufactured at the Gore Furnace in Hocking County: 

Native ore, 1.91 tons; Red Hematite, 0.26 tons; Lake Cham- 
plain, 0.07 tons. Total ores, 2.24 tons. Coal, 2.67 tons. 

There are at this time in Hocking County six furnaces: Winona 
was built in/1877 by the Winona Iron Company; the Craft's, Union, 
Lee, Helen and Gore. On the 1st of March last these furnaces 
pooled their issues, or consolidated, and are now owned by what is 
called the "Columbus and Hocking Iron and Coal Company." 
The Winona and Gore are in the two-mile strip, called, by courtesy, 
"Falls-Gore;" the Union is in Starr Township, Craft's in Green 
Township, and Lee and Helen furnaces in Ward Township. There 
are two other furnaces just over the line in Perry C >unty. 

PROGRESSING — FLOODS. 

The starting of furnaces gave a slight impetus to business at the 
county seat and in the immediate vicinity of the works, but thero 
was no great advance during the decade. It was steady, and in 
the end, or in the year i860, showed a creditable gain, the popu- 
lation having increased nearly 3,000, and the wealth of the county 
was somewhat greater in proportion to population than in 1850, 
the increased mining interest and iron furnaces going to swell the 
aggregate. In 1852 the marriages for the year in the county wen: 
reported at 142. The decade was not a witness of any stirring event 
unless the freshet of 1858 might be so called, and that of 1859, 
which did not leave a bridge standing in the county that was not 
seriously damaged, while nearly three fourths were entirely washed 
away. The roads also suffered in many places, the repairs of all 
seriouslv depleting the funds in the County Treasury. The total 
receipts of the county for the fiscal year ending Sept. 1, 1859, 
amounted to s!>, 155.51, and the expenditures the same year to 
$8,814.80, leaving a balance of £310.71 in the treasury. The 
year 1859 was, however, notwithstanding the flood, a prosperous 
one to the farmer. 

The following year, that of 1860, was also one of prosperity to 
the fanner, but the same year brought the muttering of a coming 



HISTORY (IF HOCKING VALLEY. 



837 



storm that left prosperity a wreck, and made nearly every household 
in the land a house of mourning. 

LOCAL HISTORY. 

The progress of the count) 7 so far had been not so much to the 
improvement of the surroundings as to provide the wealth neces- 
sary for a rainy clay. As late as 1862 there was scarcely a frame 
building found in the county outside of the towns and villages; at 
least, if any, were very few. ■ Churches, cabins, school-houses — all 
were built of logs. The farmer had also clung to his two-horse 
wagon, and spring seats or spring wagons, buggies, etc., were few; 
probably not a half dozen spring wagons could have been found in 
the county at that date outside of the corporation. The change 
since then has been wonderful. The pride of the people has been 
aroused as well as a stronger desire for comfort, which has resulted 
in scattering over the county some very handsome two story brick 
and frame residences that will compare favorably with those of the 
surrounding counties, and which in finish, with their lawns and 
gardens, show a cultured and refined people, and comfort is taking 
the place of hardship, and the old pioneer or his children are meet- 
ing life with less hardship and trouble than those of a hundred 
years ago and less. 

-Peace meetings were held in Logan in August of 1864, and 
peace, as we all know, came in 1865. For four long years the 
white-winged angel Peace had hovered, weary and in sorrow, 
over the land, but the year 1865 brought rest, and she has since 
reigned, to the joy and prosperity of the people. 

VALUATION AND TAXES OF 186-1 AND 1865. 



TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS. 



Falls Township 

Falls District, No. 4. . 

Logan Village 

Green Township 

Ward Township 

Starr Township 

Washington Township. 

Benton Township 

Salt Creek Township... 

Perry Township 

LaurelTownsMp 

Good Hope Township. 
.Marion Township 



tot'l VAI.TK 
OF T'XABLE 
PROPERTY. 



i 



461,985 
53.405 
397,501 
270,455 
176,802 
231,914 
292,409 
168,864 
217,331 
355,188 
191,030 
140,238 
294,458 



Total | $3,251,580 



TOT'L TAXES 
FOR \I.I. 
PURPOSES 

$ 8,386.70 
1,449.13 
11,078.03 
3,556.32 
2,91828 
3 355.38 
::i'S6.46 
2,497.63 
2941.14 
4,330.54 
2,673.66 
4,825.20 
3,769.75 

$55,768.27 



838 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



The total valuation of personal property, moneys and credits, in 
Hocking County for the year 1865, as listed for taxation: 



TOWNSHIPS 

Falls 

Perry 

Washington 

Salt Creek 

Good Hope 

Benton 

Marion 

Laurel 

Starr 

Green 

Ward 

Total... 



$3,321,459 



VALUATION. 


TAXES. 


$ 927,642 


$ 22,150.04 


363,417 


6,614.54 


279,199 


3,408.36 


226,798 


4,626.94 


139,140 


3,479.74 


167,813 


4,027 28 


308,997 


4,542.04 


189,770 


2,884.72 


239,599 


5,535.16 


281,643 


5,407.28 


197,441 


3,336.62 



3,652.72 



The increase in those years was over $400,000 in the assessed 
valuation, that of 1867 giving the following report: 

valuation, 1867. 





ACRES 


VALUE 


VALUE OF 


VALUE OP 




t'wnships and towns. 


OP 


. OP 


REAL ESTATE 


CHATTEL 


tot'l val. 




LAND. 


LANDS. 


IN TOWNS. 


PROPERTY. 






30.262J4 


$ 329,546 


I 


$ 169,397 


$ 498,943 


Logan School District 


1,384% 


57,345 




33,805 


91,150 








182,275 


229,361 
111,880 


411,636 




22,954^ 


198,640 


350 


310,s70 


Ward Township 


23,288 ^ 


131,828 




64,610 


196,438 


Starr Township 


22,982^ 


149,977 


1,675 


117.712 


269.364 


Washington T'wnship 


23,191j| 


209,243 


3,670 


126,238 


339,151 


Benton Township. . . 


23,525% 


116,756 


5,614 


61,840 


184,210 


Salt (Jreek Township . 


26,959 


156,929 




74,305 


281,284 


Perry Township 


26,128^ 


231,369 


7,598 


142,609 


381,576 


Laurel Township.. . . 


23,655% 


135,239 


2,503 


71,219 


208,961 


Good Hope Township 


16,198 


91,002 


2,450 


78,913 


172,365 


Marion Township. . . 


23,435^ 
263,965% 


213,276 




122,136 

$1,404,025 


335,412 


Total 


$2,021,150 


$206,135 


$3,631,310 





JAIL. 



Although the proposition to build a jail had been voted down in 
1864 it was deemed necessary the above year to build a county 
jail, and while about it to put up a good one, something that would 
test the skill of the criminal fraternity to escape from. Proposals 
were solicited by advertising the same, and the County Commis" 
sioners met in special session July 10, 1S67, to examine the bids 
and make the awards. I. Vorys & Bros., of Lancaster, Ohio, were 
the successful competitors. The following were the proposals re- 
ceived and amounts: I. Vorys & Bros., $17,450; James D. Poston 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



839 



& Co., $21,975 ; H. Ackers & Co., $19,974 ; J. M. Floyd & Co., 
$21,450 ; W. Locke & Co., $21,150 ; Henry Petit, $19,500 ; M. 
Kreig, $19,365; L. Kleinschmidt, $18,190; Dr. James Sharp, 
$18,997. 

DEATH OF DENNIS m'cARTY. 

Jan. 23, 1S68, the county of Hocking and the city of Logan 
met with a serious loss in the death of* Dennis McCarty, County 
Treasurer. Few nobler men have lived in Hocking County than 
Dennis McCarty. Warm hearted, generous and true, it was only 
to know him to be his friend, for he attracted all by his geniality, 
and his death left an aching void which was hard to bear and 
harder yet to fill. 

The railroad fever, as will be found in another chapter, resulted 
in Hocking County and Logan doing their part, which gave to the 
Valley the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad. This 
was not long finished when the Straitsville Branch was pro- 
jected and built, which was completed in 1871, and the Straits- 
ville mines took a start from the next January. 

« 

BIRTHS AND DEATHS 



in the county for 1873, or the fiscal year ending April 1, were: 



TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS. 



Logan Village 

Falls Township 

Green Township 

Ward Township 

Starr Township 

\V;ishiugton Township. 

Benton Township 

Salt Creek Township . 

Perry Township 

Laurel Township 

Good Hope Township 
Marion Township 



Total 



Increase 



21 
17 
20 
30 
23 
19 
13 
29 
19 
21 
1(5 
23 

251 



30 
22 

10 
19 
27 
15 
22 
20 
•2:) 
21 
17 
23 

255 



TOTAL. 



51 

39 
30 
49 
50 
34 
35 
55 
42 
42 
3: J 
40 

506 



23 
5 

21 

10 

16 

6 

8 

13 

20 

9 

14 

23 

168 

338 



The same report of IS 75 was: Total births, 550; deaths, 208; 
increase, 342. 

John Smeltzer was convicted, A.pril 30, 1873, of manslaughter 
for the murder of his sister-in-law, Barbara Smeltzer. Family 
trouble was the cause. 



840 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Fire-clay was discovered on the Gallagher farm in the fall ot 
1875. 

The county debt, in 1875, was $1,000, contracted for the pur- 
chase of the Infirmary farm and buildings. 

COUNTY POOR FARM. 

Prior to 1868 the poor and infirm of the county were turned 
over for keeping to those who would care for them for the least 
money. But while the cost seemed to be greater than under the 
Poor Farm system now, it was not so well for the paupers. If 
they were kept cheap they had pretty cheap living. The farm 
contains 218 acres and is considered one of the best in the county, 
being composed of rich alluvial bottom-land and some very fertile 
upland, mostly a level plateau, not hard to cultivate, while the lo- 
cation is dry and healthy. It has been well attended to, and its 
crops have generally been good. In the report of the farm prod- 
uct in 1877, the following crops were harvested with ihe 
amount of each: Wheat, 305 bushels; corn, 2,000 bushels; sweet 
potatoes, 25 bushels; beets, S bushels; onions, 18 bushels; lima 
beans, 12 bushels; hay, 8 tons, and 2,000 cabbage heads. 

The expenses of the Infirmary for the year were reported at 
$1,500; outside relief, 81,600; total, 83,100. 

The inmates in 1878 numbered — males, 37; female?, 20; total, 
57. Of these 22 were children. 

The purchase of this farm was made Dec. 11, 1860, for the sum 
of $17,000, the Board of Commissioners taking possession April 
1, 1870. Aprils, 1S70, a contract was entered into with Isaac 
Vorys ec Brother for an Infirmary building at the contract price 
of $14,000. 

The building was completed and ready for occupancy in the 
spring of 1871. It is a line three-story brick building with base- 
ment, 100 x 45 feet, situated on an elevated plain about throe and a 
half miles southeast of Logan, in the edge of Green Township. 
The first inmate of the hone was Jane Nixon, who was received 
April 4, 1871. There are at this time forty-three inmates. Chil- 
dren of three years and upward are kept at the children's home. 
The first Directors or Trustees elected wore: W. R. Harden, 
John F. Brown and John Keller. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



841 



SUPERINTENDENTS. 

1871, John Stephens, Mr. Duffey; 1S72-'T6, John Clark; 1876- 
'80, Thos. Rose; 1SS0-'81, James J. Paxton; 1881-'83, John 
Zavey; 1883, Daniel Nixon. Trustees, 1883, Samuel H. Her, 
President; John A. Shaw, Clerk, and Noah Poling. 

FROM THE RETURNS OF 1874. 

The assessment returns of 1874 give real and personal property 
and also townships and villages. This will enable us to compare 
future years and know the progress the county has made and which 
township exhibited the most enterprise and progress. 



TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS. 



ACRES 

OF 
LAND 



Falls Township. . 

Burgessville 

Hamlin 

Oreville 

Green Township. 

Maysville 

Ward Township. 

Carbonhill 

Stan Township. . 
New Cadiz 



Washington Township. 
Point Pleasant 



30,321 



23,343 
23,976 



23,388 



VAI.UK 

OP 
LANDS. 



433,680 



338,801 
361,996 



278,875 



23,263 265,072 



23,498 



192,235 



281,045 



llesboro 

New Mount Pleasant 
Benton Township. . . 

Bloomingville 

East Bloomingville. . 

Salt Creek Township ' 86,900 

Perry Township | 26.146J 300,876 

South Perry 

Buena Vista 

Laurelville 

Laurel Township. . . . 

Gibisonville 

Good Hope Township 

Millville 

Marion Township. . . 
L igan Village 



23,751 



16,331 



227,284 



130.750 



23,547 
278 
L< igan School District I 1,049 



268,537 



To'al 



VAL. OF 

REAL 
ESTATE, 



VAL. OF 
CHATTEL 



TOWNS, [PROP TT. 
VILAG'6 



4,392 
4,518 

5,305! 

' *869 
13,465' 
' 1*922 

"l73 

1,700 
2,823 



4,976 
2,286 



5,327 
1,412 
7,695 



2,308 
5,828 



378.170 

37,810 



436,697 



263,118 
109, 089 
195,496 
111 ,165 



67,479 



100,351 
133,033 



84,181 



132,408 

155,308 

378,502 

8,985 



TOTAL 
VALUE. 



870,323 
4, 3! )2 
4,518 
5,305 

601, !)1 9 
369 

471,079 
13,465 

474,371 
1,922 

376,237 

173 

1,700 

2,823 

259,714 
4,976 
2,286 

381,396 

433,909 
5,327 
4,412 
7,695 

311,471 
2,308 

263 158 
5,828 

123,845 

756,672 
46,795 



265,797 3,079,151 480,479|2,1 75,818 5 735,448 



INCREASE OF ASSESSMENT IN* 1876. 



Acres of land, 265,815 f. Value of land, $3,136,029. Value ot 
town and village lots, $451,415. Value chattel property, S2.100,- 
194; assessed total,$5, 687,638. Average taxation, 15 3-10 cents 



842 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



on $100 valuation. This was a gain in nine years of $2,056,328, 
or nearly 58 per cent. This was certainly a handsome gain and 
showed a substantial progress in every department. Increased 
mineral development, a larger area in agricultural labor and a de- 
cided increase in live stocks. Better to show what the increase 
or decrease may have been during the decade between 1870 and 
18S0, the product is given for the three years. 

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 1870. 



Sugar, maple, lbs 1,525 

Molasses, sorghum, gals 40,422 

" maple, gals 1,037 

Indian com, bu 498,660 

Oats, bu 108,726 

Barley, bu 1,207 

Buckwheat, bu 1,187 

Tobacco, lbs 82,010 



Wool, lbs 130,960 

Potatoes, Irish, bu 54,432 

" sweet " 2,025 

Hay, tons 13,792 

Assessed val. real estate $2,280,513 

" personal estate. $1,472,370 
Total of real and per. estate. .$3,752,883 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 1875. 



Orchard products 2,373 

Maple sugar, lbs 524 

" syrup, gal 766 

Sorghum syrup, gal 14,345 

Corn, bu 545,194 

Oats, bu 27,770 

Barley, bu 95 

Buckwheat, bu 5,556 



Tobacco, lbs 12,900 

Wool, lbs 88,331 

Potatoes, Irish, bu 72,734 

sweet, bu 2,320 

Hay, tons 5,978 

Ass'd val. real estate $3,569,323 

personal " $2,205,676 

Total val. real and per. es. ..$5,774,990 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, 1SS0. 



Orchard Products, bu 152,328 Buckwheat, bu 1,807 

Maple sugar, lbs 1,632 Tobacco, lbs 11,556 

Maple syrup, gals 1,270 Wool, " 179,531 



Sorghum " " 11,750 

Corn, bu 439,454 

Oats, bu 21,920 

Barley, b« 533 



Potatoes, Irish, bu 63,067 

" sweet, bu 3,418 

Hay, tons 10,338 

Assessed value real estate. . .$3,780,144 



STOCK STATISTICS, HOCKING COUNTY. 



1870. 

Horses 5,101 

Cattle • 13,295 

Mules 205 

Sheep 86,789 

Hops 16,389 



1875.1 1880. 



10,337 

196 

24,840 

11,754 



1,635 3,958 



9,838 
343 

40 287 
8,198 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



843 



VALUATION. 



The valuation ot stock and grain for assessment purposes was 
averaged as follows: 

Horses four years old and upward, $65; three years old, $40 
two years old, $25; one year old, $20. Cattle four years old, $25 
three years old, $20; two years old, $14; one year old, $7. Cows 
$20; oxen, yoke, $70; mules, $70; sheep, per head, $2; hogs, per 
pound, 4 cts; wheat, per bushel, $1.25; corn, per bushel, 30c. 
wool, per lb., 40c. ; hay, per ton, $7; potatoes, per bushel, 70c. 
lumber, per hundred feet, $1. 

ASSESSED VALUATION OF HOCKING COUNTY FOR 1882. 



TOWNSHIPS. 



Ward 

Green 

Starr 

Washington 

Falls 

Logan City 

Marion 

Good Hope 

Laurel 

Benton 

Salt Creek 

Perry 

Loean School District. 
Gore 

Gibisonville" " 
Millville 



REAL 

ESTATE. 



$457,757 

369,466 

311,249 

282,655 

433,403 

491,510 

212,758 

113,333 

159,660 

167,851 

234,092 

375,266 

37,493 

74,200 

27,601 

27,712 



PERSONAL 
PROPERTY. 



$183. 

332, 

199 
94 

363 

321. 

140. 

107. 
48, 
58, 
76, 

102. 
35, 
88, 

9.9 



713 
647 
201 
867 
621 
419 
957 
163 
404 
175 
340 
180 
307 
523 
992 
896 



GRAND 
TOTAL. 



$641,470 
702,113 
510.450 
377,522 
797,024 
812,929 
353,715 
220,496 
208,064 
226,026 
310,432 
477,446 
72,800 
162,723 
50,593 
50,608 



Totals $3,776,006 $2,198,405 $5,974,411 

Total tax assessed for 1882 $104,059.68. 



PRODUCTION OF COAL. 



Production of coal in 1870, 1,889,000 bushels; 1S75, 1,500,000 
bushels; 1878, 5,203,083 bushels; 1880, 4,421,300 bushels. The 
year 1878 was an unusual one, and the output the greatest between 
1870 and 1880; the increase is over 133^ per cent. These figures 
give the exact advance made in the several productive departments 
of labor, and while, as before remarked, no extraordinary progress 
has been made, it has still been steady and progressive, and to an 
extent that should be at least satisfactory to the people. 

The greatest snow storm which ever visited Hocking County 
was that of the night of Jan. 30, 1878. It averaged eighteen 
inches deep on the level, while in drifts it could be found from four 
to six feet deep. 



844 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The platting of Hocking was done in 1ST9, and the work was 
performed by Levi Davis, who received 81,200, as per contract. 
This work materially assisted the appraisers of the county in not 
only making a correct appraisement but helped to a more speedy 
performance of their duty. 

HOCKING COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

This society was organized April 23, 1S53, by the election ot 
the following officers: President, Robert Wright; Vice-President, 
James McDowell; Secretary, Manning Stiers; Treasurer, Ghas. W. 
James; Managers, Dr. E. T. Brown, O. Case. E. Geisy, Isaac 
Stiers and F.' A. Gibbons. 

This early evidence of enterprise and co-operati'on among the 
agricultural citizens of Hocking speaks well for their wisdom and 
evinces a disposition on their part to be fully up with the times. 
Although the Legislative act authorizing the establishment of agri 
cultural societies had been passed in 1S32, they did not begin to 
be general until about this time. 

THE FIRST FAIR 

was held the year of its establishment, at Logan, Oct. IS and 19. 
The fair-ground was between the river and canal, below the Mul- 
berry street bridge over the canal, and was then all a sugar or 
maple grove. This was very different from the fairs of to-day in 
many respects, but as the following numbers show, the exhibition 
of live-stock and produce was large, and for that day, probably 
very good. The entries were as lollows: Class A, including horses 
and mules, sixty-two animals; the judges on this class were John 
Van Pierce, of Lancaster; Albert Parker and William H. Dean. 
Class B (cattle), twenty-four animals; Judges, L. S. Bort, Peter 
Galligher and J. Van Pierce. Class C (sheep), seven animals; 
Judges, J. C. P. Moore, of Vinton County, mil Hanson Marlow, 
Perry County. Class D (swine), ten animals; Judges, William 
Alexander, James Dew and Jacob Hansel. Class E (poultry), nine 
animals or birds; Judge, Harvey Moore. Class F (agricultural 
implements), eight articles; .Judges, YV. Patrick and Joel Gibison. 
Class G (mechanical products), twenty-five articles; Judges, J. P. 
Officer, L. Hutchins and N. Dalton. Class H (domestic prod- 
ucts), forty-seven articles; Judges, William Rippev, Mrs. Dr. 
Brown, Mrs. James Dewar and Mrs. J. L. Collins. Class I (farm 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 845- 

products, per acre), five competitors; Judges, Robert D. Smith, 
Moses Starr and Chas. Pruden. Class J (orchard products), six 
exhibits; Judge, William H. McClintock. Class K (minerals), 
three exhibits; Judges, T. Worthington, Daniel Dean and Dr. 
Brice. Class L (horticultural products), five exhibits; Judges, T. 
Worthington and Airs. C. Leach. Class M (sweepstakes), ten 
entries. Class N (miscellaneous products), seventeen entries. 
There was no racing of any kind at this fair, it being strictly an 
agricultural exhibition. The awards made by the judges as pre- 
miums on the entries amounted to §113. On the second day ot 
the fair an interesting address was delivered by J. A. Brown, Esq. 
The attendance was good and, everything considered, the fair was 
considered a great success. A. White was appointed delegate to 
the State Agricultural Convention. 

On the following Nov. 10 the Board of Managers purchased a 
lot of Mr. Jesse Westenhaver for the use of the society, for $S00, 
the county paying half down and holding the deed in accordance 
with the provision of the law encouraging agricultural societies. 

The second fair was held Oct. 5 and f>, at the new fairground. This 
was an improvement over the first fair, but fell short of expecta- 
tions owing to the extreme dry weather during the growing season. 
The address was delivered by Silas II. Wright. The officers fur 
1854 were the same as the first, except the substitution of Isaac 
Stiers in place of McDowell for Vice-President, and one or two 
changes in the Board of Managers. In 1855 the officers elected 
were: Manning Stiers, President; Albert Parker, Vice-President; 
C. W. James, Treasurer; J. H. M. Houston, Secretary; and Isaac 
Mathias, W. W. Wright, Wilford Stiers, Wm. Galligher and John 
McClelland, Managers. The fair this year was held on the 11th and 
12th of October. At this exhibition was introduced the novelty oflady 
horsemanship, the result of which proved the most attractive feature 
of the fair. The committee in reporting recognized the superiority 
of Miss Meridian, ot Muskingum County, but her residence out- 
side of the county debarred her from receiving the premium, and it 
was awarded to Miss Wooley as the best competitor from Hocking 
County, " for her fearlessness in riding and the skill with which 
she managed her horse." The second premium was given to Miss 
Snider. Sickness and other prevailing circumstances had augured 
poor success for this fair, but, on the contrary, it proved equal to, if 
not better, than any previously held, the number and variety" of 
entries outnumbering those of any previous fair. 



846 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

The next year (1856) Albert Parker was President and E. F. Mo- 
Fadden, Secretary. The fourth animal fair was held Oot _ and 8; 

This year eighty-seven entries were made in Class A, and the other 
lists were correspondingly large. The awards in premiums this 
year amounted to $166.62£. 

The next annual fair was held Oct. 1 and "J, L857. For this year 
S. H.. Wrightwas President, and W. F. -lames, Secretary of the 
Board. The fair was not a great Buccess owing to the rain, which 
continued almost incessantly throughout the two days. Notwith- 
standing this, however, the attendance was fair and exhibitions 
go d even for more favorable circumstances. The cash premiums 
awarded amounted to $202.50. Receipts from sale of tickets, 
- 5.25. 

In 1858 the officers were Silas BL. Wright, President, and L. 11. 
Culver, Secretary. At the fair of this year, held Sept 29 and 
30, there were 403 entries ot animals and articles for exhibition. 
The gate money and receipts tor membership badges amounted 

$274.90. 

For the year L859 Manning Stiers was elected President, and 
L 11. Culver. Secretary. The success of the last tew fairs had 
been so encouraging that the managers decided this year to extend 
the fair to three days instead of two. The time was set for the 5th, 
6th and 7th of October. A novel feature of this fair was the elec- 
tion by a general vote on the second day of the fair, according to 
previous announcement. This election resulted in a tie vote be- 
tween the two leading candidates for President, each receiving 
17'h but subsequent action on the matter gave the Presidency for 
fho following year to John N. Smith, and L. II. Culver was again 
elected Secretary. 

In I860 a general meeting of all the citizens of the county, at 
the court-house in Logan, was announced for May 5, so that all 
might have a voice in the making up ot the rules and a premium 
list for the fair to be held the following autumn. Anions the 
drawing features of this fair, as arranged on that day, was the 
otfer of a $80 side saddle, and $30 in gold as a first premium, 
and $20 in gold as a second for the best exhibition ot lady 
-emanship. The exhibitions wore to be made on each of the 
three days of the fair at 3 o'clock, competition to be open to the 
surrounding counties. No report ot this feature of the fair was 
recorded. 



HISTORY 01 HOCKING PALLET. 347 

Forthe next year (1861) the officers were elected at the gen< 
spring election in the separate townships, resulting in th< 
oi William M . Bowen for President and Darins White fori 
r« tary. The fair was hold the 2d, 3d and 4th of October. 

The next annua] election, thai of L862, i i sting 

Alexander White, President, and .]. M. Floyd, y. The lair- 

wan mediumly gnccessful, but the unsettled state of the county 
not favorable to a large gathering. The remaining years of the strife 
the fair was not held. Many of the best men had entered the service, 
and the times did not seem auspicious for jollity and amusement, 
even in tlie mild matter of a fi n a large part of the land 

in mourning, and Hocking eling,the in the lossofher 

sons slain upon the field of battle. So the society flagged in its efl 
until peace had been joyfully proclaimed. The year following the 
- of the struggle foran independent Southern Confederal 
taken to more firmly establish the agriculture ation in 

the hearts of the people by various improvements. The <AY. 

Led in L866 were: William .M. Bowen, President, and J. M. 
Floyd, Secretary, and while they had no gn the 

fair was a success. Receipts were 5, and tin 

including premium^, $783.09, leaving $167.26 in the treasury. '1 lie 
fair for L867 '-van h«dd Sept. L2 and 14, and was as great a suc- 
ear before. The President and Secretary 
ted. The gate money amounted to $640.25, and from var 

.roes the ran up I 7.77, which left, after the 

payment of expenses, a balance oi - I in the treasury. 

in I- 1 '.- the fair extended over three day lal, and was the 

repetition oi the fairs of former year-. 

During the following year some important improvements were 
made on the grounds, notably, the erection of a line, large hall to 

the place of the two old ones, which were small and incon 
ient. At the next fair, held Oct. L3 15. 1869, the introduc- 
tion of racing marked an era in the fairs, and supplied the place of 
former amusing novelties, which were more or less dangerous. 
'I ',e fair of 1870 netted the s >ciety $1 35.16, after paying $450.95 

ash premiums. The total 
At the annual election in the spring oi' 1871, William Alex- 
ander was elected President of the j in place of William Hi. 
Bowen, who had held it for the past six year.-,. Ji. L. Wright 
; jretary of the hoard of officers. The fair this 
year was held (Jet. 7, and was fairly successful. 



848 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

C. W. Clowe was elected President of the society in the spring 
of 1872, and H. L. Wright was again chosen Secretary. The 
fair was held Oct. 3-5. This differed but little in detail from 
preceding fairs except that perhaps more attention was paid to 
racing, the pnrse for the fastest horses having been raised. 

For the next year (1873) C. W . Clowe was re-elected President, 
. and S. H. Bright, chosen Secretary of the society. 

For the past ten years the fairs have been simply repetitions ot 
those of former years, losing perhaps rather than gaining in in- 
terest. The attendance has been generally fair, but not enough to 
make any great financial advancement. Fairs were held annually 
up to 1882 when, owing to lack of interest on the part of the man- 
agement, no fair was held. The society is, however, still in existence 
and may take new life under a new and more vigorous manage- 
ment. Since 1873 C. W. Clowe, S. B. England, S. E. Bay, V. C. 
Stiers, John Hansen and Maynard Pond have been Presidents, 
and S. II. Bright, W. H. Baker, W. S. Friesner, J. E. Brown and 
Benj. White, Secretaries. The ground contains a fraction over 
seven acres, and three exhibition halls built at various times. 

A HORRIBLE DEED. 

There has been no crime for years more devilish in conception, 
or more sad in its results, than the murder of the Welden family 
by William V. Terrel on the afternoon of Friday, June 22, L878. 

A beardless youth only eighteen 3 r ears of age, but old in sin, 
has given to Hocking County the darkest page of her history — a 
deed for which the angry demands of justice would require his own 
life blood and then not be satisfied, while he has gained for him- 
self an infamous notoriety by carving this bit of history which has 
placed him among the foremost villains known to any history. 
l3orn and reared in a sober and industrious family, and surrounded 
by the influence of an enlightened community, William Terrel 
voluntarily placed upon his own forehead the brand of Cain and 
made himself an outcast to the world. 

The Welden family, consisting of John Welden, aged about 
fifty-one years, Mrs. Susanna McClurg, his sister, aged about fifty, 
three, and her daughter, Miss Nancy I Lite, aged about eighteen, 
lived on a farm not far from tin- village of Gore. William V. 
Terrel lived with his father's family in the immediate neighborhood, 
and had been, to all appearances, a friend of the Welden family. 
No one witnessed the deed but the assassin and his victims, so that 
the ''whole truth" will probably never be told. The supposition, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 849 

however, as evolved by the trial, and the one on which the prisoner 
was convicted, is that Terrel, on very slight provocation or none at 
all, accomplished the murder of the family alone. The deed was 
committed late in the afternoon, but was not discovered until the 
afternoon of the next day. The body of John Welden was found in 
a cornfield, the probable scene of his murder, several rods from the 
house, with bullet holes in his body and wounds made by a corn- 
cutter. The bodies of the two women were found near the house 
with unmistakable evidences of having been killed with an ax 
which was found lying near one of them. Through the efforts of 
his attorneys Terrel was tried first for the murder of John Welden 
and was convicted of murder in the second degree, for which he 
is now serving a life-sentence in the State's prison at Columbus. 

It is supposed his only provocation for this most heinous crime 
was the refusal of Mr. Welden to loan him money as he had been in 
the habit of doing. The circumstance which led to a suspicion of 
Terrel's guilt was his telling of his own accord the story of the mur- 
der, but in which he implicated an associate of his as the assassin. 

PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 

This organization, which was once a power in the land, is now, 
comparatively speaking, no more. There is yet an order called the 
Patrons of Husbandly, but its power has vanished, either for good 
or evil, yet while it lasted it was indeed a power that made monopo- 
lists view it with alarm. The first order established in Hocking 
County was in the winter of 1871-72. The orders spread, and in 
the following year they had started two grange stores, one being at 
Logan -and the other at llesboro. The former was conducted by the 
Grangers for some six years, and the latter nearly three. These 
stores did not prove altogether satisfactory. In 1874 and 1875 the 
granges j were at their full power, and began to wane at the end 
of the latter year. In the former year there were eight established 
granges in the county, and a Central, or County Council. The 
names of the eight were: Star Grange, No. 4; Washington. No. 
5; Benton, No. 7; Laurel Creek, No. 76; Marion, No. 3; Eldorado, 
No. 172; Monday Creek, No. 154, and Logan, No. 3. There may 
have been others, but if so, have not been reported. 

The order of the Patrons of Husbandry was an institution ot 

high merit, and wielded, during its short existence, an immense 

power for good, and it has been the only organization strono- 

enough in its way to make corporations tremble at its word and 

railway kings bow to its behests. 
54 



850 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

THE HOLLOW POPLAE TREE. 

One of the curiosities as well as a giant of the forest was the 
old hollow poplar tree, which once stood at the mouth of the creek 
by that name. The creek was named after this tree, and had its 
rise in Ward Township. In early times this tree was known to all 
travelers between Marietta and Lancaster, and many of them found 
shelter from storms in its great hollow trunk, or, if belated, found 
a safe retreat from the night air and rain. Four travelers once 
slept in its trunk one night, having been caught in a heavy storm, 
and preferred its hollow trunk and warm and comfortable quarters 
to traveling in a cold and heavy rain. This monarch of the forest 
was on the line of the Hocking Canal, and fell before the unrelent- 
ing ax in the year 1839. 

OIL W T ELL. 

There was quite an excitement in Logan in 1865, in the belief 
that oil, equal in quantity to some of the Pennsylvania oil territory, 
lav in and about the Hocking Valley. A Pennsylvauian believed 
that oil could be found for the boring, and was willing to test his 
faith by his works. A company was formed, and they sunk a well 
on the Bishop farm just south of Logan and the Hocking River. 
They struck oil at a depth of between 600 and 700 feet, but not of a 
sufficient quantity to pay. and they went down to the total depth of 
967 feet, when further indications were found that oil was there, 
bur still in too small a quantity to pay, and the well was aban- 
doned. The following year. 1866, another well was sunk about 
one-half mile up the river on Clear Fork, and this also produced 
Borne oil, but still in small quantity, and the search was abandoned. 
There is no doubt but there is a large quantity of oil in this section, 
but it is so far below the surface as to make it unprofitable. There 
is but one way to reach it and that is (the underground surface be- 
ing as irregular as that above ground) by constant tests. There are 
"pockets" with millions of barrels of coal oil, but to strike one 
would be only by accident. There are valleys underneath Hocking 
County, and they are tilled with oil, but how to find them is not 
known. 

POSTAL nor ns. 

The first stage line organized which carried the mails was from 
Lancaster to Athens and Pomeroy, on the Ohio River, a distance 
of about seventy miles. This route was owned by D. Talmade & 
Company, and was. when it first started, run tri-weekly. It was 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 851 

finally made a daily line, and was purchased by Dr. M. Z. Kreider. 
It had then run about two years. The latter managed the line 
until 1852, when it was purchased by Colonel F.F. Bempel, of Logan. 
He took the entire line from Lancaster to Pomeroy, and finally ex- 
tended it to Columbus, the capital, running a line of stages daily 
each way. In 1856, business increasing, two daily stages were 
put on the line between Logan and Lancaster, and with one daily 
to Columbus, and one to Pomeroy, the traveling public found no 
cause to complain, and the mails were promptly delivered. At this 
time and during the continuance of heavy travel Mr. Rempel had 
ninety-eight horses on his line, running sometimes three or four 
extras a day, and keeping ten to twelve drivers in constant employ- 
ment. His lines all made prompt connection with McArthur, the 
first stage line opening to that place in July, 1850; also with Cliil- 
licothe and New Lexington. 

NORMAL INSTITUTE. 

The Normal School of Hocking County was first opened June 6, 
1868. The first meeting for organization had been held, and the 
meeting of the teachers at the above date was for the election of 
officers, and such other business as might be necessary to effect a 
permanent arrangement. The meeting came to order, with J. M. 
Murphy in the chair, and J. M. Floyd, Secretary. The election of 
permanent officers for the coming year resulted as follows: James 
W. Murphy, President; W. H. Bell, First Vice-President; W. S. 
Dresbach, Second Vice-President; George Brehm, Third Vice- 
President; W. W. McCray, Treasurer; II. Bright, James W. 
Murphy, C. H. Wittner and W. W. McCray, Executive Committee. 
The name adopted was- the Hocking County Teachers' Associa- 
tion. The association adopted a constitution and bv-laws. Thev 
have held meetings every year with lectures by eminent instructors. 
The annual session of 1882 was held at Logan, July 31, when the 
following officers were elected: President, S. Cotterman; Vice- 
Presidents, W. J. Simms, W. E. Friesner and S. Lindsley; Secre- 
tary, J. P. II. Stedem; Executive Committee, W. W. McCray, W. 
P. Mathias and A. Brown. The lecturers present at this session 
were Prof. Williams, Prof. Manly and School Commissioner De 
Wolfe. Resolution: '• That the Institute now in session instruct 
the ex-committee to make an effort to hold the next institute on the 
" Normal Plan," and to continue two or three weeks. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

POLITICAL HISTORY. 

Governors of Ohio and Hocking County's Vote — County Offi- 
cials — Commissioners — Other County Officers — The Yote of 
Hocking County, 1818 to 1882— Population from 1820 to 18S0— 
Seventh Judicial District — Sub-Districts 1, 2 and 3 — Judges 
from 1818 to 18S3 — Counties Comprising the Districts and 
Sub-Divisions — Ten Judicial Districts in the State. 

The political history of Hocking County is wonderful, even anom- 
alous, from the fact that since its organization it has stood to its orig- 
inal faith, strongly and consistently Democratic. She has been 
rock-ribbed in her faith for over a half century, and she stands as a 
shining example in the cause of Democracy, in the political history 
of the State. Her record is so remarkable that it is more fully 
given for her friends in the faith to emulate, and that those who 
are opposed can seethe record of a foe who ever fought the fight 
undismayed. 

The first vote polled in Hocking County for Governor was in 
ISIS. Governor E. A. Brown received 96 and James Dun lap 8S 
votes, the total vote in the county being 184. 

In the year 1S20 the candidates were Ethan Allen Brown, for 
re-election, and Jeremiah Morrow, Hocking going on the record 
with 37 votes for Brown and 137 for Morrow. It is not now possi- 
ble to ascertain with any degree of certainty to which of the polit- 
ical parties the above-named persons belonged. Brown was elected 
and rendered himself famous by taking an active and very efficient 
interest in the construction of the Ohio Canal. 

In 1822 there were three candidates for the office of Governor, 
viz.: Jeremiah Morrow, for whom Hocking cast 45 votes, Allen 
Trimble, 7, and Wm, W. Irwin, who received 148. Morrow was 
elected. In 1824, the candidates were J. Morrow and A. Trim- 
hie, and the vote of Hocking County is reported 154 for Morrow 
and 144 for Trimble. Morrow was again elected. 

In 1820 there were four candidates before the people, namely: 
Allen Trimbl •, John Bigger, Alexander Campbell and Benjamin 

(852) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 853 

Tappan. At this election Hocking cast 22S votes for Trimble, 
1 for Bigger and 1 for Campbell. Tappan receiving none. 

Previous to this time party lines do not appear to have been 
drawn in this county, and hence no mention is made of party until 
the contested campaign of 182S, known as the Jackson campaign. 
At this election Allen Trimble was brought forward for Governor 
by the Whigs, and John W. Campbell by the Democrats. In 
Hocking County, Trimble received 1S2 votes and Campbell 157, 
Trimble being elected. 

The year 1830 presented two candidates, Duncan McArthur, 
who received in Hocking County 102 votes, and Robert Lucas, 
Democrat, 290. In this campaign McArthur was designated as 
the National Republican candidate and was elected. 

In 1832 the vote of Hocking County for Governor is not re- 
ported, but Andrew Jackson, Democrat, received 356 votes, and 
Henry Clay, AVhig, 199. Robert Lucas, a Democrat, was elected 
Governor. 

In 1S34 there were but two candidates for Governor. Robert 
Lucas being nominated by the Democrats for re-election, received 
in Hocking County 311 votes, and James Findlay, the AVhig can- 
didate, 145, the Democratic candidate being again successful in the 
State. 

The summer of 1836 brought with it the hottest Presidential 
campaign which the country had seen. General W. H. Harrison 
being the candidate of the Whig party, received in Hocking 
County 292, and Martin V'an Buren, Democrat, 536, Joseph Vance, 
Whig, being elected Governor. 

In the year 1838 the candidates for Governor were: Wilson 
Shanon, Democrat, and Joseph Vance, Whig. The former re- 
ceived in this county 78-4 votes, and the latter 2S8, the Whig can- 
didate being elected. 

In 1840 Thomas Corwin was the nominee of the Whigs, and 
Wilson Shanon of the Democrats, Hocking giving Shanon 883 
votes and Corwin 612, Corwin being successful in the State. 

Shanon was elected in 1^42, receiving in Hocking 1,026 votes, 
and Thomas Corwin 455, the Abolitionist candidate. L. King, re- 
ceiving none. 

The year 1844 brought forward three candidates with the follow- 
ing result in Hocking County: Mordecai Bartley. AVhig, 626; 
David Tod, Democrat, 1,181; L. King, Abolition, live, Bartley 
being successful. 



S54 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

There were also three candidates in 1846, David Tod being the 
Democratic candidate, Wm. Bebb the Whig, and S. Lewis, 
Abolition. In Hocking County Tod received 1,130, Bebb 623, 
and Lewis 7 votes. In the State the Whig candidate was suc- 
cessful. 

The campaign of 1848 was one of unusual warmth between the 
Whigs, led by Hon.Seabury Ford, and the Democrats under J. B. 
Weller. Hocking gave 1,228 Democratic and TOT Whig votes. 
Ford was elected, his majority in the State 311 in an aggregate vote 
of 297,943. 

In 1S50 Ben ben Wood, Democrat, received in Hocking 93li 
votes, Wm. Johnston, Whig, 612, and Edward Smith, Abolition, 
14. Wood was elected. 

The new Constitution went into effect in March, 1S51, thus va- 
cating the office of Governor. Reuben Wood was renominated 
and re-elected by the Democrats. His opposition was S. F. Vinton. 
Whig, and S. Lewis, Abolition. The vote of Hocking County 
stood: Wood, 1,209; Vinton, 621; Lewis, 10. 

In 1853 the candidates were: Wm. Medill, Democrat, who re- 
ceived 1,326 votes in Hocking; IS". Berrere, Whin-, who had 493 
votes, and S. Lewis, Abolition, who received 81. Medill was elected. 

The Presidential canvass of 1852 and the elections of 1853-'4, had 
caused the total dissolution of the Whig party, and hence, in 1855, 
we tind the forces arranged for battle under the following heads 
and names, Hocking voting for Wm. Medill, Democrat, 1,114: for 
Allen Trimble, Know-Nothing, S5, and for S. P. Chase, Republican, 
927. Chase was elected. 

The following is Hocking's vote for Governor in 185T: S. P. 
Chase, Republican, 758; H. B. Payne, Democrat, 1,305, and P. 
Van Trump, Know-Nothing, 14. S. P. Chase was again elected. 

In L859 the candidates were: Wm. Dennison, Republican, and 
Rnfus P. Ranney, Democrat. The vote of Hocking County wa9 
returned, 976 for Dennison and 1,397 for Ranney. The former 
was elected. 

In 1 S t > 1 the country was agitated over the civil war, and men 
voted without regard to party lines. David Tod, who had been a 
warm adherent of the Democratic party and President of the Balti- 
more convention that nominated Douglas for President in -I860, 
was nominated for Governor by the Republicans, and Hugh J. 
Jewett by the Democrats. Hocking's vote stood: For Tod. L,205; 
forJewett, 1 ,4>7. David Todd elected. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. . 855 

In 1863 the candidates were John Brough, Republican, and C. 
L. Vallandigham, Democrat. The vote all over the State was the 
largest that had ever been polled. ELocking gave Vallaridigham 
1,U80 votes, and Brough 1,601, being 589 mure votes than had ever 
before been polled in this county for Governor, ;md was 325 more 
than was polled at the succeeding Gubernatorial election in 1865. 
John Brough was elected. 

The vote of Hocking County in 1865 stood: 1,265 for Jacob I). 
Cox, Republican, and 1,991 for George W. Morgan, Democrat. 
Cox was elected. 

In 1867 the candidates for Governor were R. B. Hayes, Repub- 
lican, and A. G. Thurman, Democrat. Hockinggave Haves 1,179 
and Thurman 2,129. Hayes was elected. 

In 1869 the Democrats put forward George H. Pendleton against 
R. B. Haves, the nominee for a second time of the Republicans. 
In Hocking Hayes received 1,186 votes to Pendleton's 1,873. 
Hayes was re-elected. 

In 1871 another new party came into the field. The order of 
Good Templars, under the party name of Prohibitionists, put tor- 
ward as their candidate for Governor, Gideon T. Stewart. The 
Republicans nominated Edward F. Noyes and the Democrats, Gen- 
eral Geo. W. McCook. The election was a quiet one. Hocking 
gave Noyes 1,046 votes, McCook 1.715, and Stewart 40. Noyes 
received a majority in the State. 

The year 1873 saw political opinion still more divided. In addi- 
tion to the parties already out, the Republicans were divided into 
Republicans and Liberals, which put four candidates in the field. 
Hocking County's vote for the different candidates was as follows: 
E. F. Noyes, Republican, 867; for William Allen, Democrat, 
1,565; for G. T. Stewart, Prohibitionist. 20; for Isaac Collins, Lib- 
eral, 25. Allen was elected. 

In 1875 there were three candidate-, viz.: William Allen, Dem- 
ocrat; R. B. Hayes, Republican, and J. O'Dell, Prohibitionist. 
The election in Hocking County gave Allen 2,082, Hayes 1,394 
and O'Dell 1 vote. Hayes carried the State. 

In 1877 the champions set forth by the two leading parties were 
William II. West, Republican, and Richard M. Bishop, Demo- 
crat. The returns from Hocking showed the total vote for West 
to be 1,165, and for Bishop, 1,876. The votes cast in the county 
for various other candidates numbered only 16. Bishop received 
the election in the State. 



856 , HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The next election of Governor, in 1879, brought two new men 
into the tield, Charles Foster, Republican, and Thomas Ewing, 
Democrat. Hocking gave to Foster 1,667 votes, and to Ewing 
2,371. Ninety-nine votes in the county were scattering. Foster 
was elected. 

In 1881 the candidates were Charles Foster, Republican, for 
re-election, and John W. Bookwalter, Democrat. The vote in 
Hocking County stood: For Foster, 1,461, and for Bookwalter, 
2,125. Two hundred and forty-five votes were cast for the other 
candidates. Foster was again elected. 

The election for Governor in 1883 was not held until after the 
publication of this work. 

COUNTY OFFICIALS. 
COMMISSIONERS. 

The first County Commissioners were appointed by act of or- 
ganization and took their office on the 25th day of April, 181S. 
There names were: Dutton Lane, David Johnston and Benj. F- 
Smith. 

These held until January, 1819, or as the official year com- 
menced June 1 it is probable they held to that date. 

The Commissioners for 1S19 were: Dutton Lane, one year; Jacob 
Straus, two years; John Ratcliff, three years; 1S20, Benj. Webb, 
vice Lane; 1821, Peter Kuder, vice Straus; 1822, Wm. H. Davis, 
vice Webb; 1823, Jno. Ratcliff; 182-1, Jno. A. Peters appointed, 
Davis resigned. 

hi October, 1S24, there was an election of Commissioners ap- 
parently to take a new start. This made the board as follows: 
1824, Jno. Ratcliff, one year; Jacob Straus, two 3 r ears; Henry 
Hostetter, three years; 1825-26-27, Jno. Ratcliff, Henry Hos- 
tetter, Frederic Bitcher; 1828-29, John Ratcliff, Henry Hostetter, 
Sand. Fetheroff; 183o-'31, Henry Hostetter, Saml. Fetheroff, 
Peter Haynes; 1832, Peter Ilaynes, Conrad Brian, Saml. S. Bright; 
1833, Peter ilaynes, three years, Conrad Brian, two years, Peter 
Straus, one year; 1834-'35, Robert McBroom, vice Straus; 1836, 
Peter Haynes, Conrad Brian, Robt. McBroom; 1837, same, Peter 
Haynes, resigned, and Jos. A. Green, appointed; 1838, Jacob Ben- 
nett, Robt. McBroom, Madison Lemon; 1839, Robt. McBroom, 
Madison Lemon, K. II. Dunkle; 1S43, Daniel D. Davis; 1844; R. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 857 

Wright; 1845, Christian Eby, Jr.; 1846, Andrew Curry; 1847, 
Geo. Heft; 1848, Christian Eby, Jr.; 1849, Thos. Taylor; 1850, 
John Williams; 1851, C. Eby, Jr.; 1852, James McDowell; 1853, 
Jno. Williams; 1854, Jno. Crawford; 1S55, J. C. McBroom; 1856, 
Jno. Williams; 1857, Frederick Shuck; 1858, Theodore Miller ; 
1859, John Shaw; 1860, Wm. Armstrong; 1861, Theodore Miller; 
1862, Jno: Shaw; 1S63, Wm. Armstrong; 1S64, John S.Martin; 
1865, John Shaw; 1S66, John Mason; 1867, John S.Martin; 1868, 
E. Hamblin; 1869, J. S. Martin, John Mason, E. Hamblin; 1870, 
John Mason, John A. McClelland, John Williams; 1871, John 
Mason, J.?A. McClelland, John Nutter; 1872, J. A. McClelland, 
John Nutter, J. C. McBroom; 1873-77, John Nutter, J. C. Mc- 
Broom, Joshua Chilcote; 1878, Joshua Cliilcote, J. C. McBroom, 
Abel Carpenter; 1879, Rufus Karshuer; 1880, Abel Carpenter; 
1881, Wm. EL Woodruff; 1882, Rufus Karshner. 

CLERKS. 

1818-'21, Royal Converse; 1822, J. W. Coffinberry; 1823, R. Con- 
verse; 1824-'31, J. W. Coffinberry; 1832- '36, William Wallace; 
1837-'49, C. W. James; 1S50, Homer Wright; 1851-'62, William 
H.Haines; 1863-'68, John M.Floyd; 1869-'70, John A.Shaw; 
1871, John M. Floyd; 1872-'74, William II. Bell; 1S75-'S0, John 
Hansen; 1881-83, A. M. Courtney. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

(Office established 1851.) 

1851-1865, F. Case; 1865-71, George W. Alfred; 1872-78, 
William T. Acker; 1879-'80, A. Steinman; 1881-'82, William T. 
Acker; 1883, A. Steinman. 

AUDITORS. 

1820-'27, William Wallace; 1828-'34, Daniel Harsh; lS35-'37, 
Ellison Martin; 1838-'41, F. Case; 1842-'43; T. Jones; 1844-'53, 
Alex. White; 1854-'55, D. J. Cline; 1856-'59, A. White; 1860-'62, 
W. C. Rehren; 1863-'67, William Houston; 186S-'72, -Joel B. 
Stiers; 1873-76, J. M. Floyd; 1877-'S3, W. N. England. 

TREASUKKi:>. 

lS20-'23, G. M.Peters; 1824-'25, John Brown; 1826-'27; Hora- 
tio Hatch; 1828, Benjamin F. Smith; 1829, A. G. Bright; 1830 
-'33, Sumner L. Cushing; 1834-'39, Elijah James; 1S40-'41, F. 



858 IUSTi'KY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

Mollenhonr; L842 '45, A. W. Beery; 1846-'47, William Nelson; 
L848-'53, John 1). Lootnis; 1854-'57, Joseph C.Toole; 1858-59, 
A. J. Smith; l860-'63, E. Hamblin; L864 -'65, D. McCarthy; L866 
70, John A. Shaw; ISTl'74, Henry Hansel; 1ST;. '78, J. A. 
Shaw; L879-'81, N.N. Hamblin; L882-'83, Eli M. West. 

KECOKDERS. 

1:820 '24, J. W. Whipple; 1825-'34, William Wallace; 1S3.W40, 
C. W. James; 1841-'43, A. White; 1844-'46, Benjamin Eersh; 
L847, II. 1,. Wright; L 848, Joseph Magee; L849-'54, J. R.Grogan; 
L855-'57, Lewis Hutchins; 1858, J. W. Donavan; 1859-'61, J. M. 
Floyd; 186*2-'67, Hiram Acker; L868 '73, John E. Swart; 1874-'79, 
Benjamin White; 1880-'83, J. Weaver. 

1 • UOSECUTING ATTt tRNEYS. 

L818 '22, Thomas Ewing; 1823, Thomas Ervine; 1824, Thomas 
Ewing; L825- , 31, Henry Stanberry; I832-'33,M. W. Riedill; L834, 
Joseph Olds; L835-'37, W. Medill; 1838-'39, Lucius Case; 1840 
-'41, E. C. Cusack; L842-'43, Alex. Van Ilamm; L844r-'45, F. 
Case; 1846-'51, Lemuel F. Drake; 1852-'53, Emanuel Giesy; 
I v.l '59, II. R. Saunders; L860-'61, Silas II. Wright; l862-'63, 
[saac Stiers, Jr.; l864-'65, F. Case; 1866-'69, C. E. Boerster; L870 
-'75, Somer L. Wright; L876-'79, Alex. Wilson; L880-'83, C. H. 
Bucrhaus. 

SHERIFFS. 

L818 1819. Peter Haynes; L820 '23, Joseph Westenhaver; 1824 
'25; Daniel Earsh; 1826 '29, A. G-. Bright; L830-'33, D. C. Riy- 
ers; L834 '37, Eli Barker; L838-'39, F. Mollenhour; 1840-'41, 
William Nelson; L842, F. Mollenhour; t843-'46, R. Hesten; 1S47 
-'48. M. Moore; IS4'.' '52, R. Besten; LS53-'56,J. M. Floyd; L857 
'58, Eenry Barker; L859-'62, W. M. Davey; 1863 -66, W. T. Acker; 
L867 '70, W. M. Davey; L87J '74, Robert Curran; 1875-'77, A. 
Steinmar; L878 '80, J. N. Acker; L881 '83, T. F. McOarty. 

sru\ EYOR. 

1875 L883, J. R. Davis. 

OORON] as. 
L878 '80. Daniel Beft; L881 '82, Enoch Martin. 



HISTOB* 01 HOOKING VALLEY. 359 

* VOTE 01 HOOKING IKOM L818 TO 1832. 



VI.AK. 

L 818 . . 
1820.. 

1824.. 
1826.. 

1830.. 

1834.. 
1836.. 



TOTAL vol E 

187 

164 

161 

337 

282 

23 

268 

481 

459 

711 

990 



YKAU. 
1810.. 

L842.. 
1843.. 
1845.. 
1847.. 
1840.. 
1851 - . 
1853.. 
L855 . 
I Ho? . . 
1 859 . . 



I'H .1. '.'/I B. VI. \li. 



TOO M. '.'/I E. 



1 385 1861 

i 383 1863 

1,129 1865 

1,169 1 w 'm 

1 629 L869 3,054 

1,575 1871 2,655 

1,801 1873 2,310 

1875 3,371 

1877 3,064 

1870 M>38 

:; 362 



.1,798 
.2,120 
. ! 902 
2 373 



*This is the vote for sheriff each year. 



POPULATION OF HOCKING OOUNTY BY TOWN8HIP8 FEOM L8 1". 



Population in 1820 2,1 30. 

" 18:50 4,008. 



BE MILKS 

470. 



TOWNSHIPS 



L850. I860. 1870. 1880. 



Benton 

Falls 

Good Hope. 

Green 

Laurel 

M irion 

Perry 

Ball Creek. . 

Starr 

Ward 



Washington 1 

Jackson and Swan 1 



148 

469 
,189 
336 
370 



821 
022 



1,124 
L.231 



933 
2,570 

635 
1 ,200 
1,126 
1,746 
1,217 
1,094 
1,045 

823 
1,640 



1,349 

3,476 

953 

1,440 

1 682 
1,729' 
990 
1,417 
1,070 
1,629 



i 148 
3,760 
986 
1,513 
1,343 
1,561 
1,74.-, 
1,179 
1,551 
1,305 



1,628 
5 195 

-,070 
1,202 
1 126 
1,995 
1,486 
1,411 
2.272 
1,208 



9,735 14,110 17,057 17,025 21,12 



Jackson, with 47-i. and Swan, with 759, should be added to the 
above footing of 1840. They were given to Vinton in 1850, and 
Wardand part of Perry given to Hocking. 



COMMON PLEAS COUBT. 

Logan became a seat of justice immediately after the county's 
organization in 1818. The first court was held in a private house 
on Main street, as already mentioned. There were no lawyers or 
judges in Logan at that time, the legal business, what little there 
was, being left to attorneys who made a practice of traveling from 
one county .-eat to another to dispose of legal business. The pre- 
siding judge resided somewhere in his judicial district, which was 
composed of from three to 8 ix counties, and under the old consti- 
tution of Ohio, which remained in force up to 1852, three associate 



860 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

judges were elected from the county to sit with the presiding judge 
at the trial of cases. At the first court held in Logan, William 
Wilson was Presiding Judge, and his associates were Benj. Beadle, 
Thomas Bullen and Abraham Bitcher. Thomas Rwing was Pros- 
ecuting; Royal Converse, Clerk; Daniel Harsh, Sheriff, and 
Joseph Westenhaver, Deputy-Sheriff. The following is a list ot 
the Judges who have been on the bench at Logan: 

181 8-' 19. — Presiding Judge, Win. Wilson; Associate Judges, 
Benj. Beadle, Thomas Pullen, Abraham Bitcher. 

1820. — Presiding Judge, John Thompson; Associate Judges? 
Benj. Beadle, Thos. Pullen, A. Bitcher. 

1821-'23. — Presiding Judge, John Thompson; Associate Judges, 
Benj. Beadle, Thos. Pullen, G. M. Peters. 

1824. — Presiding Judge, Gustavus Swan; Associate Judges, 
G. M. Peters, Benj. Beadle, Joseph Whipple. 

lS25-'27. — Presiding Judge, G. Swan; Associate Judges, G. M. 
Peters, Joseph Whipple, Jacob D. Lutz. 

1828. — Presiding Judge, G. Swan; Associate Judges, Jos. Whip- 
ple, Benj. Beadle, Thomas Pullen. 

1829-'30. — Presiding Judge, Frederick Grimke; Associate 
Judges, Jas. Whipple, Thomas Pullen, B. F. Smith. 

1831-'34. — Presiding Judge, F. Grimke; Associate Judges, Jos. 
Whipple, Thos. Pullen, John Wright. 

1835. — Presiding Judge, F. Grimke; Associate Judges, John 
Wright, Reuben Culver, David Johnson. 

1S36-'41. — Presiding Judge, John H.Keith; Associate Judges, 
Jno. Wright, P. Culver, David Johnson. 

1842-'43. — Presiding Judge, J. H. Keith; Associate Judges, Jno. 
Wright, Eli Barker, James Spencer. 

1844-'46. — -"Presiding Judge, J. II. Keith; Associate Judges, Eli 
Barker, James Spencer, David Johnson. 

1847. — Presiding Judge, J. H. Keith; Associate Judges, James 
Spencer, David Johnson, James Gibson. 

184S-'49. — Presiding Judge, J. II. Keith; Associate Judges, 
James Spencer, David Johnson, Peuben Culver. 

185o. — Presiding Judge, Henry 0. Whitman; Associate Judges, 
R. Culver, Robert Wright, Lewis Hutchins. 

1851. — Presiding Judge, II. C. Whitman; Associate Judges, R. 
Culver, R. Wright, David Dresbach. 

The new Constitution came in force in the year 1S52, and altered 
materially the judicial department of the State. Districts were 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



861 



changed and sub-districts formed, and each sub-district was pro- 
vided with a judge or judges, as the extent of its business or popula- 
tion required. The counties composing the Lower Hocking Val- 
ley were all placed in the Seventh Judicial District, but that district 
being divided into three sub-districts, the three counties embraced 
in this work were each in separate sub-districts. These sub-districts 
were composed of the following counties: 

Sub-District No. 1. — Fairfield, Hocking and Perry counties. 

Sub-District No. 2. — Vinton, Jackson, Pike, Scioto and Law- 
rence counties. 

Sub-District No. 3. — Gallia, Athens, Meigs and Washington 
counties. 

These twelve counties form the Seventh Judicial District of the 
State of Ohio, and the sub-districts represent the Common Pleas 
Districts or Courts. 

sub-division No. 1. 

1852 to 1861, Judge Henry C. Whitman; 1S61 to 1S67, Ph. Van 
Trump, Lancaster; 1S66 to 1S67, James R. Grogan, Logan; 1867 
to 1881, Silas H. Wright, Lancaster; 1879 to 1884, John S. Fries- 
ner, Logan. 

The New Constitution, so-called, but of date 1852, divided the 
State into nine judicial districts. This continued until 1879, when 
an additional district was added, without, however, changing the 
sub-divisions of the Seventh, which comprises the counties em- 
braced in this work. 




CHAPTER XXXII. 

WAR HISTORY OF HOCKING COUNTY— THE GLORIOUS RECORD 
OF THE GALLANT SONS OF HOCKING. 

They were Born so — Michigan and Ohio Boundary Troubles — 
Mexican War and Little Hocking — What Ohio Did — The 
Gallant Seventeenth — A Series of Marches — New Organ- 
ization — The Slain — The Glorious Thirty-first — Ordered to 
Travel — The Gallant Dead — The Noble Fifty-eighth — Hot 
Work — Its Sad Loss — The Sixty-third, Seventy-fifth and the 
One Hundred and Fiftf-first — The End. 

The following full, impartial and succinct war history of Hock- 
ing County is from the pen of Captain William M. Bowen. It is 
a graphic recital of the patriotism, courage and endurance of 
Hocking's noble sons, a record that dates almost from her organ- 
ization, and in every demand of the country for strong hearts and 
willing hands and deeds of noble daring the sons of Hocking were 
never found wanting. The record is a noble one. 

they were born so. 

The first settlers of the county of Hocking were a fearless, 
hardy, honorable race of men. Coming from the East and South, 
the sons of Revolutionary sires and heroes of the War of 1812, they 
begat a generation brave and ever ready to respond to the call of 
their common country. Imbued with a patriotism that was even 
heroic, from the first day the county was organized as such the 
inhabitants thereof were regarded and proved themselves to be 
truly patriotic. The tocsin of war never sounded to call a liberty- 
loving people together but that the response from " Little Hock- 
ing " was loud, long and hearty. 

MICHIGAN AND OHIO BOUNDARY WAR. 

The county, organized as it was in the year 1818, formed from 

territory ceded by the counties of Ross, Fairfield and Athens, 

had by the census of L820 a population of 2,130 souls; in 1S30 the 

population by the Federal census had increased to 4,008, and in 

(862) 




■%~ 



1 

V 



• ; .w 





CH^ir 




HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 863- 

1840 to 9,741. In the year 1832 the Hon. Robert Lucas was 
elected Governor of Ohio and re-elected in 1834. It was during 
the administration of Governor Lucas that a dispute between the 
State of Ohio and the Territorial Government of Michigan arose as 
regarded the southern boundary of the latter, the Territorial Gov- 
ernment claiming a meridianal that would run from five to eight 
miles south of Lake Erie, encroaching on lands of the Connecticut 
Company, a land grant from the General Government at "Wash- 
ington. Governor Lucas, in endeavoring to protect citizens of Ohio 
living north of the disputed line, was defied and the citizens 
thereof declared outlaws by the Government of Michigan. The 
rulers of each sovereignty flew to arms, calling for volunteers to 
defend their respective rights and sustain the dignity of each as 
guaranteed them by the General Government. 

At a general muster held in Logan in September, 1835, a call 
for volunteers was made for the above purpose, and a response 
came promptly by more than a score of the horny-handed yeomanry 
shouldering their trusty rifles and declaring their readiness to start 
instanter; but before hostilities actually commenced agents from 
the city of Washington arrived on the ground, the dispute was 
amicably settled and the collected troops sent home. 

• "LITTLE HOCKING" IN THE MEXICAN WAR. 

Again in the year 1846 was the patriotism of the county, in 
common with our State and the Confederation, appealed to. Te.xar-, 
the Lone Star State, had been annexed to the United States during 
the administration of President James K. Polk. The Republic of 
Mexico having never acknowledged the independence of Texas and 
still claiming it as her territory, advanced troops across the river 
Rio Grande, who were promptly met by the army of occupation 
under General Taylor, and the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de 
la Palma were fought before war was formally declared by the 
United States Government. Both the battles going against the 
Mexicans they were routed and driven back across the Rio Grande. 
March 11, 1846, war was declared and 50,000 volunteers, one 
year men, from the whole United States were called for. " Little 
Hocking," with a population of scarcely 10,000, sprang to the front 
with an organized company headed by the veritable General Tom 
Worthington, of recent war history fame, as Captain, Simeon 
Tucker, First Lieutenant, and Abram Seifert, Second Lieutenant, 
numbering in all, rank and file, eighty men, and being assigned to- 



864 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry commanded by Colonel 
Morgan ^since General Morgan), headquarters at Camp Wash- 
ington, Cincinnati, Ohio. They reported there for duty, taking 
the position in numbers as Company D. The organization of the 
regiment took Captain Worthington from the command of Com- 
pany D and made him Adjutant of the regiment. The company 
re-organized bj' making Simeon Tucker, Captain; Abram Seifert, 

First Lieutenant; Woodward, Second Lieutenant, and Wilford 

Stiers, Orderly. The summer of 1846 the Second Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry with other troops landed at Brazos de Santiago, and im- 
mediately pushed forward up the Rio Grande River as far as Ca- 
margo and there went into camp. 

From Camarao the regiment was ordered forward toward Monte- 
rev, a city in Mexico that had a short time previous fallen into the 
hands of the United States army by assault, and while on the march 
were completely surrounded by the Mexican army of lanceros under 
General Parades. The little army immediately formed in hollow 
square, still marching onward and fighting as they advanced. All 
day long the battle continued, Colonel Morgan having in the mean- 
time dispatched a messenger forward for reinforcements. To 
ward evening cannonading was heard in the distance, approached 
nearer and nearer, yet whether friend or foe they knew not; the 
theory seemed to prevail that it was the enemy's battery. They 
came dashing down and unlimbered again not over 600 yards 
in front of this regiment of heroes, Company D. '• Captain 
Seifert," shouted Colonel Morgan, ''prepare your company to lead 
a charge and take that battery." Immediately the Hocking boys 
fixed bayonet and and formed for the assault, when an officer with 
held-glass in hand declared them to be United States and not Mex- 
ican artilleryists. Tnen a shout went up that made the welkin 
ring. Orderly Stiers assured us that although determined to do 
their duty and face the cannon's mouth, yet it was altogether ex- 
hilarating to tind the supposed enemy our own men. Reinforce- 
ments having arrived the enemy retired and the little band pressed 
forward to their destination. The regiment remained in service 
during the year of enlistment, doing duty at Monterey, Saltillo 
and Buena Vista, and was mustered out at New Orleans the fol- 
lowing year. What was left of Company D returned to their 
homes, but death from disease and the battle had made sad havoc 
in the ranks, and but few of the hardy, robust sons of our pio- 
neers hailed with delight once more the hills of Hocking. Of the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 86i> 

original company but four are now living, to-wit: General Tom 
Worthington, Captain Wilford Stiers, Grafton Ecklnrt and S.im- 
nel Stivison. 

WHAT OHIO DID. 

During the war of the Rebellion the Stat j of Ohio furnished 230 
regiments of soldiers, besides twenty-six independent batteries of 
artillery, five or six independent companies of cavalry, several compa- 
nies of sharp-shooters, a good portion of five regiments credited to 
Virginia, two credited to Kentucky, two transferred to the United 
States colored troop?, innumerable squirrel-hunters and thousands 
of emergency men. Hocking County, as one of the smaller of the 
eighty-eight complete county organizations of this great State, re- 
sponded to the respective calls of the General Government promptly. 
and during the continuance of this unpleasantness furnished the 
following companies, parts of companies and detachments. The 
second call of the President on Ohio for twenty-three regiments 
found two companies of volunteers in camp on> the fair grounds 
near Lancaster, in the adjoining county of Fairfield; they at once 
formed the nucleus of the Seventeenth Regimmt, Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, for the three months' service. In a very short time a 
company of ninety-one men, rank and file, under command of Cap- 
tain Charles A. Barker, arrived from Hocking County, officered as 
follows: Captain, Charles A. Barker; First Lieutenant, Samuel II. 
Baker; Second Lieutenant, Charles II. Rippey; Orderly, Charles 
L. Jennings; Sergeants, Daniel Nunemaker, David Angle and Jo- 
seph Fox. 

THE MARCHES OF THE GALLANT SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT. 

The regiment being promptly filled an organization was effected 
by electing the following field officers: Colonel, John M. Connell; 
Lieutenant-Colonel, Francis B. Pond; Major, Clement F. Steel; 
Surgeon, John G. S. Kile; Assistant Surgeon, T. G. Cleveland. 
In ranking, the company from Hocking was called Company D. 

On the 20th of April, 1861, the regiment took the cars at 
Zanesville for Bellaire, and arriving, found at Benwood, on the 
Ohio opposite Bellaire, a large fleet of boats waiting to receive 
troops. On the twenty-third, all the troops and baggage being 
aboard, the fleet steamed down the river to Marietta, stopped over 
Sunday and on Monday started for Parkersburg, and in a few hours 
were on Virginia soil. TheSaventeenth was brigaded with the Ninth 
55 



866" HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, General W. S. Rosecrans com- 
manding the brigade. Its first duty was to guard trains to Clarks- 
burg, Ya., and return. Companies A and B were detailed as guard 
to' General McClellan. It soon becoming evident that the hills of 
Jackson County, Va., were full of guerrilla?, carrying on their ne- 
farious warfare. Company D, Captain Barker, and Company F, Cap- 
tain Stinchecomb, proceeded down to Ripley Landing, and across 
the country to Ripley, the county seat of Jackson County, with or- 
ders to operate against the aforesaid guerrillas wherever found in 
that locality. The two "Wises, father and son, were then command- 
ing Confederate troops in that section of the State, and had given 
out how they would "annihilate the Yankees on sight," but, sig- 
nally failing in their precarious undertaking, retired from that 
vicinity. A part of the Seventeenth Regiment remained at Ravens- 
wood and did garrison duty until the 10th of July, when they 
were ordered to join their regiment at Buckhannon, Upshur Co., 
Va. On the 14th of July five companies, under command of 
Colonel Connell, marched from Petroleum, via Glenwood, at which 
place they were, on the 4tli day of July, surrounded by about 
1,500 rebels, but beat them back until reinforcements arrived 
under command of the late General Lytic. The regiment, after 
consolidating at Buckhannon, partook, with other troops, in 
occupying and fortifying Sutton. On the 3d of August, the 
regiment, having then overserved their time, started home, arriving 
on the 13th day of August in Zanesville, O., and were mustered 
out on the 15th. 

NEW, ORGANIZATION. 

The officers of the regiment immediately set to work to reorgan- 
ize the Seventeenth for the three years' service, and in September, 
1861, we find the regiment as reorganized, in Camp Dennison, near 
■Cincinnati, O., still with one company (Company D), from Hock- 
ing County, under the following organization: Captain, Charles II. 
Rippey; First Lieutenant, Gilrath M. Webb; Second Lieutenant, 
Henry C. Dewar; Orderly, .Joseph W. Fox; Sergeants. Win. H. 
Baker, Isaac Coakley, Francis A. Sanderson, Jonathan Sterling; 
eight corp >rals and eighty-seven privates. The regimental organiza- 
tion was: Colonel, John M. Connell; Lieutenant-Colonel, Marshall 
F. Moore; Major,Duibin Ward; Surgeon, Washington L. Schenck; 
Assistant Surgeon, E. Sinnett. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 867 

A SERIES OF MARCHES. 

In October, 1861, the regiment under orders reported at Camp 
Dick Robinson, Garrard County, Ky., for duty. From there it 
moved to Wild Cat, where, with Colonel Garrard of the First Ken- 
tucky, they whipped the rebels after a severe fight, the Seven- 
teenth having seven men wounded. The regiment was then brig- 
aded with the Thirty-first and Thirty-eighth Ohio, General Albin 
Schoepf commanding. The regiment participated in the battle of 
Mill Springs on the 19th of January, 1862, where the rebel Gen- 
eral Zollicoffer was killed, and the rebel army put to rout; was 
one of the first regiments .to enter the enemy's fortifications next 
day, the enemy badly demoralized having evacuated the works' 
during the night, leaving twelve cannons and caissons, with horses 
harnessed and hitched up, 1,500 horses corraled along the bank of 
the Cumberland River, a number of large siege guns, thousands of 
shot-guns, bowie knives, military stores, Quartermaster's stores, etc., 
etc., behind. From here the regiment marched to Louisville, Ky., 
and took boat for Nashville, Tenn., arriving there on the 3d day 
of March, 1S62; thence across the country to Shiloh with the 
grand army, commanded by General Buell, but did not arrive in 
time to participate in the "Pittsburg Landing" fight, but took a 
hand in the siege of Corinth; marched to Boonville, Miss.; to Tus- 
cumbia, Ala. ; from this place marched with General Buell's army 
back to Louisville, Ky., and was at the battle of Perry ville. From 
Danville and Lebanon the army commenced its backward march, 
and the Seventeenth participated in the battle of Stone River. On 
the night of the 29th of December, their brigade marched from Xo- 
linsville to the Murfreesboro Pike, had a skirmish with Wheeler's 
Cavalry at LaYergne, recaptured all the mules Wheeler had taken 
from our train, and saved some 200 wagons from being burned. 
The regiment with its brigade went into battle line on the Stone 
River field at one o'clock, Dec. 31, charged the rebel General 
Hanson's brigade, drove them in confusion, killing their General, 
and some 150, rank and file; the loss of the Seventeenth Regiment 
was twenty wounded. In July, 1863, at Hoover's Gap, the Sev- 
enteenth, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Durbins Ward, 
in connection with the Thirty -first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
charged the Seventeenth Tennessee rebel regiment, and a rebel 
brigade, strongly posted in a belt of woods, although the Seven- 
teenth being exposed in making a charge to a flanking fire from 



- • - HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

a rebel brigade and battery, yet the troops pushed steadily on, 
drove the Seventeenth Tennessee and occupied their position. The 
charge was executed with such coolness as to draw the particular 
attention of General Thomas. At the battle of Chickamauga the 
regiment was on the extreme right of the center, attached to the 
corps commanded by General Thomas. When General Wood's 
division was withdrawn from the line, the Seventeenth was exposed 
to a galling fire from front and right flank, causing it to lose heav- 
ily and fall back; some 300 yards from where they had been driven 
they halted, gave three cheers, sounded the rally fur the Seven- 
teenth Ohio, gathered some 20 • men together, and charged back 
on the enemy, but to little purpose, as the rebels outnumbered 
them ten to one. Falling back again, now numbering but about 
100 strong to a given point, they there remained and fought 
through that memorable day. Ttie loss of the Seventeenth in this 
battle, killed, wounded and missing, was over 200. This was the 
severest engagement the regiment ever participated in. Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Ward, commanding, fell ab >ut the middle of the fore- 
noon badly wounded. 

During the siege of Chattanooga, the Seventeenth engaged in 
several severe skirmishes, and at Brown's Ferry was. along with its 
brigade, honorably mentioned. At Mission Ridge it charged, capt- 
ured a rebel battery, and turned the guns on the retreating- 
enemy. On the 22d of January, 1864, having veteranized, the 
regiment started home on thirty days' furlough. On the 7th of 
March it returned to the field, bringing with them some 400 re- 
cruits, the regiment then soon started on the Atlanta campaign. 
They took part in heavy skirmishing at Pocky Face Ridge, and 
bore its full share of the battle of Resaca, its losses being quite 
heavy. Skirmishing partaking o\' the nature of battles continued 
almost daily. At New Hope, Pumpkin Vine Creek and various 
other prices, the Seventeenth was actively engaged. At Kennesaw 
Mountain the regiment Buffered greatly from heat, many men being 
carried off the field from sun-s f roke. They were engaged at the 
battle of Peach Tree Creek, July 20, L864, moving with General 
Jeff C. Davis's corps to the rear of Atlanta; the Seventeenth was 
among the claimants as having first struck the railroad, and on the 
next day was in at the assault on Jonesboro. The Seventeenth fol- 
lowed Sherman "down to the sea" through the Carolinas; took 
part in the battle of Bentonville, passed in review before the Presi- 
dent at Washington, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 869 

July, 1865. The Seventeeth was in service almost from the begin- 
ning of the war, and Company D from [the Hocking Hills kept 
recruited up, and followed the fortunes of war under its gallant com- 
manders. 

The records of wounded that convalesced not being on file in the 
archives of the State, we can give but those that were killed, 
and died during the war. 

THE RECORD OF THE SLAIN. 

The following are the killed and those that died from wounds 
and disease of Company D, the Hocking County company of the 
Seventeenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as recorded: 

Samuel R. Tilton, Corporal, killed, Chickamauga; Amos Rich- 
ards, private, killed, Chickamauga; John Red, private, killed, Mis- 
sion Ridge; Elias V. Ramey, private, killed July 9, 1861, near 
Chattanooga; Francis W. Sanderson, Sergeant, killed July 9, 1861:, 
near Chattanooga. 

DIED. 

Jacob George, February, 1862, 'disease; Washington Lehman, 
May 4, 1862, disease; Marvel Mills, Feb. 24, 1S62, disease; Peter 
Frick, Oct. 19, 1863, wounds; Littlejohn Westlake, July 4. 1864, dis- 
ease, Chattanooga; Levi Burgoon, April 10, 1864, disease. Ringgold, 
Ga.; John Call, June 1, 1864, wounds, Big Shanty; Peter Kepler, 
March 1*, 1864, disease, Chattanooga; ElishaE. Standiford, Aug. 
9, 1864, wounds. 

THE GLORIOUS RECORD OF THE THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 

July 21, 1861, the Union and rebel forces met on the battle-field 
for the first time and communities north of Mason and Dixson's 
line were startled next day to hear clicking over the wires the ac- 
count of a disastrous defeat, assuming the proportions of a shame- 
ful rout of the Union forces. Then followed, July 22, 1861 
the President's call for 500,000 three-years' volunteers, and in 
two weeks' time Hocking County responded to the call; 113 
men inarched into Camp Chase the first week in August from this 
county under command of Captain W. M. Bowen, and on the 9th 
day of August. 1861, a maximum company, 103 men rank and 
rile, were mustered in the United States service for three years 
and assigned^ as Company B to the Thirty-first Regiment, Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, the company organization being: 



870 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Captain, Wm. M. Bowen; First Lieutenant, John L. Williams; 
Second Lieutenant, James K. Rochester; Orderly, Albert M. A.p- 
lin; Sergeant?, Jonathan A. Gibbons, Samuel Feighley, Wesley 
S. Tucker, John J. Martin, eight corporals and eighty- seven pri- 
vates. 

REGIMENTAL ORGANIZATION. 

Colonel, Moses B. Walker; Lieutenant-Colonel, Cyrus Grant; 
Major, Samuel L. Lefringwell; Surgeon, John R. Arter; Assist- 
ant-Surgeon, J. L. Mount; Chaplain, L. F. Drake. 

ORDERED TO TRAVEL. 

The Thirty-first Regiment received marching orders Sept. 27, 
1861, and reported to Brigadier-General O. M. Mitchell, at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, Companies A and B having been detached 
some time previous for extra duty at Gallipolis and up the Ka- 
nawha Valley, joined the regiment at Cincinnati. Leaving Cincin- 
nati the regiment crossed over the Ohio River into Kentucky, 
passing through Kenton, Pendleton, Harrison, Bourbon, Fayette 
and Jessamine counties, arriving at Camp Dick Robinson, Garrard 
County, Oct. 2, 1861. Here a regular course of company and regi- 
mental drill began, which rendered the regiment so efficient in 
after service. Dec. 12, 1861, the regiment moved to Somerset, 
Kv.. partook in several reconnoisances, and on the 19th day of 
January, 1862, it marched to the assistance of General Thomas at 
the battle of Mill Springs. After the battle the regiment was as- 
signed to the First Brigade, First Division, Army of the Ohio. 
The regiment, with Hewitt's Kentucky Battery, was ordered to 
pursue the retreating rebels. They crossed the Cumberland River 
on flat boats at Waitsboro, Pulaski Cj., Kv., passed up the 
Cumberland River Hills, a day's march, and were then ordered 
back, the campaign plans having been changed. They then took 
up their line of march through Kentucky by way of Danville and 
Lebanon to Louisville; there they embarked on the steamer Mag- 
nolia for Nashville, Tenn. The regiment with Bnell's army, 
marched across Tennessee fur Pittsburg Landing, but did not ar- 
rive in time to participate in the battle of Skiloh. From thence it 
advanced with the army toward Corinth, and during the march 
engaged in frequently skirmishing with the rebels, ami in the 
siege was engaged at times quite warmly. On June 22, L862, the 
troops marched toward Iuka. had <juite an engagement, took pos- 



HIST ; ■ VALLEY. -71 

• 

ioD of the town, and on the 20th marched for Tasctimbia; ar- 
I there the 28th; there the regiment engaged in expeditions 
against rebel troops thai >eing organized in that vicinity. 

From Tuscumbia the regiment marched to Euntsville, Ala., by 
way of Decatur, i the river on a small ferry boat, con- 

structed, manned and run by the men of Company K. The 
Thirty-first Regiment was noted for the number of mechanics 

_r in their ranks, at all times being ableto perform any 
kind of dnt? that might »n them. A detachment of 

twenty-eight men having been left at Trinity on guard duty, in- 
formation was received here that they had been attacked by a 
rebel force of two or three hundred rebels. The rebels were 
repulsed, but one half of the detachment were killed or wounded. 

TJ.' s Dt moved with the army to Dechard, Tenn., thei.ee 
with Buell's army in the campai*£ . inst Bragg in Kentucky, 
marching through Murfreesboro and Nashville to Louisville. The 
regiment was actively engaged at the battle of Ferryville, and 
after the fight moved with the army south again to Tenne-- 
Word corning that the rebels were pillaging the train at LaVergne, 
the Thirty -first, with two other regiments, marched rapidly back, 
engaged the enemy and drove them off, killing, wounding and 
capturing quite a number of them. At the battle of Stone River 
the regiment was actively engaged and acquitted itself nobly, in 
theHoover'e Gap fight, in connection with the Seventeenth Ohio, 
they carried a position defended by two rebel brigades; again at 
the battle of Chickamauga the noble old Thirty-fir.- 1 was in both 
days, suffered severely, and covered itself with additional glory. 
Its next s - ment was Brown's Ferry, then Mission Ridge, 
where the- Thirty-first was among the foremost regiments to plant 
the flag of victory over the enemy's work-, and where the gallant 
Lieutenant James K. Rochester fell. About this time the : _ 
ment veteranized, receiving a furlough for thirty days. When 
they returned to the field they took with them 374 new recruits, in- 
-'ng the regiment's effeel ength to over 800 men. The 

army then marched on the Atlanta campaign. On the 14th day 
■if Mav. 1864, the regiment engaged in an assault on the ener 

- in front of Resaca, and suffered terribly; it was in all the en- 
gagements of the campaign except the battle of Jonesboro. 

The Thirty. first moved with Sherman's army " down to the sea," 
leaving Atlanta, Nov. 10; it passed through Decatar and Monti- 
cello to Milledgeville, Ga.. where they destroyed an arsenal with 



S72 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

-a considerable amount of arms and ammunition ; pushing on they 
readied Savannah on the 12th day of December, 1S64. On the 
20th day of February, 1865, with the army, the Thirty-first moved 
on the campaign of the Carolinas, thence on to Washington City, 
participating in the grand review. The regiment was then trans- 
ferred to Louisville, Ky., and mustered out July 20, 1S65. 

THE GALLANT DEAD. 

The Thirty-first Ohio held an honorable position from its first 
start in the noted corps, General Thomas's Fourteenth, and was 
never driven from the field, only retired when ordered and then 
righting if necessary. The following is a list of the killed in battle 
and those dying during the war of Company B: 

Captain James A. Cahill (third Captain), June 23, 1S64, at Ken- 
nesaw Mountain; First Lieutenant James K. Rochester, Nov. 25, 
1863, at Mission Ridge; Sergeant Daniel H. Woodard, Private 
Wm. H. Smock, Private John L. Snider, Sept. 21, 1863, at Chick- 
amauga; Private Gotleib F. Dishley, Nov. 24, 1864, at Milledge- 
ville, Ga. ; Private John F. Knapp, Sept. 21, 1863, at Chickamauga. 

DIED. 

Thomas Barnes, Andertonville Prison ; Lorenzo D. Skiver, Oc- 
tober, Chickamauga, wounds; Jacob Cookley, Oct. 12, 1862, 
Nashville, Tenn. ; George W. Davis, Jan. 3, 1862, Henry S. Hutch- 
ins, Feb. 11, 1862, Somerset, Ky.; James Ha mm on, Oct. S, 1S62, 
Nashville, Tenn.; Stephen A. Kennard, unknown ; William Leg- 
get, unknown, Missi^ippi; Samuel D. Mills, March 1-1, 1S62, 
Lebanon, Ky.; George Martindale, Lebanon, Ky. ; Hickman 
Nutter, Lebanon, Ky.; James Root, Logan, O. ; Robert Saun- 
derson, Dec. 15, 1861, Camp Dick Robinson; Nicholas Sharshall, 
elate unknown; Wm. .11. McBroom, Aug. 8, 1864, wounds; 
George Call, July 30, 1864, Kingston, Ga. ; Henry J. lledrick, 
April 6, 1864, Nashville, Tenn.; Robert Oldfield, April 6, 1864, 
Tullahoraa ; Nathan S. Payne, Aug. 19, 1864, Lookout Mount- 
ain, wounds; Wm. B. Rouse, July 17. L864, Nashville, Tenn., 
wounds; Andrew J. Shell, Sept. 4,- 1 V, '>1. Nashville, Tenn.; Jona- 
than Smith, Ju'y 4, l^ti.'>. Division Hospital; James T. Nelson, 
July 12, L865, Nashville, Tenn. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY". 873 

THE GRAND OLD FIFTY EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

As the struggle between the Union forces and rebels continued 
there were camps of instruction established, recruiting head- 
quarters everywhere, the sound of bugle and tap of drum were to 
be heard at all hours. More troops still wanted, was the cry, and 
once more Hocking County responded by sending Companies F, 
II and K to the front in the Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
organization, January, 1862. 

Company F. — Captain, John Bunz; First Lieutenant, Wilford 
Stiers; Second Lieutenant, Frederick Tcnsher; Orderly, Samuel 
Kepler; Sergeants, Thomas Taylor, Peter Leonard, Henry Har- 
mony, Jacub Wooly; eight Corporals and seventy three privates, in 
all eighty-nine men, rank and file. 

Company II — Captain, Ezra P. Jackson ; First Lieutenant, Chris- 
topher Kinser ; Second Lieutenant, William II. IIuls; Orderly. 
Thaddeus II. Ream; Sergeants, Elias L. Doddson, John Hanson, 
Oliver Coonrod, George Barclay; eight Corporals and seventy - 
five privates, in all ninety one men, rank and file. 

Company K. — Captain, Charles A. Barker; First Lieutenant, 
Wm. S. Friesner; Second Lieutenant, Leander E. Hodge; Orderly, 
Daniel Nunemaker ; Sergeants, Emile E. Parrish, Benoni B. 
Sloper, David Hamilton, William Nail ; eight Ci rporals and seventy 
privates, in all eighty-six men, rank and file. 

The regimental organization was as follows: 

Colonel, Yal. Bausenwein; Lieutenant-Colonel, Ferdinand F. 
Rempel; Major, Peter Dister; Surgeon, Rainer Shallern; Assistant 
Surgeon, Eugene Ringler. 

ITS BAPTISM OF FIRE. 

Who has not heard of the gallant Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry that received its baptism of lire' on the hotly contested 
field in front of Fort Donelson, Tenn.? 

The Fifty-eighth was placed under orders and reported for duty 
at Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1802, and embarking on the steam- 
ers Tigress and Dictator the regiment left the same day for Fort 
Donelson, arriving there on the morning of the 13th of February, 
1862. Disembarking and taking a hasty meal the regiment was 
formed and pushed forward, impelled by the sounds of the conflict 
reverberating through the woods. Taking a circuitous route, in or- 
der to get in proper position, the regiment traveled twelve miles 



874 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

over rough hills and unmade reads, and went in camp late in the 
evening in sight of the fort. The regiment was here assigned to 
Thayer's brigade; of General Lew Wallace's division. The next 
morning the men were awakened from their slumbers to find 
everything covered with snow, yet nothing deterred them; imme- 
diately after partaking of a hasty breakfast they formed in line of 
battle ready for the fray. We can do no better right here than 
to give " Reid's" description, as is found in his history of " Ohio 
in the War," of their advance movement: 

"The Colonel (V. Bansenwein) being ill, the second officer, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Ferd. Rempel took command. This officer led 
the regiment at once toward the enem}\ After moving a short 
distance a furious attack was made by the enemy, but the shock 
was met with coolness, and ended in the rebels being hurled back 
into their intrenchments. This ended the active work of the day, 
although the regiment remained in line of battle until late in the 
evening, when it returned to camp. Early in the morning of the 
16th the regiment was marched to the center of the line where it 
remained until the announcement of the surrender of the fort. The 
Fifty-eighth was immediately marched into the fort, and Lieute'nant- 
Colonel Rem pel, with his own hands, hauled down the first rebel 
flag the members of the regiment had ever gazed upon." 

SOME MORE HOT WORK. 

The regiment left Fort Donelson March 7, and went into camp 
at Crump's Landing, on the Tennessee River. The regiment par- 
ticipated in the fight at Pittsburg Landing, and was under fire 
until four o'clock, p. m., April 7, 1S62. Its losses in this battle 
were nine killed and forty-three wounded. From here the regiment 
with the army moved on toward Corinth, took part in the siege; 
from here thev weir ordered to Memphis, Tenn., thence to Hel- 
ena, Ark. During the stay of the regiment at this point it 
engaged in several reconnoisances down the Mississippi on trans- 
ports, in one ol' these capturing a rebel steamer, 5,000 stand of 
arms and two pieces of artillery; also met and defeated the 
Thirty-first Louisiana Regiment, capturing forty of their num- 
ber and all their camp equipage. From Helena they went up the 
Yazoo on steamers, acting as sharp-shooters. At Haines's Bluff, 
Aug. L'ti, thev captured three heavy siege guns, two brass field 
pieces, one thirty-pound Parrott gun, and a large amount ot' ord- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 875 

nance stores. They skirmished with the enemy at Greenville, Miss., 
fought them at Bolivar Landing and again returned to Helena on 
the 27th day of August. 

From Helena, Oct. 6, the regiment embarked for St. Genevieve, 
Mo. ; arriving there they marched to Pilot Knob, but returned to 
St. Genevieve in November, and embarked for Camp Steel, State 
of Mississippi; thence in December to Johnston's Landing, Yazoo 
River. Dec. 27 the regiment took part in a heavy skirmish, 
losing several men, and on the next day they were ordered to 
charge the enemy's works, the Fifty-eighth being the first regiment 
in the works. Not being able to hold what the} r had so nobly 
gained the troops were ordered to fall back, which was done. The 
regiment lost heavily both in officers and men in this fight. In 
January, 1803, the regiment embarked on transports for Arkansas 
Post, where it arrived Jan. 9, and took part in the capture of the 
place; from thence to Young's Point, La., and there into camp. 
The Fifty- eighth at this time received orders to serve as marines 
on board the iron-clads of the Mississippi flotilla, and was distrib- 
uted by companies to the different steamers. 

On the 16th of April the ironclads and transports ran the gaunt- 
let of the Vicksburg batteries, losing but one man belonging to the 
Fifty-eighth. On the 29th of April the battle of Grand Gulf was 
fought, the Fifty-eighth participating and losing heavily. In Sep- 
tember the Fifty-eighth was ordered to join the land forces at 
Vicksburg. The regiment remained at Vicksburg until Dec. 24, 
1864, when it was ordered to report at Columbus, Ohio, for dis- 
charge and muster out. 

ITS WORK AND ITS TERRIBLE LOSS. 

The Fifty-eighth Regiment saw work from the day they were 
ordered to the front, passed through almost all kinds of disaster 
and hardships that at this day would appall the strongest heart, 
yet they faltered not, but always did their duty as true soldiers and 
patriots. 

The following is the list of the killed and those that died during 
the war in Companys F, II and K, Hocking County soldiers. 

COMPANY F KILLED. 

John W. Coffin, private; Joseph "Wiseiver, private, Dec. 29, 
1862, Chickasaw Bayou; Henry llarning, Sergeant, Henry Bashen, 
Sergeant. Jacob Wooly, Sergeant, Riley. Suttels, private, April 
29, 1SG3, Grand Gulf. 



876 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

DIED. 

Sergeant Samuel Kepler, April, 1862, near Sliiloh, wounds; 
Private Kennedy Linn, June 22, 1S62, Logan, Ohio, disease; 
Private Jacob Burgoon, Dee. IT, L863,Vicksburg, disease; William 
Chapman, April 13, L862, Crump's Landing, disease; Private Jor- 
den Conn, Sept. 6, L862, disease, Private Michael Conkle, 
Nov. 22, L862, disease, St. Louis, Mo.; Private Amos 
Coakley, Oct. 2, L862, disease, Vicksburg; Private George Oupp, 
Deo. 8, L862, disease, St. Louis; Private Thomas Dillon, July 30, 
1862, disease, Logan, 0.; Private Samuel Cbehire, June i.">, 1862, 
disease, Union Station, Tenn.; Private Elijah Grimes, April 26, 
L862, wounds, William Krentz, May 21, L862, wounds. Pittsburg 
Landing; Henry Kulp, Nov. 24, L862, disease, William Kitchen, 
Nov. 19, 1862, disease, Abraham Lindsey, April 1, L862, disease. 
St. Louis, Mo.; Alex McDonald, Feb. 22, 1863, disease, Steamer 
Red Hover; Robert Redman, Oct. 28, 1862, disease, Logan, 
0.; John Statger, Aug. 12, 1803, disease, Vicksburg; James Tay- 
lor, May 11, L862, disease, Camp Dennison; George Taylor, July 
3, 1862, disease, Logan, O. ; Thomas Whitcraft, April 2, 1862, 
disease; Isaac Whitcraft, Nov. 25, L862, disease, St. Louis, Mo.; 
Luman Warner, May 5, 1862, wounds, Pittsburg Landing. 

COMPANY H — KILLED. 

Captain Christopher Kinser, Sergeant Elias L. Dodd, Corporal 
Amos 1,. Borden, Private George W. Mos?, Private Samuel Sleiner, 
Dec. 29, L862, Fort Morgan; Private Absalom Leffler, Gottleib 
Stinger. William Stringer, April 29, 1863, Grand Gulf; John 
Mowry, Christ Kinser, Jr., .John Elawken, blew up with Steamer 
Sultana. 

DIED. 

George A.grier, Feb. 13, L863, disease, Paducah, Ky.; Robert 
Burgoon, no record. L863, disease, home, Ohio; Joseph A. Fartig, 
April 29, l s ' ;: >. wounds, Grand Gulf; Daniel A. Gordon. Novem- 
ber, L862, disease, St. Louis; Joseph Geiser, May 3, 1 362, disease, 
Shiloh; Charles Eansen, Dec. 29, 1863, wounds. Fort Morgan; 
Samuel Klinger, July 21. L862, disease, Rferaphis; John Kregg. 
no record, L862, disease, Sugar Grove, 0.; Isaiah F. Norris, July 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 877 

7, 1862, disease, Monterey, Tenn.; John II. Peterson, Nov. lO, 
Mil, disease, Vicksburg; Asa E. Scoville, — ■ — , L862, disease, 
hospital; Charles Strocke, June 12, 1862, disease, Memphis; 
Thomas B. Smith, Feb. 20, 1864, disease, William Seibert, Aug. 
27, 1864, disease, Vicksburg; Joseph White, April 1*;. 1862, 
wounds, Jeremiah Westenburger, May 12, 1862, wounds, Shiloh; 
Win. J. Wo >den, May 5, 1863, disease, St. Louis. 

COMPANY K — KM..'. 1. 1). 

Private Leonard I3ond, April 7, L862, Pittsburg Landing. 

I UK I). 

Sergeant David Hamilton, .May 13, 18G2, Corporal Joseph W. 
Parish, April 9, 18G2, Private Abraham II. Shirk, May 4, 1862, 
Private Baltzler Zeigler, Aug. 22,1862, Abram Lecrone, Aug. 23, 
L862, disease, noplace named; Samuel Brown, June 1*',, L862, dis- 
ease, Bolivar; Private John S. Bryan, May9, L862, disease, Pittsburg 
Landing; Private Bennoni Blosser, Dec.16,1 864, disease, Yicksbnrg; 
Private Isaac Cane, Oct. 20, 1802, Private Jacob Cofflan, Oct. I l 
L862, disease, St. Louis; Private John Gilpin, Feb. 2, 1863, wounds, 
Memphis; Private Fred Helber, May 21, L862, disease, Pittsburg 
Landing; Private Caleb F.dleisen, March 16, 1863, disease, U. S. 
gunboat; Private Robert A. Jones. March 22, disease, Fvansville; 
Private Jacob McFadden, May L0, L864, disease, Vicksburg; Private 
Frank Red, Oct. 24, 1862, disease, St. Louis; Private Aaron Roby, 
Feb. L0, L863, disease, Eelena; Private.G.W. Sanderson, April 26, 
L862, disease, Pittsburg Landing; Private John L. Sliultz, no date, 
disease, home; Private David Stroble, Oct. 23, L862, disease, St. 
Louis; Private William Stallen, no report of date or place; Private 
Fred Stallen. May 13, 1863, disease, Memphis; Private John Woltz, 
Oct. 26, 1802, disease, St. Louis. 

TKK BEAVE SIXTT-THIED REGIMENT. 

The consolidation of two battalions formed the Sixty-third Regi- 
iiicnt Ohio, Volunteer Infantry, in which was one company from 
Hocking County, Company II, and was'officered as follows: Captain, 
Oscar L. Jackson ; First Lieutenant, Francis A. Gibbons; Second 
Lieutenant, William Picket; Orderly, Joseph Ohaney; Sergeants, 
Joseph S. Fling, Samuel S. Price, Robert Terry, John A. Stephen- 
son; eight Corporals and seventy-seven privates. 

The regimental organization was as follows: Colonel, John W, 
Sprague; Lieutenant-Colonel, Chas.E. Brown; Major, Alex.Haskins; 
Surgeon, Isaa; L. Crane; Assistant Surgeon, Arthur B. Monohan; 



878 HI8T0BY OF BOOKING \ Al.u:\ . 

Chaplain. Benjamin St. James Fry; ninety-three menj rank and file. 

The history of the Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer infantry is but 
a repetition o\ heroisms, bravery, and battles. 

The regiment moved from Marietta. Feb. I s . L862, and reported 
at Paducah, Ky.; thence to New Madrid, via Commerce, Mo., and 
reported to Major-General John Pope, and took part in the recon- 
noisance March 3, being brought under fire for the first time. 

At New Madrid they were brigaded with the Twenty-seventh, 
Thirty-ninth and Forty-third Ohio regiments, under command of 
Brigadier-General David 8. Stanley, and was known as the Ohio 
Brigade. The Sixty-third partook in all the movements resulting 
in the surrender of Island No. 10; afterward joined Halleck's 
forces at Hamburg, Tenn. ; was in the siege of Corinth, and the 
engagement at Farmington, sustaining severe loss; was in the re- 
serves at the battle o( luka, and engaged in the battle of Corinth, 
again losing heavily. The regiment left Corinth and joined Grant 
in Mississippi, near Grand Junction, thence marched to Oxford, to 
Jackson, Tenn., and at Parker's Cross Roads engaged in battle; 
repulsed the enemy and returned to Corinth, dan. !», 1st;::, going 
into winter quarters. In May it marched to Memphis, and did 
garrison duty with the brigade. From Memphis it marched to 
Eastport on to Elk River. 

The regiment veteranized in January, 1864, and returned North 
on a thirty days' furlough. Recruited, returned South and reported 
to General Dodge at Decatur Junction, Ala.; marched from 
Decatur via Huntsville to Woodville; thence to Chattanooga; 
thence through Rossville across Mission Ridge and Chickamauga 
Creek to Snake Creek Gap; took part in the battle of Resaca, after- 
ward at Dallas, losing heavily again, and thence to Jonesboro, 
participating in the engagement at that place. The regiment 
moved with the grand army across and through the Southern Con- 
federacy to the sea. From Savannah the regiment embarked 
tor Beanford, S. C. ; thence north through Benton ville and 
l Isboro i" Pe£ersbnrg, and marched through Richmond on to 
Washington, passing in review with the grand army before the 
President and General Grant; moved west, and on the 17th 
and L8th days of duly, at Camp Dennis. mi. Ohio, were paid off 
and discharged. 

nil NOBL] DEAD. 

The list of killed ami those dying while in service belonging 
t" Company II (Hocking County Company), Sixty-third Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, as found on record (the records of many 



HI8T0BY 01 HOCKING VALLE1 -7'.' 

companies, detachments, etc., seem to be quite incomplete, but it is 
all that can be had from the Adjutant-General's office of the State 
of Ohio): 

KILLED. 

Private Weston Ray, Private George Milligan, July 22, 1864, 

i >■ .fur. 

DIED. 

Samuel S. Alexander, March 23, 1864, di ea e, Decatur; Wesley 
Bipgins, Dec. 16, L864, disease, Hospital near Savannah ; Wm. T. 
Duffie, March 1), 1864, disease, Hospital Decatur Junction; Shad- 
rack O'Connor, Aug. 5, 1864, disease, Hospital Marietta; Solomon 
Spilter,Aug. 9, 1864, wounds, Decatur; John Frost, Aug. 26, 1864, 
wounds, Decatur; Henry Zeigler, July. 1865, drowned in the 
Ohio River near Madison. 

THE GLOEIOUS SEVENTY-FIFTH. 

Hocking Comity sent to the front Company II, Seventy-fifth 
Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, officered as follow-: Captain, 
Thomas M. D. Pilcher; First Lieutenant, Abram W.Thomas; 
Second Lieutenant, James W. Whaley; Orderly, Richard L. Sul- 
livan; Sergeant*, Allen T. Garretson, David A. Miller, Benj. E. 
Cave. Conrad Brian; eight Corporals and eighty-five privates, in all 
101 men, rank and file. 

The regimental organization was as follows: Colonel, Nat. C 
McLean; Lieutenant-Colonel, R. A. Constable; Major, Robert 
Reily; Surgeon, Samuel Hart; Assistant Surgeon, Charles L. 
Wilson; Chaplain, John W. Weakley. 

This regiment first saw service in the mountain- of West Vir- 
ginia under General Milroy, joining the brigade at Huttonsvilleat 
the foot of Cheat Mountain, thence over the Cheat and Allegheny 
mountains, toward Staunton. Va.. sustained the brunt of the ene 
my'e attack at Monterey C.-H., clearing the rebels out in two 
hours'' fighting, thus establishing the character of the regiment 
for pluck and staying qualities. From here the army crossed over 
the Shenandoah .Mountain.-, and at Buffalo Cap was met by the 
rebel General Stonewall Jackson, with a large force and c 
pelled to fall back over the mountains to .McDowell. May -. 1862, 
Jackson appeared in force on the highland overlooking the Union 
camp with a much superior force. Milroy brought about the 
battle by advancing the Seventy-fifth and Twenty-fifth Ohio In- 
fantry. The fight lasted from three o'clock, P. m- until dark, the 
Union forces holding their ground. When under cover of night 



880 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Milroy retreated in the direction of Franklin. In this battle the 
Seventy-fifth added new laurels to its already hard-earned good 
name. From Franklin, under command of General Fremont, 
crossed the Shenandoah at Strasburg, on to Cross Keys, where a 
battle was fought June 10, 1862, the Seventy-fifth being in reserve. 

THROUGH THE VALLEY OF DEATH. 

The next affair was at Cedar Mountain, Ya., and at Freeman's 
Ford, where it lost heavily; then at Groveton, near the old Bull 
Run battle-field, Aug. 28, 1862, where the regiment lost twent} T - 
one men killed and ninety -one wounded, the killed and wounded 
falling into the hands of the enemy; from thence back to Washing- 
ton City. It was present at the battle of Fredericksburg, then 
Chancellorsville, here losing 150 men killed and wounded; again 
at Gettysburg, where out of 292 enlisted men 63 were killed and 
1.06 wounded; from here down South, at the siege of Forts 
Wagner and Gregg; thence to Faly Island, where the regiment 
remained until the 22d of February, 1864. It then went to Jackson- 
ville, Fla., and shortly thereafter mounted and called the Seventy- 
fifth mounted Infantry, and operated along the Indian River. Re- 
turning to Jacksonville, on the 17th of August fought the enemy 
at Gainesville, Flu., tried to cut their way through a superior force 
of the enemy, but only partially succeeded, losing in the affair 
fourteen men killed and two commissioned officers, about thirty 
men wounded and sixty men and twelve officers taken prisoners, 
nearly all of whom were held by the enemy until the spring of 
1865." 

THE CLOSING ACT. 

In August, 1865, the regiment was mustered out. We cannot 
give the names and number of men killed and died during the 
war of Company II, from the fact that they have not been kept 
distinct and separate on the regimental books. We have, however, 
from Lieutenant David A. Miller, the following killed of his 
knowledge, while with the army; he being severely wounded was 
retired after the battle of Gettysburg: 

Private Simon Pierson, Private W. Isler, April 12, 1862, at 
Monterey Court-House; Private George Parker, Aug. 28, 1862, sec- 
ond Bull Run fight. Also from another comrade: Private Eli as 
Thompson, August, 1864, Gainesville, Fla. ; Privates William Phil- 
lips, David Alexander, Reddick, George Murphy, May, 1863, 

Chancellorsville. Private Charles Kruger, died Florence Prison; 
Privates Felix McBride, John Armstrong, killed, May, 1863, 
Chancellorsville; Private Sol. Jones, Aug. 8, second Bull Run. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. S81 

NEARING THE END — THE GALLANT ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIRST. 

Under the call by the President, April 22, 1864, for 100 days' 
men, Hocking County formed the Fifty-seventh Battalion, O'.iio 
National Guards, Volunteer Infantry, consisting ot six com- 
panies, but by a consolidation with the Thirty-third Regiment, O. 
N. G., Volunteer Infantry, numbering eight companies, they 
formed what was known as the One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, N. G., reducing the Fifty-seventh Battalion to 
tour companies and the Thirty-third to six companies, making a 
regiment of ten companies numbering 846 men, rank and file. 

The One Hundred and Fifty -first was mustered into service May 
13, 1864. The regiment left Camp Chase for Washington City 
May 14, and arrived there on the 21st, where it reported for duty 
to General Augur, and was assigned to the Sjcond Brigade, Gen- 
eral Haskins's Division, Twenty-second Army Corps. The brigade 
was afterward made the First Brigade of General Hardin's divis- 
ion, in which it continued during its term of service. The regi- 
ment was stationed in forts defending the city of Washington, and 
during the operations of the rebels on the 11th and 12th of July a 
large part of these troops were under fire. 

The picket lines were kept up by details from the One Hundred 
and Fifty-first. On the 17th of August the regiment concentrated 
at Fort Simmons, and from this place they moved by way of Balti- 
more to Camp Chase, at Columbus, Ohio, arriving on the 23d, and 
was mustered ont. The Hocking boys lost but one man, William 
Collins, who died in hospital at Washington. 

The regimental organization of the One Hundred and Fifty- 
first was as follows: 

Colonel, John M. C. Marble; Lieutenant-Colonel, Richard S. 
Hughes; Major, John L. Williams; Surgeon, William II. Harper; 
Assistant Surgeon, Augustus G. Ilalloway. The companies from 
Hocking County were G, II, I, K, and officered as follows: 

Company G. — Captain, Uriah Guess; First Lieutenant, Man- 
chester II. Daval; Second Lieutenant, George G. Moore. 

Company II. — Captain, John Oaks; First Lieutenant, James 
Johnson; Second Lieutenant, Joshua Chilcote. 

Company I. — Captain, Joseph Chaney; First Lieutenant, G. 
W. Wiggins; Second Lieutenant, E. B. Clowe. 

Company K. — Captain, G. M. Webb; First Lieutenant, JAn- 
thony B. Walker; Second Lieutenant. Edward P. Strong. 
*5G 



882 



HISTORY OF HOCKING \ A l . I . I V. 

• 1 .irri.i: HOOKING " DID in i; DTJ l v 



Booking County not only furnished the foregoing organizations 
for service daring the war, but was constantly sending men for- 
ward to replenish the ranks as battles and disease reduced the 
strength of the army. She also furnished troops in Bquada of 
from live to twenty-five men for the Ninetieth, the Sixty-first, 
the Sixty-second, the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer [nfantry, the 
Eighteenth Regulars, the Fifth and Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, 
two West Virginia organizations, the navy and other departments 
of the army. From the ranks were furnished Colonels, Lieutenant" 
Colonels, Majors, Captains and all minor officers. 

The Morgan raiders, as they passed through the south corner of 
our county, were promptly followed by our citizen soldiery and 
prevented from taking the back track when they had reached the 
Muskingum River, not, however, without the — Life, Henry 
Kelley, a citizen o\' Logan, was killed at Eagleport on the 
Muskingum while reoonnoitering the enemy's position. 

Although recruiting was constantly going on, yet in September, 
1864, an exhibit ot' the number of men in the service failed t<> 
show up enough to exempt Socking entirely from the draft. 

rill-' RECORD IX BLACK AXP WHITE. 

The following is the table furnished bv the Marshal: 



1'OW KSIUPS. 



Falls 

G reen 

Ward 

Starr 

Washington 
Benton . . . 
Salt Creek. . 

Perry 

Laurel 

Good Hope. 
Marion . . . . . 

Total 



in niE 


.vr n. 'Mi 


TOTAL 


NO PO BB 


aSRYICB. 


KNKOl.l.'l 


DRAFTED 


8M 


140 




19 




185 


071 


3 


180 


114 


88 1 


1 


157 


17s 




6 


ra 




834 


as 


n: 


14;; 


860 


81 


:: 


B4 


171 








- 




- 


14!> 




. 


71 


111 




i 


101 


809 




- 



- 



- 



. . 



191 



HISTOEY 01 HOCKING VALLEY. 



833 



The number here shown to be in the service is undoubtedly in- 
correct, owing to the impossibility to get at the true inward] 
of those who had actually enlisted and that should have been 
credited to the county; yet the number of men claimed was grace- 
fully accepted, and nearly all the townships filled their quota by 
paying increased local bounties, as was the practice all over the 
State. The various enactments of the Ohio Legislature, pro- 
viding for the levying of taxes for the relief of soldiers' families, 
passed 1802, '03 and '04, were observed, taxes collected and dis- 
tributed according to law without cost. The ladies of the county 
formed relief and aid societies with an earnest purpose to do what- 
soever a woman's hands might find to do in furtherance of our 
country's cause; and after the war was ended, the last shot fired ^ 
and^those that survived the ravages of war returned to their homes, 
they werej proudly welcomed, feasted and honored; and with a 
promise to ever revere and cherish the memory of the martyrs, 
those who died that their country might live, the heroes resumed 
their places in society, beat their swords into plowshares, and 
peace and plenty once more reigned, and our community of Sti 
became as one nation again. 




CHAPTEE XXXIII. 

FALLS TOWNSHIP— THE PIONEER TOWNSHIP AND ITS STEADY 

GROWTH. 

From 1798 — Something of its Important Changes of Terri- 
tory—Railroad, Canal and River — Timber, Coal and Iron Ore 
— Assessed Valuation — Schools — Streams — The Falls of the 
Great Hockhocktng — Under the Surface — Churches — When 
Located — Cemeteries — Population — Falls-Gore — Railroad 
and Furnaces— Church— Schools— Societies— Towns- -Industries 
— Business — Land — "Water — Boundary — Name. 

from 1798. 

Falls is the oldest settled township in the county, the first settler, 
Mr. "Westenhaver, having located within its limits. The early his- 
tory of Hocking County and Logan comprises to a great extent the 
history of the township. Falls Township was settled the year 
made memorable as the first in which any permanent settlement 
was made in Ohio outside of the river cities. The year 1798 is 
the first that any record can b3 fjundof a settlement in the State, 
but that year Athens County, including Hocking as now formed, 
and Ross, were formed. 

CHANGE OF TERRITORY. 

Falls Township once included Green, Falls-Gore as now, and a 
mile on the east side of Marion to the Fairfield County line on the 
north. It also included "Washington. Its several boundaries as 
changed at different times by the County Commissioners will be 
found in the county history. The present size of Falls Township 
is six miles square, generally speaking hilly, but some splendid 
bottom lands in the Hocking Valley and on Clear Fork and S^ott 
Creek. These latter valleys are not so large or extended as the 
Hocking, neither are the hills so bluff and rugged, but half way up 
their side or more, with here and there a shelf or plateau, cereals of 
all kinds can be grown, yielding bountifully, while to their crest the 
grasses have luxuriant growth. It is an excellent stock township 

(884) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 8S5 

as water is abundant, and it is one of the best for cereals as it has 
more rich, alluvial bottom lands than any other township in the 
county. In addition to this area of six miles square Falls-Gore, a 
strip lying on the north border of Green Township, two miles wide 
by six long, the latter east and west, is a portion of Falls Town- 
ship, and has twelve sections of land. Including this strip, Falls 
has double the amount of miles of railroads of any township in the 
county. The Straitsville road runs in a zigzag course through 
the entire length from east to west of the two-mile strip and 
starts from Logan, just touching the northwest corner of Green 
Township. The Columbus, Hocking Valle} r & Toledo Railroad en- 
ters the township near the corner of sections 5 and 6, and, running, 
like the river and canal, diagonally across the township, manages 
to give about six miles of transportation by rail and canal each, so 
that with the Straitsville branch there are nearly, if not quite, 
fifteen miles of railroad within the township. Its transportation 
facilities can not be surpassed, which adds another incentive to the 
fanners to locate within its limits. 

TIMBER, COAL AND IRON ORE. 

The township was abuudantly supplied with timber, and there 
are many hundreds of acres of forests left yet; oak, hickory, elm, 
maple, etc., constitute the bulk of its timber. Coal and iron ore 
are found in abundance, and sections 1 and 2 in the northeast cor- 
ner of the township are full of ore and fire-clay. Coal is found 
in various parts of the township, as well as fire-clay and ore. The 
river, which passes through the township, is spanned by several fine 
bridges, which gives easy and convenient intercourse with the 
county seat. The assessed valuation of Falls Township for 1882 
was : Real estate, $±33,403; personal property, $363,621 — total, 
$797,021; adding city of Logan, real and personal, $812,929, 
makes a total of $1,609,953. 

SCHOOLS. 

At this time Falls Township and the Falls-Gore boasts of 
twelve school-houses outside ot the city of Logan. The first 
school-house is located on the west side of section 1 ; another on 
the northwest quarter of section 4; the third on the northeast cor- 
ner of section 7; the fourth on the northwest corner of section 
15; one on section 20; another on the northeast corner of 25, and 
one on the southeast corner of 26; others on sections 27. 29 and 



886 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

31, which gives the location of ten of the twelve school districts 
in the township. The other two sub-districts are placed conven- 
ient to the school population within the Gore part of the township. 
The twelve sub-districts are all provided with a good frame school- 
house and the necessary paraphernalia for school purposes. The 
pupils of school age are well advanced, and the average daily at- 
tendance for the township has proved of full average, though in 
some districts the attendance has been better than in others. The 
school fund for 1882 was $2,819.29. 

STREAMS. 

The Hocking River entered the township at the northeast corner 
of section 6, and thence running south and southeast it passes 
through section 5, the northeast corner of section 8, through the 
entire sections of 9 and 10, touches section 11, and the north and 
northeast portion of section 14, and finally enters Green Township 
after passing entirely through section 3. Scott's Creek rises in Wash- 
ington Township, passes through section 34, and running in a north- 
easterly direction passes through sections 27, 22, 23 and 14, flow- 
ing into the Hocking River within the last-named section. A 
branch of Scott's Creek rises in Washington Township, enters Falls 
on section 32, and in its meandering course passes through sections 

32, 29, 21 and 27, joins the first-named stream above described. It 
waters quite an extent of country through the southern and central 
portions of the township passing, as it does, through no less 
than seven full sections, and touching two others. Clear Forks, 
which takes its name from its pure and crystal waters, also waters 
quite an extent of territory. It rises on the west side of section 
30, running due north for two miles on the west central border of 
the township, then 'in a meandering course northeast and east it 
joins its waters with Scott's Creek within about one-fourth mile of 
where the latter flows into the Hocking. In addition to this are 
a few small wet-weather branches, and some fine springs. 

THE FALLS. 

One mile west of the city of Logan are what was once called the falls 
of the great Hockhocking, but now called " The Falls." Just above 
the falls, and probably where the water became more rapid, a dam 
was built many years ago, half-moon shape, the back being up stream. 
The water rashes over a rockv bed for several hundred feet, and 





JC-t^£4*^£/ 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 887 

at one % place a fall of six or eight feet is made and a rapid descent 
over rocks, as above described. When the heavy rains swell the 
turbid waters of the Hocking and it becomes a raging flood, then 
the citizens of Logan make it their Mecca for an evening walk, 
and the "Falls" are greeted with a spontaneous exclamation of 
pleasure. Then the waters'recede and the falls of the great Hock- 
hocking show only small streami of water gliding over the rocks 
below, exhibiting nothing of the turbulent and seething waters of 
a few days previous. 

UNDER THE SURFACE. . 

There has undoubtedly been several convulsions of nature in this 
valley ages ago, for besides finding in several places the bones of a 
mastodon, and relics of a prehistoric age, there have been two cases 
within the county where there have been found large tre3S many 
feet below the surface. The first that is recorded was a tree found 
on section 16, on the farm of Captain C. W. Clowes, about one 
and one-quarter miles from the Hocking River, in digging a well 
they came upon a large tree fully two feet in diameter and twenty- 
six feet below the surface. This tree was imbedded in a gravel and 
sand formation, and just above the sand and gravel wa? yellow 
clay for several feet. The place was on the dividing ridge where 
the waters flow south into Brushy Fork arid-north to Clear Fork of 
Scott's Creek. The other tree was in precisely the sani3 formation 
of sand and gravel, something like the bed of a river, on the farm 
of Samuel Stivison. This was not so large a tree, but was thirty- 
rive feet below the' surface. The first thirty feet was of a sandy 
nature, then came the yellow clay, and then again the sand and 
gravel. This latter tree was imbedded in the yellow clay lying on 
a gravel bed. This was also on section 10, about one-half mile 
from the Hocking River, on a ridge that shed its waters into that 
stream. 

The township has one postoffice besides Logan — Enterprise — 
located on section 6, near the northeast corner of the southeast quar- 
ter. The Falls Flouring Mills are at the falls of the Hocking, and 
a fine fair-ground is located sontheast'of the city of Logan about 
three quarters of a mile. 

CHURCHES. 

Some few years since there was a Catholic church in the north- 
east corner of the east half of the southwest quarter of section 2, 
but it has since been closed. 



888 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The United Brethren have three churches within the township, 
as follows: The Antioch Church, located on the southwest quarter 
of section 5, with a cemetery in connection; another on section 20, 
called the Union Church, and Mt. Zion Church, on the south half 
of the southeast quarter of section 28. 

Morris Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church is located on the east 
half of southwest quarter of section 33. 

The Baptist Church, on the northeast corner of the southwest 
quarter of section 27. This also has a cemetery attached. 

The Lutheran Church is the last one to be mentioned, and is 
located on the west half of southeast quarter of section 27. 

There are two other cemeteries in the township, not large, one 
located on the west half of northwest quarter of 7, and the other 
in the northwest corner of section J 9. 

These are all frame church buildings, plainly but comfortably 
finished. 

POPULATION. 

The following is the population of Falls Township, including the 
city of Logan, by decades, since 1840: 

Population in 1840, 1,625; 1S50, 2,570; 1860, 3,476; 1S70, 
3,760; 1880, 5,195. 

The gain thews that the progress of the township has been one of 
uninterrupted prosperity. 

FALLS-GORE. 

This territory is six miles long by two miles wide, is bounded 
on the north and east by Perry County, on the south by Green 
Township, on the west by Marion Township, and contains 7,680 
acres of land. It was formerly a part of Perry County, and was 
added to Hocking County when the latter was organized in I s l x . 
so as to secure, as was required by the old law, a certain amount 
of territory to make a new comity. It was at that time a part of 
Falls Township. On the second day of June, 1S23, Green Town- 
ship was cut off of Falls, and then included this strip, and in 
1S25, on June 7, in the new arrangement, it was still a part of 
Green. By petition of the voters it was again added to Falls, 
March 4, 1828. There is a voting place in Hamlin, or New Gore, 
for the accommodation of the eastern part of the district, while 
those in the western part still go to Logan. They have no sepa- 
rate township officers except an assessor. Burgessville and Ham- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 889 

lin are separated from each other only by railroad tracks and a strip 
of ground owned by the railroad company, so that lately the two 
towns, in name, if nothing else, are united and called New Gore. 
Then further on east Oreville has a local habitation and a name. 
The first mill built in this strip was on section 34, by Moses Starr, 
in the year 1822, on Little Monday Creek. It ground both wheat 
and corn, but has been abandoned since 1870. 

STREAMS. 

The largest stream is Monday Creek; it enters on the northwest 
quarter of section 25, takes a meandering course across the town- 
ship and passes into Ward Township from the southeast quarter of 
section 36. The next in size is Little Monday Creek. It is a 
branch of Monday Creek, enters Gore on the northeast quarter of 
section 29, flows southeast to its point of exit, on the southeast 
quarter of section 34. Scrub Monday is the name of a small creek 
that originates in the vicinity of Webb Summit, flows northeast 
and empties into Little Monday at Winona Furnace. Oldtown 
Creek rises on sections 30 and 31, flows southwest, leaving the pre- 
cinct on the southwest quarter of section 31, and empties into the 
Hocking River on the southwest quarter of section 34, in Green 
Township. Sugar Run enters on the northeast qurrter of section 
25, and flows into Monday Creek near Oreville. 

SURFACE. 

The surface is broken and hilly, but contains rich deposits of 
mineral, both in coal and iron ore. Quantities of fire and plastic 
clay are also found. 

BURGESS V J LLE. 

This village constitutes the southern part of what is now known 
as New Gore, and comprises all that part of the village south of the 
raihvad. It was laid out and platted by Colonel Levi Davis in 
January, 1871, for Ilenson Burgess, proprietor, for whom the town 
was named, 

HAMLIN 

is located on the southwest quarter of section 26, and comprises all 
that part of New Gore which lies on the north side of the State 
road. It was laid out and platted in February, 1871, by W. II. 
Jennings, for the Straitsville and Monday Creek Coal Mining Com- 
pany, and named for George F. Hamlin, their Superintendent, who 
was present and superintended the laying out of the village. 



690 HISTORY OF HOOKING \ \i LEY. 

NEW GORE. 

The two towns of Hamlin and Burgessville lie on opp >site Bides 
oi the railroad, and being contiguous are considered by the casual 
observer as one town, but such is not the case The village of 
Gore is near by, and after the erection of the furnace at the former 
place, in January, 1880, the Gore postoffise was removed to 
[Iamlin, still retaining its old name. Sinca that tima Gore has 
been known as Old Gore, and Hamlin with its neighbor Burgess- 
ville have been known as New Gore. 

The land lying 1) 'tween the railroa 1 and tic State road, and be- 
tween the two villages, a few rods wide, belongs to neither town, 
hut is the property of the Columbus and Hocking Tod and Iron 

( lomp my, on which is situated their furnace. The business house-, 
three in number, are all on the north side oi' the State road, and 

consequently are in Hamlin. This place has two blacksmith shops, 

one car and repair shop, one saloon, one physicia'n, a telegraph 
office, express and freight office, an 1 a telephone. There are T^* 
inhabitants in the two towns. 

HAMLIN LODGE. 

Hamlin Lodge, No. Til, [. O. 0. F., was established in dune, 
L8S2, with sixteen charter members. They elected John Clay- 
pool, n. G. 

The present membership numbers fifty, and the officers for L888 

are: 

B. .1. Holt, N. G.J Charles 1 >. Brown, Secretary, and ( teorge 
Dyson, Treasurer. The lodge has erected a handsome frame 
building, two stories high, 45 x 18 feet, using the upper Btory as 
their hall, which is handsomely furnished. 

oi;i \ II LE. 

This little village was surveyed and platted in November and 
December, 1872, by James Davis, Deputy County Surveyor, for 
William 11. Woodruff, proprietor, and received its name from the 
abundance of iron ore in this locality. 

GOR] . 

G ire (or Old Gore) is not a regularly laid out town. It was set 
tied in l v .'e_' by Cromwell B. Culver, who built a store there at 



•i:v Of HO< KING VA.LLEY. 9 1 

thai time. There was a school-house buill herein 1851. The 
toffice of Gore wa e tablished in L852 with Mr. Culvei 
tmaster, bul wa removed to Hamlin in January, 1880. Thii 
village is on the Strail ville Branch of the [locking Valley Rail- 
road, on the northeast quarter of section 34, and contains about 
sixty inhabitants. 

WEBB I i m WIT. 

A store and postoffice were e tablished on the southeast quarter 

ection 30, on the Straitsville Branch in l w 7l. with Jamei Hull, 

tmaster. James Halland Henry A<le<>ek built the store and 

put iii ;i stock of good . The store and postoffice are now in the 

hands of L. F. Keller. 

webb's chapel. 

The Methodist Episcopal church known by the above name is 
the oldest church in Hocking County, without much doubt, ji 
was organized in 1818, by Rev. Benjamin Webb, at his residence. 
They first built a log cabin on section 29. Tlii . wa d ed Dearly a 
quarter of a century, when, in 1851, they erected a neat and substan- 
tial frame church. It Jb plainly, though comfortably, finished inside, 
and ls 36 ■-. -J" feet in size. The membership now number sixty. 
Rev, A. B. Shaw is fin; present Pastor, holdin ce each 

alternate Sabbath; class-meeting is lield every alternate Sabbath, 
and a Sunday-school is kept up six month, in the vear. Prayer 
meetings are held '•■.cry Thursday night. 

FUBNA( : 

Qon Furnad wae built in L876 by General Samuel Thoma 
[t works both native and Lake Superior ore . employing 300 men 
in >!)<■ various departments. This furnace is located on the strip 
jround Lying between the railroad and State road at Hamlin 
and B . [lie. 

The furnace and appurtenances were purchased, March, 1- 
by the Colunibus & I,I"<-I ' ( il and Eron Company. The coal 
for fuel is drawn from their mines about one mile distant b 
small pony engine on a narrow gauge railway. The buildings are 
of brick and Mr. Vint Ferguson is the superin- 

tendent, an'] it, i- kept in lull b a I ind 'lav. 

77c Winona Furnadl ■- ton the northeast qui 



892 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tion 29, at the junction of Scrub Monday with Little Monday 
Creek, in 1877, by the Winona Iron Company. It is now the 
property of the Columbus and Hocking Iron and Coal Company, 
purchased March 1, 1SS3. The superintendent and general mana- 
ger is E. B. Greene, of Portsmouth, Ohio. The company also 
owns a general store here and twenty-two dwellings, in which 
reside about 150 people when the furnace is running. "Work was 
suspended in the fall of 1882, owing to the depreciation in the 
price of iron. 

A postoffice was established here in the fall of 1877, and named 
"Winona Furnace, with E. B. Greene as Postmaster. "Winona has 
a telegraph office and a neat frame school-house on the south side 
of the railroad. It is situated on the Straitsville Branch of the 
Hocking Valley Railroad. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first resident minister of the gospel in this part of Falls 
Township was Rev. Benjamin "Webb, a Methodist minister, who 
settled here in 1S16. 

Gore Chapel M. E. Church was established man}' years ago, but 
just when is not certainly known, as no records have been kept of 
its organization. A log house was built on the southeast quarter 
of section 27; the ground where it stood is now used for a ceme- 
tery. The present house, a frame structure 45 x 32 feet, was erected 
in 1868, on the northeast quarter of section 34. It was refitted 
in 1883, and presents an attractive appearance. Services each 
alternate Sabbath by Rev. A. B. Shaw, Pastor. Sabbath-school 
each Sabbath throughout the year. Class-meeting each alternate 
Sabbath. Prayer-meeting every Thursday night. There are now 
seventy-five communicants. 

Audubon United Brethren Church, at Hamlin, was organized 
about the year 1869, by Rev. Mr. Robison. The house of worship, 
a large frame structure, was erected in 1869. The Trustees are: 
Charles Gabeline, Asa Arnold, and John Tucker. Services each 
alternate Sabbath by Rev. James Dixon, Pastor. Class-meeting 
and Sabbath-school, each Sabbath throughout the year. Their 
Sabbath-school is the largest in this part of the country. Prayer- 
meeting every "Wednesday night. 

Predestinarian Baptist Church was organized in 1S32 or 1833 
in Perry County. The church organization was removed to OrevilK> 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY, 



893 



in 1875, where it holds service once a month in the Oreville school- 
house. There is an actual membership of sixteen, and its Pastor 
is the Kev. Wm. JMewton. 

starr's saw mill. 

This may be considered one of the valuable adjuncts to the 
mineral interests of Falls-Gore. It was first erected in 1877, on 
section 34, by Noah W f Starr. In 1882 Mr. Starr put the mill in 
good repair, with new machinery, and added a burr to crack or 
grind corn, and a saw-mill. 

Cemeteries. — There are two cemeteries in Gore district, one is on 
the northeast quarter of section 29, and the other on the southeast 
quarter of section 27. 

Schools. — Falls-Gore is divided into four school districts, and con- 
tains four school-houses, and received State money for 1882, amount- 
ing to $1,139.06. The buildings are all comfortable frame ones, 
with the necessary furniture. The assessed valuation of Gore 
school district for 18S2 was: For real estate, $74,200; personal 
property, $88,523; total $162,723. 




CHAPTER XXXIV. 

THE CITY OF LOGAN— THE PRIDE OF THE VALLEY OF THE HOCK- 
HOCKING. 

To the Memory of the Mingo Chief Logan — The Beaoy of its 
Location and Surroundings — From 1S25 to 1830 — Incorpora- 
tion of Logan — What She Was — Bridges — The Culver 
Property — Purchase and Price — Logan Postoffice — Mayors 
of Logan — Logan Graded School — Business Interests in 1859 
and 1S83 — Professional. 

A MONUMENT TO THE MINGO CHIEF LOGAN. 

The City of the Hocking Yalley, whose growth has been most 
tirm and steady, is the one whose" name commemorates the 
famous Mingo Chief Logan. Aside from its rich surroundings^ 
both in soil and mineral, which look toward Logan for an outlet, a 
more favorable location for a city could hardly be conceived. The 
site is an extended plateau, over two miles long and from a 
half to three quarters of a mile wide, lying north of the river, 
which at this point runs nearly east. At the west end of this 
plateau, just above a slight bend in the river, is the Great Hock- 
hocking Fall, well-known from the earliest history of the valley. 
and whose name designated the locality long before the invasion of 
civilization disturbed these haunts of savage life. In the rear of 
this little plain and in front of it, rising from the opposite river 
bank, is a chain of bluffs, not rugged in their contour, which almost 
completely surrounds the spot. At intervals in this environment 
are hills, whose grim brows are raised above their neighbors, and 
who look steadily down at the scene before them, like faithful lone 
sentinels standing guard over the beautiful city below. Even from 
the savage the natural beauties of this place brought forth a recog- 
nition, their charm impressing upon his rude mind that this, in all 
the boundless forest, was one of the spots most favorable to the 
habitation ot man. So far back as the scratch of pen or tradition 
of the pale-face leads the search for history an Indian village stood 
upon the site of the present city, within the sound of the great fall. 

(894) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 895 

But how far back this predecessor of Logan occupied the spot can 
never be known, probably through countless generations. It was 
the home of a portion of the Wyandot tribe, and was abandoned by 
them near the time of Lord Dimmore's war against the Indians in 
1774. This settlement of the Wyandots extended to Oldtown 
Creek. 

Logan lies within a mile of the eastern border of Falls Town- 
ship, and within two miles of its northern border. The mineral 
feature of the surrounding country, and the fact of its being the 
junction of three railroads, as well as lying on the Hocking Canal; 
makes Logan a center of considerable interest to the future de- 
velopment of the valley. It is one of the most important stations 
on the C, II. V. & T. R. R., and is the point of intersection with 
it of the Straitsville Branch and the River Division of the same 
road. Through this point the Straitsville Branch and the main 
line from Nelson ville bring nearly all the coal mined in this part 
of the State, an average, perhaps, of 7,500 tons per day. 

Already the smoke and noise of the engines and machinery in 
the manufactories give Logan the appearance of active industry. 
Most of these establishments have started within the last few yeaiv, 
but long before the excellent situation and its wide and level streets 
had made Logan attractive. It is laid out in regular squares, the 
streets running exactly north and south and east and west. Some 
of the streets running east and west are already a mile long, ami 
most of them are well improved. 

from 1825 to 1830. 

In 1S25 Logan claimed a population of 250. Several more 
new frame buildings had been added to the town as well as log 
cabins. It took its first start as a manufacturing town that year, 
having put up a carding machine propelled by oxen. 

From 1825 to 1830 quite a number of new arrivals made their 
homes in Logan — men who gave it prominence, and who stood as 
prominent citizens for many years thereafter, until they were called 
hence. Their names were: Horatio Hatch, James Crook, John 
Rochester, Dr. Joseph Whipple, William Alexander, and others. 
The first named opened a large general store — large fur the town at 
that time — and Mr. Rochester took a clerkship with him, and re- 
mained until he finally became proprietor of one of the most 
noted stores in the Hocking Valley. His sons are now carrying on 



896 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the business established over a half century ago. Dr. Whipple 
above spoken of was the first resident practicing physician. Among 
the early justices was 'Squire Finhcart, who, finding his peace- 
talk could not quell an incipient riot, proposed to do it with his 
fists. He was a large, muscular man, and when he threw off his 
coat and declared he would have peace if he had to whip the whole 
crowd, the row ended. 

Logan was blessed at an early day with a mill. Tiie water-power 
of the Hocking at the falls was utilized, by Governor Worthington 
in ISIS to the extent of a saw-mill and a run of corn burrs. Then 
the buildings., especially the frame ones, were well put up, as there 
were few better carpenters than Jonas and Bowen. So, all things 
taken together, Logan progressed solidly, if slowly. 

The first newspaper established was called the News, and was 
first issued in 1S3S, but did not live long, closing out on the election 
of Harrison in 1S40. The first resident attorney was Lucius Chase; 
at least the first one whose name is known. The law business was 
generally done in the early days by attorneys from the cities or 
towns large enough to support them, who made it their business to 
ride the circuit and attend court. 

MOVING FORWARD. 

The prospect of building the Hocking Canal in 1S3S gave hope 
to the people of Logan, but it did not start her growth materially 
until this means of transportation became an accomplished fact in 
1^1'>. This was to the people of the valley at that day of great 
importance, and was at least an outlet for their products, and a way 
to bring in their necessities. It was well patronized until the ad- 
vent of the railroads, and is vet doing a small business as far down 
as Nelsonville, the canal below that point being abandoned. 

INCORl'ORATED. 

At the session of the General Assembly in the winter of 1838- 
'39, the town of Logan was incorporated by an act of the Legislat- 
ure, passed .March 5, 1S39. Section 1 of this act reads as follows: 

" .1// Act t<> incorporati the town of Logan in Hooking County. 

" Section 1. Be It enacted by the Gt n< ral Assembly of tin State 
of Ohio: That so much of the township of Falls in Hocking 
County, as is included in the original recorded plat oi in and out 
b»ts of the town of Logan, together with all additions that have 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 897 

been or may hereafter belaid out and recorded, and also so much 
of the Hocking Valley Canal as lies south of and adjoins to or 
passes through said original plat or additions, bo, and the same are, 
hereby created a town corporate, and shall be known by the name 
of the town of Logan." 

WHAT SUE WAS. 

At the time of incorporation Logan had about fifty houses, and 
the census the following year gave her a population of 436. The 
population of 1830 had been 322. This was a very small increase. 
There were at that time about one dozen log cabins; the rest were 
frame buildings, except five of brick. In 1840 the present court- 
house was built .by Wm, Montgomery, contractor. It has since 
had an addition and bids fair to stand a quarter of a century. Pre- 
vious to the erection of this building, court had been held in an 
old frame house on Second street. 

The professional brotherhood in Logan, in 1840, comprised the 
following: Lawyers, Lucius Case and E. C. Cusack; physicians, 
Reuben Culver, Wm. Albers, C. B. Guthrie, E. L. Brown, John 
Holland, S. Chapin and Joseph Whipple. 

Logan had at that time two hotels, the American House and 
the Zimmerman House, and three saloons. 

Business began to improve as the canal was finished and boats 
started. The first boat to come down the canal, the A. McCaw, 
in October, 1840, brought down a large number of visitors to hear 
a speech in Logan by Hon. Thos. Corwin, in the celebrated log 
cabin and hard-cider campaign in 1840. 

The opening of the canal also stimulated the farmers, who, find- 
ing they could now get their produce to market, began to enlarge 
their farming operations and raise a large supply above home 
consumption. Trade began to improve and the merchant enlarged 
his stock and met the increased demand. In a few years the 
business of Logan needed better and larger shipping facilities, 
and in 1846 John Rochester, Sr., erected the warehouse at the 
foot of Mulberry street and became a purchaser for grain and 
produce, giving the farmers of Hocking County a home market 
for their surplus products. 

A very important and convenient public improvement was the 

building of a bridge across the canal on Mulberry street, in I s 1 3. 

The bridge was a joint affair, some $300 being appropriated by the 

county, and the balance of the money needed was raised by sub- 

57 



B98 HISTORY OF HOCKING \ \i \\:\ - 

Bcription, quite a large portion of the latter being paid by Labor 
toward the building oi' it. This bridge was about twenty feet wide 
and remained standing until L859, when the canal was bridged by 

a new one, single span, which in its turn was removed and the 
present double track covered bridge took its place in 1865. 

The bridge across the Eocking River at Hunter street was erected 
in 1855, but about one year later, being deemed unsafe, it was 
taken down and a new one put up in its place. The upper canal 
bridge was first built in lSt>S, and replaced by the one now stand- 
ing in 187:1 

THE CULVER PROPERTY. 

In April, L869, an important addition to Logan was made by the 
purchase of the lot known as the Culver property. This was a lot 
containing about seven acres lying just east oi the corporation limit, 
and from its relative position and excellent building room it was 
deemed very important that it should become part of the city and 
the streets extended through it. It was especially a matter of great 
convenience that Alain street should extend through this property 
instead oi passing around it, as before, and the council thinking it 
would be more a profitable to buy the land and sell it in lots than to 
enforce the street through it did so in accordance with an act of 
the State Legislature, and by an ordinance passed by the council 
provided for the payment of the same by issuing city bonds to the 
amount of $8,000. The bonds were made payable to L. A. Cul- 
ver, or bearer, and $2,000 of the same made du*e at the end oi 
each year following the date oi' issuance, April 17, 1869, until the 
whole amount should be paid. This lot now forms the eastern 
part of the city and contains same of the most eligible building 
lots within its limits. 

The churches and schools of Logan and other social institutions 
have, during this long period of the city's growth, fully kept pace 
with her business and manufacturing interests. The excellent sys- 
tem oi graded schools, under the care of Professor McCiay, is a 
m< st valuable institution. There are five well-patronized churches 
within the city, some oi' which have parochial schools attached. 
B< sides the Eocial features of the churches and schools, several very 
commendable literary and musical organizations have, in latter 
years, contributed much to social advancement. The James Block, 
the most important business building in the city, was built in 1^ 
Rempel'a Opera House was built in 1S7 — . 

The growth of the city from its first existence, as shown by the 
following figures, will be seen to have been constant and tolerably 



IJIVlokV 01 HO< I ,LEY. 

regular, [ta population in L820 was 100; in 1830,322; in 1840 
136; in 1850, 825; in L860, 1,489; in 1-7". L,827; in 1--". 2,666- It 
will be seen that the periods s nh were the decades 

following 1830 and 1860; ;md the period of most rapid growth, be- 
tween 1870 and L880, the increase for this decade being nearly five 
and one-half time- as large as for the decade immediately prei 
ing. • 

THE LOGAN POSTOFFIi E. 

The postoffice was established in Logan in 1-17. when Dutton 
Lane was appointed Postmaster by President Monroe. The office 
did but a small business until after the completion of the C. & 11. 
V. R. R., in L869, and then it began to be an office of considerable 
importance as a central and distributing office for the smaller 
of the surrounding country. Alter the building of the Straitsville 
Branch and the River Division oftheC, 11. V r . &T. li. R. the busi- 
ness of the office was .-till further increased 30 that now it ranks 
among the most important offices in Southern Ohio. Especially 
has the business increased in the last few years as is .shown by the 
following figure-: In 1-7'.' the sale of stamps amounted to $2,872 
97, while in 1882 the sales increased to $3,968.61. The number 
of pi' ' out from the office ('estimated by counting t!.< 

foi seven successive days; in 1879 was 3,685;and for 1880, 5,1 
It was made a money-order office in 1 366; the first order issued, beai 
ing date of Aug. 9, 1866, was for $4.50, made to James T. Mc< 
mick and payable to O. W. Star buck & Co., Cincinnati, O. The 
following figures show the increase of business in the money-order 
department: Number of orders issued 1870, 374; amount of same 
$3,491.67; number of order,- issued 1875, 1,104; amount of same, 
$11,100.31; number of orders issued 1880, 1.-17; amount of same i 
$18,418.71. The whole number of orders issued up to June 1,186 
is 15,910, representing the amount of $156,109.03. 

William Wallace was Postmaster in 1831, and since 1^11 the 

list is as follows: Flavius Case, 1841-'44; Waldo Tucker, 1844 

!; William Haines, l853-'56; Oakley Case, 1856-'57; E. P. 

Talpey, 1857 '61; Gottfried Sporleder, !861-'68; F.«G. Rempel, 

1868-'72; F. F. Rempel, 1872-'8 »; W. F. Case, since 188 

MAVok- OF LOGAN. 

C. W.James, 1839; Eli Barker, 1839- , 41; Alex. White, 1841-'46; 
Waldo Tucker, 1846-'52; D. J. Cline, 1852 '53; W. H. McClin- 
tock, 1853; J. R. Grogan, 1853-'55; J. W. Lyon. l855-'57; J. A. 
Brown, 1857-'62; L. A. Culver, 1862-'63; D. White, 1863-'6o; 



R - ; G . D Whites 1867 

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902 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

there were 74S children of school age in Logan, 374 of whom were 

LOGAN in 1SS3. 



male, and 374 female. 



Logan at the present time contains upward of 3,000 inhabitants. 
Its industrial interests embrace several large manufacturing estab- 
lishments, viz.: The Motherwell Iron and Steel Company, the Logan 
Furniture Company, Raymond Belt's foundry and machine shops. 
It also contains a fire-brick manufactory, three planing mills, one 
woolen mill, two flouring mills, three brick-yards, gas works, three 
hotels, two banks, five churches, one public school, an opera house, 
and a steam fire engine. Logan has also the following business in- 
terests: Thirteen groceries, ten saloons, seven boot and shoe 
stores, six general stores, five hardware stores, four meat stores, 
three drug stores, three jewelry stores, three milliner stores, three 
bakeries, two dry-goods stores, two harness stores, two cigar and 
tobacco stores, one clothing store, one furniture store, one feed 
store,one queen's-ware store, one produce store, two restaurants and 
two musical instrument stores; twelve attorneys, eleven physi- 
cians, five ministers, four dentists and three editors, four merchant 
tailors, four livery stables, three photograph galleries, three dress- 
makers, three blacksmith shops, two carriage works, two wagon 
shops, two tanneries, five barber shop?, one marble works, one 
soap ma nn factory, one gunsmith shop, one job-printing office, 
three newspaper offices with job offices attached, one news and 
book stand, one undertaker's establishment, one manufacturer of 
musical instruments, two insurance, two coal and two sewing mi- 
chine agencies, a Western Union Telegraph office, and one Adams 
express office, one life insurance agent and three railroads. 

LOGAN IN 1S59. 

For the purpose of comparison with the foregoing, below is given 
the business interests of Logan in 1859: 

Five attorneys and two physicians, two hote^, one livery stable, 
two banks, one planing mill, three flouring mills, one machine 
shop, one carriage shop, one gunsmith shop, one barber shop, six 
general stores, six groceries, three boot and shoe stores, two har- 
stores, two furniture stores, two hardware stores, two clothing 
3t blishmcnts, one hat and cap establishment, one millinery, one 
bakery and one cigar and tobacco store. 





,.;■ 



afr^^^c^ <$^//r 



CHAPTER XXXY. 

REFERRING TO RELIGIONS, MORALS, POLITICAL AND BUSINESS 

INTERESTS. 

History of Presbyterian Church — Methodist Episcopal Church 
— Catholic Church — Lutheran Churches — People's Bank — 
First National Bank — The Logan Press — Manufactories — 
Iron and Steel — Furniture — Woolens — Sash, Doors and 
Blinds — Fire Brick — Foundry and Machine Shop— Lodges 
and Societies. 

churches. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Logan was originally founded 

in Starr Township in 1821. Rev. Geo. W. Warner, a young mis- 
sionary, was sent by the General Assembly into Ohio, and began 
preaching to them in 1829. His meeting with the society was at 
long intervals, as the field of his labor embraced a large territory 
extending from Belpre to Zanesville. A two days' meeting was 
appointed for the 1st and 2d of September, 1829, which was con- 
ducted by Mr. Warner and Rev. John Spaulding, the regular pas- 
tor at Athens. At the close of this meeting steps were taken to 
form a permanent church organization, and the following persons 
were, upon examination, constituted the First Presbyterian Church 
of Hocking Cjunty, viz.: John A. Bntin, Anna Butin, Sjloinon 
Finney, Sylvanus Finney, Harvey Finney, Jesse Bartlett, Amanda 
Bartlett, Marcia Bartlett, Martha B.irtlett, Myra Washburn, Betsy 
Stone. Mary Romley, Eleanor Wallace, Asenath Cromwell and 
Nancy Cushing. Of these John A. Butin, Solomon Finney and 
Harvey Finney were elected and ordained Ruling Elders. 

In 1S33, after a series of revival meetings held in Logan by Mr. 
Mi-Aboy, it was decided to remove the original church society to 
Logan'; and from it a new organization to b3 located at New Ply- 
mouth, just over the line in Vinton County. 

The first Elders of the Logan sosiety were: John A. Butin, 
Jesse Bartlett, Silas A. Hedges and Sumner C. Cushing. During 
half of the year 1833 Rev. Luke De Witt was a stated supply. In 
183S the lot on which the present church building stands was pur- 
chased for $200, and the building made ready for occupation in the 

(«03) 



904 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

spring of 1841. It was finally completed in the following year, 
and has since received numerous additions and repairs, the princi- 
pal one being a thorough remodel of the building in 1875. Nov. 
27, 1843, a bill which had passed the Ohio Legislature incorpo- 
rating the First Presbyterian Church of Logan was read and 
adopted by the church, whereupon the first Board of Trustees was 
elected, consisting of the following: John A. Butin, John North 
and John Rochester. 

In March, 1856, the Secretary of Home Missions for the South- 
ern District of Ohio requested Rev. C. C. Hart to visit the church 
to perform some ministerial rites. Mr. Hart remained with the 
church, engaging as stated supply for one year, and afterward re- 
engaging, remained with the church continuously for over twelve 
years as stated supply. 

After the close of Mr. Hart's ministry as stated supply in Sep- 
tember, 1868, Rev. Win. A. Bosworth was engaged to supply the 
church for six months, after which, from May, 1869, to May, 1871, 
Rev. Mark L. Milford served as pastor. 

In September, 1871, the church extended a call to Rev. C. C. 
Hart, then at Shawne3town, 111., to again come and take their pul- 
pit. The call was accepted and he was regularly installed, in the 
following November, as Pastor of the church, which relation he 
still holds. Since the organization of this church about 650 per- 
sons have been members, the present membership numbering 165. 

The following persons have been Eiders: John A. Butin, Solo- 
mon Finney. 'Harvey Finney, Jesse Bartlett, Silas A. Hedges, Sum- 
ner L. Cushing, Samuel Dotv, John North, Willard Adams, E. T. 
Brown, Serb L. Davis, John Walker, A. Steinman, H. C. Foncan- 
non, A. J. Smith, Robert R Work, Wm, R. North, John North, 
J. E. Butin, F. Harrington, E. Maynard, A. Sheldon. 

The following held the office of Deacon before it was abolished: 
J. E. Butin, A G. North, 11. C. Foncannon, James M. Stuart, A. 
J. Smith, A. R. Dickon, John W. Work, T. E. Baker, C. E. 
Bowcn, F. Harrington, John Vail, J. W. Weltner and Levi Black. 

The Trustees from the church's organization have been: John A. 
Butin, John North, John Rochester, II. C. Foncannon, John 
Walker, A. J. Smith, David Little, T. E. Baker, John W. Work, 
S. Churchill and R >bert Wright. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. — At an early date the Methodist 
preachers on their rounds found their way to Logan, but it cannot 
now be ascertained who preached the first Methodist sermon there, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 905 

or at what date it occurred. In 1817 Logan was connected with 
Fairfield circuit, and was one of the places supplied with preach- 
ing by the circuit preachers who were, at tint time, Michael Ellis 
and J. McMahon. In 1819 it was placed in connection with Hock- 
ing circuit and Jacob Hooper was preacher in charge. Logan con- 
tinued in this connection and was served by the various circuit 
preachers until 1831, when it became a part of Adelphia circuit. 
At this time the society was worshiping in a log church — the date 
of the building cannot be ascertained. In May, 1832, Governor 
Worthington's executors deeded lot No. 77, on Second street, on 
which the old log church stood to the following Trustees of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, viz. : F. Bitcher, John Westenhaver, 
George Woods, Thomas Walker, Earhart Glaze, Samuel Bright 
and Robert Gallagher. Shortly afterward there was erected on 
this lot a frame building which the society occupied as a place of 
worship for nearly twenty years. John Stewart, in his " High- 
ways and Hedges," speaks of the Logan Methodist church as con- 
taining, in 1834, sixty-one members, with S. S. Bright as Class- 
leader. Logan circuit was organized in 1837, and Logan became 
the residence of the preacher in charge, E. S. Gavitt and J. A. 
Brooks being the first to supply the work under the new arrange- 
ment. In August, 1851, the trustees bought half of out-lot No. 
2, on Hunter street, and on it the present brick church was erected 
which was so far completed that the ^basement was occupied on 
the 20th of February, 1853. In July, 1855, the Logan society 
became incorporated and the following persons elected Trustees, 
viz.: John W. Lyons, Jesse L. Collins, Nathan Bill, Samuel 
Banks, C. W. James, John A. Murphy, William Ijams. The 
upper room was finished in 185S, and the dedication sermon was 
preached by Bishop Kingsley. In 1855 the charge w.is male a 
station, and since then it has been served by the following minis- 
ters: 1855-'6, T. D. Martindale; 1857-'8, B inner Mark; 1859, J. 
F. Given; 1S60-'1, S. M. Bright; 1862-'3, Win. Porter; 1864-'5, 
W. T. Harvey; 1866-'7, J. F. Williams; 186S-'9, Levi Hall; 
L870-'l-'2, W. C. Holliday; 1873-'4, J. F. Williams; 1875, T. II. 
Monroe; 18 76-'7, C. D. Battelle; 1873-'9-'80, J. E. Sowers; 1881, 
E. II. Heagles; 1882, J. M. Weir. 

St. John the Evangelist's Catholic Church of Logan. — The 
nucleus of this church was the family of Go'.ey Kunkler, 
who came to Logan in 1837. Sjon after cam) the f tmilies of 
August Ucker, Frank Junty, John and Nicholas Kessler. The 



906 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

first services were held at the different residences of these Catho- 
lic pioneers by Father Fokel in about 1S39; and, in 1840, 
Father Young, afterward Bishop of Erie, began to officiate regu- 
larly, holding services once in two months. Under his pastorate 
the old Catholic burying ground, two and a half miles north of 
Logan, was donated for a cemetery and church site by Augustus 
Uckerin about 1S41. A log church was begun in 1841 and com- 
pleted in 1811. It was dedicated by Bishop Purcell as St. John's 
Church and Cemetery in 1845. Father Young was succeeded by 
Father Lange in 1850, whose headquarters were at Lancaster, of- 
ficiating here once in six weeks. The church was organized in 
1839, with about sixteen families. The communicants now num- 
ber about 700. Father Lange was succeeded in 1861 by Father Hone, 
who was the first permanent Pastor. He was soon after succeeded by 
Father Emanuel Thienpont, who died while Pastor in 1S73. 
Father Charles Dougherty then officiated until September, 1S71, 
when the present Pastor, Father Thomas J. Cady, was placed in 
charge of the church. The place of worship was transferred from 
the old log church in Falls Township to Logan in 1861, where the 
present edifice was erected under the pastorate of Father Hone. 

The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Matthews Congregation 
of Logan was organized by Rev. C. Spielman, of Lancaster, Ohio, 
in 1852. The charter members of the church who had a voice in its 
proceedings were: John Grab, Henry Hartmann, Conrad Amendt, 
Jacob Keller and Louis Michel. Their house' of worship at first 
was on Front street, near the west end. The present church build- 
ing, on East Hunter street, was purchased in 1866. It had been 
built by a Rev. Mr. Sensebach, a new-school Lutheran, who built 
the church and endeavored to form a society, but failing, the build- 
ing was sold for debt and purchased by the above-named organiza- 
tion. The church has always had a fair membership, and since 1S66 
a fine house for worship. 

The Past jrs have been: Rev. C. Spielmin, 1S52; Rev. Mr. Baes- 
sler, 1852-'53; Rev. J. J. Suttler, lS53-'59; Rev. Martin Sandhaus, 
L859-'60; Rev. John Herr, 1860-'64 ; Rev. Paul Miller, 1864- 
'72, Rev. Henry Henkel, 1872-'81; and Rev. Louis F. Mittler, 
l^ v 1 to the present time. 

The society has within its membership about thirty families. It 
has also a flourishing Sabbath-school, superintended by Louis 
Michel. The church is a good-sized substantial brick building, ia 
well located and has a parsonage on the same lot. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 907 

The Evangelical Lutheran Trinity' Church of Logan was organ- 
ized from the St. Matthews Lutheran Congregation of Logan, in Oc- 
tober, 18S1. The Ohio Synod of this church had recently detached 
itself from the Synodical Conference, which had formerly included 
all of this denomination in the United States, on a doctrinal point 
concerning predestination. Rev. Mr. Henkel, in connection with 
eighteen other ministers and eight congregations in Ohio, declined 
to go with the rest of the Ohio Synod in this diversion, as they 
thought it, and remained in harmony with the Synodical Confer- 
ence. A portion of Mr. Henkel's congregation signifying their 
intention to believe with him, he effected a new organization under 
the above name. The church, a neat and comfortable brick struct- 
ure, and the parsonage, situated at the head of Mulberry street, 
were built in 1SS2. The cost of both was about $4,000. This 
society, though at first small, has grown so that it now contains 
twenty-four families. It has a Sabbath-school superintended by 
Mr. W. Wyman, and a good parochial school taught by the Pas- 
tor, Mr. Henkel. 

BANKS. 

The First National Bank of Logan, Ohio, of which the present 
First Bank is the successor, was organized Aug. 4, 1863, by the 
following named gentlemen: Chas. V. Culver, G. M. Webb, L. H. 
Culver, Thos. Dewar, Chas. E. Bnven, L. A. Culver and A. W. 
Beery, with a capital of $50,000. L. A. Culver was elected Pres- 
ident, and Chas. E. Bowen, Cashier. Mr. Culver served as its 
President until the summer of 1865, when he resigned and was 
succeeded by Wm. M. Bowen, who at that time bought a control- 
ling interest in the institution. He continued in this position until 
January, 1S67, when John Walker, who had been Cashier of the 
Logan branch of the State Bank of Ohio, was elected President, in 
which capacity Mr. Walker served until the surrender of the 
charter, July 14, 1SS1, Charles E. B >wen remaining the Cashier 
during the whole time, about eighteen years. In the summer of 
1S81 it was thought Congress would not extend the charter of 
national banks, and the bonds, on which their capital was based, 
falling due, the stockholders concluded to surrender the charter 
and engage in the private banking business. The change was made 
by the concurrent vote of the owners of the First National Bank, 
who, with a paid-up capital of $30,000, organized the First Bank 
of Logan, as the successor of the old one, in July, 1881. The new 



908 . HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

organization was completed by electing a Board of Directors a9 fol- 
lows : Robert Wright, F. F. Rempel, John Walker, J. C. Rochester, 
Chas. E. Bo wen; John Walker was elected President and Chas. E. 
Bowen, Cashier. This is the oldest bank now doing business in 
Logan, having occupied the same room since before its organization 
as a national bank in 1863. 

It has among its stockholders and in its management some of 
the oldest and most respected citizens of the town and county. 

The People's Bank, one of the most successful enterprises which 
Logan possesses to-day, was first opened for business Feb. 28, 1S67. 
On the 31st of December preceding, a meeting of a number of the 
business men had been held, at which it was unanimously agreed 
to organize an independent bank in Logan with a capital of .$25,- 
000. More than the entire amount was soon subscribed, but with 
a view to distributing the stock as much as possible a committee 
was appointed to receive applications for stock, limited to the citi- 
zens of Hocking County. This committee agreed upon and pub- 
lished terms of subscription, the first three of which were as follows: 

First — The capital will be $25,000, divided into two hundred 
and fifty shares of $100 each. 

Second — The affairs of the bank will be managed by a Board of 
Directors chosen by the stockholders, who will be entitled to one 
vote for every share of stock held by them. 

Third — Payments in stock will be received in cash or United 
States bonds of any kind, at their current value at the time of pay- 
ment. 

Among the heavier stockholders were: G. W. Pullen, G. Bu- 
hant, D. Little, A. W. Beery, L. A. Culver and others. L. A. 
Culver was elected President at the first election of officers, hav- 
ing remained in the position continuously up to the present time. 
F. Blasius was elected first Cashier, but he retired in June, 186S, 
when W. C. Rerhen was elected in his stead. He remained in the 
position until January, 1881, when he retired, and A. D. Houston, 
the present Cashier, was elected. Jan. 21, 1874, the capital stock- 
was increased to $50,000, the additional stock being taken princi- 
pally by the old stockholders. The stock is owned by eight- 
een partners, including some of the wealthiest men in the town 
and county, representing an individual liability of not less than 
$400,000. 

A feature of this bank well worthy of remark is the efficiency of 
its vault and safe as a place of deposit, which it would seem would 



HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 909 

securely retain any treasure under all circumstances short or" an 
absolute miracle. The safe itself, an unique $2,200 piece of furni- 
ture of the latest and most approved pattern, is, in effect, a solid 
box of steel, equipped with a time-lock and appliances for closing 
so as to be perfectly air-tight. The vault within which the safe is 
set is built of large stones all bolted together, and extends fourteen 
feet below the surface. 

NEWSPAPERS. 

The Hocking Sentinel. — The first newspaper published in Logan 
was the Hocking Republican, a five column paper, Democratic in 
politics, of which David Wirick was editor, publisher, printer, 
pressman, roller boy and devil. This commenced in the summer 
of 1838, the exact date cannot be ascertained. This paper was 
very poorly supported, and during the exciting political canvass of 
1S40 the editor assumed to support the Whig candidate for one or 
two weeks and thus lost nearly all of the then few subscribers and 
he was compelled to abandon the enterprise. His failure was any- 
thing but encouraging to others to attempt to locate here, and for 
nearly two years Logan was without a press. June 10, 1842, S. 
W. Tucker and Robert Wright formed a partnership and purchased 
the press and materials used in the Republican office and gave life 
to the Hocking Sentinel, and issued their first paper June 24. 
Mr. Wright, however, soon became dissatisfied and withdrew. Mr. 
Tucker continued to publish the paper until Jan. 14, 1S43, at which 
time John Atkinson and J. R. Good became editors and proprie- 
tors. On May 27, 1S43, John Atkinson became sole editor and 
proprietor, but in a short time it reverted to the hands of the orig- 
inal owner, S. W. Tucker, and remained in his possession most of 
the time until January, 1S44. It was purchased then by Flavius 
Case, who conducted it through the memorable Polk campaign. 
Jan. 1, 1845, Judge Oakley Case became the owner of the office, 
and carried it on alone until Sept. 9, 1846, when Luther S. Bort 
became part owner, in which he continued until 1848. About this 
lime Mr. Case purchased the press upon which the Star Spangled 
Banner had been printed, and placing it in his office, the Sentinel 
appeared in an enlarged form. May 3, 1S53, the paper was again 
enlarged and D. II. Boush became nominally associated, and the 
paper appeared under the names of O. Case & Co., Publishers, 
till Jan. 13, 1856, when it was again carried on solely by Judge 
Case for about one year. He then sold it to J. B. Grogan in 



010 BISTORT? OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1857, who continued in control till 1S59, when he too closed his 
connection with the paper. It next appeared under the name of 
C. M. Gould, editor and publisher. July 3, 1S63, Wm. C. Gould 
assumed control as editor and publisher. April 13, 1S65, C. M. 
Gould returned to Logan and again became editor and publisher. 
Sept. 16, 1869, Charles D. Elder purchased the paper and contin- 
ued its publication until April 25, 1872, when it was purchased 
by its present owner, Lewis Green. In 1876 Mr. Green relin- 
quished the editorship, which was assumed b} r A. H. Wilson. In 
January, 1877, the paper was published by Lewis Green and Will- 
iam A. Hoshor, under firm name of Green & Iloshor, Mr. A. H. 
Wilson's valedictory appearing in the issue of Jan. 4, 1877. It 
continued under the charge of the above firm for some two years, 
Mr. Lewis Green becoming again sole proprietor in July, 1S79. 
The paper has for many years been considered the leading and most 
influential Democratic paper in the valley, and it is likely to hold 
the position as long as it remains in the hands of its present pro- 
prietor. 

Rocking Valley Republican. — In the fall of 1848 the Rocking 
Valley Republican, a paper advocating the principles of the Whig 
party, began its career with John A. Brown as editor and L. S. 
Bort as publisher. The publication was continued here until the 
fall of the year 1850, when, upon the organization of the county of 
Vinton, it was removed to Mc Arthur. 

The Morning Star, a Whig paper, was started Aug. 1, 1852. 
edited by C. V. Culver, and published by J. K. Rochester. The 
name of this paper was afterward changed to the Socking 
County Star. Its publication was continued until Sept. 12, 1853. 
when this Star set, and the materials were consolidated with the 
Rocking Sentinel. 

The second Rocking Valley Republican came into existence in 
the fall of 1S55, published by James K. Rochester and George 
W. Ilankisson, and edited by F. A. B. Simpkins. During the 
year of 1857 Charles E. M. Jennings was engaged as editor. 
Afterward the office passed into the hands of W. J. Luttridge and 
J. H. Somers, who published the same for a few months, when 
they disposed of it to J. C. S. Miller, who was a little more suc- 
cessful than his predecessors and continued in its publication for 
several months. Oct. 20, 1859. David A. Miller purchased an interest 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 911 

in the office, and they continued their partnership until Nov. 24, 
1S59, when Dr. Jacob L. Myers purchased the interest of J. C. S. 
Miller, and he and David A. Miller entered into partnership and 
continued the publication of the paper, Dr. Myers acting as editor. 
April 7, I860, L. S. Bort took possession of the office as Receiver 
in the case of Wm. Gallagher against W. J. Lottridge, J. II. Som- 
ers, J. K. Rochester, J. L.. Myers, David A. Miller, and J. C. S. 
Miller, which suit was brought upon a chattel mortage upon the 
materials of the office. Under the Receiver the office was leased 
to David A. Miller, who, in May, ls60, began the publication in 
his own name, and Dr. N. Dalton, acting editor, which continued 
until 1861, when the office was sold to Dr. H. Scott. 

At the dissolution of the partnership of Myers & Miller, Dr. 
Myers procured another press and materials, and during the month 
of April, 1860, commenced the publication of the Republican 
Press, of which he was both editor and proprietor. Jan. 24, 1S61, 
Dr. II. Scott became the owner of both the Hocking Valley 
Republican and the Republican Press and the two papers were 
consolidated and issued under the title of the Logan Record 
and Monitor and soon after Dr. J. L. Myers became editor and 
publisher. The publication of this paper lasted only about one 
year. 

The Logan Journal made its appearance Aug. 1, 186S, with Ju- 
lius Smith as editor. This enterprise lasted only about six months. 
The Logan Republican. — The first copy of this paper was 
issued July 15, 1869, with Colonel F. Montgomery as editor, and 
through his indomitable perseverance and energy he placed it 
upon permanent footing and continued its publication -until April 
1, 1875. It was then purchased and published by D. Montague 
and Oliver A. Keth until Nov. 1, 1876, when M. C. Keth became 
sole proprietress, and A. Keth & Son, publishers. 

The Hocking Democrat was started Aug. 6, 1S63, on the mate- 
rial used for the Record and Monitor, and continued during the 
campaign. It was edited by James R. Grogan and published 
by II. Scott, Jr., and William Myers. 

The Hocking Valley Gazette, a weekly paper published at Lo- 
gan, was founded in February, -1877, by F. S. Pursell and A. II. 
Brook, the first number of the paper bearing date of Feb. 21, 
1877. Brook remained in connection with the paper only a few 
weeks, and since his retirement the paper has been edited and con- 
trolled entirely by F. S. Pursell. It has always been strictly Re- 



912 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

publican in politics, and in size is a four-page, eight-column 
paper, never having changed in either of these particulars. The 
paper has been ably edited, the sarcastic wit of its editor having 
been frequently republished in other newspapers. It has always 
taken a prominent part in politics, State as well as local, and is to 
be credited with being the first public organ to announce and urge 
the name of Charles Foster for Governor at his first nomination, 
and also the first to put before the public the name of Judge Fora- 
ker for the nomination in 18S3. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The Motherwell Iron and Steel Company. — The well-known 
Motherwell works were originally established at Lancaster, Ohio, 
in 1S67, by the three Motherwell brothers, James, Robert and Will- 
iam. The first products' of the shop were shovels and scrapers, the 
firm name being " Motherwell Brothers." In 1874, the business 
having proved a success, the works were enlarged and a stock com- 
pany formed under the incorporate name of the "Motherwell Iron 
Works." The business constantly increased, investments enlarged, 
and finally, in 1SS1, it was found that new and larger buildings 
would be required. About this time, the greater part of the stock 
being held by Logan capitalists, a reorganization of the company 
was effected under their present name in which L. A. Culver, of 
Logan, was made president, and it was decided to build the new 
shops at this place. Accordingly, in the summer of 1882 the pres- 
ent buildings near the C, II. V. & T. Railway were built, in which 
were placed new and improved machinery. The machine-shop is 
a fine brick structure 200 x 50 feet in size and three stories high. 
Adjoining this is the engine-house, also of brick, the foundry, a 
brick building GO x 50 feet, a warehouse also 60x50 feet, and an 
office building. These works produce agricultural implements to a 
considerable extent, but make a specialty of the manufacture of iron 
building materials, especially for court-houses and jails. These 
products find a market principally in the Western and Southwestern 
States. About forty men are employed at present in connection 
with these works, but their full capacity will require about seventy 
men. The establishment is superintended at present by Robert 
Motherwell. 

The Logan Manufacturing Company was constituted in Febru- 
ary, 1867, by A. Houston, Michael Kreig, D. White, A. B. Butin, 
and E. G. Collins, and was known by the firm name of Houston, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 913 

Kreig & Co. They took contracts for building houses and manu- 
factured furniture. In 1873, during the month of September, the 
present incorporated company was chartered according to the 
laws of the State of Ohio as a stock company, the stockholders 
being A. Houston, D. White, J. A. Murphy, A. B. Butin and M. 
Kreig, with A. Houston, President, and D. White, Secretary and 
Treasurer. The present officers are: M. Kreig, President; D. 
White, Secretary and Treasurer. The present 'stockholders are: D. 
White and son, M. Kreig and son, Thomas Rochester and Adam 
Lutz. M. Kreig is the general superintendent; John Strentz, su- 
perintendent of the carpentry department; Joseph Fickel, super- 
intendent of the cabinet department; Charles Eisle, superintendent 
of the finishing department, and David Graves, superintendent 
of the machinery. This extensive manufactory is located on 
the south side, and near the east end of Front street. They em- 
ploy thirty hands constantly, and have a large and increasing busi- 
ness. They sell principally to dealers of Ohio, Indiana and 
Pennsylvania. They also manufacture doors, sash, blinds, win- 
dows and door frames, moldings, and in fact everything usually 
made by first-class building,' establishments. This enterprising 
firm also is doing an extensive undertaking business. The main 
building is a large frame, adjoining which is a large and generally 
well-filled lumberyard, lying between Front street and the canal. 
The Logan FurnHurt Company is an incorporated body doing 
business under the corporate laws of Ohio, charter dating 
June 16, 1880, having a capital stock of $30,000, divided into 
shares of $100 each, and having business offices in Logan and 
Columbus. The organization at this time is represented by J. B. 
Hamilton, President; A. M. Houston, Manager, and A. D. Hous- 
ton, Secretary and Treasurer. The Logan buildings used exclusively 
for manufacturing the unfinished, goods (the staining, varnish- 
ing and polishing rooms being located in Columbus) are situ- 
ated on the south bank of the Hocking Canal, in Gallagher and 
Friesner's addition, occupying in buildings and yard a frontage of 
about 390 feet on Gallagher avenue, and extending back about 800 
feet. The main building, exclusive of the boiler house is 80 x 40 
feet, four stories high, constructed of brick. There is a two-story 
attachment on the north, 50 x 30 feet, also of brick. On the first 
floor is located the motive power, a forty-two horse-power steam 
engine, of Greenwood & Sons make. An iron shaft extends 100 feet 
along and almost the entire length of the combined bottom story. 
58 



914 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

This shaft is thronged with band-wheel pullies, connecting and pro- 
pelling the machinery throughout the entire factory. The boiler 
furnishing steam for the engine, also heating the establishment 
and drying lumber, is twenty-four feet in length and fort} T -eight in- 
ches in diameter. On the first floor are located an immense surface 
planer, an edger, a cut off, two circular rip saws and one combined 
re-sawing machine. Various kinds of machinery occup}' the sec- 
ond floor. On the third and fourth floors the work is 'put together, 
also the veneering of fine goods and the inlaying of drawer fronts 
and panels. Forty-five laborers are employed in this factory. 
This company makes a specialty of the manufacture of bureaus, 
wash-stands and bedsteads. They have no retail establishment in 
Logan, but sell their work from their Columbus house at whale- 
sale. Mr. A. D. Houston, Cashier of the People's Bank, is Secre- 
tary and Treasurer of the firm. They complete and ship from 
two to three car loads of furniture daily. The company's Colum- 
bus works and salesrooms are in extent, 125 x 65 feet, built of brick, 
three stories high, and are presided over by A. M. Houston, gen- 
eral manager. Their goods are sold in nearly every State west of 
the Alleghenies, doing an annual business of $60,000. 

Ressler's Factory is located on the northwest corner of Main 
street and Gallagher avenue, office and salesrooms on the south- 
west corner of Main and Spring streets. This business was estab- 
lished on the 10th day of June, 1879, by Frank Kessler, who still 
owns and conducts it. Mr. Kessler manufactures doors, sash, 
blinds, moldings, furniture and culinary safes. \ The shop employs 
ten laborers. 

The Hocking Valley Fire Brick Company, of Logan, was estab- 
lished in December, 1880, with $10,000 capital* W. Q. Adams 
was elected President, It. Jenkins,Vice-President, and Charles E. 
Bowen, Secretary. The capital stock was divided into shares of 
$100 each. The business is the manufacture of all kinds of fire-brick 
for furnace lining, cake ovens, etc. In July, 18S0, the capital 
was increased to $20,000 and in the following year to $50,000, 
when a branch was established at Portsmouth, Ohio, for the same 
business. The works at Logan employ about sixty men, the ca- 
pacity being 2,500,000 bricks per year. The manufactured bricks 
are shipped principally to Chicago, Joliet, Milwaukee and other 
Northwestern cities. J The clay consumed here is found principally 
in Hocking County. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 915 

Foundry and Machine Shop. — This establishment, situated near 
the canal bridge on Front street, is one of the oldest manufacturing 
enterprises of Logan. Its growth from a modest beginning to its 
present proportions, has been under the care of and due to the care- 
ful and able management of Mr. Raymond Belt, its present owner. 
Situated as it is, in the heart of a rich coal and iron region, with 
the best shipping facilities, this shop is eminently in place, and the 
enterprise well chosen. 

The Logan Woolen Mill. — This industry was established in 
Logan in 1861, by J. E. Tritsch, who lias been the sole proprietor to 
the present time. He at that time, having purchased the building 
formerly used for a flouring mill by William Dewar, placed in it 
one set of machinery. Another set of cards has since been added, 
giving it 400 spindles, two broad looms and seven narrow looms. 
The machinery consumes about 150 pounds of wool per day, re- 
quiring ten hands. The owner makes a specialty of yarns and 
blankets, but manufactures also doeskins, [cashmeres, satinets, 
leans and flannels. The machinery is run by steam power. 

Stzers's Packing House, of Logan, was founded by Isaac Stiers 
in 1878, with a capacity of 1,000,000 pounds annually. Mr. Stiers 
was the first to venture into an enterprise of this character at Logan, 
and had many obstacles to encounter, but has been eminently suc- 
cessful. He annually kills 1,200 hogs. He also deals in wool, 
handling from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds annually. His pork is 
consumed in the Hocking Valley. 

LODGES. 

Hockhocking Council, No. 39, R. & S. M. — This organization 
was formed Oct. 13, 1866, with the following charter members, 
with designations following those holding the first offices. O. Case, 
T. I. G. M. ; G. W. Pullen, D. I. G. M.; Andrew J. Smith, P. C. 
W. ; W. S. Friesner, C. G. ; Wm. F. James, Recorder; Augustus 
Steinman, Treasurer; John Angle, Sentinel; L. S. Bortand Charles 
C. Hart. This lodge has been in continuous and successful opera- 
tion since its establishment. It has at the present time about forty 
members, the following of whom hold the offices at present: C. W 
James, Sr., T. I. M. ; J. E. Butin, D. I. M. ; R. S. Van Atta, P. C. 
AY.: W. S. Friesner, C. G. ; Lloyd Myers, C. C; J. P. Cooap, 
Steward; C. E. Bowen, Treasurer; O. W. H. Wright, Secretary; 
and D. Finnefrock, Sentinel. Stated communications first Tuesday 
in each month. 



916 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Logan Chapter, No. 75, B. A. M., was organized March 13, 1857, 
under a dispensation. A charter was obtained the following Oct. 
17, when the lodge was composed of the following officers and 
members: D. A. Hoffman, H. P.; E. P. Talpy, K. ; O. Case, S. 
L. S. Bort, C. H.; J. Beaize, P. S.; T. D. Martindale, R. A. C. 
L. Ilutchins, M. 3 V.; J. A. Smith, M. 2 V. ; D. Little, M. V. 
N. Dalton, Treasurer; O. V. Culver, Secretary; D. Finne frock, 
Guard, and E. W. Van Bibber. This lodge has stated communica- 
tions Friday evenings after each full moon, and has at present about 
eighty active members. The following are the present officers: W. 
S. Friesner, H. P.; L. Myers, K.; J. E. Butin, S.; 11. S. Van Atta, 
C. H.; C. W. James, Sr., P. S.; J. H. Rochester, R. A. C; J. E. 
Tritscb, M. 3 V.; W. II. McClintock, M. 2 V.; C. E. Bowen, Treas- 
urer; O. W. H. Wright, Secretary, and D. Finnefrock, Guard. 

Mingo Lodge, No. 171, F. <& A. M., is the oldest lodge in Lo- 
gan; was established Dec. 19, 1818. The lodge was organized 
under a dispensation, and so continued until Oct. 19, 1819, when 
a charter was obtained on which the following names appear as 
charter members: John A. Smith, Reuben Culver, John Borland, 
Robert D. Smith, Gilbert Bishop, Nicholas Dalton, Daniel Finne- 
frock, J. "W . Rochester, D. A. Hoffman, L. S. Bort and L. C. 
Krider. The first officers elected were: D. A. Hoffman, W. M.; 
L. Ilutchins, S. W.; Daniel Finnefrock, J. W.; R. Culver, 
Treasurer; John Borland, Secretary; J. A. Smith, S. D.; L. S. 
Bort, J. D., and J. W. Rochester, Tyler. William Nelson was 
the first initiated, B. P. Hewett the second, D. W. Crook the 
third, and Joseph McGee the fourth. The lodge has at present 
about 113 members. The present officers are : L. Myers, W. M.; 
A. A. Price, S. W. ; W. II. McClintock, J. W.; C. E. Bowen, 
Treasurer; O. W. II. Wright, Secretary; R. S. Van Atta, S. D.; 
M. A. Kreig, J. D., and Daniel Finnefrock, T. 

Mineral Encampment, No. 91, 1. 0. 0. F. — This encamp- 
ment was instituted June 6, 1866, with the following charter 
members: CM. Gould, C. P.; John W. Work, H. P.; Zara 
McDaniel, S. W. ; James D. Poston, J. W.; Warren Locke, Sec- 
retary. ;uid Henry Kern, Treasurer. It has at present eighty-nine 
members officered as follows: D. Finney, C. P.; S. Feigley, H. 
P.; R. O. Kaynes, S. AY.; J. E. Brown, J." W, and R. O. Kittsmil- 
ler, Sr. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



91' 



Hocking Valley Lodge, JVb. 262, /. 0. 0. F., situated at Lo- 
gan, was instituted Feb. 1, 1855, by P. G. Bope, a Special Dep- 
uty. The charter members were: William M. Moore, Joseph H. 
Elder, John W. Brice, Samuel P. Officer and D. Maynard. The 
first initiate into this society after its organization was C. Y. 
Culver, and John W. Work was the second. The lodge has had a 
strong and prosperous history, numbering at the present time 174 
men in its membership. The present officers are : R. O. Kaynes, 
N. G. ; John C. Crow, Y. G.; John F. Sanderson, E. S., and D. 
Finney, P. S. 

Logan Lodge ,No. 119, Knights of Pythias, was organized Dec. 
17, 1879, and chartered May 27, 1880, with thirty-one charter 
members. The following were the first officers of the lodge : EL 
A. Butin, P. C.;K. C. Sanderson, C. C. ; John C. Crow, Y. C; 
R. O. Kittsmiller, P.; A. II. Brook, K. of R. and S.; D. A. Mil- 
ler, M. of F.; I. N. Collins, M. of E., and W. A. Butin, M. at A. 
This lodge has been very prosperous, having at present about sixty- 
five gool active men. As an evidence of its flourishing condition 
it sends about $29 annually to the State Lodge besides meeting 
promptly all of its own obligations. The present officers are: 
R. W. Kaynes, P. C. ; T. K Collins, C. C; William H.Hanson, 
Y. C; L. E. Douglass, P.; John Strentz, M. of F.; R. O. Kitts- 
miller, M. of E.; Charles Price, K. of R. and S. ; M. A. Kreig, 
M. at A. 




CHAPTER XXXVI. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF FALLS TOWNSHIP, INCLUDING 
FALLS-GORE AND CITY OF LOGAN. 

James Nelson Acker, Deputy Probate Clerk of Hocking 
County, was born near old Straitsville, Perry Co., Ohio, Nov. 
22, 1851. He lived with his parents, W. T. and Mary E. (Rosser) 
Acker, at his native place, Nelsouville and Logan until manhood, 
receiving an education in the common schools. At the age of 
eighteen years he began to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he 
followed till 1S75. In the spring of 1876 he was elected Consta- 
ble, serving in that capacity two years. In the fall of 1876 he was 
elected Coroner of Hocking County, which office he resigned in 
the fall of 1877 to accept that of Sheriff of Hocking County. 
He was re-elected "Sheriff in 1879, serving two terms. In May, 
1882, he was deputized by his father, Probate Judge of Hocking 
County, Probate Clerk, his present position. May 31, 1S76, he 
was married to Miss Effie Tannyhill, of Logan, by whom he has 
one child — Mary Blanch. He and wife are members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church of Logan. 

Hon. William Trimmer Acker, son of Henry and Maria (Trim- 
mer) Acker, was born July 21, 1827, near Black Creek Corners, 
Allegany County, N. Y., where he lived till he was thirteen years 
old, when his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Ward Township, 
Hocking County (then Athens County). He was reared on a farm 
and educated in the common district schools, and at the age of 
twenty he began to work as a coal miner, but after three yeara 
he went on a farm and pursued funning five years, lie again en- 
gaged in coal mining for the following nine years. In the fall of 
1863 he was elected Sheriff of Hocking County, and re-elected in 
1865, serving four years, lie was elected Representative of his 
county in the Ohio State General Assembly, and was re-elected two 
years later, serving two terms. While he was Sheriff he studied 
law nearly two years under J. R. Grogan, of Logan, and was 
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus in 1S68. 
He began the practice of law at Logan, and is still a member of 

(918) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 019 

the bar of Hocking County. He was elected Probate Judge of 
Hocking County in the fall of 1872, and has held that office two 
successive terms of three years each, and in 1881 he was again 
elected, and is now an incumbent of that office. He has also held 
the positions of Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace. March 
18, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Rosser, of 
Athens County. They have had eight children, five of whom are 
living. The last three all died in infancy. Those who survive are — 
James Nelson, Deputy Probate Clerk; Mary Jane, wife of Asbury 
Voris. of Logan; William Henry, a printer at Logan; Sarah Cath- 
erine, wife of Christopher C. Guergeriesmier, a cabinet-maker of 
Logan, and Harriet Louisa. Mr. Acker is an Odd Fellow of Hock- 
ing Yalley Lodge, No. 262, at Logan, of which he is Past Grand, 
and is also Past Worthy Patriarch of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, 
at Logan. 

Morrison H. Ambrose, proprietor of the Rempel House, is a 
native of Ohio, and was born near Tiffin, Seneca County, Dec. 9, 
1839. He remained on his father's farm in Seneca County, attend- 
ing school winters until twenty-three, when he went to Lancaster, 
Ohio, and was employed as superintendent and clerk in the Tal- 
mage Hotel; remained here until August, 1871, when he located in 
Logan and opened the American House. In 1875 Mr. Ambrose 
remodeled the American House and changed the name to the Rem- 
pel House. He has remodeled this house from time to time, and 
at present it ranks among the best hotels of the valley. Mr. 
Ambrose married Miss Ella Flemm, at Lancaster, Nov. 10, 1868. 
She was the daughter of C. Flemm, one of the pioneer hotel men, 
and proprietor of the old Talmage House, of Lancaster. He died 
April 22, 1877. He was a native of Germany, and came to Amer- 
ica when a young man. Mr. Ambrose was the eldest son of Fred- 
erick W. and 'Jane (Morrison) Ambrose, his father a native of 
Westmoreland County, Pa., and his mother of Maryland. His 
father died in April, 1871, and his mother in 1849. They were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They had a family 
of three sons and four daughters, two sons and two daughters now 
living. Mr. Ambrose is a Mason, member of Lancaster Lodge, 
No. 57. He is agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of 
New York. He is one of the pioneer hotel men of the valley, an 
active business man, and has been identified with Logan since 
1871. In politics he has always been a Republican. He deals 
extensively in real estate, and has built and- owns quite a numbsr 
of fine residences. 



920 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Charles Pemberton Armstrong^ son of William and Margaret J. 
(Lacy) Armstrong, was born in Logan, May 14, 1849. He was 
reared in his native place and received his education in the public 
school. His father being a dealer in tinware, our subject in early 
boyhood began to work as a tinner, and in 1877 he entered his 
father's shop, working as a hand until his father's death, which 
occurred Feb. 12, 1883, since when he has taken charge of the 
business for his mother. 

Thomas Edwin Baker, junior member of the firm of Work 
& Baker, stove and tinware merchants of Logan, was born in Lan- 
caster, Ohio, July 14, 1828, where he was reared. He is the eldest 
of five sons of Luman and Sarah Ann (Hart) Baker, with whom he 
lived till he was fifteen years old, when he became apprenticed to 
John McClelland to learn the tinner's trade, at which he served till 
his nineteenth year. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, and worked 
as a journeyman for one year, after which he worked for six months 
at Newark, Ohio. In the fall of 1849 he went to Bainbridge, Ross 
Co., Ohio, where he held the position of foreman in the shop of Grove 
W. Penny until the following spring, when he came to Logan and 
engaged with his father in the stove and tinware business, the firm 
name being T. E. Baker & Co. In 1852 his father retired from 
the firm, and he carried on the business alone till 1857, when he 
sold out to G. M. Webb & Co., being employed by them as a jour- 
neyman until July, 1862. He was then commissioned First Lieu- 
tenant by Governor Tod, and assisted in recruiting Company G, 
Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he went 
into service and served in the front until July, 1863, when he was 
wounded in the foot at Stone River, which disabled him. In De- 
cember, 1S62, he was ordered to a convalescent hospital at Jeffer- 
sonville, Ind., where he remained until October, 1863, when a 
veteran reserve corps was organized of the convalescents, and he 
was ordered out as Captain of Company G, Seventeenth Regiment 
Reserved Corps, he having been promoted to Captain in June, 1863, 
serving with his company on guard duty at Indianapolis until 
October, 1864. He participated in the battles of Perry ville, Stone 
River and several less important skirmishes, and in October, 

1864, resigned his commission and returned to Logan. In March, 

1865, he formed a partnership with Robert R. Work in his pres- 
ent business. He was married Oct. 10, 1850, to Miss Mary D. Tow- 
ers, of Lancaster, by whom he has had nine children, six of whom 
are living,, viz.: Frances Mary, wife of George Mumford, of Logan; 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 921 

Annie E., wife of George Brash ears, of Straitsville; Lnnian E., 
Hamden Culver, Gertrude and Nellie W. The deceased ones 
were: John Borland, who died at the age of twenty-four years; 
Sallie Alice, wife of A. Petti t, of Troy, Ohio, who died at twenty- 
one years of age, and Louisa, who died aged three years. Mr. Baker 
has served as Councilman of Logan. He is a Master, Royal Arch 
and Council Mason, and member of the lodge, chapter and coun- 
cil at Logan. He is a charter member of J. K. Rochester Post, 
No. 140, G. A. R., of Logan. He and wife are members of the 
First Presbyterian Church of Logan, of which he is a Trustee. 

Abraham Washington Beery, a Director of the People's Bank, 
Logan, was born near Staunton, Rockingham Co., Va., Dec. 12, 
1799, a son of John and Margaret (Shafer) Beery. In 1805 his 
parents came to Ohio and settled six miles east of Lancaster, Fair- 
field Count}', where he was reared. April 20, 1820, he married 
Elizabeth Miracle, of Fairfield County, and settled on a farm. In 
1826, in connection with farming, he ran a six-horse freight team 
from Lancaster to Baltimore and Cincinnati. In 1831 he sold his 
farm and team, and removed to Perry County, and in 1836 came 
to Hocking County, and bought 300 acres of land near Logan, soon 
after buj T ing 200 acres more. He improved it all, and with farm- 
ing engaged also in stock-raising. In 1812 he was elected Treas- 
urer of Hocking County, and removed to Logan. He held the 
office four years, and at the end of that time returned to his farm. 
In 1852 he divided his farm with his sons, and returned to 
Logan and engaged in the grocery business. In 1856 he retired 
from all business^ except banking. April 17, 1858, his wife died, 
leaving thirteen children, only two of whom are now living — Sim- 
eon and Amos. July 11, 1858, he married Elizabeth McFadden, of 
Hocking County. At the organization of the First Bank of Logan 
he was one of the stockholders and was elected a Director. When 
the People's Bank was organized he was also a stockholder and 
was elected Vice-President, resigning in 1882 on account of defect- 
ive hearing. Mr. and Mrs. Beery are members of the Presbyterian 
church. He is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M. 

Raymond Belt. — Mr. Belt's parentage on the father's side was 
purely English. When Wm. Claibourn, in the year 1632, erected a 
trading post on " Kent's Island " in the Chesapeake Bay, near the 
site of the city of Baltimore, with a little colony, it was in part 
comprised of Benjamin and Humphries Belt, from County York, 
East Riding, England. In a few years after their arrival, Benjamin 



922 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Belt became dissatisfied, returned to the mother country, leaving 
his brother Humphries, the progenitor of this branch of the Belt 
family, behind." John Belt, the father of Raymond Belt, was born 
in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in 1769, the generation of 
Belts, from Humphries down, having resided in and around Balti- 
more since 1632. In 1775 John Belt, with his father's family, 
emigrated to the State of Pennsylvania, and in 1794, at the age of 
twenty-five years, married Miss Elizabeth Bumgardner. In 
1S04, with his small family, he emigrated to the State of Ohio, set- 
tling in Licking County, on a farm near Newark, the county seat. 
Here Raymond, the youngest of a family of ten, was born March 
4, 1S19. He pursued the calling of a husbandman until he was 
of the age of twenty-three years, receiving in the meantime a 
good common-school education, such as was imparted in that day 
and age by the pedagogues of district 'schools. In 1S42 Mr. Belt 
commenced working at the carpenter's trade in the little village of 
Van Attasburg, in Licking County, and being ingenious, and of a 
mechanical turn of mind, soon mastered the rudiments and was 
pronounced a complete workman in wood. Van Attasburg contain- 
ing an iron foundry, plow-making was 'carried on to a considerable 
extent; in the stocking or wooding of plows, handy, ingenious 
workmen were required, and Mr. Belt's well-known mechanical 
ideas soon called him to that branch of wood manufacturing busi- 
ness. After working about two years in Van Attasburg he re- 
moved to Toledo, Ohio; remained there one year and returned to 
the burg once more, remaining and carrying on for himself and 
building up the business of the village, until the spring of 1S46, 
when he pulled up stakes and moved his plow-stocking business to 
the then village of Logan. There, being no foundry in Logan at 
that time, Mr. Belt transported the iron fixings for his plows from 
Van Attasburg, by wagon, across the county, a distance of over fifty 
miles, until the idea suggested itself that castings could be manu- 
factured at Logan as cheap as any other point in Ohio, all that was 
wanting was the facilities for so doing, and being a man of nerve 
as well as practical mechanic, he, in L848, associating with himself 
Robert Van Atta.a thorough molder and foundryman, they immedi- 
ately proceeded I" erect the first foundry and machine shop in the 
valley of the ffockhocking, which proved a great success. Oct. 1, 
IMS Mr. Belt married Bliss Susan Guthrie, of Zanesville, O., for- 
merly of Baltimore, Md. Mr. licit continued the foundry business as 
a copartnership business until I860, when he became the sole owner. 



HTSTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 923 

The same year Mr. Belt assumed the business alone he enlarged 
the capacity of the works, manufacturing not only plows, but 
machinery of every description iron could be formed into, manu- 
facturing during the war great numbers of iron cane mills, and 
that with the increasing demand of every thing in his line made 
for him, during these .years, an independency so far as worldly 
goods were concerned. 

In 1873 the main machine shop building and a portion of the 
foundry were destroyed by tire, causing considerable loss, but Mr 
Belt, with that indomitable energy characteristic of the man, im- 
mediately commenced building again on a more extensive scale, 
this time using stone, brick and iron for building material, instead 
of wood. Completing the outer works, he filled the establishment 
with the latest and most improved machinery, continued the busi- 
ness, increasing it year by year, until to-day we find him conduct- 
ing the most prosperous machine and foundry works in Southern 
Ohio. During the wedded life of Mr. Belt five children have been 
born unto him, four of whom are still living, two of each sex, and 
all grown up to manhood and womanhood, six grandchildren being 
already added to the family list. 

Andrew Blum, farmer, second son of Martin and Jacobine E., 
nee Sheine, Blum, was born near Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, Sept. 28, 1827. When three; years of age he came with his 
parents to the United States and settled near Hanover, Penn., 
where they lived three years and then removed to Thorn Township, 
Perry Co., Ohio, and resided nine years. They then came to 
Laurel Township, Hocking County, near Gibisonville. Mr. Blum 
has been engaged in farming since twenty-one years of age. \\\ 
February, 1S73, he came to Falls Township where he has since re- 
sided. Aug. 15, L848, he married Sarah, daughter of Solomon 
and Barbara A. (Fought) Kline, of Elocking County. They have 
twelve living children — Margaret, wife of Henry Miller, of Laurel 
Township; Jacobine E., wife of George Miller, of Washington 
Township; Barbara A., wife of John Risch, of Good Eope Town- 
ship; Abraham, .Mary, Solomon. Caroline, Samuel, Ella, John II., 
Emma and George. Andrew died in infancy in Van Wert County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Blum are members of the Lutheran church. 

Luther Stone Bort^ insurance agent, Logan, Ohio, was born near 
Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua Co.. N. V.. July 18, 1818. When 
he was quite small he removed with his parents, Barnard II. and 
Polly (Dewey) Bort, to Erie, Pa., with whom he lived until he was 



924 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

fourteen years of age, and till then had received but a meager ed- 
ucation. On leaving home he went to Ravenna, Ohio, where he 
learned the printer's trade with his uncle, Colonel N. Laurin Dewey, 
being with him four years. He then worked in different offices of 
that place until 1840, when he came to Columbus, Ohio, and was 
employed in the Statesman office during 1840 and '41. In June, 
1841, he came to Logan and permanently settled, where he was 
employed as foreman in the Hocking Sentinel office, he issuing 
the first number of that paper. In 1845 he purchased a half in- 
terest in the same paper, which he owned until 1847, when he 
sold out, and in that year established the Rocking Valley Repub- 
lican, which he owned and published until 1S50, when he removed 
his paper to McArthur, Vinton County, where he published it 
until 1853. He then sold out and returned to Logan and was em- 
ployed as clerk, and assistant manager of the Logan Furnace Com- 
pany until 186.0. He then removed to St. Louis, Mo., and remained 
until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he returned to Logan, 
where he has since been variously employed. In 1861 he was elected 
Assistant Assessor of Hocking County serving three or four years. 
In the spring of 1882 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Falls 
Township, and is now the incumbent of that office. Nov. 14, 
1843, he was married to Sallie Ann Case, of Logan, by whom he 
has three living children — Laurin L. and William F., both book- 
keepers for W. B. Brooks & Son, of Nelsonville, Ohio, and Lucius 
O., a clerk in the drug store of Miller .& Case, at Logan. They 
have lost five by death — two in infancy, two between five and 
twelve, and one who had reached maturity. Mr. Bort is a Master, 
Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason. 

Charles Edward Bowen, son of Mead and Lucy (Drake) Bowen, 
was born at Logan, Oct. 7, 1839, where he was reared, being edu- 
cated in the common and select schools till his fourteenth year, 
when he began clerking in the store of Crooks & Ijams, remain- 
ing there three years. He then clerked in different stores in 
Logan until he was twenty-one, when he was appointed Cashier 
of the Citizens' Bank, of Logan. In 1863 he became a 
stockholder in the First National Bank of Logan, of which he 
was elected a Director and Cashier, retaining that position until 
July 14, 1881, when the First National Bank surrendered its char- 
ter and reorganized as a private institution under the name of the 
•First Bank of Logan. He was a stockholder of this bank and 
was again elected a Director. April 5, 1S77, he was married to Lucy 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 925 

E., youngest daughter of John Rochester, of Logan. They have 
three children whose names are — Francis Mead, Eveline and John 
Rochester. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Logan. He is a Master, Royal Arch, Council and 
Knight Templar Mason, and member of the lodge, chapter and 
council, at Logan, and Commandery No. 2, at Lancaster, and is 
Treasurer of the lodge, chapter and council at Logan. In Decem- 
ber, 1860, Mr. Bowen was appointed City Treasurer to fill the 
vacancy caused by the resignation of John Rochester, which office 
he has ever since held by re-elections. 

William Mead Bowen was born in Logan, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
April 13, 1S30, being the eighth child and eldest son of a family ot 
eleven children, an only brother being the eleventh child. Mead 
Bowen, the father of W. M. Bowen, was of Welsh extraction, born 
in Talbot County, Md., Jan. 3, 1782. Having removed to Fred- 
erick County, Va., in 1810, he was married to Miss Lucy Drake, a 
daughter of Francis Drake, an Englishman, and lineal descendant 
of Sir Francis Drake, the famous English navigator of Queen Eliz- 
abeth's time. In the year 1816 the Elder Bowen removed from the 
valley in Virginia, crossing the Allegheny Mountains with his 
small family, consisting of his wife and two children, in a two. 
wheeled vehicle, then known as a gig or carryall, landing on 
Ohio soil in the month of June the same year, stopping tempora- 
rily at the small village of Westfall, Pickaway County, where his 
brother Isaac resided, having preceded him to Ohio several years 
before. In the month of June, 1817, Mead Bowen moved for the 
last time, landing in the wilderness where Logan now stands on 
the 7th day of the month, and residing in the same community 
until his death in 1S77, being then nearly ninety-six years of age. 
"W. M. Bowen springs from a family notable for longevity, his 
father living nearly ninety-six years and mother till eighty-nine 
years of age. The early life of W. M. Bowen was spent, in winter, 
attending such subscription or so-called district schools, as a coun- 
try village could afford, changing masters and books almost every 
term, and in summer about his father's shop, his father carrying on 
a cabinet-making and house-joining business, interspersed with 
hunting, fishing, and the usual routine of fun and frolic always to 
be found in a backwoods settlement. Advantages for acquiring 
an education in those early days, such as the youth of this day and 
generation enjoy, were not known, and when reading, writing and 
arithmetic, as far as and including the Rule of Three were mastered, 



926 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the youth wore considered competent for any branch of business in 
life (barring the professions) to which they might be called. At 
the age of sixteen years young Bowen, having passed through the 
school ordeal, received a call, that is, his father, having a large fam- 
ily of children to support, all girls with this single exception, called 
the youthful graduate into the cabinet and joiner shop, and in- 
ducted his genius into the mysteries of the practical and profitable 
use of the saw, plane and hammer. Three years spent in the shop 
gave a sufficient knowledge to satisfy him that 6ome other kind of 
business would be more congenial if not more profitable. During his 
apprenticeship Bowen had applied his leisure hours to the reading of 
history and study of chemistry, natural philosophy and the higher 
branches of mathematics. Leaving the shop he entered as clerk 
in a grocery store. After acting a year or more in this capacity he 
took a position in a dry -goods store, and Dec. 25, 1851?, being then 
past twenty-one years of age, was married to Mary Elizabeth 
Crooks, the daughter of James W. Crooks, an old dry-goods mer- 
chant of Logan. They have had eight children, six still living — 
Charles E., Kate B., James M., William M., Vernon G., and 
Fannie E. In 1851 young Bowen, wishing to obtain a thorough 
knowledge of double-entry bookkeeping, attended and graduated 
from Granger's Commercial College, Columbus, Ohio, after having 
been a married man some three years. On his return from his 
studies in 1855, he engaged to keep books for the Five Mile 
Furnace Company. The iron, interest at that time seeming in a 
healthy condition a small property in Logan was sold and invested 
in furnace stock. The financial crisis of 1857 came on, iron went 
to naught, and organized companies followed, leaving penniless 
those who a few years previous seemed riding on the topmost wave 
of prosperity. Bowen's stock and earnings went the way of all 
things tangible, and returning to Logan he for a time engaged in the 
drug business. In 1858 he accepted a situation as Cashier and 
bookkeeper in the Citizens' Bank of L >gan,a position he kept until 
the news of the first battle of Bull Run aroused all the latent 
patriotism of the individual. Resigning his position as Cashier in 
favor of his brother Charles, in fourteen days he reported with 103 
men, rank, and file, at Camp Chase, the first three years' company 
raised in the valley. Taking position as Captain he was assigned 
the second place in the Thirty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, that is. Company B. Having at that time never been ex- 
posed or having had any out-door exercise, and putting his whole 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 927 

soul ancT energy in the business of drilling his company for the 
service, he contracted while in Camp Chase the typhoid fever, and 
lay all the month of September, 1801, and a portion of October at 
the point of death. About the 1st of November, same year, hav- 
ing recovered somewhat from his severe sickness, he reported for 
duty at Camp Dick Robinson^ Garrard County, Ky. Remained 
in the service, passing through the campaign of the winters of 
1861-'62, the battle of Mill Springs, the occupation of Nashville? 
and after the battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing, when, having 
had three several returns of the first attack and completely broken 
down in health, was forced to resign his position in the army and 
return home, and for more than one-half year remained an idle 
invalid. Having regained health somewhat, in the fall of 1862 
accepted a position in the Venango Bank, Franklin, Pa., where 
he removed his family. He continued in business in Franklin 
until the spring of lSGi; then removed to Corry, Pa., and started 
the First National Bank of Corry, Pa., with a capital of $100,000, 
taking the position of Cashier. Having been successful in several 
oil enterprises Mr. Bowen sold out his banking interests in Corry 
and pruchased two thirds of the stock of the First National Bank 
of Logan, whose capital was then $50, 000, and in the summer of 
1866 removed, once more returning to his native town, by his own 
business exertions being well fixed in life. He took charge of the 
bank as its President, with his brother C. £. Bowen, Cashier. 

In the spring of 1S06, by the collapsing of a large private bank 
in New York City, where his bank had a deposit of $29,000, a loss 
was sustained, falling heavily on him, when he sold his own stock, 
making the losses good, but losing his prestige as largest owner 
and President of the same. In the same year he bought in con- 
nection with E. G. Collins the largest hardware store and business 
in the valley, and carried on the same for several years under the 
firm name of E.G. Collins & Co.; bought Mr. Collins's interest after- 
ward and continued the business under the name of W. M. Bowen 
and sold to Messrs. James & Bishop in 1S71. Being largely in- 
terested in fire insurance stock the fire in Chicago cleaned the re- 
mainder of Mr. Bowen's fortune, he losing in the destruction of 
property and depreciation in values consequent upon the passage 
of the Specie Resumption Act over $25,000; yet, nothing despair- 
ing, he is the same business man as of yore. 

In politics Mr. Bowen is a Democrat, and in the year 1873 was 
elected to fill a vacancy in the Sixty-first General Assembly (caused 



928 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

by the resignation of Hon. O. Case to accept a position in the Sec- 
retary of State's office) to represent Hocking County in the Ohio 
House of Representatives; re-elected again and served through the 
Sixty-second General Assembly. Previous to that he had served 
as President of the School Board, and in various other minor po- 
sitions. He was the pioneer tire-brick business man, having built 
hugely for the purpose of manufacturing the same when the crash 
overtook him. He was in every public enterprise, among others 
started the first Building Association in the valley. He was ad- 
mitted to the practice of law in April, 1877, and has served as Dep- 
uty Probate Judge three years, as Township Clerk two years, and 
in May, 1883, was nominated by the Democracy of Hocking County 
for the office of Auditor, which is equivalent in this county to an 
election. 

William Ribbel Bowlby, senior member of the boot and shoe 
rirm, W.R. Bowlby & Son, Logan,was born near Belvidere, Warren 
County, N. J., June 18, 1829, a son of Charles and Rachel (Ribbel) 
Bowlby. In 1835 his parents came-to Ohio, and settled on a farm 
near Newark, residing there there till 1811. They then removed 
to Linnville, remaining there two years, and in 1843 came to 
Hocking County. William R. remained at home till he attained 
his majority, and in 1851, having learned the shoemaker's trade, 
he went to Sugar Grove and started a manufactory, hiring a num- 
ber of hands. He afterward engaged in the same business in 
Urbana and Nelsonville, and in 1S55 became permanently estab- 
lished in Logan. Dec. 24, 1854, he married Miss Jane Smith, of 
Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio. They have had a family of three 
children — Kate, Charles and Maggie. The latter died in 1S81, aged 
fifteen years. Mr. Bowlby was obliged in early life to rely on his 
own resources, but by honesty and perseverance has accumulated 
an extensive property. Besides his business house and residence, 
he owns twenty-three tenement houses, which afford him a good 
revenue. Politically he is a Republican, and during the war of the 
Rebellion was a staunch Union man; has cast a vote for every Re- 
publican President. Mr. Bowlby is a man of sound judgment ami 
strong will. In all his business dealings he is strictly honest, con- 
siders his word as binding as his note. Though quick to resent an 
insult, he is withal a kind, considerate friend, and has done much 
toward helping others in a business way, and in that way has lost 
considerable money, very few deeming it necessary to repay what 
had been given in an hour of need. Mr. Bowlby has always been 
temperate and industrious. His weight is 213 pounds. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 929 

George Washington Brehm, Mayor of Logan and attorney, was 
born in Laurel Township, ^Hocking County, Ohio, July 14, 1841, 
where he was reared a farmer, being educated in the district 
school, and by attending one term at a select school at Lancaster, 
Ohio. When sixteen years of age he taught the school in his own 
district, and afterward taught during the winter season twelve years. 
In 1870 he was appointed Deputy Clerk in the Probate Justice's 
office, under Hon. George W. Alfred, and filled that position three 
years, studying law privately during the time. In January, 1872, 
he was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Hocking County. 
In 1873 he began the practice of law at Logan, being associated with 
G. W. Alfred. This partnership continued, with the exception of 
two years, 1874-'75, till 1880. He has been Mayor of Logan since 
the spring of 1876. In 1864 he was elected Clerk of Laurel Town- 
ship, serving till his removal to Loganin 1868. He has been a 
Justice of the Peace of Falls Township since 1871. In 1867 he 
was appointed School Examiner of Hocking County, serving till 
1876. March 26, 1863, Mr. Brehm married Eliza Snoke, of Fair- 
field County, who died Dec. 10,1875, leaving five children — Clara 
A., Frank H., Charles E., Willie E. and Ida E. Sept. 5, 1878, he 
married Marian Josephine Rhodes, of Orleans County, X. Y. They 
have two children — Mary and Kate Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. Brehm 
are members of the Primitive Baptist church. 

John G. Bright, farmer, cabinet maker, house carpenter and 
joiner, fifth son of George and Frances (Bowman) Bright, was 
born near Bremen, Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 28, 1817. When 
nineteen years of age he removed with his parents to Falls Town- 
ship, Hocking County. At the age of twenty-one he rented lands 
of his father. In 1851 he removed to Elkhart County, Ind., and 
purchased a farm. In 1858 lie sold his farm and returned to Falls 
Township and purchased a portion of the homestead. Although 
he did not serve as an apprentice at either of his trades, he has 
become efficient in both. Jan. 6, 1839, he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Isaac and Catharine (Fry) Red, of Marion Township. 
They have five children — John, Frances (wife of William Fickle), 
Franklin P., George and Nancy J. (wife of Isaac Wolf), all of 
Hocking County. Mr. Bright is a member of the Dunkard, or 
Brethren church. 

Joseph Leohner Bright was born in Falls Township, Hocking 
Co., Ohio, Nov. 17, 1841, a son of Joseph B. and Catherine 
(Leohner) Bright. He was reared a farmer, living with his parents 
59 



930 his iokv OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

till manhood. When twenty -one years of age he be'gan teaching, 
and taught in many of the Hocking County Bchools. From L877 
to 1881 lie waa employed to buy ore tor the Franklin Furnace 
Company, of Columbus, and other furnaces in the Socking Valley. 
In L88] he was employed- as bookkeeper of the Akron Iron Com. 
pany, of Athens County, remaining with them till 1883, when he 
resigned his position. In L876 he was appointed by the Probate 
Court, County School Examiner of Socking County, holding the 
position three years, and in L882 was again appointed bo the same 
office, still holding that position, [n September, L863, Mr. Bright 
married Margaret Elizabeth Weaver, of Socking County, Ohio. 
They have had nine children, only five now living, the others 
dying in infancy -Lucy Alice, Ida May (wife of Henry Smith, of 
Logan), Mattie I/.ora, Lillie Maud and Jennie Belle. Mr. Bright 
is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., Logan. 

Samuel Hamilton Bright, attorney at law, and senior member 
of the firm o( Bright & Wright, Logan, was born near Logan, Nov. 
0. L841, the second o( two sons o( Samuel S. and Rebecca (Ijams) 
Bright. He was reared a tanner, commencing his education in the 
common district schools but finishing it in the Ohio University at 
Athens. He taught two terms in Socking County, and in April, 
1864, enlisted in Company K, Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, to serve 
three years or during the war, going out as a private. He was de- 
tailed a Quartermaster's clerk, serving as such till May, L866, 
when he was promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant. He was mus- 
tered out in September. L865, and returned to Hooking County 
and resumed teaching. In the spring of L866 he entered the Ohio 
University, attending four terms, and in the fall of 1867 he began 
the study ot' law in the office of 0. II. Rippey, Logan, and was 
admitted to the bar by the District Court at Cirojeville, in May, 
L 869, and at once began the practice of law in Logan. In L872 
P. F. Price became associated with him, forming the law firm o\' 
Bright & Trice. About a year later Mr. Price retired from the 
firm and in April, 1^7'A O. W. 11. Wright, a former student in his 
office, became associated with him. In May, 1869, he was appointed 
United States Revenue Collector for Socking County. The 
following year the district was enlarged, embracing Socking, Fair- 
field and Perry counties. -Ian. 1, 1872, Mr. Bright resigned the 
Colleotorship on account ot his increasing law business. For the 

last tour years he has been President o[ the Board ot Education of 

1. >gan. Feb. 10, 1870, he was married to Lydia T. Allen, of Athens, 



HT8T0BY OF HOCKING VAU.KY. 931 

Bradford Co., Pa. They have a family of six children — Pascal 
Allen, Samuel Carlton, Frederick [jams, Martha Louise, Sumner 
Spurgeon, and Warren Harris. Mr. and Mrs. Bright are members 
of the Methodist chnrch. He i- a member of Jamee K. Rochester 

Post, No. 140, G. A. II. 

Allen Hezekiah Brooke, attorney at law, Logan, was born in 
Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Xov. 17, L852, a son of 
Hezekiah and Frances (Brandt) Brook':. He was educated in the 
Fairfield [Jnion Academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, and at Wittenberg 
College, Springfield, Ohio. When thirteen years of age he com- 
menced to take care of himself, although he remained at home till 
ateen, and defrayed the expenses of his education. When 
nineteen years of age he began teaching and taught during the 
winter terms for three In the spring of 1875 he began the 

study of law in the office of S. H. Bright and was admitted to the 
bar by the District Court in Newark, Ohio, in June, 1 S77. He 
then, in company with F. S. Pursell, commenced the publication of 
the Hocking Valley Gazette, but soon after sold his intere I to T. 
S. Nutter arid began the practice of his profession with C. H. 
Buerhaus, under the firm name of Brooke & Buerhaus. They 
continued together but a. short time when, by mutual consent, they 
dissolved partnership, and since then Mr. Brooke has practiced 
alone. In 1881 he was elected City .Solicitor of Logan and served 
two year.-. July 20, L881, in- married Emma C. Flenner of Lan- 
caster, Ohio. They have on echild — Marie Theresa. Mr. Brooke 
is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M.,and of Logan 
Lodge, No. 119, K. of P. His grandfather was one of the pioneer 
settlers of the Hocking Valley, locating near the present site of 
Logan in 1810. 

Oliver Brooke, son of Hezekiah and Frances (Brandt) Brooke, 
was born Jan. 20, 1835, in Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., 
Ohio, in which place he was reared to manhood. At the age of 
eighteen he was apprenticed to Robert Hunter to learn the trade 
of carriage-making, but after serving nearly two years he aban- 
doned it and taught school daring the winter months and followed 
farming during the remainder of the year till 1869. While living 
in Greenfield Township 'he served as A one year and as 

Assistant Assessor another year. From 1869 to 1-71 he dealt in 
produce at Logan, when lie- worked in the coal mines at Straits- 
vi lie until 1874, and in that year he established his present gro- 
cery business at Logan. He has been twice married, marrying his 



932 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

first wife, Miss Louisa J. Myers, in 1857. She died in November, 
1863, leaving two children — Charles Luther and Emma Frances. 
He married his second wife, Miss Louisa E. Bright, of Logan, 
Jan. 29, 1867. They have had six children, viz.: William H., Frank 
E., Louisa Belle, Mary Ruth, Samuel Bright and George Mills, 
who died in May, 1873, at the age of six years. 

James Ezra Brown, shop-clerk of theC.,H. V. &T. Railroad, is 
the son of Edward M. and Martha J. (Rambo) Brown, fie was 
born near Roseville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Aug. 25, 1846, where 
he lived till August, 1854. He then moved with his parents to 
Hocking County, they settling in Benton Township, where his 
father died in 1861, and in the following year he moved with his 
mother to Logan. He received a commercial education at the 
Eastman National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 
graduating from that institution in July, 1871. From 1866 to 
1871 he taught school in. Perry and Hocking counties. After 
graduating he entered the Union school of Logan, and taught until 
1880. In June, 1880, he began to learn telegraphy in the office of 
the C, H. V. & T. Railroad, at Logan, and was so engaged until 
May 3, 1881. In 1878 he became Secretary of the Hocking Agri- 
cultural Society which he resigned in 1881, to accept his present 
position. Mr. Brown is an Odd Fellow and member of Hocking 
Lodge, No. 262, at Logan, of which he is Past Grand, and is also 
a member of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, I. O. O. F., of which 
he is a Past Patriarch. 

Charles D. Brown, bank foreman for the Columbus & Hocking 
Coal and Iron Company at Gore, was born in Guilford County, N. 
C, Sept. 22, 1847. He is the son of "William W. Brown, deceased, 
a native of Davidson, N. C., who moved with his family to Law- 
rence County, Ohio, in 1849. Our subject lived in Lawrence 
County till 1874, when he went to Zanesville, Ohio, and was 
employed in the Ohio Iron Company there till 1876. He then 
came to Gore where he has since resided. He was agent for the 
Baird Iron Works two years, and afterward with the Thomas Iron 
Works till 1883, still remaining witli their successors, having been 
foreman of their coal mines since September, 1882. In 1873 he 
was married to Rebecca Ratcliff, a native of Carter County, Kv . 
and daughter of Samuel Ratcliff, of Greenup County, Ky. Mr. 
Brown belongs to the I. O. O. F. society. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 933 

Martin B. Bro'wn, farmer, fifth son of James and Susan (Adams) 
Brown, was born near Junction City, Perry Co., Ohio, Dec. 7, 
1848, and lived there with his parents until manhood. At the age 
of twenty-one years he began farming with his father for an interest 
and worked with him five years. He then, in 1874, purchased and 
removed to a farm in Hocking County, and lived there until the 
spring of 18S2, when he sold his farm and purchased the one where 
he resides. Nov. 12, 1874, he married Amanda E., daughter of 
James and Maria (Ashbaugh) Sherlock, of Perry County. They 
have one son living — James A. They have lost one — Willie A., 
died aged three years. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the 
United Brethren church. 

Thomas J. Broivn, farmer, second son of James and Susan (Ad- 
ams) Brown, was born near Junction City, Perry Co., Ohio, Aug. 
15, 1842, and lived there with his parents until nineteen years of 
age, working on the farm and attending the common schools. Oct. 
4, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-sacond Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry, at Zanesville, Ohio, as a private for three years and was 
appointed Corporal at the organization of the company, lie was 
engaged in the first battle of Win cluster, Va. , Port Republic, Black- 
water, Ya., Morris Island, S. C, and the assault upon Fort Wag- 
ner, where he was wounded and disabled for five weeks. He was 
appointed Sergeant of the company, dating from the battle of Fort 
Wagner. Nov. 18, 18G3, was promoted to First Sergeant, and Jan. 
1, 1861, re-enlisted as a veteran. Jan. 3, 1864, was appointed Ser- 
geant-Major of his regiment and filled the position to the close of 
the war. June 9, 1864, he was in the battle of Petersburg, Ya., 
afterward at Walthall Junction, Deep Bottom, Ya., Deep Run, Ya., 
also at Chafen's Farm, same date, where he was slightly wounded. 
He was at the siege of Petersburg until April 2, 1865, when he 
was engaged in the assault upon Fort Gregg, near Petersburg, and 
was present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court-House, Ya., 
April 9, 1865. He was mustered out and discharged at City Point, 
Ya., Sept. 1, 1865. He then returned home and worked on the 
farm for his father until the fall of 1868. In April, 1869, he pur- 
chased and removed to the farm where # he now resides. Oct. 12, 
186S, he married Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Ilouts) 
Van Atta, of Perry County. They have three children — Joshua, 
Nettie M. and Sarah A., all at home. Himself and wife are mem- 
bers of the United Brethren church. 



934 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Carl H. H. Buerhaus, Jr., Prosecuting Attorney for Hocking 
Country, was born at Circleville, Ohio, June 23, 1856. When he 
was six years of age lie removed with his parents to Zanesville, 
Ohio. He attended the city English schools during the day and 
the German select schools at night until 1864. When his parents 
returned to Circleville he attended the common schools of Circle- 
ville until 1866, when the family removed to Tarlton, Ohio. Young 
Buerhaus worked here in his father's tannery during the day, and 
at night and at odd times would read. He early formed a taste 
for solid reading, making himself familiar with the leading ancient 
and modern poets and historians. At the early age of twelve years 
he was familiar with Rollin, Hume, Macaulay, Gibbon, and the his- 
torians of the United States, storing his mind with a knowledge far 
in advance of his years. His wonderful memory enabled him to 
repeat almost all he read, word for word. In 1874 he came with 
his parents to Logan, Ohio. He worked here in his father's tan- 
nery, devoting his spare time and at night in obtaining an ed- 
ucation. He would borrow books from neighboring libraries. He 
borrowed some histories of the Hon. J. S. Friesner, who, observ- 
ing his wonderful memory, advised him to study law. Young 
Buerhaus borrowed some law books of Mr. Friesner and studied 
law at home nights for one year, then read law under Hon. J. S. 
Friesner, and on June 23, 1877, was admitted to the bar, this date 
being on his twenty-first birthday. He remained in the office of 
Mr. Friesner a short time, then practiced law with Judge James 
Grogan until December, 1877, when he was in partnership with 
Allen H.Brooks until 1878. In April, 1878, he was elected Town- 
ship Clerk and re-elected in 1879. In May, 1880, he was nomi- 
nated, and in October. L880, was elected, Prosecuting Attorney of 
Hocking County by the Democratic party, and was re-elected in 
1882, and still retains that office. He was admitted to the United 
States bar June 13, 1883. Mr. Buerhaus is purety a self-made 
man, and is one of the rising young lawyers of Ohio. He was 
married to Miss Ida V. Sliawver, at Login, Aug. 7, 1878. She was 
born in Liberty, Mis<., adaughter of William and Nancy (Myers) 
Sliawver. 

Carl Henn/ Harmon Bflerhaus, proprietor of the largest tannery 
in Hocking County, at Logan, was born in the city of Hagen, 
Westphalia, Prussia, German y, Jan. 23, 1823. He was the son of 
Henry G. and Joanna (Lucas) Buerhaus. Carl was the youngest 
of two sons. He attended school until sixteen, then worked at the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 935 

tanner's trade until twenty-one, when lie served one year in the 
Thirty-seventh Regiment of Luxemburg, German army. He then 
returned home and traveled lor his father, who was a rectifier of 
fine liquors. In May, 1851, he came alone to America, landed in 
New York City; went to Freehold, N. J., worked one month at his 
trade; then came to Ohio, worked at Marietta two months, then at 
Zanesville two months, thence came to Lancaster and worked at 
his trade; was married here to Miss Joanna P. Roof, Nov. 23, 
1852. She was born in Dobel, Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 

17, 1830, a daughter of Frederic and Catherine (Munscli) Roof, 
who came to the United States in 1837. In the spring of 1856 
Mr. and Mrs. Buerhaus removed to Circleville, Ohio, and he 
was foreman of a large steam tannery for eleven years. He then 
purchased a tannery at Tarlton, Ohio, and engaged in business 
here until April, 1871, when he purchased his present tannery, 
which is the largest tannery in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Buer- 
haus have had a family of six daughters and four sons, viz.: Jo- 
anna C. M.', born Sept. 12, 1853, died Aug. 4, 1854; Matilda, born 
Feb. 12, 1855, died March 15, 1855; Carl H. H., born June 23, 
1856; Mary, born Sept, 12, 1858, died April 9, 1873; Frederic 
Wm., born Sept. 1, 1860, died Nov. 12, 1872; Emma, born June 
10, 1863; Charles J., born July 30, 1S65; Anna C, born April 

18, 1S69; Edward, born Feb. 23, 1871; Bertha J., born May 28, 
1873. Mr. and Mrs. Buerhaus are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. Mr. Buerhaus is one of the leading business 
men and representative citizens of Logan. 

Andrew J. Burgess, section 36, Falls-Gore, is the son of Rich- 
ard Burgess, deceased. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, Aug. 
14, 1825, and the following year he was brought by his parents to 
Falls-Gore, where he has since resided. He was reared on a farm 
and attended the subscription schools, his educational advantages 
being very limited. He was married Oct. 12, 1845, to Elizabeth 
Taylor, by whom he has had eight children, six of whom are living 
— Clara A., John W., Richard, Mary, Lovina (deceased), Andrew J., 
Jr., Samantha and Amanda J. (deceased). Mr. Burgess has held the 
office of Supervisor for the past seventeen years, and has also been 
Township Trustee four years. He owns a farm of eighty-seven 
acres of land and is employed in general farming. He is a great 
hunter, having, in connection with four others, in the fall of 1880, 
killed fifty-seven deer and three bears in four weeks. 



936 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Uenson T. Burgess, of New Gore, or Hamlin, was born near 
Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1822. He was married 
Jan. 7, 1841, to Miss Catherine, daughter of John Hayne. This 
union has been blessed with ten children — Mary A., Gabriel, 
Richard, John B. (deceased), Elizabeth M., Philemon, Louisa C, 
Mark V., Emanuel H. and George W. In 1846 he moved to In- 
diana and settled in French Township, Adams County, and in 1867 
returned to Gore Township. His brother, A. J., and Maxfield 
Hite first struck the six-foot vein of coal near Gore. His father, 
Richard Burgess, settled in Perry County before the war of 1812, 
and was a soldier of that war. He then came to what is now Bur- 
gess ville, or a part of New Gore, in the fall of 1825. 

Jesse Bowen Butin, of the law firm of Brooke & Bntin, and the 
real-estate firm of Myers, Brooke & Butin, was born in Logan, 
June 23, 1846, a son of Jacob E. and Mary (Bowen) Butin. He 
was educated in the common schools, living with his parents till 
manhood. At the age of fourteen he went into the office of the 
Hocking Sentinel to learn the trade of a printer, working some 
three years, when he abandoned the trade and was employed by 
L. H. Culver a year. He then worked for J. D. Poston till the 
spring of 1867 when he went to Philadelphia and traveled for the 
wholesale house of Bancroft, Bates & Co. till the following fall, 
when he was taken sick and was unable to work till the fall of 1870. 
In the fall of 1869 he went to Garnett, Kas. (his brother-in-law, 
Major Elmer Golden, residing there), and while there became asso- 
ciated with Major Golden in the hardware business, remaining till 
the fall of 1873. He then returned to Ohio, and was employed in 
the store of the Baird Iron Works in Perry County till 1875, when 
he came to Logan and began the study of law in the office ot'Rippey 
& Friesner. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1878 by the 
District Court at Logan. He remained in the office of Colonel C. 
II. Rippey till the spring of 1879, when he engaged in the practice of 
his profession alone. In January, 1S83, Lloyd Myers and A. H. 
Brooke became associated with him, establishing a collecting, ab- 
stract, real-estate and general insurance agency, and at the same 
time Mr. Brooke became associated with him in the practice of 
law. Oct. 3, 1872, Mr. Butin married Vina A. Hunter, of Garnett, 
Kas. They have one child — Roy Hunter. Mr. Butin is a member 
of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., Logan. 

Rev. Thonixs Joseph Caoly, Rector of St. John's Catholic Church, 
Logan, was born near Hancock, Addison Co., Vt., Jan. 14, 1835, a 
son of Ephraim C. and Elizabeth (Safford) Cady. He received his 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 937 

elementary education in the common schools, and in 1854: entered 
St. Joseph's College, Perry County, Ohio. In 1860 he entered St. 
Rose College, Washington County, Ky., remaining there four 
years. He then returned to St. Joseph College and passed his last 
examination prior to being ordained to the priesthood. He was 
ordained Sub-Deacon, Deacon and Priest during the latter part of 
November, 1863. His first charge was a small parish in Perry 
County, where he remained three years. In September, 1866, he 
was sent to New York City, and served as assistant to the Rector 
of St. Vincent's parish, corner of Sixty-sixth street and Lexington 
avenue. In May, 1868, he returned to Ohio and was assistant to 
the. Rector of St. Dominick's Church, at Zanesville, until May, 
1S74, when he was sent to Nashville, Tenn., and served as assist- 
ant in St. Peter's Church four months. Since September, 1874, 
he has been Rector of St. John's Church, Logan. 

Oakley Case was born at Sims bury. Conn., June 29, 1821, a son 
of Ambrose and Esther (Chapman) Case. In 1839 his parents 
came to Ohio and settled in Logan. His father died the same year 
and his mother returned to Connecticut, and the following year, 
with her family, again came to Logan. He was educated in the 
common district schools of Connecticut, and after coming to Ohio 
attended the Ohio University and Granville College. He was 
reared a farmer, but at intervals worked in his brother's printing 
office, there acquiring some knowledge of that trade, and just before 
becoming of age, in January, 1815, he became the proprietor and 
publisher of the Hocking Sentinel, a Democratic journal. He 
was the publisher of the Sentinel till 1857, when he was employed 
as bookkeeper for his brother Flavins, and afterward as clerk in 
the Probate office. In 1862 he was elected Probate Judge of 
Hocking County Court, and re-elected in 1865, holding the office 
two terms of three years each. Having studied law in the mean- 
time, he was admitted to the bar by the District Court at Logan. 
In 1868 he became associated with James W. Stinchcomb, but in 
1870 withdrew from the firm. In 1871 he was elected a Repre- 
sentative to the General Assembly of Ohio, and re-elected in 1873. 
In January, 1875, he resigned his seat in the Legislature to accepl 
the appointment of chief clerk of Secretary of the State, William 
Bell. In 1877 he returned to Logan and became associated with 
Hon. John Friesner in the practice of law, remaining with him till 
Mr. Friesner was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. 
He then became associated with L. J. Burgess, and practiced law 



938 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

under the firm name uf Burgess & Case till 1881, when, on account 
of failing eye-sight, Mr. Case was obliged to give up the practice 
and withdraw from the firm. Jan. 21, 1845, he married Margaret 
Ann James, of Logan. They have four children — Lemuel Alonzo, 
of Columbus; Amanda Ellen, Emily (an attendant at the Columbus 
Central Lunatic Asylum), and Maggie. They have lost four chil- 
dren, three dying in infancy, and one, Mary Eliza, married George 
Cook, of Logan, and died March 11, 1883, leaving two children — 
Amanda Ellen and Maggie. Mr. Case is a Master, Royal Arch, 
Council and Knight Templar Mason, and is Past Master, Past 
High Priest and Past Illustrious Master. 

Craven Webster Clowe, farmer, youngest child of C. W. and 
Sarah N~. (Beveridge) Clowe, was born near Uniontown, Muskingum 
Co., Ohio, April 21, 1831. His parents removed from Loudoun 
County, Ya., a short time before his birth. His father died when 
the subject of this sketch was but three months old, and his mother 
removed to Perry County and there married her second husband, 
and our subject lived with them until fourteen years of age. He 
received a limited education at the common-schools. At the age of 
fourteen years he packed his clothing in a handkerchief, and with 
12^ cents in money started in the world for himself, and first hired 
to work on a farm for John Cunningham, six miles west of Lan- 
caster, Ohio, for $6 per month. He worked in that settlement until 
twenty years of age. In 1851 he was employed by Colonel Mes- 
senger, a stock-dealer in Shelby County, 111., as boss stock-drover, 
and was with him four years. His health failing, he returned to 
his mother's, in Ohio, and in 1856 purchased a farm in Green 
Township, Hocking County. In 1859 he sold his farm and moved 
to Perry County, but during the winters of 1S59 and 1860 taught 
school in Green Township. Oct. 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
C, Sixty-second Ohio Infantry, at Zanesville, Ohio, as a private, 
for three years. Dec. IS, 1861, he was appointed First Sergeant of 
his company, and was filling jdiat position at the first battle of 
Winchester, Ya. July 1, 1863, he was promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant, and June 1, 1864, to First Lieutenant, Regimental 
Quartermaster. He was engaged in the assault upon Fort Wag- 
ner, Morris Island, July IS, 1863, where he was wounded and 
temporarily disabled. Soon after he was placed in command of 
Company I, Sixty-second Regiment, for one month; then com- 
manded Company A, same regiment, one month, lie filled the 
position of Regimental Quartermaster until Sept. 20, 1864. He 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 939 

was then transferred to the Commissary Department of First Brig- 
ade, First Division, Tenth Army Corps, as Captain, and served as 
such until the close of the war. He was at the seven days' battle on 
the Peninsula, and soon after detailed on special recruiting service, 
and was home on that business a short time. He was mustered out 
JSTov. 30, 1861, and returned home and purchased the farm where 
he now resides, in Falls Township. He has been President of the 
Hocking County Agricultural Society. He is a Master Mason, 
member of Mingo Lodge, ISTo. 171, A. F. & A. M., Logan, Ohio- 
April S, 1S56, he married Barbara, daughter of Henry and Nancy 
(Davis) Hazelton, of Perry County. They have two children — 
Henry W. and Alice C, wife of F. M. Rhoads, of Falls Township. 
Captain Clowe has all his army papers on file showing- the preced- 
ing army facts. 

Enoch George Collins was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., 
Ohio, Jan. 6, 1818, a son of John A. and Sar ah (Seitz) Collins. 
He was reared in his native county, and was educated in the pub- 
lic schools, attending also one term at the Greenfield Academy. 
When sixteen years of age he began teaching the winter terras, 
working the rest of the year on the farm, continuing that course till 
thirty-one years of age. In 1819 he came to Logan, and was em- 
ployed as a clerk in the store of his brother, Jusse L.Collins, two years- 
In 1S51 he opened a general store in Maxwell, Perry County, and 
remained there fourteen years, and during most of 'the time was also 
Postmaster. In 1S65 he returned to Logan, and witti William M- 
Bowen engaged in the hardware business. In 1868 he retired 
from the firm and engaged in the general mercantile business till 
1877, when he retired from active business. He was soon after 
stricken with paralysis, from which he has never fully recovered, 
lie has been a member of the City Council and Board of Educa- 
tion of Logan several years each. March 27, 1851, he married 
Elizabeth Butin, daughter of A. H. Butin. They have had a fam- 
ily of six children, only three now living — Clara L., wife of Charles 
T. Monroe; Frank 13., of Straitsville, Ohio, and Edwin C, of Co- 
lumbus, Ohio. Charles died at the age of three years; John A. 
at the age of two years, and one died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Collins are members of the Methodist church. He has been Class- 
Leader, Steward and Sunday-school Superintendent many years, 
having been a member of the church nearly fifty years. He has 
taken all the degrees of Masonry through the Council, and of Odd 
Fellowship through the Encampment. 



940 HISTORY OF HOOKING \ \i I BY. 

,/ ^ i 'ollinS) senior member of the firm of Collins & Moore, 

is the son of John A., and Sarah (Seitz) Collins. He was horn 
near Lancaster, Fairfield County, Jan. IS. L8S1. lie was reared 
on a farm, ami educated in the common school and in the Green- 
field Aoademy. When eighteen years old he became a clerk in the 
store of Myers & Fall, being in their employ till 1842, when he 
became manager of a store for them at Logan. In lS4o he estab- 
lished himself in the general mercantile business at Logan, being 
associated with J. 0. MoCraoken. They dissolved partnership in 
L846, after which Mr. Collins became associated with different 
parties till 1m'>S. when he formed a partnership with M. IX Moore- 
forming the present mercantile firm of Collins A Moore. In 1ST" 
Mr. Collins made a tour through Iowa. Missouri, Kansas, Illinois 
and Indiana, lie has been a member of theCity Council ot' Logan 
three years, and served as Recorder. He has also been a member 
oi the Board of Education of Logan, being its President six years. 
Oct 15, 1844, he married MissEmma C. Rippey, ot' Logan. They 
have four children — Sarah W\, wife of John M. Floyd, of Logan; 
Mary Caroline, wife of M. P. Moore, ot' the firm ot Collins & 
Moore: Katie W., and Jesse L. Mr. Collins and wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodisl Episcopal church, o( which he has served as 
Steward some thirty-eight years. He is a Master, R >yal Arch, 
Council and Knight Templar Mason, and is a member of the 
. chapter and council at Logan, and of the oommanderv at 
Lancaster. 

Co &, foreman of the Ss tfind office, was born in 1 68 
. Booking Co., Ohio, Aug. L8, L844. Oct 1. 1861, he en- 
listed in Company F. Forty-sixth Ohio Infantry, and served four 
years and three months, lie participated in the battles of Pitts- 
burg Landing, siege of Corinth, Holly Springs. Jackson, Black 
Fiver. Vioksburg, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Lookout Mountain, 
Mission Rid are, Snake Creek, Resaca, Dallas. Atlanta and Jones. 
From Atlanta he went to the sea; was at Savannah, Ben- 
tonville and Raleigh. Oaring his entire term ot' service he was 
never unfitted for duty. He was discharged at Louisville, July 
'27. l s 'o. With the exception of one or two years absence Mr. 
Took has been foreman oi v fice since l v '!.V In Lfi 

he estab' g \ 30 (l\ Lie Mi '.the first paper printed in 

that town, [n 1878 he removed the office to Shawnee and pub- 
lished the Shawnee Journal till the J was siuveeded by the 
Mr. Took was married Feb. L8, L870, to Mary E. Case. 



HISTOBY 01 HOCKING VALLEY. '.'}] 

Arthv/r M. Cortney^ son of Arthur and Nancy (Gordon) 
I ':•/. .v;i . born in Waj \ Greene Co., Pa., Nov. -. L827. 

In 1834 be accompanied hisparenl I lio, wher< ettled in 

Jackson Township, Perry County, and resided there till our e 
ject became of age. He was educated in the di tool and 

by his father, who was a school teacher, being also a practical sur- 
>r and civil engineer. J rj hie h year our subject began 

to teach and has taught in Perry and Socking counties 
man From \-',i till L856 he was the Township Clerk of 

Jackson Township, Perry County. In 1866 he settled at Logan 
and ' ■ in the grocery business until 1872, ■ I vhich he 

-lit in the district of that county si He wa£ then elected 

a member of the Council of Logan, and d in civil < 

neeringand teaching till the fall of 1881, when he was elected on 
the Democratic ticket, Clerk of the Circuit. Court and Clerk of 
Common Pleas of Hocking County for a term oi three years. IJe 
was married May 5, 1852, to Miss Rosannah, daughter of Hugh 
and R •< (Conley) Clark, of Perry County. She has homo him 
[ldren, three sons and nine da \ en of whom 

still survive, viz: Rosa, Hugh V.. Lottie. Lucy. Kate, Laura and 
Estella, all living at home. Of those who died, alJ lived to matur- 
ity with the exception of one- who died at the age of seven. 

William Henry Oowell, master mechanic in the shops of the 
C, 11. V. & T. R. It. C unpany at Logan, whs born near Sandusky 
City, Ohio, Feb. 11, L838. At the age of five year-. I with 

his parents, Amasa arid Emily ('Chapman, Cowel), to Adrian, 
where he lived until manhood, receiving a good common-school 
education. At the age or' nineteen he began to learn the trade of 
a machinist in the of Ripley and Whitehouse at Adrian. 

serving a little over a year. He then began to work as a .jour- 
man at Detroit, Mich., on the Detroit locomotive work g em- 
ployed there some four months when the shops were closed, 
which lie worked at different places till L866, when he was em- 
ployee" as foreman in the machine shop^ of the Columbus <fe In- 
dianapolis Central Railroad until the spring of 1868. He 
employed a- engineer on several roads till the fall of L869, when 
he wa- engaged a- foreman in the chop- of the Atlantic & Pacific 
Railroad, at Pacific, Mo., for four months, when he ran a locomo- 
tive on the Wabash .Railroad, from Springfield, ill., to Danville. 
111., until the fall of 1871, when he came to Logan and was engi- 
neer till 1880, after which he was placed in his present position. 



942 HISTORY OF HOOKING YAI.I.KY. 

He was married Sept. 13, 1877, to Miss Laura Dean, of Colum- 
bus, Ohio. He is a Master. Royal Arch, Council and Knight 
Templar Mason and member of the Lodge, chapter, council and 
commandery at Columbus. 

William II. Crawford, chief engineer Gore Furnace, was barn 
in Greennp County, Ky., Jan 22, 1847. His father, John Craw- 
ford (deceased . was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who 
came to America when three years old. Our subject has always 
worked in the furnace with the exception of three years spent in 
the late war. He enlisted in Company B, Twenty-second Ken- 
tucky Volunteer Infantry. He served under the late General Gar- 
field and participated in the battles of Middle Creek, Cumberland 
Cap, siege of Vieksburg and Jackson, Miss. He wag then trans- 
ferred to New Orleans, under General Banks, and participated in 
the Red River campaign and other smaller engagements. He came 
to Gore in May, 1^70. and was appointed to his present position. 
He was married May 21-, I860, to Mary, daughter of Bailey Har- 
ding (deceased). They have seven children — Elizabeth, John, 
Jennie, Anna L., Jessie P., Lottie and George. Mr. Crawford be- 
longs to the Masonic fraternity. 

Daniel John Cresap, merchant tailor, Logan, was born near 
Cumberland, Md., Nov. 14, 1814, a son of Joseph and Sidney 
(Sanford) Cresap. His parents both died before he had reached 
his fourteenth year and he was thus early thrown on his own re- 
sources. He was educated in the academy at Cumberland. "When 
in his fifteenth year he became apprenticed to learn the tailor's 
trade, to serve till he was twenty-one. Being dissatisfied he served 
only a year and then came to Ohio and worked five months in Cin- 
cinnati. He then went to Louisville. Ky., and afterward worked 
as a journeyman in several Southern cities. In 1S34 he went to 
Washington, D. C, and in ISoo to Berkley Springs, W. Va. In 
the fall of 1S35 he returned to Cumberland, and in 1S3T came 
again to Ohio, settling in Dresden. Muskingum County. In 1S39 
he went to Hills, and in 1^42 to Ripley. In 1848 he went to 
Louisa, Ky., and was the proprietor of a steam saw-mill two years, 
when he returned again to Ripley. In the winter of lS49- , 50 he 
went to California, returning East in L853 and settling in Cincin- 
nati. In the spring of 1S02 he went to Columbus, and soon after 
went out as Sutler of the Eighteenth Regiment, remaining eight 
months. In May, 1800, became to Logan and was employed as 
cutter for Rose & Gerson until the spring of 1868 when he became 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 943 

Mr. Grerson's successor, the name changing to Rose & Cresap, this 
firm continuing till 1881. During 1ST') and L877 Mr. Cresap served 
as a member of the City Council of Logan, in November, 1840, 
he married Sarah Baysman, who died in 1S13, leaving two chil- 
dren — Virginia, wife of M. B. Lovett, of White Sulphur Springs, 
Ala., and Anna Sanford, wife of Hon. R. S. Bebb, of Beatrice, Neb. 
In 1844 Mr. Cresap married Elizabeth Campbell, of Ripley. They 
have had nine children, only four now living — Belle, wife of Web- 
ster W. Poston, of Xelsonville; James C.,a Lieutenant in the U. S. 
navy; Robert E. L., in business with his father; and Edward O. 
Katie died in 1864 aged eight years; Nellie in 1880, and the others 
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cresap are members of the Methodist 
church. He is a member ofMingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. 6z A. M. 

Cromwell B. Culver, of Old Gore, was born Jan. 15, 1803. His 
father, Reuben Culver (deceased), was a native of Connecticut and 
came to Ohio about the year 1796. Olive Buel, the mother of our 
subject, was a daughter of Timothy Buel, who came out of the bat- 
tle of Stonington bareheaded. Our subject was married in 1833 
to Elizabeth Gilmer (deceased). They were the parents of three 
children, all deceased. He was again married in 1853 to Sarah J. 
Perry and they have been blessed with two children whose names 
are — Mary E. (Donaldson) and Edwin S. 

Edv)!n S. Culver was born March 21, 1856, at Old Gore, where 
he was reared and educated. He also attended school for two years 
in Logan. In May, 1879, be entered the employ of the Thomas 
Iron Works Company, as assistant book-keeper, which position he 
held till March 1, 1883, when he was employed by the Columbus and 
Hocking Coal and Iron Company as chief clerk of their mammoth 
store at New Gore, his present position. He is also Justice of the 
Peace and assistant Postmaster at New Gore, or Hamlin. Mr. 
Culver is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Lawrence Augusts Culver, President of the People's Bank of 
Logan, was born in Logan, Oct. 9, 1831, the son of Reuben and 
Hannah D. (Brooke) Culver. His education was obtained in the 
Logan public schools. When sixteen years of age he commenced 
clerking, and in his nineteenth year, in 1853, became engaged in 
the drug and dry-goods business in Logan. In 1857 or '58 he be- 
came associated with J. C. Tool. In 1859 Mr. Tool retired from 
the business and Mr. Culver carried it on alone till 1861, when he 
sold out and removed to his farm in the vicinity of Logan. In 
1863 he, with C. E. Bowen, A. W. Beery, C. V. Culver, L. H. 



944 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Culver, and C. B. Culver (an uncle), organized the First National 
Bank of Logan, and he was chosen President. In 1865 he re- 
signed his position, still retaining an interest in the business, and 
went to Reno, Pa., with the intention of organizing a bank at that 
place, but, instead, became engaged with his brother, C.Y. Culver, 
in constructing a railroad. In the fall of 1866 he returned to 
Loeran. In March, 1867, he sold his interest in the First National 
Bank, and with others established the People's Bank of Logan, he 
again being chosen President. Since 1857 Mr. Culver has been 
largely interested in real estate. In the fall of 1880, he, with 
other capitalists, organized the Motherwell Iron and Steel Com- 
pany of Logan, of which he is President. In February, 1882, 
lie purchased an interest in the Logan Gas Light and Coke 
Company, and is its present Treasurer. July 29, 1859, he was 
married to Lucy H. Brooke, daughter of M. D. Brooke, of 
Madison, Ind. They have four children— Reuben D., a law stu- 
dent ; Sophia, a student at the Western Female Seminary, Ox- 
ford, Ohio ; Florence E., and Lawrence A., Jr. Two children 
are deceased — Lucia EL, died in July, 1S61, aged nine months, and 
Lucy H., in February, 1878, aged eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Cul- 
ver are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a Mas- 
ter, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason, a member 
of Lancaster Commandery, No. 2, and a demitted member of the 
other orders. 

James William Davis, County Surveyor of Hocking County, was 
born in Falls Township, near Logan, July 4, 1844, a son of Levi 
and Mary A. (Rodman) Davis. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, to serve three years. In Janu- 
ary, 1864, he veteranized and served till the close of the war, 
serving as Corporal from his last enlistment. He was in the bat- 
tles of Mill Springs, Shiloh, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Stone 
River, Chattanooga, and in the campaign to Atlanta, and from 
there with Sherman to the sea. He was discharged in July, L865, 
at Camp Chase, Ohio. After a short visit at home he went to 
Louisville, Ky., and remained two years, when he returned to 
Logan. His father being a civil engineer he also studied the 
science, and in 1872 was elected his father's successor as County 
Surveyor, and has since filled that position, he having tilled the 
same position over thirty years. Sept. 11, 1866, Mr. Davis married 
AlmedaMane, of Falls Township. They have two children — Ada 
and Otto. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 945 

Levi Davis, civil engineer and surveyor, of Hocking County, 
was born in Loudoun County, Va., near Leesburg, July 1, 1805, a 
son of John W. and Elizabeth (Ilesser) Davis. When he was nine 
years of age his parents moved to Fairfax County, Va., remaining 
there four years, when they removed to Prince William County, 
and three years later returned to Loudoun County. In 1823 they 
came to Ohio, first settling near Hanover, Columbiana County. 
Mr. Davis received his rudimentary education in the common 
schools, but by private personal application acquired a mathemat- 
ical and scientific education, and after years of careful study, ob- 
tained a practical knowledge of civil engineering and surveying, 
being one of«the best of that profession in the State. When twenty 
years of age he left home and was employed as a laborer on the 
public works of the Ohio Canal six months, when he was appointed 
superintendent of the canal construction, retaining that position 
till 1830. The next three years lie was a contractor on the National 
turnpike road in Muskingum County, and in 1833 was appointed 
by the Government as superintendent of construction for a section 
of fifteen miles of the same turnpike in Licking and Franklin 
counties. In 1836 he resigned his position and was a contractor 
on the Sandy and Beaver Canal in Columbiana County till 1838, 
when he was employed as superintendent of construction on the 
slack water works of Muskingum River till 1839. From that year 
till 18-12 he taught school in Muskingum County, when became to 
Hocking County and settled two miles south of Logan, where he 
still resides. In 1844 he was elected County Surveyor of Hocking 
County, holding the position thirty years, when, in 1874, on ac- 
count of his age, he declined re-election, and his son, James W.. 
was elected in his stead. Aug. 15, 1830, Mr. Davis married Mary 
Ann Rodman, of Muskingum County. They have had a family of 
thirteen children, eight of whom are still living — John R., born 
Aug. 15, 1831; Sarah J., Oct. 5, 1833, now Mrs. John Shields; 
Samuel G., born March 12, 1835, died Nov. 9, 1836; Wesley A., 
born July 18, 1837; Levi, May 11, 1839, married Mary Bigham; 
Mary R, born iVTay 5, 1841, died May 13, 1841; Lycurgus, born 
April 3, 1842; James W., July 4, 1844; Eliza A., Nov. 20, 1846; 
Samantha (Mrs. Jones), May 7, 1849, died in 1880; Edith O, born 
April 3, 1852, died April 7. L854; Harriet M.., born Feb. 18, 18:.:.; 
Lucellus, Oct. 30, 1859, died Sept. 22, 1863. 
CO 



9*46 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

George Deishley, Marshal of Logan, is the son of Godlope and 
Susan (Saters) Deishley. He was born in Logan, Feb. 11, 1817, 
where he was reared, and received an education at the Union 
School. When very young he earned wages by being variously 
employed, and thus helped to support his father's family. After 
he became of age he was employed at Logan as a laborer until 1375, 
from 1873 until then being employed as a section hand on the C. , 
H. Y. & T. R. K. He was then elected City Marshal of Logan, 
his present position. He was married in 1869 to Miss Sarah Ap- 
plegate, of Logan, by whom he has had three children — Charles, 
Ettie May and George. 

George Washington Dollison, M. D., of Logan, was born near 
Waynesburg, Pa., Feb. 14, 1830, a son of James and Mahala (Moore) 
Dollison. When he was two years old he came with his parents 
to Ohio. They settled on a farm near Zanesville, where he lived 
till manhood, and was given a good common-school education. 
When he was twenty years of age he began to teach, and taught 
continuously for five years. During this time he studied medi- 
cine under the preceptorshipof Dr. 1*. J. Greene, of Mt. Pleasant, 
Ohio, studying with him three years. He took his primary course 
of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
in the winter of 1862. He then practiced until October, 1872, when 
he entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, from 
which he graduated as M. D. in March, 1873. His first practice 
was in Ilesboro, Hocking Co., Ohio, from 1856 till 1873, when he 
came to Logan and established his present practice. In May, 1871, 
he became a member of the Eclectic Medical Association of Ohio, 
to which he has contributed essays on different medical topics, still 
retaining his membership. He has been twice married. His first 
wife was Jane Barker, of Perry County, Ohio, whom he married 
Oct. 5, 1852, and who died Oct. 16, 1S77, leaving six children — 
Louisa Ellen, wife of Uriah W. Bowen, of Logan; EmmaM., Jen- 
nie N., Martha A., James Martin and John Bruce. Sept. 28, 1882, 
Dr. Dollison married Mrs. E. L. Piper, of Washington Court- 
House, Ohio. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, 
Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, going out as a private, but one month 
later was promoted to Assistant Surgeon, and served as such until 
his discharge at the close of the war. 

Dr. John 11. Donaldson, son of Joshua Donaldson, of New Lex- 
ington, was born in Green Township, this county, Sept. 15, 1849. 
He attended Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, from 
which he graduated Feb. 25, 1881, after which he immediately 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 947 

came to New Gore, where he commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion, in which he has been very successful. Sept. 5, 1875, he was 
married to Mary, daughter of Cromwell B. Culver, of Gore. They 
have been blessed with two children — Orlando V. and Starling L. 

Patrick Doyle was born in Kings County, Ireland, Aug. 17, 
1833. In 1810 he emigrated with his parents to America, where 
they settled, in Cincinnati. In 1850 he was apprenticed to Alex- 
ander Cable, of Cincinnati, to learn the tanner's trade, at which lie 
served five years, after which he worked as a journeyman at differ- 
ent places in Ohio till April, 1857, then came to Logan and worked 
as a journeyman for A. Steinman & Co. until 1874, working the 
year following/or C. H. Buerhaus. In 1875 he rented the tan- 
nery of A. Steinman & Co. and engaged in tanning, in which busi- 
ness he still continues. Nov. 2, 185S, he was married to Many 
McBride, of Logan. They have seven children living — Patrick 
Henry, Anna Dara, William Michael, Bridget Elizabeth, Cather- 
ine, and John B. and Thomas St. Leger (twins). Mr. Doyle and 
wife are members of St. John's Catholic Church, of Logan. April, 
1883, he was elected one of the Trustees of the Oak Grove Cemetery. 
He is a member of the Mingo Chief Fire Company, of Logan. 

Nicholas Eberst, head keeper at Gore Furnace, was born near 
Logan, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1843, a son of Gottleib Eberst, of Lancaster, 
Ohio. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. He worked 
at Logan Furnace ten }^ears and at Winona Furnace two years, and 
in 1880 came to his present place of residence. June 22, 1865, he 
was united in marriage to Catherine Miser. They have had a family 
of nine children, six of whom are still living, whose names are 
Kate, George, John, Loretta, Edward and Frank. They belong to 
the Catholic denomination. 

William Nelson England, son of Abner G. and Matilda (Nel- 
son) England, was born Feb. 11, 1845, in Falls Township, Hock- 
ing County. He lived there till he was four years old, when his 
parents removed to Green Township of the same county, in 1849, 
his mother dying in August of the same year. His father died in 
January, 1858, when our subject was but thirteen years of age, 
and he lived with his uncle, Nathan R. England, until he was sev- 
enteen years old, attending the common schools until then. In 
June, 1862, he went to Newton, Iowa, and attended the High 
School of that city for three months, when he, on Sept. 13 of that 
year, enlisted in Company E, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, to 
serve three years as a private, but wdiile out was promoted to Cor- 



948 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

poral. He served until Aug. 13, 1865, when lie was mustered out 
at Macon, Ga., after participating in a number of battles and skir- 
mishes, the most important of which being the siege and capture 
of Atlanta. After his discharge he returned to Hocking County 
and engaged in teaching school during the winters, and in summer 
seasons he fanned on his farm in Green Township. In 186S-'69 he 
superintended the building of part of the C. & PI. V. R.R., between 
Nelsonville and Athens, and from that time pursued farming in 
Starr, McArthur and Green townships at different intervals until 
the winter of 1876. He then sold his last farm, in Green Town- 
ship, to the Craft's Iron Co., and removed to Ward Township, 
where he operated a saw and grist mill till the fall of 1877. In 
April, 1876, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Ward Town- 
ship, retiring from that position to accept the Auditorship of He ek- 
ing County in 1877. He was re-elected on the Democratic ticket in 
the fall of 18S0, his term of office expiring in November, 1883. He 
was married Feb. 22, 1868, to Miss Mary M. Wolf, of Haydens- 
ville, Hocking County. Mr. England is a Master Mason, of Philo- 
dorean Lodge, No. 157, of Nelsonville. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellows lodge ut Logan, and is also a Knight of Pythias of the 
lodge at Logan. 

John S. Engle, farmer, son of William and Sarah (Vough) En- 
gle, was born in Good Hope Township, Hocking County, May 16, 
1S38, and lived with his parents until manhood. At the age of 
twenty-one years he rented lands and farmed until 1866. He then 
purchased a farm where he lived until 1876, when he sold and pur- 
chased and removed to the farm where he now resides. He was 
Township Assessor for the years 1873 and 1874. Dec. 17, 1861, 
he married Barbara C, daughter of John D. and Margaret (Eck- 
hart) Loomis, of Hocking County. They had six children — Will- 
iam E., a teacher; John F., Miretta M., Lucius B., Charles A. 
and a son unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Engle are members of the 
United Brethren church. 

Vint Ferguson, Superintendent of Gore Furnace, was born in 
Lawrence County, Ohio, Feb. 1, 1850, a son of John Ferguson, of 
South Point, Lawrence Co., Ohio. Our subject was educated at 
Marshall College, Va., and at the Ohio State Normal School, Leb- 
anon, Ohio. Mr. Ferguson has been engaged in some department 
of the iron business since 1868. lie first began as bookkeeper tor 
the Ohio Iron Furnace Company at Zanesville, in which capacity he 
served five years. lie then was bookkeeper for the Baird Iron 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 949 

Company in Perry County six months. He came to New Gore in 
April, 1877, and was bookkeeper here until April 1, 1880, when 
he became general manager of the Thomas Iron Works (now 
Gore Furnace), and holds the same situation for the Columbus and 
Hocking Coal and Iron Company. He was married June 19, 
1875, to Miss Anna G. Church, daughter of Elijah Church (de- 
ceased), late of Zanesville, Ohio. 

Hon. John S. Friesner, Judge of the Court of Common Piea? d! 
the first sub-division of the Seventh Judicial District of Ohio, is 
the youngest son of David and Eliza (Shields) Friesner, born in 
Logan, May 13, 1848. His father died when he was eleven years 
old; he lived with his mother a year, then spent the next two 
years with his guardian, Joseph Simpson, near Bremen, in Fair- 
field County, Ohio. He then returned to Logan and attended the 
grammar-school department of the Logan Union School until 
March, 1862, when he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Regiment, 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went to Chillicothe, where he was 
rejected on account of his youth. He then returned to school, 
but enlisted again the following May in Company K, One Hun- 
dred and Fifty-first, Ohio National Guards, as a private to serve 100 
days, doing guard duty in the fortification at Washington, D. C. 
After being mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, 
he returned to Logan. During the winter of 1864-'65, he taught 
school in' Good Hope Tow r nship, and in the following spring was 
employed by the late W. W. Poston, of Nelsonville, to purchase 
stock. In the winter and spring of 1866 he worked in the coal 
mines, after which he was employed in the hardware storo of 
James A. Cox, of Logan, until the fall of 1S67. He then formed 
a partnership with his brother, William S. , in the grocery busi- 
ness, under the firm name of Friesner brothers, studying law pri- 
vately at the same time. In the spring of 186S, he retired from the 
firm and entered the law office of Hon. Jas. P. Grogan as a law stu- 
dent, remaining under his preceptorship till the fall of 1870. and 
teaching school during the winters, when he was admitted to the bar 
by the District Court at Logan, Hon. 'Jacob BrinkerhofF, Judge of the 
Supreme Court of Ohio, presiding. He then established his law 
practice at Logan, and in the summer of 1871 Colonel Charles H. 
Pippey became associated with him, forming the law firm of Pippey 
& Friesner. They also opened a branch office at New Straitsville, 
under the firm name of Pippey. Friesner & Price, Pobert E. Price 
of that place being associated with them. In the Ml of 1876 they 



950 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

dissolved partnership, Mr. Rippey wishing to engage in the real 
estate business, and also operate in iron and coal. In the spring 
of 1877 Mr. Oakley Case became his partner, the firm name being 
Friesner & Case. They continued the law practice till December, 
1879, when Mr. Friesner, being elected Judge of the Court of 
Common Pleas, retired from the firm to accept that office. He 
was married Sept. 7, 1S70, to Miss Hattie, daughter of William 
and Henrietta (Rochester) Gallagher, of Logan. They have three 
children living, viz.: Henrietta, Frederick McDonald and Katy 
Eveline. Three died in infancy. 

Simeon Friesner, deceased, farmer, son of Frederick and Leah 
(Fought) Friesner, was born in Perry County, Ohio; Oct. 4, 
1823, and lived with his parents until manhood. He taught school 
a number of terms before he was twenty- one years of age. At the 
age of twenty-one years he purchased the farm near Enterprise, 
where his family resides and where he lived until his death. Sept. 
16, 1847, he married Elizabeth A., daughter of Jacob and Cath- 
arine (Goss) Zeller. They had eight children, only three now 
living — Henry F., of Van Wert County, Ohio; Mary E., wife of 
Joseph Klinger, of Paulding County, Ohio; William E. at home. 
Lydja C, wife of William Knight, of Hocking County, died Feb. 
13, 1873, aged twent} T -five years; Jacob F., July 4, 1880, aged 
thirty years; Almeda J., Oct. 9, 1864, aged six years; Simeon E., 
Sept. 17, 1864, aged one year; John W., Oct. 8, 1882, aged eight- 
een years. Mrs. Friesner died Feb. 5, 1865, aged thirty -seven 
years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
May 8, 1865, Mr. Friesner married Sarah, daughter of Jacob and 
Catharine (Goss) Zeller. They had one son — Simeon L. Mr. 
Friesner died March 22, 1867. He was a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church. His widow and family now reside on the 
farm. Mrs. Friesner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

William E. Friesner, school-teacher, third son of Simeon and 
Elizabeth A. (Zeller) Friesner, was born in Falls Township, Hock- 
ing County, Aug. 19, 1860, and lived with his parents ifntil man- 
hood, working on the farm. lie received a common-school 
education and attended select school three terms. Since the age of 
nineteen years he has been teaching school. He is a member ot 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

William Shields Friesner was born in Logan, Ohio, Aug. 19, 
1838, the eldest of four sons of Daniel and Eliza (Shields | Friesner. 
He received the rudiments of his education in the public schools 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 95 L 

of Logan, finishing it at Marietta College. He graduated in the 
class of 1861, receiving the degree of A. B., and in 1861 received 
the degree of A. M., as post graduate. On leaving college in 
1861 he enlisted in Company D, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, for 
three months. After his discharge, Aug. 11, 1861, he returned 
to Logan, and Oct. 9, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Sixty-first 
Ohio Infantry, for three years, and was elected First Lieutenant. 
Before entering the field his company was transferred to the Fifty- 
eighth Ohio Regiment, in order to fill up that regiment so that it 
could be sent to the field and take part in the battle of Fort Don- 
elson. The company being raw recruits, having never been drilled, 
this had to be done while on the boat en route to the fort. Being 
in command of his company after the surrender of the fort, Mr. 
Friesner was left in charge of a portion of the enemy's works and 
surrendered arms. Oct. 3, 1862, he was promoted to Captain, 
and May 3, 1865, to Lieutenant-Colonel of his regiment. He 
served till Sept. 28, 1865. He returned to Logan, and in 1866, 
with his brother, John S. Friesner, engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness, remaining with him nearly two years. He then taught 
school till the latter part of 1873, when he was employed at the 
Lick Run coal mines as weighmaster until the strike of that year. 
Having previously studied law to some extent he then completed 
the study and was admitted to the bar at Logan Aug. 31, 187-1. 
In 1875 he became associated with Judge J. R. Grogan in the 
practice of his profession, remaining with him a year. In 1878 he 
abandoned the law and has since been teaching in Hocking and 
and Perry counties. During 1872-*73 he was Principal of the 
High School Department of the Union School of Logan. June 23, 
1864, he married Philia R. Crocks, of Pine Grove, Hocking County. 
Mr. Friesner is a Master, R >yal Arch, Council and Knight Templar 
Mason. He has served as Thrice Illustrious Master of the council, 
and High Priest of the chapter. He is also a member of the col- 
lege fraternities Alpha Kappa and Alpha Pi Gamma, and of J. 
K. Ptochester Post, No. 110, G. A. R. 

John Gallagher^ policeman of the C, II. V. A: T. II. R., at Lo- 
gan, was born in Green Township, Hocking County, July 7, 1846 ? 
son of Peter and Nancy (O'Brine) Gallagher. He was reared on a 
a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. He re- 
mained at home three or four years after becoming of age. He 
pursued farming till 1878 when he was appointed one of the guards 
of the Ohio Penitentiary at Columbus. In 18 v <> he resumed farm- 



952 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ing, but in 1SS1 was appointed to his present position by Gov- 
ernor Foster. Feb. 11, 1S6S, he married Miss Anna Wright, of 
Logan. They have five children — Nannie, Susie, Ella, Katie and 
John. Mr. Gallagher is a member of St. John's Catholic Church, 
Logan. 

Jlenry Going/, gardener, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, April 25, 1839. When ten years old he emigrated with his 
parents to the United States, they settling in Hamilton, Butler 
Co., Ohio. He left home at the age of eighteen, and worked in 
the garden of his brother-in-law, Georg Saurbrunn, at Circleville, 
for two years, when he became a gardener for himself at Circle- 
ville, remaining there till {September, 1S62. He then enlisted in 
Company B, One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try, to serve three years. He participated in many battles, among 
which were the battles of Chickasaw, Champion Hills and the 
charge on Vicksburg. May 22. 1863. Afcer being discharged in 
L865, he returned to Circleville, and soon after removed to Deca- 
tur, 111., where he engaged in gardening, but not meeting with suc- 
cess he abandoned it, and was variously employed in different 
places until 1873. In that year became to Logan, and engaged in 
his present business as a gardener, where he is meeting with suc- 
cess, having procured for himself and family a pleasant and sub" 
stantial home. He was married April S, 1 S (3 1 , to Miss Christina 
Loci, of Waverly. She died in September, 1872, leaving two 
children — Edward Frederick and Samuel John. He again married 
Jan. S, 1873, Charlotta (Miller) Sanner, by whom he has had 
five children — Louisa, Frank, Clara, William and Robert. He and 
wife are members of the Lutheran Trinity Church of Logan, of 
which he is Eider. 

David Goss, cabinetmaker and undertaker, fourth son of Mar. 
tin and Margaret (Strong) Goss, was born near Lancaster, Pa., 
March 27, 1813. When he was two years of age, his parents came 
to Hocking County, Ohio, and settled near Millville, where he 
lived until manhood, working on a farm and attending the common 
school. He began working at the cabinet trade when a boy, and 
when twenty-one years old opened a shop near Millville, where he 
w. a-ked three years. In 1837 he purchased the farm where he now 
resides, and worked at his trade until 1882. He has preserved 
measures of 2,500 coffins made by him during the time he has 
beeo engaged in the business. April 8, 1S16, he married Magda- 
lena, daughter of Frederick and Leah (Fought) Friesner, of Hock- 



HISTORY OF IIockING VALLEY. 953 

ing County. They had ten children, five living — Martin, of Hocking 
County; Ellen, wife ot John Evans; Effie, Ida, and Edward at 
home. Israel died in infancy; Simeon, at eight years of age; Mary, 
at four years of age. Frederick was drowned in Hocking River, 
June 4, 1865, aged thirteen years; and Emma, June 3, 1878, in her 
twentieth year. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mrs. Goss was born March 18, 1827, and died July 22, 
L871. She was a member of the Albright church. lie and his 
daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Martin Goss, farmer, cabinet-maker and undertaker, son of Da- 
vid and Magdalena (Friesner) Gjss, was born in Falls Township, 
Hocking Co., Jan. 5, 1847, and lived with his parents until man. 
hood. During his boyhood he worked for wages, and received a 
common-school education. At the age of seventeen years his 
father put him to work in his cabinet shop, where he remained 
until twenty-two years of age. In February, 1869, lie purchased 
the farm where he resides, and has carried on farming in connec- 
tion with his cabinet and undertaking business. He has preserved 
memoranda of his work, and has made 200 c offi:is. He has the 
most beautiful location and residence in the county. Oct. 8, 1S68, 
he married Lucinda A., daughter of George and Annamary (Pon- 
tius) Hansel, who was born Dec. 10, 1847. They had one d uighter 
— Mary Magdalena, who died in infancy. They have an adopted 
daughter — Emma J. Goss. He and wife are members cf the 
United Brethren church. He is Class-leader, Chairman of the 
Board of Trustees, and Superintendent of the Sabbath-school. 

Lewis Green was born near St. Joseph, Ferry Co., Ohio, Nov. 
24. 1837. He was married June 24, 1873, to Annie McFadden, of 
Somerset, Ohio. In 1867 Mr. Green assisted in establishing the 
New Lexington Herald, and continued as its editor and proprietor 
till 1881. From 1870 till 1S73 he was Representative from Pern- 
County to the State Legislature, elected on the Democratic ticket. 
In 1872 he purchased the Hocking Sentinel, and removed to Logan 
in 1873. 

Hon. James Raymond Grogan, attorney at law at Logan, was 
born at Lockport, K Y., Oct. 20, 1825. When one year old his 
parents, Thomas and Ruth (Bowes) Grogan, removed to Ohio, and 
settled near Straitsville, Perry County. He received an elementary 
education in the district schools, but obtained the greater part of hi- 
ed ucation by private study and at the Dominican Convent school of 
St. Joseph, Perry County, under the tutorship of Rev. Father James 



954 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Whalen. Daring the winters of 1815-'46 he taught school, and in 
1S46 began the stud}- of law, which he pursued at intervals until he 
was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1849, but did not commence the 
practice of his profession till 1855, in which year he established 
himself permanently at Logan. In April, 1S47, he was employed 
in the Quartermaster's Department of the United States Army, 
under Captain Webster, and served during the Mexican war, being 
stationed near Ruebla, Mexico. After the war he returned to Ohio, 
and during the winters of 184S -'49 he taught school at Gore, Hock- 
ing County. In October, 1849, he was elected Recorder of Hock- 
ing County, and re-elected in 1852, serving six years. In 1857 he 
became the proprietor and editor of the Hocking Sentinel, a Dem- 
ocratic paper, which he disposed of in 1S59, since when'he has 
devoted himself wholly to his legal practice. In 1862 he was ap- 
pointed Chairman of the Military Committee of Hocking County 
by George Todd, and aided in raising and organizing companies 
for the Union service, which position he held till the close of the 
war. In 1864 he was appointed Mayor of Logan to till a vacancy, 
and was re-elected in 1865-'68. In August, 1866, he was appointed 
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hocking County, to fill a 
vacancy. In 1879 he added to his law business that of real es- 
tate. 

Noel William Hamblin, son of Cornelius and Sarah (Joseph) 
Ilamblin, is a native of New York, being born near Bath, Steuben 
Co., N. Y., March 11, 1844. When he was ten years old his 
parents settled in Starr Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, where he 
was educated in the district schools and at the High School at 
Logan. At the age of seventeen he began to teach school in Hocking 
Countv, and taught there three winters. When he was nineteen 
he purchased a team and worked for the Five Mile Furnace Com- 
pany two or three years. He then, with his father, purchased a 
farm in Falls Township where he pursued farming two years when 
he sold it, purchasing another farm in Starr Township where he 
farmed and mined iron ore, that being a deposit on his land. 
From 1870 till the fall of 1878 he followed farming exclusively 
in Starr Township, when he was'elected County Treasurer of Hock- 
ing County, and was re-elected in 1881, this last term expiring 
September, 1883. March 13, 1866, he married Miss Loderna Skin- 
ner, of Starr Township. They have seven children — Edward C, 
Winnie, George G., Charles E., Blanche, Robert N. and Clara. 
Mr. Ilamblin is an Odd Fellow of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 362 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 955 

He and wife are members of the Berea Presbyterian church of 
Starr Township. In 18S1 he bought a farm in the vicinity of 
Logan on which they now reside. 

Robert W. Hansen, ex-Deputy County Clerk, Logan, Ohio, was 
born in Hocking County, Ohio, June 24, 1859. At the age of 
fifteen he began teaching school in Laurel Township, and taught 
two years; then took a trip to Texas, traveled over Texas and then 
crossed the Indian Territory, stopping at various places; thence to 
Wichita, Kas.; then returned home and entered the High School 
and graduated in June, 1880. He then taught school in Laurel 
Township some four or five months, after which he was offered 
the Secretaryship of the Logan Joint Life Protection and Relief 
Association, which he accepted and remained with this company* 
one year, when the company removed to Wheeling, W. Va. He 
then soon after was appointed civil engineer for the city of Logan, 
and some four months later was made assistant civil engineer for 
the consolidated coal and iron company at Floodwood, and held 
that position six months when the company dissolved. Mr. Han- 
sen then returned to Logan and opened the largest grocery store 
in Logan, and engaged in business until he failed. He then began 
the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Dye in Logan, with whom he 
still remains. Mr. Hansen was married to Emma II. Roches- 
ter Sept. 20, 1882. She was born in Logan, a daughter of Joseph 
Rochester, merchant of Logan. Mr. Hansen is a member of 
Logan Lodge. No. 119, K. of P., and is the present Vice Chancel- 
lor of the lodge. Is also a member of the A. O. U. W., Mingo 
Lodge, at Logan. In politics he is a Democrat. 

John IJuisen, of the firm of Burgess & Hansen, attorneys at 
law, was born in Laurel Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, Dec. 8, 
1838, a son of Samuel C. and Elizabeth (Kinser) Hansen. He was 
educated in the common schools, and when seventeen years of age 
commenced teaching, a vocation he followed at intervals for nine- 
teen years. Oct. 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company II, Fifty-eighth 
Ohio Infantry, for three years, and at the organization of the com- 
pany was appointed Sergeant. In July, 1863, he was appointed 
First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster and served in that 
capacity till his discharge, in January, 1865. He participated in 
the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh and many others of less 
importance. From September. 1862, till April, 1863, he was on 
detached duty as recruiting officer at Cincinnati, Ohio. After his 
return home he purchased a farm in Laurel Township, which he 



956 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

carried on in connection with teaching. "While teaching he for a 
number of years studied law privately and was admitted to the 
bar by the District Court at Logan, in December, 1879. In 1875 
he was elected Clerk of the Courts of Hocking County, and served 
two terms of three years each. He was Justice of the Peace of 
Laurel Township five years. In February, 1882, he became asso- 
ciated with L. J. Burgess and commenced the practice of law. In 
1870 he was appointed Assistant Deputy United States Marshal to 
take the census of one of the three districts of Hocking County, 
lie has been a member of the Board of Education of Logan five 
years. In 1880, at the organization of the Hocking County Chil- 
dren's Home, he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees, 
and drew up the constitution and by-laws adopted for the govern- 
ment of the institution. Sept. 18, 1858, he married Mary M. Mc- 
Broom, of Laurel Township. They have six children — Robert W., 
Eudorah Y., Charles M., Homer A., Jennie V". and John E. One 
child, Pearly C, died in 1871, aged one year. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hansen are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Hansen is a 
member of J. K. Rochester Post, No. 1-10, G. A. R. 

Solomon Harsh, farmer, second son of John and Christina (Stiver- 
son) Harsh, was born in Falls Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, Feb 14, 
1822. At the age of twenty -one years he began farming for himself 
on his father's farm. In 1848 he purchased lands in Laurel Town- 
ship, and in a short time sold and purchased the farm where he now 
resides. He owns and resides on the farm first settled by his grand- 
father. He remembers when the State road was first opened, his fa- 
ther and Uncle Daniel Harsh having the contract fur opening the 
road. Also remembers the first horse-tracks seen on the new roads. 
He has resided on the farm he owns since his birth, and has always 
farmed for a livelihood. Dec. 9, 1847, he married Mary A ., daugh- 
ter of Frederick and Barbara (Houseman) Elick, of Falls Township. 
They have had twelve children, six sons and three daughters now 
living — John S., of Wells County, Ind.; Emanuel C, of Mercer 
County, Ohio; Jacob F., at home; Daniel S., of Wells Count}', 
Ind.; George W. and Joel A., at home; Caroline, wife of Jacob 
Mathias, of Falls Township; Helena and Delilah, at home; Will 
iam W., died at the age of thirty-four years in Cincinnati, Ohio; 
David A., at the age of twenty-three years; Lorenzo D. in infancy. 
Mr. and Mrs. Harsh are members of the United Brethren church, 
he being Trustee. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 057 

Rev. C. C. Hart, of Logan. — Joseph Hart was born in Botetourt 
Co., Va., June 22, 1760. At about twenty years of age he re- 
moved to the colony of Tennessee and located on the French Broad 
River. In 1785 he was married to Miss Nancy Shanklin, of East 
Tennessee, and settled in Blount County near Maryville. To them 
were born live sons and one daughter. In 1810 the mother died, 
and the father married his second wife, Miss Mary Means, of 
Blount County, in the year 1812. To them were born five sons. 
The youngest, the subject of this sketch, Charles Coffin Hart, was 
born near Maryville, Tenn., March 20, 1820. In October, 1821, 
Mr. Hart, with his wife aud four younger sons — one having died in 
infancy — emigrated to Indiana and settled on Clifty Creek, Bar- 
tholomew County, five miles east of Columbus. Here Charles was 
brought up, working on the farm in the summer and going to a 
loud school in the winter. In February, 1836, Charles went to Sa- 
lem, Washington Co., Ind., and was indentured by his father as 
an apprentice to the cabinet- making business, in which capacity he 
served four years, until Feb. 10, 1840. For the next three years 
he worked as a journeyman at his trade. In May, 1843, he went 
to Marietta, Ohio, and entered the preparatory department of Ma- 
rietta College. When he left his home in Indiana he had $50 in 
silver, which he had earned the winter previous by teaching school 
for $12.50 per month and "boarding round." He took his 
tools with him to Marietta and established a little shop near 
the college. For five years he studied and worked at his trade, 
earning money enough to pay his current expenses, which was 
not more than $160 per annum, including clothing. He grad- 
uated from college in the class of 1848. He entered Lane Theolog- 
ical Seminary, Cincinnati, September, 1848, where he studied and 
worked at his trade for two years. In May, 1850, he went to Co- 
lumbus, Ind., and taught school ten months in the old "County 
Seminary." In September of that year he was examined and li- 
censed as a probationer for the gospel ministry by the Presby- 
tery of Madison, then in session at Columbus. In the spring of 
1851 he visited Mississippi. Being an abolitionist in sentiment 
he wished to see slavery and some of its practical workings in its 
stronghold, aud for this purpose he spent five months on the cotton 
plantations on the Yazoo and Big Black rivers. During this time 
he preached once in two weeks at the Madison Presbyterian church, 
located twenty-five miles north of Jackson, and composed of plant- 
ers. In October, 1851, he returned to Lane Seminary, pursuing 



958 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

his theological studies and preaching at Cleves, near the old resi- 
dence of General William II. Harrison, and in June he gradu- 
ated from the seminary in the class of 1852. In July following- 
he returned to Mississippi to reside in the family of his brother, 
Samuel Hart, at Carrol lton, where for nearly four years he preached 
at Carrollton, Middleton and Greenwood churches, all in Carroll 
County. He was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in 
Carrollton, Jan. 1, 1S53, by the Presbytery of New Lexington; 
and in the afternoon of the same day, in the presence of the Pres- 
bytery, he baptized his brother's son, Charles, and other children, 
and also several candidates for church membership. In Septem- 
ber, 1853, he was married in St. Louis, Mo., to Miss Olivia P. 
Studley, of Boston. Miss Studley was the daughter of Dr. II. M. 
Studley, of Bradford, 1ST. H., but being left an orphan when quite 
young, her brother, Edward A. Studley, who was doing business 
in Boston, educated her in the schools of that city. After com- 
pleting her education she went to Livingston, Madison Co., Miss., 
in 1S49, to teach in a private family. Here she continued for one 
year when she became a teacher in Bascom Female College, Gre- 
nada, Miss. Here she became acquainted with her future husband, 
and while on a visit to her brother, R. P. Studle}', of St. Louis, 
Mo.„ was married, S3pt. 6, 1S53. Mr. Hart continued his minis- 
terial services to the churches of Carroll County until February, 
1856. At that time the politicians of the South, arranging for the 
presidential campaign of that year, took the ground (at least in the 
State of Mississippi) that slavery was a divine institution, like the 
family, and hence must be perpetuated; and that every preacher in 
the State must defend it from the Bible. But as Mr. Hart did not 
believe this doctrine, and could not advocate it, neither with nor 
without the Bible, he judged it to be his duty to leave the slave 
States. Consequently he, with his wife and son, Edward Studley 
Hart, took a steamboat Feb. 10, lS56,at Greenwood, on the Yazoo 
River, for Vicksburg and thence to St. Louis, which 'journey occu- 
pied eleven days. Leaving his little family in St. Louis, in the 
care of his brother-in-law, P.P. Studley, Mr. Hart set out, March 
10, to look for a field for future labor. Rev. Marcus Hicks, of Co- 
lumbus, Ohio, advised him to visit Logan. He reached Logan 
March 20, 1S5»>, and found a town of about 1,400 inhabitants, a 
Presbyterian church of fifty members that had had no stated 
preaching for more than a year. He engaged to supply the church 
for one year, and continued to do so from year to year until Sept. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

30, 1868, when the church at Shawneetown. 111., gave him a call 
to become their pastor. He began his labors with that church on the 
first Sabbath of October, 1808, and continued to be their Pastor for 
three years, during which time 125 members were added to the 
church. The church at Logan being without a Pastor, Mr. Hart 
was invited to return to Logan, did so, and was installed Pastor ol 
the church the 12th of November, 1871, returning to his old 
home where two sons and three daughters had been born, and 
where God had given him many spiritual sons and daughters, and 
where he has continued his labors to the present time, July 2, 
1883. 

Rev. Henry Ilenkel, son of John and Katherine (Plack) HenkeL 
was born in Hesse, Germany, Oct. 4, 1S45, where he lived until his 
sixteenth year. In 1861 lie emigrated to the United States, set- 
tling first at Germantown, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where he 
worked on a farm for three years, when his parents also came to the 
United States. He then went with them to Hancock County, near 
Pendleton, Ind., where he remained and worked on the farm until 
January, 1868, after which he went to Columbus, Ohio, and 
entered the theological department of the Capitol University, which 
he attended three terms. He obtained his literary education In- 
private study, having attended the schools in Germany till his 
fourteenth year. He was ordained to the ministry at Columbus, 
( )iiio, May 2, 1S69, Professor W. F. Lehmann, M. Loy and E. 
Sehmid officiating. His first charge was the Evangelical Lutheran 
Zion's Church at Springfield, Ohio, where he officiated three years, 
when in September, 1872, he received a call from the Evangelical 
Lutheran St. Matthew's Church at Logan, being Pastor there till 
October, 1881. About that time a division took place in his congre- 
gation on a theological question brought up in the Ohio Synod, when 
he, with a part of his congregation, dissenting, withdrew and or- 
ganized the Lutheran Trinity Church, of Logan, of which he is now 
Pastor. He was married Nov. 24, 1870, to Miss Minnie Meyer, of 
Woodsville, Ohio. They have five children, viz.: Ida S., Theodore 
II. T., Otto II. K., Theophil F. and Willie F. G. 

James Elder Huston, superintendent of the cabinet department 
and stockholder in the Logan Furniture Company, was born in 
Armagh, Indiana Co., Pa., July 18, 1822, a son of John D. and 
Margaret (Elder) Huston. When lie was three years of age his 
parents came to Ohio, settling in Putnam, buta year laterremoved 
to Madison, Perry County. He attended the common schools till 



;H10 1USTOKY OF HOCKING \ U I BY. 

fifteen years of age, when ho wont to Norwich, Muskingum County, 
and became apprei ticed to William Stephenson to Learn the cnbi- 
aet and chair-maker's trade, serving four years and five months. 
Ho then worked as a journeyman till L842, when he opened a cab- 
inet .-hop at Loudonville, Ohio. In isis he removed his business 
to Somerset, remaining there till L857, when he wont to Lancaster 
and was employed as foreman of the painting department of the 
0. & M. K. K. shops. In L878 he came to Logan and became a 
stockholder in the Logan Manufacturing Company. In L880 he 
withdrew from the company, and with others organised the Logan 
Furniture Company, of which he was Secretary and Treasurer till 
ISS2; since then he has boon superintendent of the cabinet depart- 
ment In May, 1844, Mr, Huston married Ann Prutzman, who 
died in June, L866, leaving ten children, nine now living. He 
afterward married Mrs, Mary J. Jenkins, who died in April, L872, 
saving no children. His present wife was Miss Virlinda Bright, 
of Logan. They have two children. Mr. and Mrs. Huston are 
members of the Methodist church. He is a Master, Royal Arch, 
Council and Knight Templar Mason, a member oi the lodge at 
New Salem, chapter and council at Logan, and commandery at 
Lancaster. He has passed the chairs of all excepting the com- 
tnandery, o( which lie has been Prelate. While in Somerset, Mr. 
Huston served as Mayor from L851 till 1858. 

8, farmer and minister ol Palls Township, Hocking 
I . Ohio, sixth son of John and Elizabeth (Saunders) lies, was 
born in Falls Township, Nov. 25, L828, and lived with his parents 
until manhood, working on his father's farm and receiving a 
mon-school education. His mother was born in the State o( Penn- 
sylvania in L794, and his father in Rockingham County, Va.. in 
L784, His mother moved with her parents to Hocking Countyand 
his father to Licking County, Ohio, among the first settlers, and 
about the year ISll were joined in marriage and settled on a por- 
tion of uncultivated timber land along the Hooking Valley, three 
miles west of Logan; o msequently they toiled hard in clearing off 
the laud and endured the hardships and privations of pioneer life 
and became acquainted with the ways and doings of the red man; 
they wore both favored with, more than ordinary strength and abil- 
ity to undergo these difficulties. They became members of the 
church at an early day, when services were held in cabin houa 9, 
and remained members till death. As the fruit of their marr 

were born unto them twelve children, nine sorts and three 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 961 

daughters, four of whom (three sons and one daughter) are still living. 
Jeremiah remained with his parents until their death; his mother 
died Oct. 19, 1844, aged fifty years and thirteen days; his father 
died Nov. 16, 1851, aged sixty-seven years, nine months and eleven 
days. Their remains are sleeping in the Pleasant Hill Cemeterv, 
Marion Township, Hocking Co., Ohio. lie then, at the age of 
twenty-two years, began farming for himself, having inherited a 
portion of his father's farm. At the age of twenty-three years lie 
joined the United Brethren church at Pleasant Hill chapel, and 
soon thereafter was licensed to preach, and in the year 1857 was 
appointed by the United Brethren Conference to Pickaway Circuit 
of Pickaway County, and the following year was appointed to and 
traveled the Gibisonville Circuit. He then traveled six months 
for his health through portions of New York, Canada, Michigan, 
Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri, and through the then unsnrveyed 
portions of Kansas on foot. After his return home he was en- 
gaged in local ministerial w r ork and farming until 1863. He was 
then appointed to the Portland Circuit in Meigs County, and 
preached eight months. His health having failed he returned 
to his farm and has been engaged in local ministerial work, 
farming and wool -growing to the present time. March 30, 1880, 
he married Miss Lida, daughter of George W. and Mariah J. 
(Eaton) Cray, near Circleville, Ohio, who is also a member of 
the United Brethren church. In 1804 Mr. Iles's grandfather, 
Peter Saunders, first settled on the farm now owned by Wm. 
Westenhaver, including the present site of the fire-brick works, 
gas works, warehouse and furniture factory of Logan. Peter 
Saunders died April 5, 1834, in the seventy-first }'ear of his age, 
and his wife, Elizabeth Saunders, died Jan. 10, 1831, in the fifty- 
ninth year of her age. They had two children — Elizabeth and 
Nancy. Their remains now rest in the cemetery at Logan. His 
• grandfather, Henry lies, was born and reared in England, and 
in the Revolutionary War was compelled to fight in favor of the 
British Government, and was taken as a prisoner of war in New 
York. Not being in sympathy with the British in opposing the 
liberty of the American people, and through his kindness to the 
guards of the prison he obtained their good will, and was thereby 
enabled to make his escape and went on foot to Rockingham County, 
Va. He married Miss Mary M. Stine, of Reading, Pa.; as the fruit 
of their marriage there were born unto them ten children, eight 
sons and two daughters. About the year 1802 they moved to 
Gl 



962 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Licking County, Ohio. His occupation was that of tailoring. He 
died Jan. 14, 1814, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. His wife, 
Mary M. (Stine) lies, was born in Reading, Pa., and died Feb. 14, 
1832, in the sixty-ninth year of her age. Their remains rest in 
the cemetery in Bennington Township, Licking Co. , Ohio. 

William Armstrong was born in County Cavan, Ireland, Dec. 23, 
1809, and died Feb. 12, 1883, being the youngest of a family of four 
sons and four daughters who gained their majority. He with his 
parents emigrated to America in his fourth year, and settled in 
Stark County, Ohio. In the seventeenth year of his age he com- 
menced a four years' apprenticeship at the tinning business in 
Steubenville, Ohio, and in 1834 engaged in the business in East 
Rushville, Fairfield Co., Ohio, and there was married to Miss Mar- 
garet J. Lacey, on the 18th of June, 1835, who, with four sons and 
one daughter, still survive him. Nov. 30, 183S, he moved to Logan, 
Hocking Co., Ohio, where he resumed his occupation, giving it 
his personal attention during the time that his health would allow, 
establishing an honest business reputation. As characteristic of 
his nationality, he was a man of warm and generous impulses, 
easily persuaded, but not easily driven; always ready to take his 
stand for the right. After several months of protracted suffering, 
and arranging his temporal matters, he awaited his summons to 
call him from labor to rest, and peacefully passed away. 

Charles Worth James,& retired merchant of Logan, was born near 
Winchester, Va., Dec. 25,1811. When about nine years old he 
went with his parents, Elijah and Margaret (Didenhover) James, 
to Loudoun County, Va., settling near Union. He was educated 
in the ordinary subscription schools of that day. On leaving home 
he was employed as clerk in the store of John Francis, at Mounts- 
ville, Va., remaining with him over one year, when he was 
employed in a country store in Loudoun County, by Joseph W. Rich- 
ardson, with whom he remained eighteen month?, when, in Novem- 
ber, 1832, his employer removed his goods to Logan, Ohio, and 
Mr. James was sent in charge of them. He carried on the mer- 
cantile business for Mr. Richardson, who remained in Virginia, 
until 1835, when the store was sold and our subject was engaged 
in settling up the business. In 1S35 he was elected. Recorder of 
Hocking County, and re-elected in 1836,filling the position six years. 
In 1S37 he was aj pointed by the Associate Judges of Hocking 
County, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for a term of seven 
years. At the expiration of his term in 1814 he was re-appointed 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 963 

for a term of seven years. In 1S50 he was elected Representative 
of Hocking County to the General Assembly of Ohio, and re- 
signed his clerkship to accept the office, in the fall of 1850 he was 
re-elected Representative. In the Assembly of 1851 the time of 
office of Representative was made two years instead of one, so 
Mr. James served as Representative three sessions. Nov. 1, 1832, 
he was married to Martha Brown, of Beaver Dam, Loudoun Co., 
Va. They have eight children — William Franklin, a clerk in Lo- 
gan; Mary Ellen, relict of A. J. Smith, of Logan; Charles Wesley, 
also a clerk of Logan; Martha Ann, wife of C. C. Norton, of Green- 
field, Ohio; Thomas E„ of Logan; James Henry, of Columbus, 
Ohio; John Clinton and Alfred dishing, of Logan. Mr. and 
Mrs. James have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
of Logan since 1834. He is a Master, Royal Arch and Council 
Mason, and is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, and of Logan 
Chapter, No. 75, of which he is Principal Sojourner, and is Past 
High Priest. He is also a member of Hockhocking Council, No. 
39,. of which he was Thrice Illustrious Mister for seven years. He 
is also an Odd Fellow, and a member of Hocking V alley Lodge, 
No. 162, of which he is Past Grand. For several years he was as- 
sociated with J. L. Collins in the mercantile business at Logan, 
under the firm name of J. L. Collins & Co. In 1S60 he gave his 
interest to his two sons, William T., and Charles W., and retired 
from that business. He afterward became associated with William 
Dewar, and purchased a partial interest in the Hocking Falls flour- 
ing mills at Logan, and was engaged in milling some two or 
three years, when the mill burned. They then rebuilt and contin- 
ued business some time, when it was sold on partition, and they 
then built the present Hocking Mills, being associated with Will- 
iam Dewar and A. -I. Wright. He afterward sold his interest and 
retired from that business, when he purchased a farm in the vicin- 
ity of Logan, where he pursued farming until 1881, when he sold 
his farm, retired from business, and took up his residence at Logan. 
Jacob Keller, grocer, was born near Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, 
March 20, 1820. In his seventeenth year li 3 came to the United 
States with his parents, John and Elizabeth (Rozraan) Keller, locat- 
ing on a farm near Logan. Feb. 12, 1S11, he married Sarah Ilen- 
sel, of Hocking County, and settled on a firm in Falls Township. 
In 1853 he sold his farm, and in 1854 came to Logan and engaged 
in the grocery business. In May, 1854, -his wife died, leaving one 
child — Susannah, now Mrs. Jacob Keller, of Lancaster. May 31, 



964 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1855, he married Elizabeth Riuber, of Logan. They have one 
child — Tena, wife of Charles Tergansmeyer, of Hocking County. 
Mr. and Mrs. Keller are members of the Lutheran church. 

Lewis F. Keller, merchant, Postmaster and station agent at 
Webb Summit, Hocking County, was born near Lancaster, Fair- 
field Co., Ohio, June 24, 1848. He was educated at Pleasant- 
ville, Fairfield County, and enlisted in the late war, Company I, 
Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, where he served nineteen months, par- 
ticipating in fourteen battles during that time. The most impor- 
tant of these wereResaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta and 
Savannah. He spent three years and a half in Illinois, and was 
married Oct. 22, 1872, to Mattie, daughter of John C. Beery. They 
have one child — Mary Forest. Mr. Keller kept a hotel in Bremen 
from 1875 to 1878, and in the latter year came to Webb Summit, 
where he succeeded Isaac Elder in the mercantile business, which 
he has since carried on with good success. 

William P. Kennedy, blacksmith at the Gore coal mines of the 
Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company, was born in 
Perry County, Ohio, May S, 1832, a son of William Kennedy, 
deceased, who was a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject enlisted 
in the late war in Company C, Sixty-second Ohio Infantry, and 
participated in many hard-fought battles; among them were: Fort 
Wagner, Deep Bottom, Petersburg, Richmond, Wilderness and 
Winchester. He was married in December, 1855, to Margaret, 
daughter of Eli Spohn (deceased). They were the parents of nine 
children, seven of whom survive — Alice A., Josephus, Edward, 
Hannah, John, Frank and Nelly Blanche. Mr. Kennedy is a mem- 
ber of the 1. O. O. F., and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

Joseph Nicholas Kessler, of the firm of J. N. Kessler & Son, 
jewelers, and proprietor of the Tivola saloon, was born in Prussia, 
March 20, 1835. When two years old his parents emigrated to the 
United States, where they settled on a farm in Marion Township, 
Hocking County, where he was reared, and his father, being a 
cooper, he also learned that trade. In 1859 he came to Logan and 
established a cooper shop, but discontinued that business in 1864, 
when he opened a saloon. In 1880 his son William became asso- 
ciated with him in his present jewelry business at Logan, his son 
having the management of that business. He has served five years 
on the City Council. May 1, I860, he was married to Miss Char- 
lotte Weinheimer, of Marietta. Ohio, by whom he has seven 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY." 905 

children, viz.: William F., Henry Peter, Anna, Edward, Flora, 
Mary, Lawrence. Himself and wife are members of St. John the 
Evangelist's Catholic Church of Logan. 

Nicholas Kessler, one of the old settlers of Hocking County, was 
born in the village of Outwaeler, Prussia, March 7, 180L, where he 
was reared and learned the cooper's trade. In 1837 he emigrated 
to America and settled on a farm in Marion Township, Hocking 
County, where he farmed and worked at his trade till 1867, when 
he retired from business and came to Logan to reside near his 
children. In January, 1830, he married Maria Blasseus. They 
have eight children living, viz.: John, in Fairfield County, 
Ohio; Joseph N., of Logan; Nicholas, in Fairfield County; 
Elizabeth, wife of Peter Weinheimer, of Washington County; 
Mary and Kate, milliners, in Logan; Barbara, at home, and 
Frank at Logan. His wife died Dec. 16, 1879, and at the time 
of her death was a member of St. John the Evangelist's Church of 
Logan, Mr. Kessler being also a member of that church. 

Joel Kittsmiller, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Kittsmiller, 
was born near Carl, Fairfield Co., Ohio, July 10, 1820. When ten 
years old he came with his parents to Ohio, they settling on a farm 
near the Falls Mills. On becoming of age he began to act for him- 
self and followed farming five years. In 1816 he came to Logan 
and was employed in the store of J. Rochester & Sons, with whom 
he clerked thirty-three years. In 1879 he became associated with 
his son Robert in the grocery business, in which he still contin- 
ues. Mr. Kittsmiller has been married three times, his first wife 
leaving him one child — Robert. He has had seven children by his 
third wife, viz.: James; Mace, wife of William Armstrong, of 
Hocking County; Emma. Murt, Frank, Grace and Effie. Mr. 
Kittsmiller and wife are members of the M. E. church, of Logan. 

Samuel C. Kreider, M. D., deceased, fifth son of Daniel and 
Salome (Carpenter) Kreider, was born in Huntingdon County, 
Penn., July 21, 1816. When eight years of age he and three 
brothers came to Royalton, Fairfield Co., Ohio, on foot. He made 
his home and studied medicine with his brother, Dr. M. Z. Krei- 
der. From Royalton he removed to Lancaster, Ohio, where he 
completed his studies and was Deputy County Clerk. He then 
began practicing medicine at Pleasantville, Ohio, and remained 
there one year; thence to Geneva and practiced seven }-ears, and 
from there to Lancaster for a few months. He then located at 
Sus-ar Grove and remained four years. He then established a drug 



966 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

store in connection with his practice at Dresden, Ohio, but remained 
there only a few months. lie then came to Logan, Hocking County, 
and had a drugstore and practiced tour years. lie then removed 
to South Perry and was there two years. He then purchased a 
farm in Falls Township where he lived two years. He then 
removed to Tarlton, Pickaway County, and practiced two years, 
and then returned to his farm and lived ten years; then lived in 
Perry Township a year, and returned again to his farm and prac- 
ticed until 1SS1, his sons carrying on the farm. May 2, 1S3S, he 
married Rebecca S., daughter of Peter and Susan (Herdle) Weldy, 
of Hocking County. They had eight children, rive living — Peter 
W., of Laurel Township; Minerva S., wife of Samuel Love, Macon 
County, Mo.: Susan E., widow of John Robinson, of Seneca 
County, Ohio; Charlotte and Emm it, at home. Michael Z., 
Edmund S. and Flavins P. died in infancy. Dr. Kreider died 
April 10, 1881. lie was a member of the United Brethren church. 
His widow and three children reside on the farm. Mrs. Kreider is 
a member of the Tinted Brethren church. 

Michael Krieg, Logan, Ohio, born near Sarbourg, department 
o( Mansi, in northeastern part of France. Feb. 15. 1S25, came 
with parents to United States iu 1S30, landing at Wilmington, 
Del. The family remove,! to Ohio after six weeks, in their 
own wagon, and located on a farm in Wayne County. In 1S39 fam- 
ily removed to farm in Ferry County. From here Michael Krieg 
came to Logan and apprenticed himself to learn cabinet trade with 
David Goss, served three years; went to McConnelsville and 
worked in shop there a few months, then to Xanesville, Ohio. At 
both places commanded highest wages paid to first-jlass workmen. 
When he went to Zanesville had opportunity to seethe finest work 
known to the tra le. making of pianos, etc.. and determined to mas- 
ter that and bscome a master mechanic. He engaged to work un- 
der instruction at $6 per month when he could have had $1S per 
week had he been content to stop short <A' complete mastery of the 
trade. After six months considered himself full master of the 
trade. Came to New Lexington, Perry County, and started cabinet 
shop. Furniture went down so that he gave this up in 1S52 and 
came to Logm. Engaged in carpenter's work, contracting and build- 
ing, until L866,'most ot' this time in connection with a brother. In 
L869 he in connection with four other gentlemen ot' Logan formed 
the manufacturing company known by the name oi' Houston, 
Krieg & Co.. manufacturers of furniture, building material etc. This 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 967 

was chartered as a joint stock company, in January, 1874, and called 
the Logan Manufacturing Company. It remains by this name 
to the present time although he and another of the stockholders, 
D.White, bought, in 1879, all of the stock except ten shares. Mr. 
Krieg is the superintendent of this large manufacturing establish- 
ment at the present time. Pie wis married in 1855, to L?ah Fries- 
ner, of Hocking County. Has nine children living, seven boys 
and two girls. His father was a soldier under Napolean I. 
throughout most of his wars in Europe. 

George Lantz, of Falls-Gore, was born in Lawrence County, 
Ohio, Oct. 22, 1814, a son of James R. Lantz, of Wellston, Jack- 
son Co., Ohio. He was reared mostly at Hamden Furnace, Vin- 
ton Co., Ohio, and educated at the common schools. Since he 
grew to manhood he has spent the greater part of the time as a 
teamster. In August, 18S2, he ens-ao-ed in saw-milling;, which he 
has followed with considerable success. May 16, 1873, he was 
married to Susan, daughter of John Humphres. They are the 
parents of five children — Emily, John, Caroline, Jennie and Katie. 

Henry Lutz, engineer of the fire department of Logan, was 
born in Germany Oct. 1, 1841. When six years old he came with 
his parents, George and Catherine (Schrable) Lutz, to the United 
States, when they settled on a farm in Washington Township, 
Hocking Co., Ohio, living there till 1850. They then moved to 
Fairfield County, where he lived with them until he was sixteen 
years of age, when he went to Lancaster and began to learn the 
machinist's trade with Jaynes & Son. In 1859 he came to Logan 
and worked in the machine shop of Raymond Belt until 1873. In 
1870 he was chosen engineer of the fire department of Logan, and 
owing to his being so far from the engine-house he was obliged to 
leave the employ of Mr. Belt in 1873. to take full charge of the steam 
engine in the engine house. He has been married three times, his 
first wife being Catherine Barnhart, whom he married in 1863. 
She died in 1861. He was married to his second wife, Susan Wal- 
ters, in 1867, who died leaving one child, William II., an employe 
in the Motherwell Iron and Steel Works at Logan, when he was 
married to Christiana Bruney, by whom he has two children — 
Charles Rodolph and Maggie. Mr. Lutz is a member of Hocking 
Valley Lodge, No. 262. I. O. O. F., and of Lodge No. 119, K. of 
P., of Logan. 

Augustus Magoon, son of John and Mary (Browman) Magoon, 
was born near Gallipolis, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1847. He lived in Gallia, 
Jackson and Vinton until he was fourteen years old, attending the 



96S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

common schools till twelve years of age, but by private read- 
ing and study in after years lie lias acquired a good business edu- 
cation. His father being a machinist he also learned that trade in 
early boyhood, and on leaving home he worked at the Buckeye 
Furnace in Jackson County for three years, as an engineer, after 
which he worked one year in the same capacity at Hope Furnace, 
in Vinton County. He next worked one year in Zanesville, and in 
1867 he came to Logan, where he was employed as engineer in the 
Logan Furnace, which he followed till 1871, when he was placed 
in charge of the foundry of the Logan Furnace, as foundryman, 
until 1873. In that year he was promoted superintendent of the 
furnace, and held that position until 1876. He was then employed 
by the Winona Iron Company of Hocking County to superintend 
the building of the Winona Furnace, and after its completion, in 1S77, 
was retained by the same company till 1879, as superintendent. He 
was then engaged in the different furnaces in the Hocking Valley 
until 1880, when he was again employed as superintendent of the 
Logan Furnace until January, 1S83, when he became superintend- 
ent ot the New York and Straitsville Coal and Iron Company, but 
the company discontinuing soon after, he was thrown out of work. 
In April, 1883, he became associated with A. A. Price, under the 
name oi' Magoon & Price, contractors and builders, at Logan. He 
was married July 9, 1S6S, to Miss Ruth Woodward, of Logan. 
He is a Master and Royal Arch Mason, and member of the lodge 
and chapter at Logan. 

William Dean Mansfield^ M. D., was born in Athens, Ohio, 
Jan. 23, L843, a son of George and Catherine (Dean) Mansfield. 
He was educated ;it the Ohio University at Athens. In 1864 he 
was appointed a detective in the secret service of the United States 
Army by General Fry, Provost Marshal. In L865 he began the 
publication of the Register at Point Pleasant, Va. lie had been 
studying medicine in private for some time, and in the latter part 
of 1866 began to study under the preceptorship oi' Dr. E. Anthony, 
of Guysville (now Professor of Surgery and Dean of the Medical 
College at Indianapolis). He attended his first course of lect- 
ures at the Cincinnati Medical College- in the winter of 1867-'68. 
He then practiced in New England, Athens County, till L870, and 
in the winter ofl870-'71 took another course at the Cincinnati col- 
lege, graduating in the spring •>!' 1871. In the spring of L874 he 
came to Logan and now has an extensive practice in both city and 
country, making chronic diseases a specialty. In 1878 he was ap- 



BISTORT OF HOCKING VALLEY. 9Q9 

pointed Physician of the Hocking Count}' Infirmary, serving till 
1881. In 18S3 he was appointed to the same position and also Phy- 
sician of the Children's Home. In 1883 he was a delegate to the 
National Medical Association at Indianapolis, Ind. In I860 Dr 
Mansfield married Josephine M. Centers, of Point Pleasant, W. 
Va. She died in March, 1874, leaving two children — Stanley E. 
and Jessie L. Dec. 24, 1881, he married Mattie Castell, of Sugar 
Grove, Fairfield Co., Ohio. Dr. Mansfield is a member of 
Paramutiiia Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M., Athens, and James 
K. Rochester Post, No. 140, Gr. A. R., Logan. 

Isaac Mat/lias, breeder and dealer in short horn cattle and Ches- 
ter white hogs, Enterprise, Hocking Co., Ohio, eldest son of 
Abraham and Christina (Zeller) Mathias, was born in Falls Town- 
ship, Hocking Co., Ohio, Jan. 25, 1827. lie lived with his parents 
till manhood, receiving a common-school education. At the age 
of twenty-two years he purchased the farm first settled and cleared 
by his grandfather, Jacob Zeller, who settled on the land in 1805. 
On this farm is an apple-tree of the Penick variety transplanted in 
180s, which measures ten feet in circumference five feet from the 
ground; a pear-tree planted at the same time now measures six feet 
seven inches in circumference five from ground. These trees are 
regular bearers of fine fruit at the present time. In April, 1850, 
Mr. Mathias removed to the farm where he now resides, lie also 
owns other lands in this township, in April, 1850, he married 
Margaret A., daughter of John and Mary (Havener) Lanham, of 
Falls Township. They have five children — Lewis A., a physician; 
William P., a school teacher and member of the Board of County 
School Examiners; Sarah E., Joel B. and Edward S. at home. Mary 
E. died at the age of twenty-six years; Amos L., in his second year, 
and a son and daughter died in infancy. Mrs. Mathias died Jan. 
6, 1878, in her fiftieth year. She was a member of the United 
Brethren church. April 27, 1882, he married Mrs. Martha Amer- 
ine, widow of Joseph Amerine and daughter of Jacob and Martha 
(Kelley) Reddick, of Washington Township. Mr. ami Mrs. Mathias 
are members of the United Brethren church. 

Thomas Foster McCarthy, Sheriff* of Hooking County. Ohio, 
was born in Logan, Oct. 18, 1853, a son of Dennis and Alcinda 
(Gallagher) McCarthy. When he was five years of age his parents 
removed to a farm in the vicinity of Logan, and when he was four- 
teen years of age his father died, lie remained ,vith his mother 
till he was eighteen years of age. when he was employed a- assistant 



970 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

freight agent, for the C, H. V. & T. Railroad, under his uncle, 
William Gallagher. In the spring of 1872, having saved his earn, 
ings, he went to Springfield, Ohio, and attended the Wittenberg 
College till the spring of 1873. Soon after his return home he 
was employed as weighmaster and assistant superintendent of 
the Lick Run Mining Company, in Athens. In the spring of 1874 
he took the contract to supply the workmen on the abutments of 
the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad bridge at Logan with 
stone. In the fall of that year he made a Western trip, prospect- 
ing; went to Madison, Wis., and was employed by Colonel Thomas 
Reynolds in the United States Pension Office two months; was 
then in the office of the Secretary of State five months; then went 
to St. Louis, Kansas City and San Francisco, returning to Chicago, 
where he was employed in the wholesale store of Field, Leiter & Co., 
and by them sent to Valparaiso. Ind., to work in the retail store of 
C. H. Osgood. In the fall of 1875 he returned to Logan and worked 
on his mother's farm till the spring of 1877, when he took the con- 
tract to furnish the stone curbing for the streets of Logan, and the 
following fall returned to the farm. In the fall of 1879 he was 
appointed Deputy Sheriff by Sheriff J. M. Acker, and in the fall of 
1881 was elected Sheriff of Hocking County, his term expiring in 
December, 1883. April 21, 1881, Mr. McCarthy married Ida M. 
Murphy, of Logan. They have two children — Corean and Idean, 
twins. Mr. McCarthy is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 119, K. 
of P., and Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M. 

William D. McCarthy, deceased, contractor and superintendent 
of the Ohio and Hocking Canal, second son of Patrick and Catharine 
(McBride) McCarthy, was born in the Parish of Drumlise. Ireland, 
March 4, L812. He attended common schools for a time, and be- 
ing ambitious and of a progressive turn he used all available means 
to procure money, and attended select schools, studying geometry, 
trigonometry, and the higher braches of mathematics late at night 
by a fire of a few bits of turf. When eighteen years of age he 
came to the United States and first settled in the city of New 
York and remained there six months; from there to Houesdale, 
Pen n., where he was engaged in civil engineering for two years. 
He then contracted to construct a bridge at Maysville, Ivy., and 
after completing his contract he weut to Logansport, Ind., ami 
contracted to construct a canal. He was then superintendent of 
construction of that portion of the Hocking Canal known as the 
side cut, west of Lancaster. He had charge of the work of con- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 971 

structing the dam at Falls Mill, near Logan, in August, 1840. In 
1846 he purchased a farm near Logan. In l s 4> he made a trip to 
California, and was engaged mining in the San Juan Valley a 
year. lie then returned home and purchased the Worthington 
lands, where he resided to the time of his death. When he re- 
turned from California he again superintended the canal till it was 
leased by the State to McCarthy, Stewart, Cooper it; Co. for ten 
years.. When their term of lease was up he again superintended 
it until 1865, when he resigned, and in 1866 was elected Treasurer 
of Hocking County, and re-elected at the close of his first term. 
He was a Master Mason — a charter member of Mingo Lodge, No. 
171, F. & A. M. Feb. 10, 1845, he married Alcinda, daughter of 
Robert and Elizabeth (Lewis) Gallagher. She is of Virginian pa- 
rentage. Seven living children are the fruit of their union — 
Charles and William, of Logan; Thomas F., Sheriff of Hocking 
County; Frances, wife of Richard S. Weitzell; Mary A., Katie 
and Alma IL, at home. Kate, their first daughter, died Aug. 7, 
1S51, aged six years. W. D. McCarthy died Jan. 22, 1S68. He 
was of the Presbyterian faith. Mrs. Alcinda McCarthy, widow of 
deceased, is living on the farm, her three daughters being with 
her. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. 

William Williamson McCray, son of William and Sarah (Will- 
iamson) McCray, was born near Lancaster, Fairfield Cj., Ohio, 
Sept. 26, 1833, where he was reared. He was educated in the dis- 
trict schools and by private study, and at the age of twenty began 
to teach in the district schools of the county during the winter 
terms and farming the remainder of the year till 1864. In that 
year he accepted the position of teacher in the "A" grammar de- 
partment of the Union Schools of Logan, which he filled for five 
years. In 1869 he was promoted to the superin tendency of the 
6ame school, in which position he still continues. Oct. 2, 1861, he 
married Miss Emmaletta, daughter of Jones Gibbony, of Fairfield 
County. They have six children living, viz.: Minnette May, Each el 
Lillian, Bertha Virginia, Sarah Miranda. Miry Emmaletta and 
Clarence Gibbony. The eldest child, William, died Oct. 8, 1864, 
at the age of two years and three months. Eimself and wife are 
members of the First Presbyterian Church of Logan. He is an ( )dd 
Fellow and member of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, and of 
Mineral Encampment, No. 91, of Logan, and is Past Grand and 
Past Patriarch. 



972 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

William W. McDonald, farmer, fourth son of Robert and Mary 
A. (Starrett) McDonald, was born near Hemlock, Perry Co., Ohio, 
Dec. 4, 1848, where he lived until fifteen yeara of age, working on 
farm and attending the common schools. In his sixteenth }'ear, 
February, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-first Ohio 
Infantry, at New Lexington, Ohio, as a private, for three years. 
He, with his command, was for a time at Camp Chase, thence 
via Cincinnati to Nashville, Tenn; from there to Chattanooga. 
Was with Sherman in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw 
Mountain, Marietta, and the siege and capture of Atlanta. After 
the capture of Atlanta he was with his command in pursuit of 
Hood as far north as Rome and Kingston, Ga. From Kingston 
they returned to Atlanta, and while foraging near Milledgeville, 
Ga., he was taken prisoner and was confined in Augusta prison for a 
short time, thence to Columbia, S. C, and from Columbia to the 
stockade prison at Florence, S. C, where he suffered all the priva- 
tions of thirst and hunger endured by so many in the Southern 
prisons. He was held in Florence two months, then a few da}^s in 
Wilmington, N. C, then to Goldsborough, where he was paroled 
and returned to the Federal forces near Wilmington, and was sent 
to Annapolis, Md., where he was discharged June 1, 1865. He then 
returned home to Perry County, and at twenty years of age began 
teaching school; taught during winter and attended school during 
the summer of two years. In the spring of 1870 he made a trip 
through the West and homesteaded a piece of land in Kansas. He 
returned and taught school the following winter, and in the spring 
of 1873 removed to his land, in Kansas. In 1879 he rented out his 
farm and returned to Falls Township and lived two years on a 
farm he there purchased, when he sold out and purchased the farm 
where he now resides. He is a member of Hocking Valley Lodge 
No. 262, I. O. O. F., Logan, Ohio. Dec. 31, 1872, he married 
Isabel, daughter of John W. and Jane (Hazleton^ Ball, of Falls 
Township. They have three children — George B., Lewis A. and 
Winford W., all at home. Carl R. died in infancy. 

Abraham McLahi, photographer, is the son of Charles and 
Nancy (Spearlock) McLain, and was born Dec. 3, 183±, in Jack- 
son Township, Perry County, but when three years old he moved 
to Starr Township, Hocking County, where he was reared on a 
farm and educated. In October, 1854, he went to Jefferson County, 
Iowa, remaining there a year when he returned to Hocking County 
and resumed farming in Starr Township. Dec. 10, 1861, he en- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 973 

listed in Company PI, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve 
three years, and in January, 1861, he re-enlisted in the same com- 
pany and regiment, serving till July, 1865, when he was dis- 
charged at Louisville, Ky. He participated in the battles of New 
Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, and was with Sherman from Ke- 
saca to the sea. After his discharge he returned to Hocking County 
and farmed till 1806, when he engaged in farming near Kockport, 
Atchison Co., Mo., until the latter part of 1867. He then re- 
turned to Starr Township and followed farming till April, 1S83, 
wdien he came to Logan and with his son, John D., established Mc- 
Laiu's Photograph Gallery. lie was married Oct. 1, 1851, to Miss 
Priscilla Crawford, of Starr Township, by whom he has had four 
children, three of whom are living — John D., Charles Wesley and 
James Finley; Emma died Sept. 26, 1861, at the age of eight 
years. Mr. McLain and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church at Logan. 

J. D. MeLahi, of McLain & Beery, leading photographers of 
Logan, was born near Fairfield, Iowa, March 11, 1856. When one 
year old he came with his parents to Hocking County. With the 
exception of one year, when the family were in Rockport, Atchi- 
son Co., Mo., he lived on his father's farm in Starr Township. 
Young McLain attended school until twenty-one, then came to 
Logau and worked at the marble-cutter's trade three years. He 
then began the study of painting portraits in Logan under D. D. 
Beardsley, of New York, for one year. He then followed portrait 
painting in oil and water colors until February, 1872, when he 
began to learn photography under J. M. Graham. Four months 
after he bought out Mr. Graham, and has improved his studio 
from time to time, adding the latest and best photographic instru- 
ments, until he has one of the finest and most complete studios in 
Hocking Valley. On June 15, 1883, Mr. McLain took Mr. G. W . 
Beery, artist, into partnership, and they are now prepared to do 
all kinds of first-class photography. Mr. McLain married Miss 
Alma Beagle, May 7, 1870. She was born in Hocking County. 
Mr. and Mrs. McLain have one daugher, Naomi, born April 11, 
1S80. 

Robert Dallas McManigal, operator in iron ore, was born near 
McVeytown, Mifflin Co., Fa, March 16, 1844, and is the fourth 
of six sons of Robert and Elizabeth (Bell) McManigal. His father 
died when he was thirteen years old, and he remained with his 
mother till sixteen years of age, receiving an education at the pub- 



974 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

lie schools. On leaving home he went to Washington City, D. C. , 
where he was employed as a clerk in the dry -goods and fancy store 
of Alexander Morrison for eighteen months, when he returned to 
the homestead and engaged in farming till June, 1S62. He then 
enlisted fur a three months' service in Company C, One Hundred 
and Thirty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania 'Volunteer Infantry, re- 
turning home after the expiration of his term. of service. Soon after 
he went to Brown County, Ohio, and was in the store of C. New- 
kirk until August, 186-1, when he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio In- 
dependent Company Cavalry to serve one year, but served only till 
July, 1865, or till the close of the war. His company was assigned 
to duty in the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps as escort to 
General O. O. Howard. He was detailed dispatch bearer under 
General Howard from December, 1861, until his discharge. He 
was with Sherman in his celebrated march from Atlanta to the sea, 
and from Savannah, Georgia, to Washington City, 1). C. After his 
discharge at Camp Dennison he visited his old home in Pennsyl- 
vania, after which he returned to Ohio, where he was employed as 
store-keeper by J. C. Garrett & Co., proprietors of the furnace at 
Union Furnace, Hocking County, with whom he remained till 1S68, 
and then by their successors in Hocking Valley Iron Company as 
bookkeeper till 1872, when that company was succeeded by 
Brooks & Houston, of. Columbus, by whom he was engaged as 
general manager until 1S7S. He then returned to Nelsonville and 
was employed a year as superintendent of the Akron Iron Com- 
pany's Furnace, at Buchtel. In May, 1880, he came to Logan, en- 
gaging in his present business. On Oct. 16, 1870, he was married 
to Miss Clara M., daughter of John AV. and Elizabeth (Fielding) 
Work, of Logan. They have been blessed with five children, viz.: 
Lizzie Bell, Charles Fielding, Frank Garrett, Bertha Work and Ella 
Williams. He and wife are members of the First Presbyterian 
Church. He is a member of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, 
and Mineral Encampment, No. 91, I. O. O. F., of Logan. 

D. A. Miller, merchant of Logan, is a native of Ohio and was 
born in Jackson, Jackson County, April 25, 1835. lie attended 
school there. At ten years of age ho began to learn the printer's 
trade and worked on the Jackson Standard as a compositor until 
1859, when he came to Logan and worked on the Logan Republican 
as manager and foreman until 1861, when he enlisted in Company 
H, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry; enlisted as a private but wad pro- 
moted to Sergeant, then First Lieutenant. He was shot through 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 075 

the left hip joint at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and 
soon after returned home. As soon as able he reported at the 
Government Medical Board at Columbus, and was sent to the hos- 
pital at Covington, Ky., where he remained until January, 1S64, 
when he received his discharge and returned home to Logan. In 
1806 he was appointed collector for the Hocking Valley Canal 
Company, and still retains that office. From I860 till 1878 he was 
engaged in the grocery business. In 1878 he sold out and opened 
the Logan House, of which he was proprietor until 1880 when he 
opened his present store. lie carries a stock of $1,500 of general 
merchandise. Mr. Miller was married to Miss Lucinda Eathburne, 
Oct. 9, 1865. She was born in Logan, daughter of James E. 
Rathburne. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had three children — Mary M., 
Lucinda and Georgia. The mother died Dec. 3, 1875; she was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Miller married 
Mrs. Cerepta Davis, Sept. 21, 1881. She was born in Vinton 
County, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1852, daughter of Harrison and Mary 
Wilkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one daughter — Bessie E. 
Mr. Miller is a member of the Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, I. 
O. O. F. and has passed the chairs in the subordinate encampment 
and the encampment. Is also a member of Logan Lodge, No. 119, 
K. of P., and of the G. A. R. In politics Mr. Miller is a Repub- 
lican. He has been elected Township Clerk and member of the 
City Council and still retains the latter office. He is one of the lead- 
ing merchants and business men of Logan. He was the third son 
of a family of six daughters and four sons. His parents were 
Alexander and Harmeon (James) Miller. His father was born 
near the line between Canada and New York. He was a school- 
teacher and hotel man. He died in 1854. His wife was born in 
Jackson, Ohio, a daughter of one of the oldest settlers of Jackson 
County, and is still living in Jackson County. She is a member 
of the Protestant Methodist church. 

William McAboy Montgomery, grocer and restauranter, is the 
son of William and Eliza (Claxton) Montgomery, and was born 
at Logan, Nov. 28, 1835, still residing in the house where he was 
born. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to Raymond Belt 
to learn the trade of molder, serving nearly three years, and in 
the spring of 1854 he went to Fredericktown, Ohio, working at 
his trade till October of the following year, when he returned 
to Logan. In November, 1855, he became associated with his 
brother John in the grocery trade, under the firm name of Mont- 



976 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

gomerv Bros. In May, 1857, his brother retired from the firm, 
and, with the exception of one year that he engaged in farming, he 
has ever sine? carried on the business at the same stand. On 
April 12, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Rolston, of 
Hocking County. They have been blessed with ten children, eight 
of whom are living, viz.: Fanny Josephine, Charles Porter. Katy 
Eliza, Edward E., Mary Eliza, Julia Winforce, and Clarence and 
Clara (twins). In May, 1861, Mr. Montgomery went out with 
Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-second Regiment. Ohio Na- 
tional Guards, as a private and served on guard duty in the fortifi- 
cations at Washington, D. C, until September of the same year, 
when he was discharged on the expiration of his term of service. 

Meredith Darlington Moore, junior member of the lirm of Col- 
lins & Moore, was born in Newark, Ohio, July 19, 1S42, the eld- 
est of four children ot Win, M. and Eveline (Darlington) Moore. 
He was reared in his native town, receiving a common-school edu- 
cation. When twenty years of age he was employed as book- 
keeper for Peter Hayden, proprietor of the Haydenville Coal 
Works, for whom he worked till 1867, when became to Logan and 
formed a partnership with Jesse L. Collins. From 1875 till 1880 
Mr. Moore was City Clerk of Logan. Sept. 24, 1S77, he married 
Mary C, daughter of Jesse L. Collins. They have one child — 
William C. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Methodist 
church. He is an Odd Fellow, a member of Hockhocking Lodge, 
No. 262, of which he is Past Grand, and of Mineral Encampment, 
No. 91, of which he is Past Chief Patriarch. 

Robert Motherwell* superintendent of the Motherwell Iron and 
Steel Company's works, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 5, 
1815, a son of Alexander and Jane Motherwell. Wheo seventeen 
years of age he emigrated to America, landing in Portland, Me., 
April 26, L863, remaining there till 1866. While in Scotland he 
learned the trade of a heavy blacksmith, and after coming to 
America, while in Portland, was employed in the Casco Bay Forge 
Works, on Government work. In 1866 he went to Pittsburg, Pa., 
and worked in the Reese, Graft & Buyers Rolling Mills till 1868, 
when he removed to Lancaster, Ohio, and with his brothers James 
and William founded the Motherwell Bros. Shovel and Spade 
Works. In 1881 he and his brother James came to Logan and 
founded the Motherwell Iron and Steel Works. Jan. IS, 1870, 
Mr. Motherwell married Louise Rich, of Lancaster, Ohio. ^ They 
have six children — Hattie, Alice, Jennie, Lola, Grace and Mary. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 977 

Mr. and Mrs. Motherwell are members of St. Peter's Lutheran 
Church, of Lancaster. He is a Master Mason, a member of the 
lodge in Lancaster. 

Alfred C. Murphy, farmer, son of William and Mary A. (Fries- 
ner) Murphy, was born in Falls Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
Sept. 23, 1S53. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming 
for himself on his father's farm. In 18S0 he removed to the farm 
where he now resides, adjoining Good Hope and Marion town- 
ships. March 18, 1880, he married Mary E., daughter of Henry 
and Mary E. (Warthman) Hansel, of Falls .Township. Himself 
and wife are members of the United Brethren church. 

Lloyd Myers, general insurance agent, Logan, was born at Ply- 
mouth, Washington Co., Ohio, March 21, 1840, a son of Dr. 
Jacob L. and Rhoda (Case) Myers. When he was twelve years of 
age his parents removed to Lancaster, Ohio, and from there in 
1851: to Logan. He was educated in the common schools, and 
when fourteen began to work in the steam flouring mill at Logan, 
packing flour. In 1857 he was apprenticed to learn the trade of a 
blacksmith, and in March, 1S61, started a shop of his own in Lo- 
gan, but the following S3ptember closed his shop, and enlisted in 
Company D, Seventeenth Ohio Infantry, and served till Jan. 2, 
1865. He with his regiment participated in the battles of Wild- 
cat, Mill Springs, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, 
Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw ^Mountain, At- 
lanta, Jonesboro, Savannah and many other hard-fought battles. 
After his return home he was employed in the machine shops of 
Raymond Belt till the fall of 1868, when he formed a partnership 
with C. Kuqua and F. H. Chidester in the manufacture of wagons 
and carriages and blacksmithing, remaining with them till 1871. 
From that time till 1880 he was in business alone. He then sold 
out and became established in his present business. May 10, 
1860, he married Susan Gibson, of Logan, who died Feb. 5, 1866, 
leaving one child — Charles O. Nov. 30, 1870, he married Mrs. 
M. A. Pryor. They had two children — Ada O. and Mary Bertha. 
Mrs. Myers died March 11, 1877. Mr. Myers is a member of the 
Methodist church. He is a Master, Royal Arch and Council Ma- 
son. He has been Master of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, since 1878, 
and is King of Logan Chapter, No. 75, and Conductor of Hock- 
hocking Council, No. 39. He is a member of James K. Rochester 
Post, No. 110, G. A. R. 
62 



978 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Prof. David J. Newman, Principal of the Gore schools, was 
born Auo\ 6, 1842, in Morgan County, Ohio, and is the son of Da- 
vid Newman, a native of Maryland, residing near Malta, Morgan 
County. Our subject was educated at the High School at McCon- 
nelsville, Ohio, and in the fall of 1863 began teaching in Morgan 
County. He taught there three years, and in 18 67 came to Perry 
County, Ohio, teaching near New Lexington three years. In 
1870 he was appointed Principal of the Straitsville school, 
which position he held for seven years. He has been Principal of 
the Gore schools for the last three years, and as an instructor Mr. 
Newman has been eminently successful. In September, 1863, he 
was married to Mary E., daughter of Thornton L. Hickerson. 
They have a family of three children whose names are — Ida M., 
Oscar S. and Howard L. Mr. Newman is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. society. 

Azariah Nixon, farmer, son of Isaac and Sarah (Sherlock) Nixon, 
was born near Maxville, Perry Co., Ohio, Jan. 15, 1838. He 
]ived there with his parents until nineteen years of age, when he 
began teaching school and taught sixteen terms. In 1867 he pur- 
chased a farm in Perry County. In 1870 he sold his farm and re- 
moved to Falls Township, Hocking County, and purchased the 
farm where he now resides. He was Trustee of Falls Township for 
the^ years 1879, 1880 and 1881. Oct. 9, 1862, he married Mary A., 
daughter of Joseph D, and Susan A. (Reyner) Woodruff, of Pern- 
County, Ohio. They have three children — Amma A., Susan A. 
and William H., all at home. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon are members 
of the Old School Baptist church. 

John T. Nutter, residing on section 26, was born in Green 
Township, this county, Sept. 14, 1835. He is a son of John Nut- 
ter, of Green Township. He removed with his father to Wells- 
County, Ind., from whence he returned in 1845, where he has since 
resided with the . exception of two years spent in Perry County, 
Ohio. During his life he has followed the occupation of a farmer 
and dealer in real estate most of the time, but for the past four 
years has mined ore. lie owns 353 acres of land. At one time 
he owned over 1,300 acres, besides a one-sixteenth interest in 6,000 
acres on Snow Fork in Ward Township. He was married June 11, 
1857, to Clarissa, daughter of Jacob Whetstone, of Perry County, 
Ohio. They have had eleven children, ten still living — Jacob H., 
Mary E., Robert, John, Clara, Charles, Julia, Richard, Emmit 
.and Elmer. Mr. Nutter has served the township as Constable for 
some time, and also as Township Trustee a few years. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 979 

Thomas Sansom Nutter was born in Harrison County, W. Va., 
Sept. 4, 1839, a son of Jesse H. G., and Mary (McWhorter) Nutter, 
both residents of Logan. His grandfather, Colonel Thomas C. 
Nutter, was an officer in the war of 1812. His grandfather, Thomas 
McWhorter, died in 1816, from disease contracted in that war. A 
great-uncle, John McWhorter, and another, Charles Nutter, were 
also soldiers in that war. In the late war of the Rebellion Mr. 
Nutter, his father, brother and several relative-, were in the war 
for the Union. In January, 1843, Mr. Nutter's parents came to 
Ohio and settled in Adelphi, Ross County, and in the spring of 1845 
settled in what is now Perry Township, Hoaking County. In 1850 
they went to Pickaway County, and after a residence there of two 
years returned to Virginia, and settled twelve miles north of Glen- 
ville, in Gilmer County. In the spring of 1861, ju^t at the break- 
ing out of the Rebellion, they removed to the adjoining county, 
Ritchie. At this time Mr. Nutter was at work in the oil regions of 
Burning Springs, Wirt County, and almost in a day after the tiring 
on Fort Sumter the works were deserted, and because they be- 
longed to Northern men were destroyed before the close of the 
war and have never been rebuilt. Early in May, 1861, Mr. Nut- 
ter returned home, and, with others of his neighbors, arm 3d him- 
self against the depredations of small bands of rebel guerrillas 
from the more southern counties, who were frequently prowling 
through the neighborhood. In August Mr. Nutter engaged to 
drive a team for General Rosecrans's army, then at Clarksburg. He 
accompanied them to Sutton, Big Birch River, and was with them 
at the battle of Carnifax Ferry, Sept. 10. Oct. 10 he was dis- 
charged from the service as a teamster, sick, and without a cent of 
money, and 200 miles from jdiome. He arrived at home a week 
later, by begging his way, having never received any pay for his 
services thus far. Feb. 6, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Com 
pany K, Tenth West Virginia Volunteers, and on the organization 
of the company was elected Orderly Sergeant. His regiment was 
in active service from that time till the close of the war. At the 
battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, he was wounded in the left 
hip, from which forty-two pieces of bone were removed. February, 
1865, he rejoined his regiment, and March 22 was commissioned 
First Lieutenant, and assigned to the command of Company II. 
He was at the surrender of the city of Richmond, and was discharged 
Aug. 21, 1865. The following September he settled in Harrisburg, 
Franklin Co., Ohio, where he resided till February, 1872. engaged 



980 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. . 

in photography. Dec. 20 he removed to South Perry, Hocking 
County; in May, 1873, to Gibisonville; in July, to Millville, and 
Sept. 15, to Logan, where he still resides. Mr. Nutter has been some- 
what of a local politician, newspaper writer and correspondent. 
He was at one time one of the editors of the Hocking Valley Gazette. 
He was then a very radical Republican, but is now somewhat con- 
servative, voting, as he says, ' ; a badly scratched ticket." He has 
been twice married, having by his first marriage one son — Walter 
Bruce, who was born June 9, 1869. May 2, 1878, he married Au- 
netta Mitchel, of Nelsonville, Athens Co., Ohio. They have three 
children— Mary, born April 7, 1879; Jesse Mitchell, Sept. 22, 1880, 
and Garfield Blaine, July 22, 1882. Mr. Nutter is a member of 
James K. .Rochester Post, No. 140, G. A. R., and now holds the 
office of Senior Vice-Commander. 

Parley Phelps, of Oreville, Falls-Gore, was born near Cross- 
cnville, Perry Co., Ohio, June 7, 1813, a son of Renodyne Phelps, 
also a native of Perry County. Our subject's Grandfather Phelps 
was a very early settler in Perry County, where Renodyne was 
born in 1807. Mr. Phelps served as a soldier in the late war in 
Company D, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, and participated in the 
battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Pittsburg Landing, Perry - 
ville, Ky., Hoover's Gap, Tenn., and Mineral Springs, Ky. He 
was wounded and taken prisoner at Chickamauga, where he was 
kept nine days on the battle-field, then paroled. He came to Camp 
Chase, and was exchanged the following May. After the war he 
prepared himself for a teacher, and taught sixteen months, when, 
in 1870, he engaged in the mercantile business in Old Gore; re- 
moved the store to New Gore in 1871, and to Oreville in 1872, 
where he lias since resided, and carries on a good business. He 
was married Dec. 14, 1871, to Margaret T., daughter of John 
Nutter, of Green Township. The}' have four children — Cora E., 
Hester C, Maud M. and Samuel N. 

William Edgar PJeakharpe, Assistant Secretary of the Mother- 
well Iron and Steel Woiks, was b:>rn in Palls Township, Hocking 
Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1854, a son of Daniel and Hannah A. (North) 
Pleukharpe. When he was sixteen years of age his parents moved 
to Logan. He attended the common schools till eighteen years of 
age, when he took a commercial course in the Zanesville Business 
College, graduating in 1873. In 1874 he was employed as clerk- 
in the grocery store of II. C. Smith, remaining with him till 1877. 
lie was then employed as weighnnster and bookkeeper for Culver 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 981 

& Stalter, dealers in lime and limestone, till 1879. In the fall of 
the latter year he was employed as manager and bookkeeper in the 
store of the Winona Iron Company, remaining there till Decem- 
ber, 1881. He then went to Columbus and engaged in the gro- 
cery business till January, 1883, when he sold out and accepted 
his present position. Nov. 15, 1882, Mr. Pleukharpe married Mar- 
garet Boies, of Perry County, Ohio. He is a member of the First 
Presbyterian Church, of Logan. 

Muynard Pond, son of Erastus and Sarepta (Stanton) Pond, 
was born at Rushville, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1837. He was educated in 
the public schools of his native place till 1853, when he left home 
and came to Logan, where he was employed by his lather,- a con- 
tractor on the Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad, until the fol- 
lowing year. He then attended the Ohio University at Athens, 
Ohio, one year, and in 1855 returned to Logan, where he was 
variously employed till I860. In that year he took the contract to 
carry the United States mail from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Guyan- 
dotte, W. Ya., making his home at Ironton, Ohio. He remained 
in the mail service until the spring of 1861, when he enlisted in 
the Union service, under Captain John S. George, in an inde- 
pendent company of cavalry, known as Company A. At the ex- 
piration of his term of service he, in October, 1861, re-enlisted in 
Company H, Fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, to serve 
three years, and during his whole service he was Orderly Sergeant 
of his company. He participated in the battle of Pittsburg Land- 
ing, and a number of cavalry skirmishes, in the last of which he was 
injured by his horse falling on him, after which he was in the hos- 
pital at various places till Aug. 26, 1862, when he was discharged 
for disability. He then returned to Logan, but soon after went to 
Eau Claire, Wis., where he was engaged in lumbering and farming 
till 1879, when he again took up his residence in Logan, where he 
has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In March, 
1860, he married Miss Janet Anderson, of Logan, by whom he has 
had eight children, viz.: Hattie, Myron S., Willis M., Charles A., 
Sarah E., Frank B., Fanny S. and Florence A. Mr. Pond and wife 
are members of the Fir.-t Presbyterian Church. 

Aaron Aikin Price, contractor and builder, Logan, was born in 
McConnelsville, Morgan Co., Ohio, Feb. 20,1837, the third of four 
sons of William P. and Sarah (Hanesworth) Price. When an in- 
fant his parents came to Hocking County, settling in Washington 
Township. When he was seven years of age his father died. He 



111 IT0B1 OF BOl II'.'. VALLEY. 

remained with hii mother till ! rel eai ol age, and then wont to 
ii e with a married lister in the lame neighborhood, making his 
home with her till leventeen yeai i He worked in Pioka 

and Hocking coontlei the next two reai i, and when nineteen 
i i to iearn the carpenter's trade of Samuel Price(acou In) worl 
villi in in nil I860. In tip- ipringof that year ii<- wenl to Pal 
Oonnty, M<», thence to Wisconsin, returning to Morgan 
nty, Ohio, the following fall. In Jane, L868, be enlisted in 
< . in | >:i it > I. I'nt Ohio Heavy Artillery, for three reai ll- 
had been drafted in 1862, but wai rejected on aocounl of a crippled 
arm. He wai in the Army of the Cumberland in Kentucky and 
Tennessee, and wai promoted to Corporal, tie wai discharged 
Ah^.'J, 1865, and returned to Hooking County t» bis raothei 
farm. The following October his mother died. He remained on 
the r. ii in and worked .-it hii trade till the spring of 1867 when be 
went, i" Deerfteld Township, Morgan County, and worked wit i ■ 
Samuel Prloe till the following fall They then went to MoOon 
nelsTille and worked In :i lash and door factory till L870, when be 
came to Logan He has had the contraot for building Bind 1 ! Iron 
Works, Thomas's [ron Works, Oraft'i [ron Works, the furnaoei 
<.i the [looking Iron Company and manj of the substantial build 
and bridges in Hooking County. June l", L858, he mar 
1 1< <1 Minerva E Remsen, of Tridelphia, Morgan County. They 
have had four children William P., Mary Elizabeth, Walter Os 
and Sarah Violet The latter died in November, 1869, aged 
i .i Mr. and Mn Price are memben of the Methodist 
ohuroh. He is a Mastei and Royal Aroh Mason, a member of the 
lodge and obaptei si I togan 

I<); m <•/'■; S, Parsallf ion of Dxniel and Elisabeth (Laoook) Pur 
■ell, was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, Aug. L8, L846 He was eda 
cated in the public ichool ol Portsmouth, graduating from the 
■ • in 1 366 He had been throu fh part of the war with :i brother, 
irho wan a soldier, but, being too youn)g, wai not enlisted, itl 
though making leveral attempt i Ho ia^ active lervioe, but never 
iged in the same. He studied law with Judge A C Thomp 
son in 1866 ,( i s ; was admitted to the bsr in Porl mouth In 1868, 
and entered Into partnership with Judge M irtin C Grain. He re 
mained In praotioe with him one year, and then entered the office 

ol Judge A ( ' 'I'll pson, then Probate Judge ol Soioto County, 

remaining two peai iftei whioh he praotioed alone until I 
Mi Pursell wai married in 1878 to Alma C Wrlffht, of Logan, 



111 rofi . 01 ii'.' K.IHQ VA1 

er of Jud II \V 1 1 r 'i,i .,i I , . lie opened a 

office in Logan in i .' and practiced aboul si* month 
other bnsine . ■. to .1 all his atto I . led and i an I 

itora no •• o \ ned by R • I In Logan, from I )e& in bei i i ! 
to March I I • old onl to the present owners I h 

Parted the Hooking Valley Gazette In eonm h Mi Brool 

in Pebruai I i i and >i and pnbli ihei oi the sarai 

up to the present time II" ■. a . appointed b G Bishop 

one "i ' ■ •■ Ti lateea ol the A then ■ J n ■ lum rema 

h through Gro re\ aoi Bi »hop' i administration 
John /'- /,'■">< /i dealei ■ •• md manufacture) ol boots and sh 
al Logan - ■ the ion ol John B. and Me B 

J I- la a nati e ol Badi 1 1 ng boi n thi 1 1 iDi ' ■ I 

I ].-. attended the publi - 

moth ■ ' heii home ' 

en up and be He i 

to Poughka i e hi 

ed 

I ; 
,\ ■ ■ ime to J. 

J ij j : . , ..' Log in and 

i 
i M . ■ ■ I .•• 

I ' Q I J 

' a J,, Ernest P E J EL 

I l 

• ' Log 

F$rMnand Fn leru /■' np 

■-'.'.■ 

■ 

I > 

■ 



984 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

employed in the wholesale grocery store of F. J. Boving. After 
one year he was placed in charge of a branch establishment at 
Logan, Ohio, his present home. At the age of nineteen he pur- 
chased this branch store, and enlarging it to a mart of general traf- 
fic, has made it the foundation of his fortune. From the time Mr. 
Rempel first entered Logan until the present day, he has been one 
of the most active and enterprising business men of the place, tak- 
ing the lead, or at least a prominent part, in almost every impor- 
tant business enterprise. He has lent a helping hand to every 
legitimate industry which gave promise of energy and thrift, and 
ranks as a "man of affairs," not only prominently iu his county 
and community, but as one of the leading men of the State. Fru- 
gal, sober, energetic and sagacious, his judgment is seldom at 
fault and his decisions are not often reversed b} r the logic of events. 
AVith keen foresight he has avoided the pitfalls into which imprac- 
ticable men have fallen. On the other hand, with comprehensive 
intelligence, he has followed up those financial leads which com- 
mended themselves to his judgment and, as the sequel has shown, 
succeeded where most men have failed. But these ends have been 
reached only by great energy and indomitable perseverance. Colo- 
nel Rempel is possessed of splendid natural powers of both body 
and mind. In build and movement, as well as attainments, he is 
a marked man, and would be readily selected from a large number 
of men as one upon whom is stamped the indelible impress of cour- 
age, sagacity and executive ability. His business has not been 
confined to mercantile pursuits, but he has invested wherever his 
judgment approved, being, perhaps, the largest single holder of 
real estate in the Hocking Valley. In 1S50 he returned to the 
old country to visit his relatives and friends, spending a year in 
Prussia, France and England. In 1855 he established the Hocking 
Valley stage coach line, conducting the enterprise with great profit 
until 1868, when the building of the Columbus & Hocking Valley 
Railroad supplied its place. This line became one of the most ex- 
tensive in the State, requiring the employment of many agents and 
assistants. The work was thoroughly systematized and conducted 
on strict business principles. The veteran stage manager, 
John Borland, was his efficient Superintendent, and it is said that 
the thirteen years that the line was in existence, with an aver- 
age of 200 miles per day of travel, there never occurred a serious 
accident. At the breaking out of the Rebellion Colonel Rempel 
was immersed in business. From an article which appeared in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 985 

the Hocking Sentinel, of the date of July 5, 1860, we learn that he 
was the mail contractor and proprietor of the coach line from Lan- 
caster to Pomeroy, owned and conducted the " American House," 
now Rempel House; also a drug store and livery comprising nine- 
ty-eight horses, omnibuses, carriages, etc., and a blacksmith and 
repair shop. He also was extensively engaged in market garden- 
ing; was agent for the JEtna Insurance Company; was engaged in 
the foreign shipping business, and had many other active interests. 
It is also added that he is ,; a remarkable man, and is one of the 
most public-spirited individuals we have ever seen." Colonel 
Rempel was then a Democrat, but comprehending the perils of 
the hour, he severed his connection with that organization, and al- 
lied himself with the new Republican party. In 180 1 he entered 
the list as a candidate for the State Legislature and came within 
rive votes of election, although the regular Democratic majority in 
Hocking County was about 700. When the crisis came and the 
call to arms resounded through the land, Colonel Rempel went to 
the front. Accepting the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the Fifty-eighth 
Regiment, he was made Post Commander at Camp Chase about 
the 5th of December, 1801. About two months thereafter, the 
Fifty-eighth was mobilized with General Thayer's brigade, General 
Lew Wallace's division, and, on Feb. 13, Lieutenant-Colonel Rem- 
pel led it into the important battle of Fort Donelson. Although 
hurried from the peaceful pursuits of life into the immediate pres- 
ence of " grim visaged war," Colonel Rempel proved to be an in- 
trepid soldier, and when a furious assault was made upon his troops 
in this action, it wa3 met with firmness, and resulted in the enemy 
being hurled back into his entrenchments. On the day following 
he was the first with his regiment to enter on the right of the rebel 
batteries and received the surrender of the Confederate artillery 
officers. Subsequently his regiment took part in the sanguinary 
conflict of Shiloh and a number of other engagements. On account 
of Colonel Rempel's pre-eminent capacity to transact business 
and manage both men and affairs he was made Provost- Marshal 
of the army at Pittsburg Landing. In this capacity he became in- 
timately acquainted with many of the officers of that army and it was 
here that he first met General Garfield. For his bravery and sol- 
dierly conduct Colonel Rempel received the highest encomiums 
from his superior officers, and be it said to his credit also, that he 
always retained the confidence and esteem of the officers and sol- 
diers who served under him. A soldier of the regiment writes 



0S6 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

that Lieutenant-Colonel Reinpel " covered himself with glory," 
and he also speaks in the most glowing terms of his care and con- 
sideration for his men. Generals Strickland, Wallace and Thayer, 
also, have borne witness to the soldierly qualities of our subject- 
We quote the following letters : 

Omaha, Neb., Nov. 17, 1870. 
President Grant , 

Dear Sir: — Colonel Ferdinand F. Rempel served in my command 
in the late war as Lieutenant-Colonel of the fifty-eighth Ohio Infan- 
try. He was a gallant soldier and a faithful officer. He especially 
distinguished himself in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh by 
his courage and gallantry. 

Very truly yours, 

John M. Thayer. 

Office of U. S. Att'y, Dist. of Neb. 
Omaha, Oct. 17, 1870. 
General U. S. Grant, President of the U. S., Washington, D. C: 

I was personally present at Donelson and Shiloh, and a witness 
of the gallantry of Colonel Rem pel, and fully concur in the words 
of commendation written above by Senator Thayer. 

Respectfully, 

S. A. Strickland, A. A. G. 
and Late Col. 50th Peg., 0. V. I. 

Colonel Rempel held the office of Provost Marshal until August, 
L862, when he resigned his commission. His motive for so doing 
having been impugned by indiscriminating persons, it may be 
proper to state that at that time he was reduced to a skeleton, his 
business Which he had left in splendid condition was badly demor- 
alized, and the system then in vogue of "boosting" foreign advent- 
urers was repugnant to his sense of honor. In consequence he 
retired from the more active service but was appointed, at the 
request of leading men of all parties, to the position of Provost 
Marshal of Hocking County. This position he held until the close 
of the war, giving great satisfaction in the performance of the try- 
ing duties of the office. lie has also held the offices ot District 
Revenue Inspector, Deputy United States Marshal and Post- 
master of Logan, all of which positions he tilled with high credit. 
When he resigned the latter office, the Hocking Sentinel, which 
has always opposed him, politically, gave him the following high 
meed of praise : 



BISTOET OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1)87 

"Colonel Rerapel is the best local Postmaster in Ohio, lie has 
given us a complete postal service throughout this county, and of 
his management of the Logan office no man has ever had occasion 
to complain. It has been a matter of personal pride with him to 
improve our postal facilities and make his office a model of cor- 
rectness and accommodation. In these things the Colonel has 
succeeded. All must admit that his office has been managed to 
the entire satisfaction of the public, and if Mr. Hayes shall stand 
by the policy he enunciates in his Inaugural, we do not see upon 
what pretext a change of postmasters can be made here. 

W Tilden had been permitted to take the office to which lie was 
honestly and fairly elected, we should have insisted on Mr. Itempel 
stepping down and out. But as it is, since we must have a Repub- 
lican in the office, give us a man of brains to tight, a man who i 
a leader and strong representative — one worthy of Democratic 
opposition, and a man with capacity to attend to his business, and 
with responsibility to the public for his political and official con- 
duct. We are for Rempel." 

Since the war closed, Colonel Rempel has engaged in business 
with redoubled energy, giving his attention more especially to real 
estate. He has thereby greatly added to his property and landed 
interests, and has by the erection of many new residences and 
business blocks in Logan during the past two or three years made 
that one of the most thriving towns in Southeastern Ohio. The 
Opera House, which he built in 1871, appeared to be greatly in 
advance of the place, but the rapid growth and increase in popula- 
tion during the past few years has demonstrated his wisdom in 
anticipating it. New streets have been opened up by his single- 
handed enterprise and long lines of new homes have sprung into 
existence as if by magic. He has been the great business geniu-> 
of Logan, and in his career has been manifested to an eminent 
degree the results, not of mere chance, but of the exercise of con- 
summate business capacity and lofty commercial integrity. The 
Logan Republican speaks of his enterprise, as follows : 

''In this respect, Colonel F. F. Rerapel has proved a benefit to 
our town which can not be over estimated. From the magnificent 
Opera House, down to the humblest cottage, he has prepared the 
way for our rapid growth and set an example which should be 
imitated by other citizens of wealth in our community. During 
the past summer and fall he has erected thirty dwelling houses, dis- 
tributing among our mechanics and laboring men abjut $45,000. 



988 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

This, of itself, has been a great help, and has not only kept the 
' wolf from the door ' of many but has enabled them to enjoy the 
substantial and luxuries of life. As a benefactor to our town he 
is without a rival, and his continued prosperity is evidence that 
our people appreciate him as a citizen and business man." 

On this point we also quote the [locking Sentinel, that journal 
paying him the following deserved compliment : 

" Colonel Rempel is, in business, the leading man of Logan, and 
one of the most prominent, public- spirited men of the Hocking 
Valley. "We do not like him in politics and always train our 
heaviest guns on him during a campaign bacause he is the real 
strong enemy we have to fight. But in business matters, Colonel 
Rempel never allows his politics to control his judgment but is 
always found foremost in every enterprise looking to the advance- 
ment of Logan, and the business interests of this valley. Colonel 
Rempel is one of our heaviest tix-payers and also one of our 
largest property holders. His wealth is not in non-productive and 
non-taxable bonds, but in real estate and active business of our 
town and county." 

When R. M. Bishop was Governor of Ohio he appointed Colonel 
Rempel a Director of the Athens Asylum. This place, like all 
others to which he was called, was worthily filled. He accepted 
the trust as a public duty and discharged the obligation which it 
imposed with conscientious care and fidelity. 

In the summer cf 18S1 the subject of these memoirs went to 
Washington to consult with an eminent medical specialist with 
regard to his health and at the same time absolve himself from 
the cares of business. While there he paid his respects to Presi, 
dent Garfield and was offered the Consulate of St. Galle, Switzer- 
land. This was a great temptation but he was compelled on account 
of heavy, unsettled interests to decline. Some of the papers said 
that he "turned up his nose" at the suggestion, but this is not 
strictly true, the Colonel regarding the offer as a high compliment. 
The Baltimore American gave the event the following notice: 

A COMPLIMENT TO COLONEL REMPEL. 

k ' President Garfield tendered the appointment of Consul to the 
important consulate at St. Galle, Switzerland, to Colonel Ferdinand 
F. Rempel, of Logan, Ohio, but the Colonel was constrained to de- 
cline the same, owing to his personal affairs being of such a char- 
acter and importance to make it impossible for him to accept the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 989 

compliment tendered to him so kindly by the President. Colonel 
Rempel is known as a leading German and an enterprising business 
man in Ohio." 

This was given a turn, generally, by the press of the country, it 
being considered an anomaly at that time for an Ohio man to refuse 
anything, especially an office. We add the Cincinnati Enquirer's 
suggestion: 

" LET HIM BE BANISHED. 

" It is in order for the recording angel to take his pen in hand 
and, in gilt letters, record the fact that another Ohio man has 
declined an office. His name is Colonel F. F. Rempel. He hails 
from Logan. He has been here for a number of days. To-day, in 
company with Representative Neal, he called upon the President, 
and was tendered the important Consulship of St. Galle, Switzer- 
land. Owing to the condition of his extensive private business, 
which would prevent.a prolonged residence abroad, he was com- 
pelled to decline it." 

Of late years our subject has been withdrawing more and more 
from public affairs and has been applying himself the more closely 
in planning new business campaigns, resulting in the improvement 
and upbuilding of his adopted city — Logan, the Queen of the 
Valley. The Hocking Sentinel but echoes the general voice of the 
people when it affirms that " because of his conspicuous promi- 
nence, he is usually the shining mark at which all envious darts 
are aimed. He is an eagle at which daws can peck." 

Recently he has become interested among other things in the 
Logan Gas Company, and has put that enterprise on a solid foun- 
dation. We quote from an article recently prepared by Captain 
Wm. M. Bowen on his management of this business, as copied 
from the columns of the Hocking Sentinel. 

" In the summer of 1882 Colonel F. F. Rempel purchased largely 
of the stock, and immediately proceeded to affix all modern im- 
provements to the already successful works, and is to-day one of 
the principal owners, and President of the Corporation. Now we 
are all acquainted with F. F. Rempel. We know that where energy, 
perseverance and indomitable industry are necessary to make an 
undertaking successful, we can find all these qualities in the Colonel. 
We know that he merits regard in our community for his expan- 
sive comprehension of the value of real estate in this city, for 
his indefatigable building and beautifying propensity. Coining, 



990 HISTOM OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

as he did, from the Kingdom of Prussia when a mere lad, settling 
in our midst forty years ago without capital, except the qualifies 
tions of a thorough, energetio business man, and with Excelsior 

inscribed upon his banner, his movement has ever been onward 
and upward, and to-day we tin 1 him by tar the largest real estate 
owner in our city, able to count his possessions by hundreds of 
thousands oi dollars." 

In conclusion we will add that Colonel Rempel is faithful folds 
obligations and prompt to offer assistance in tini3 of need, lie 
never goes back on a friend or tails to remember an enemy, and 
the hundreds who have received help and encouragement at his 
hands will ever remember him with gratitude. 

Bolovar G. Rebw, druggist, Logan, was born in PleasantTown- 
ship, Fairfield Co., Ohio, June 20, 1S55. lie was reared on his 
father's farm, and attended the Pleasant Township Seminary until 
twenty, when he went to Newark, Ohio, and studied pharmacy 
with Dr. James Campbell two years, after which he took charge of 
the drug store of Isaac B. Bounds, at Newark, for eighteen months; 
then went to Ironton, Ohio, and was in the employ of Kerker, 
Otten & Co., wholesale and retail druggists, for one year; then 
opened a store of his own in Logan, Ohio, under firm name of 
Reber & Co. 

Mandus B. Reber, real-estate broker, Logan, was born in Pleas- 
ant Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, July 31, 1S52. He remained 
on his father's farm attending school until eighteen, when he trav- 
eled in Illinois, Missouri and California until twenty. He then 
returned home to Ohio, and soon after went to West Virginia and 
organized a coal company, and engaged in mining one year. In 
1 S74 -'75 was in Pittsburg, Pa. In 1S7C> he represented the inter- 
ests of several of the large land-holders in the Kanawha Val- 
ley, W. Ya., at the Centennial. In 1877 and 1878 he was 
engaged in the real-estate business at Columbus, Ohio. Since that 
time- he has been located in Logan. He still has an interest in the 
Kanawha coal and timber lands, and owns several farms in South- 
eastern Kansas, and also lands in Northwestern Arkansas. He has 
i in every State in the Union except Texas, lie is a son of 
Elias Reber, who was born in L822, and Esther (Myers) Reber. 
They had a family of five children — M. B., subject of this sketch. 
B. C, druggist, o[' Logan, Ohio; R. II., on the farm with his 
father; Ella M., residing with her brother, M, P., and Essie S. The 
family are of German and Scotch descent. The Reber family canru 



BISTORT 01 HOCKING VALLEY. UU} 

to the United States in 1620, and settled in Ohio in 1802. The 
first Reber was Zebulun Reber, wlio was a Prussian-German, and 
was banished to England on account of his political views, He 
came to the United State- in L620, and Located in Massachusetl . 

Francis M. Rhoads, farmer, son of Jacob find Elizabeth (Byers) 
Rhoads, was horn in Falls Township, Hocking County, Dec. 1, 
ISo.'i, and lived with his parents until manhood. lie received a 
common-school education. At twenty-one years of age he began 
working for his father for wages. When twenty-live age 

he purchased the farm where he resides (known a.-, the Confer farm) 
and removed there in April, 1879, and has been engaged in farm- 
ing to present time. April 2, 1879, he married Alice C, daughter 
of Craven W. and Barbara (Hazelton) Clowe, of Falls Township. 
They have one child, a daughter — Harcia Elma. Mr. and Mr-. 
Rhoads are members of the United Brethren church. 

Jacob Rhoads, farmer, third son of Jacob and Nancy (Byerly) 
Rhoads. was horn on section 21, Falls Township, Hocking County. 
Sept. l'7. 1828. After arriving at manhood be farmed on his fa- 
ther's farm for an interest until 1853, when his father gave him 100 
acres of land as his share of the estate, the firm where he now 
resides. He has purchased land adjoining since then and now has 
a good farm. March 27. 1851, he married Elizabeth, daughter of 
John and Caroline (Lemon) Byers, of Fall- Township. They have 
had nine children, four sons and two daughter- now living — Fran- 
cis M.. Wilbur R., Charlie V.. John P., Mary E. and Lydia C. 
Amos A. died at the age of two years; Alvin W., aged oi 
Elmer G., aged five years. Mi-, and Mrs. Rhoads are members of 
the United Brethren church. 

David Michael Risley, an old resident of Logan, was born at 
Zanesville, Ohio, Oct! 10, 1819. lie i.- the eldest of four sons of 
A mo- and Margaret (Oyster) Risley. When eight years old he 
• to CTnion town, living there till eighteen year- oi age. Ho 
received a very limited education, and in his boyhood learned the 
carpenter's trade. Ee came to J- >gan in the spring of 1837 arid 
worked at his trade one year with Tunis Butin, after which he 
became associated with him as a partner fur one year, when he 
became a contractor and builder, in which business he has ever since 
been engaged, He ha- many of the ; 

churches, mills and public building- at Logan. :l!e and 

Haydenville. and in the country throughout Hocking County. Mr. 
Risley began life empty-handed, but through economy and pei 



992 BISTORT OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

veriftg industry he 1 1 ; i ^ accumulated considerable property in Logan. 
On Oct. LO, 1841, he was married to Miss Rachel Tannehill, ol 
Logan. They ate the parents oi eight children, viz.: George, an 
omploye in the shop of the Logan Manufacturing Company; Mary, 
wife of Samuel Crow, of Logan; John; Emma, wife of Edward 
Roads, of Nelsonville; William, engaged with his father as a car- 
penter; Annie, wife of Reuben Spurier, of Logan; Laura, wife of 
Levi R£cDowell,of Nelsonville, and Harry Grant. Mr. Risleyand 
wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for 
twenty years. Ho is a member oi Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 262, 
I. O. O. F., and of Mineral Encampment, No. 91, I. 0. 0. F., and 
has held all the offices except those of Xohle Grand and Worthy 
Patriarch. 

John Byerly Roads, fanner, son of Jacob and Nancy (Byerly) 
Roads, was born in Logan, Hocking Co., Ohio, March 19, 1821. 
His parents removed, when ho was an infant, to section 21, Kails 
Township, and settled and cleared a farm, lie lived there with 
them until manhood, working on the farm and attending the com 
moil school. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming 
with his father for an interest in the products ami remained with 
him until twenty live years of age. His father then gave him a 
farm mi section 30, where he settled April 20, 1817. He has pur- 
chased adjoining lands since then, and has been engaged in improv- 
ing lands and farming to the present time. lie is a Master Mason, 
member of biingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. <& A. M., Logan, Ohio. 
Sept. IS, L845, he married Catharine, daughter of Anthony and 
Catharine (Sheatenhelm) Eokhart, of Falls Township. They have 
had four children, only one living — Susan, wife o\' John Krinn, of 
Laurel Township. Joseph died at the age of thirteen years; Mil' 
aid F. in infancy, and LovinaO. at the age of twenty nine years. 
He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

J<>s<'j)/t Watson Rochester^ of John Rochester^ Sons, merchants, 
Logan, was horn in London, England, Oct 11, L818, a son of John 
and Mary Ann (Gladle) Rochester. When he was three years of 
age his parents came to America and settled on the Oourtold farm, 
a mile east of Nelsonville, Athens Go., Ohio, and in 1828 came 

to Logan. His educational advantages were meager, hut he made 
the beat of what he had and obtained a good business education. 
When about fifteen years oi age he went to Lancaster to learn the 
trade of a fuller and weaver, serving Biz years in the woolen mills 
of Ring & Rice. He then returned to Logan and entered filestore 



111 TOBY. 01 B0< KING VALLEY. 993 

<>f his father as clerk. He and hie brother John afterward became 
associated with bis father in the businei , the firm name being John 
Rochester & Sons. Their father died in L875, but they till retain 
the old firm name. In connection with Ink mercantile bu ine Mi 
Rochester is a stockholder in the Logan Manufacturing Company, 
the Logan Brick Manufacturing Company, and the First Bank of 
Logan. He has spent, an active bu fe and has ever been 

awake to the interests of Logan. He ha served twelve: year 
member of the Board of Education, and on the City Council four 

Mr. Rochester ha been twice married. His first wife 
Mi Harriel Claxton, who died leaving three children -Addie 
Thoraa W. and Charles E. April 28, L849, he married Mrs. Har 
riel Martin, daughter of Jacob Embich, of Lancaster, and widow 
of Samuel Martin, by whom she had one child Jennie Martin. 
Mr. and Mrs. Rochester have 6ix children John I'., Mary Ann 
(wife of William Butin), Clara E. (wife of Albert Stiers), Joseph 
I!.. Emma II. and Eva W. (twins, the former the ••> if'e of William 
Hanson). Mrs. Rochester became a member of the English Lu 
theran church when eighteen years of age, but after her marri 
to Mr. Rochester in L849, joined the Presbyterian church. Mr. 
Rochester is a Master, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar 
Mason and a member of the lodge, chapter, and council at Logan, 
and the commandery at Lancaster. 

John Jenkins Rodeheaver, 3on of Georgeand Lourana (Jenkins) 
Rodeheaver, was born near Brandonville, W. Va., Nov. 27, l- 
lie wae reared on the home farm till he was twenty three vears of 
and attended the subscription schools two months during each 

from hin seventh year till his majority. In L862 he 
employed as a teamster by the Government, and served as uch in 
the United States army till December, 1863, when be enlisted in Cora 
pany K. Sixth Regiment,"West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry, to -> 
three He went out as a Corporal, but was '-on after pro 

moted to Sergeant and then to Order ant, and wa o n 

tered out May 1, 1866, at Wheeling, \V. Va., while on duty with 
his regimenl at New Creek, W. Va. Nov. 28, 1864, they wi 
captured and held .. •;<•]•- until March I, 1865, when they 

paroled. He was soon after exchanged al Columbus, Ohio, 
when his regimenl was ordered to Washington, and wae detailed 
on special duty to search for the Wilkes Booth. In the 

following June they were sent on duty to Nebraska and Colorado, 
and detailed as guards for the ejage route between Cotton Wood 
63 



994 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Springs and Denver City, when he participated in several skir- 
mishes with the Indians. After his discharge he went to the oil 
wells, in W. Va., where he was employed some six months. In 
the spring of 186S he came to Ohio, settling in Starr Township, 
Hocking County, and engaging in farming until the spring of 1874. 
He was Township Trustee of Starr Township for several years. 
In 1874 he rented his farm and removed to Logan, being em- 
ployed as a clerk in the grange store until the spring of 1878, 
after which he engaged in saw-milling at Hamilton County, Tenn., 
for eighteen months. He then returned to Logan and formed a 
partnership with E. B. Comly in the grocery business which was 
discontinued in 1882. He then engaged in saw-milling again in 
Tennessee until January, 1883, he taking the contract to supply 
the K. & 0. R. R. with ties and lumber. In January, 1883, he 
again returned to Logan and engaged in his present grocery trade. 
March 8, 1800, he was married to Miss Mary J. Conner, by whom 
he has had rive children, all deceased. He and wife are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church, he having belonged to that 
denomination since his seventeenth year. He is an Odd Fellow 
and member of Hocking Valley, Lodge No. 262, and of Mineral 
Encampment, No. 91, of Logan. He is a Past Grand. 

Charles Iiose, clothier and merchant tailor, James Block, Logan, 
established his present business in 1866. lie was born in Offen- 
bach, A. G., Prussia, Germany, Oct. 23. 1^42. When fourteen 
years of age he came alone to America, landed in New York, and 
located at Cleveland, Ohio, and clerked in the wholesale cloth house 
of Koch, Levy & Co., until 1864. He then traveled in Michigan 
and Ohio a couple of years, then came to Logan and established his 
present business, lie began with limited means, but by honest 
dealing and close application to business has established a tine busi- 
ness, lie occupies a building 8<» x 22 feet, and carries a full and 
complete stock of rine domestic and imported suiting and gents' 
fnrnisbing goods, lie also has a tailoring department and makes 
a specialty of making tine dress suits, etc. He carries a stock of 
$15,000. Mr. Rose is a son of Moses and Sara (Levy") Rose. Eis 
father was a stock-dealer, a native of Prussia, and is still living, in 
the seventy-second year of age. His mother was born in Baden 
and died in September, L878, They had a family of six sons and 
live daughters. Charles, subject of our sketch, was the third son. 
Mr. Rose married Flora Murphy at Logan, Nov. 20, 1873. She 
was born in Pomeroy, Ohio, a daughter of John A. and Sarah J. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 905 

Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have four children — Harry, Frank, 
Bessie and Mabel. Mr. Rose is a Mason and a member of Blue 
Lodge, Logan Chapter, and of Logan Council. In politics he is a 
Democrat and cast his first and last Republican vote for Lincoln in 
1864. 

Charles William Schivenke, freight and ticket agent of the C. 
II. V. & T. R. II. Company at Logan, is the son of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Later) Schwenke. lie was born at Sugar Grove, Fair- 
field Co., Ohio, Sept. 28, 1858. He was educated at the public 
schools of his native place till he was sixteen. When fifteen years 
of age he learned telegraphy in the railroad office at Sugar Grove, 
attending school at the same time. On leaving home he went to 
Lancaster, Ohio, where he was employed as special operator two 
years, when he was sent to Columbus and employed in the dis- 
patcher's office another year, alter which he took charge of the 
telegraph office at the South Depot at Columbus. In July, 1879, 
he went to Logan, obtaining his present position as freight and 
ticket agent. He was married April 21, 1880, to Miss Mattie, 
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Davis) Strawn, of Logan. They 
are the parents of one child — Clarence Henry. Mr. Schwenke is a 
member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and his wife belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal church of Logan. 

John Shaw, farmer, eldest son of Jonathan and Susan (Iligdon) 
Shaw, was born in Montgomery County, Md., March 20, 1807. 
When he was four years of age his father died, and his mother 
with her three children lived with her father until John, the subject 
of this sketch, was thirteen years of age. She then removed to 
Frederick City, Frederick Co., Md., and apprenticed him to Con- 
rad Brothers to learn the coloring and weaving trade. He at- 
tended school at odd times and was taught some at night by his 
employers, and thus received a limited common school education. 
lie served at his trade until twenty-one years of age, and continued 
working for the firm until twenty-four years of age for wages. In 
November, 1831, removed to Perry County, Ohio, and purchased 
a farm. In 1836 he sold his farm and purchased wild lands in 
Falls Township, Hocking County, and opened a farm. Five years 
later he again sold out and purchased wild lands, and opened the 
farm where he now resides. lie has served as Trustee of Falls 
Township seven years, and as Commissioner of Hocking County 
nine years. May 1, 1830, he married Harriet, daughter of John 
and Sarah (Conrod) Sponseller, of Frederick City, Md. They have 



996 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

seven sons — John A., of Green Township ; Charles F., of Illinois; 
Robert H., o$ Minnesota; James J. and Jonathan R., of Falls 
Township ; George IT. and Jacob F., of Laurel Township. A 
daughter, Sarah A., wife of John Clark, died Sept. 28, 1S61, aged 
thirty-one years. His wife died Nov. 7, 1S73, aged sixty-six years. 
She was a member of the English Lutheran church. April 1, 1S78, 
he married Mrs. Mary A., widow of Ozias Barnes, and daughter of 
Daniel and Jane (Sibley) Lemon, of Hocking County. He is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Henry Richard Snyder, editor and proprietor of the Logan 
Republican, was born in Hopewell Township, Perry County, Ohio, 
Feb. 17, 1853, a son of Abraham and Mary M. (Stover) Snyder. 
He was reared in his native county, being educated in the com- 
mon schools and the Academy at Madison, graduating from that 
institution in 1875. He afterward took a year's course in the Wes- 
leyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In 1873 he began teaching 
and taught at irregular intervals, when not attending school, till 
l s 77. In the summer of 1879 he assisted on the editorial work on 
the New Lexington Tribune and afterward worked on that paper 
at intervals till March, 1881, when he came to Logan and became 
the proprietor of the Logan Republican. May 10, 1881, Mr. Sny- 
der married Minerva Burgess, of Madison Township, Perry Co., 
Ohio. They have one child — Herbert Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Sny- 
der are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Logan. He 
is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M. 

Noah W. Starr, residing on section 31, Falls-Gore, was born 
here, Feb. 9, 1840. He was reared a farmer, which avocation he 
has always followed. He was educated at the common schools. In 
1877 he married Nannie J., daughter of Ellison Miers, of Ward 
Township. They have one child — Harry K. Mr. Starr owns 135 
acres of valuable land. The Straitsville branch of the Hocking 
Valley Railroad passes through it. His mother lives with him in 
her eighty-tifth year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Moses Starr, father of our subject, was a native of West Virginia, 
and came to this county about 1816 and settled on the old home- 
stead where his son Noah still lives. His first wife, Sarah Webb, 
bore him eight children, five of whom are still living — Benjamin, 
Elizabeth, Thomas, Harriet and Moses. His second wife was 
Sarah Beveridge, a native of Loudoun County. Va., our subject be- 
ing the only child of this union. Mrs. Starr's first husband was 
(raven Clowe. They were blessed with five children — John. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 997 

Charles (deceased), Elijah. Mary and Craven. He was a soldier 
in the war of 1812, and John, Elijah and Craven Clowe were in 
the war of the Rebellion, Craven being Captain of Company C, 
Sixty-second Ohio Infantry. Moses Starr died in October, 1870, 
aged over eighty years. 

Isaac Stiers, pork-packer and dealer in wool, Logan, was born 
Near Adamsville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1817, the second 
of four sons of Joseph and Sarah (Southerland) Stiers. He was 
reared on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. 
In his younger days he taught school, but after becoming of age. 
in 1838, he was employed as a clerk in the store of Dr. J. Cone, 
Adamsville, remaining with him live years. In 1844 he became 
associated with D. Ross in the mercantile business, the firm name 
being Ross & Stiers. In 1840 he bought Mr. Ross's interest and 
carried on the business alone ten years. In 1854 he was elected 
Treasurer of Muskingum County. In 1856, on account of losing 
heavily by the bankruptcy of parties to whom he had made a large 
shipment the previous year, he was obliged to suspend business. 
In the winter of 1856 he again began to teach school, and taught 
during the winter months till 1860. In September, 1860, he was 
employed in the mill office of Beaumont & Hollingsworth, at 
Zanesville, Ohio, and superintended the buying and handling of 
grain for them five years. In 1>>65 he became proprietor of the 
Putnam Mills at Zanesville. remaining in the milling and grain 
business two years. In 1867 he, with Solomon Shroyer, engaged 
in the general produce business under the firm name of Stiers & 
Shroyer. In 1869 he retired from the firm and engaged in the 
mercantile business. In the spring of 1870 he was burnt out, losing 
his store and dwelling and saving only a few of his goods, and was 
the second time obliged to commence again at the beginning. In 
January, 1871, he came to Logan and was employed as superin- 
tendent of the grange store. In the winter of 1870 he began to 
pack pork on a small scale and deal in wool on commission. His 
business has increased yearly till he now has a large packing estab- 
lishment, purchased in 1878. In the winter of 1882-'83 he killed 
1,200 hogs. He handles annually 100,000 pounds of wool. July 
10, 1842, Mr. Stiers married Sidney T. Frame, of Adamsville. 
They have two children — Isaac Newton, of Zanesville, and Joseph 
A., of the firm of Tritsch & Stiers, Logan. Mr. and Mrs. Stiers 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Logan, of which 
he is a Trustee. He is a member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. 
& A. M. 



998 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

J. Albert St>< rs was born in Adamsville, Muskingum Co., Ohio, 
July 20, 1854. "When one year old he removed with his parents 
to Sonora, and remained there until 1860, when the family removed 
to Zanesville, and when eighteen he began to learn the trade of 
Bash and blind making, working at it two and a half years. In 
1S73 he came to Logan and followed his trade six months, then 
opened and ran a feed store for one year, when he began to clerk 
in the grange store, and in August, 1S79, he formed his present 
partnership with B. K. Tritsch. Mr. Stiers is a son of Isaac and 
Sidney T. (Frame) Stiers. His father is a dealer in wool, pork and 
provisions at Logan. His parents are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. They have had a family of four children, two 
living — I. N ., traveling for a dry-goods house in Philadelphia, 
and J. A., subject of our sketch. J. A. Stiers was married to Clara 
Rochester, March 23, 1877. She was born in Logan, Ohio, daugh- 
ter of Joseph and Harriet (Embich) Rochester. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stiers are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have 
two children — Sidney II. and Joseph A. Mr. Stiers is a member 
of the I. O. O. F., Mineral Encampment, No. 91; Hocking Valley 
Lodge, No. 262, at Logan. 

John Wendell Strentz, superintendent of the Logan Manufact- 
uring Company, was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, April 
14, 1838. His father died when he was nine years of age, and he 
was early thrown on his own resources. "When he was eighteen years 
of age he went to work for Isaac Groff, to learn the trade of a carpen- 
ter and joiner, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then 
worked for him as a journeyman one year, and in 1860 wentto Cin- 
cinnati, remaining there a year. He returned to Lancaster and 
worked for Mr. Groff till August, 1862, when he enlisted in Corn- 
pan v I, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, for three years, and was discharged 
at Washington, D. C, June 28, 1S65. He was in the battle of 
Stone River, where he was wounded. In July, 1863, he was left by 
his regiment in the hospital at Manchester; he wa9 soon after removed 
to Tullahoma, Tenn., and was in the hospital there a month, when, 
convalescing, he was sent to Nashville. lie remained there three 
weeks and was then sent to Louisville, Ky., remaining there two 
months, after which he was transferred to Company G, Seventh 
Regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, a;el sent to Cincinnati on guard 
duty. In June. 1864, he was sent to Washington, and remained 
on guard duty till his discharge. lie went out as Fourth Sergeant. 
and after his transfer to the reserve corps was promoted to Orderly 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 999 

Sergeant. lie was at Washington at the time President Lincoln was 
assassinated, and his company was detailed as guard to \Tice Pres- 
ident Johnson. After his discharge lie returned to Lancaster and 
resinned contracting and building. In September, 1872, he came 
to Logan and worked as a mechanic till February, L879, when he 
was employed in his present position. In April, 1882, he was 
elected Councilman of Logan. Nov. 2, 1865, he was married to 
Lou P. Ford, of Lancaster. They have three children — Estella, 
William and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Strentz are members' of the 
Methodist church. He is a member of I lucking Valley Lodge, 
No. 262, and Ilockliocking Encampment, No. 28, I. 0. 0. F.; 
Logan Lodge, No. 19, K.of P., and James K. Rochester Post, No. 
140, G. A. R. lie represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of 
the Knights of Pythias in May, 1883. 

Joel Beckvrith Stiers, bookkeeper and clerk for W. R. Calkins, 
hardware merchant of Straitsville, Ohio, was born in Perry County, 
Ohio, April 17, 1827, a son of Henry and Eunice (Short) Stiers. 
When he was eighteen years of age he came to Logan and served 
an apprenticeship of three years with L. Ilutchins to learn the 
saddler and harness maker's trade. lie worked as a journeyman 
till 1860, when he was elected Clerk of Falls Township, serving 
by re-election till 1868. He was then elected Auditor of Hock- 
ing County, serving two terms of two years each. In 1874 he 
went to Sullivan and engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods 
two years. Ilethen went to Larned, Kas., and engaged in farm- 
ing and keeping hotel till 1880, when he returned to Logan, and 
was employed as Clerk in the Auditor's office during 1880- '81, and 
since then has held his present position. He was married June 
20,1848, to Martha Brown, of Logan, who died Oct. 2,1869, 
leaving five children, four now living — William O., Fran' 
Emma and Carrie. Margaret Ellen died in 1879, aged twenty- 
nine years. June 20, 1872, he married Mrs. Maria Clark, of 
Logan. They have two children — Justine Blanch and Charles O. 
Mr. Stiers is a Master and R >yal Arch Mason, and has served as 
Senior and Junior Warden. 

Samuel Stivison, farmer, third son of Barnabas and Eve 
( Mathias) Stivison, was born near Logan, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1823. 
lie was but five years of age when his father died. He then lived 
with friends two years, and at seven years of age was bound to 
Martin Goss, Sr., and lived with him until sixteen years of age, 
working on a farm and attending the common schools. When 



1000 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

sixteen years of age he began working for himself on the Hocking 
Canal. He was the only native-born hand in the crew where he 
worked. During the year 1840 he removed to Adair County, Mo., 
with Michael Clern, and was in Clern's employ, building mills and 
other work, for eighteen months. He then returned to Falls Town- 
ship, and August, 1844, purchased the farm where he resides, and 
lias been engaged in farming. At the time he removed to his lands 
all was an unbroken forest. His first cleared lands were devoted 
to the growth of tobaco. In May, 1846, he enlisted in the Mexi- 
can war in Company D, Second Ohio Infantry, at Logan, Ohio, as a 
private for one year. He, with his command, went to Mexico, by 
way of Cincinnati and New Orleans. Their passage from New Or- 
leans to Mexico was by the slow sailing vessels. He was at Palo 
Alto, Brazos Island, Matamoras, and first saw General Scott at 
Comargo. They met with many deprivations on the march 
from Comargo to Monterey, and were opposed by Mexican lancers 
twenty times the American force. After severe fighting the Mex- 
icans were defeated. He has served as Trustee of Falls Town- 
ship eight y^ars. He is a Master Mason, member of Mingo 
Lodge, No. 171, Logan, Ohio. April 26, 1849, he married Su- 
sanna, daughter of Frederick and Leah (Fought) Friesner, of Falls 
Township. They have had eight children, two sons and two 
daughters now living — Lewis; Elizabeth, wife of John Davis ot 
Jackson County, Kas.; Samuel E. an 1 Ida A. at hom.3. Solomon 
F., their oldest son, and Simeon, the fourth child, were drowned in 
Hocking River, June 4, 1865. Solomon F. was fifteen and Sim- 
eon was ten years of age. Their cousin, Frederick Goss, was 
drowned at the same time; a daughter, Leah, wife of Lewis Eck- 
hart, of Yan Wert, Ohio, died in the twenty-second year of her 
age. Mr. Stivlson remembers when the present site of Logan 
was a dense hazel thicket and a great resort for hazel-nutting by 
the children and young people. 

Isaac H. Terrel, of Old Gore, was born in this township, Nov. 
26, 1846. He is the son of Jesse Terrel, of Perry County, who 
removed there in 184!). Oar subject was reared on a farm and 
received a common-school education. He his followed farming till 
the last seven years which time he has spent in mining. April 10, 
1877, he was married to Maggie Djnaldson.a native of Falls-Gore, 
and daughter of Joshua Donaldson. In 1871 Mr. Terrel returned to 
this county from Perry County. He and his wife are membars ot 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 1001 

B. K. Tritsch, of Tritsch & Stiers, merchants and dealers in 
dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, groceries and carpets, etc., 
Logan. They established their business in 1879, and carry a stock 
of $15,000. B. K. Tritsch was born in IIagerstown,Md.,Nov. 29, 
1849. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Circleville, Pick- 
away Co., Ohio, and in April, 1861, came to Logan, Ohio. He 
attended the schools of Circleville and Logan. From the age ot 
seventeen to twenty-eight he was superintendent of his father's 
woolen mills. June 15, 1875, he married Margaret Frautz, a 
daughter of Emanuel and Margaret (Mickey) Frautz. Mrs. Tritsch 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Tritsch is 
one of the leading merchants and business men of Logan. He 
owns live dwelling houses and lots in Logan. 

Jacob Ezra Tritsch, proprietor of Logan Woolen Mills, was 
born near Hagerstown, Washington Co., Md., Sept. 24, 1819, a son 
of William and Elizabeth (Cline) Tritsch. He was educated in the 
subscription schools of Martinsburg, where his parents had 
removed when he was small. His father being a weaver, he was 
brought up to the same trade and worked as a journeyman four or 
five years. In 1846 he rented a small woolen mill in Pleasant Val- 
ley and remained there four years. In 1850 he came to Ohio and 
worked as a journeyman at Circleville, Pickaway County, till 1854, 
when he rented the Lister Mills, consisting of woolen, grist and 
saw mills, where he carried on business a year, when, by litiga- 
tion, the owners were deprived of water-power. lie then returned 
to Circleville and worked in the mills there, manufacturing cloth by 
the yard and yarn by the pound, a year, when a better position 
being offered him in Columbus, he went there and remained a 
year. In 1857 he returned to Circleville and, in company with 
David Miller, built a mill and carried on business three years, when 
he sold his interest to Mr. Miller and went to Wilmington, Ohio, 
and rented the Wickersham woolen and grist mills. The following 
year he came to Logan and erected his present mills, where he is 
now manufacturing a number of brands of cloth and yarn. Sept. 
21, 1841, Mr. Tritsch married Harriet Rohrer, of Washington 
County, Md. She died in March, 1852, leaving four children — 
John W., an employe in his father's mills; Catherine, wife of Peter 
Lytle; Theodore G., also with his father, and Benjamin K., of the 
firm of Tritsch & Stiers. Mr. Tritsch is a Master, Royal Arch and 
Council Mason, and a member of lodge, chapter and council, 
Logan. 



1002 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Robert Skinner Van Atta, molder and machinist in the Logan 
Foundry, was born near Bjlvidere, N. J., May 9, 1822, a son of 
Samuel and Jane (Stout) Yan Atta. His mother died when he 
was an infant, and when he was four years of age his father re- 
moved to New York City, where he lived with him till fifteen 
years of age. He then returned to AVashington Yillage, N. J., 
and began to learn the trade of a molder in the foundry of his un- 
cle, Jesse S. Yan Atta, remaining there two years. In the fall of 
1838 he came with Ids father and his uncles, Jes^e, Nelson and 
Ralph Yan Atta, to Ohio, and the following spring settled and 
founded a foundry live miles north of Newark, on the Mt. Yernon 
r tad, at what was afterward called and is now known as Yan Atta- 
ville. He worked in their foundry four years when he started out 
as a journeyman molder, working in Pomeroy, Dayton, Newark 
and back again to Yan Attaville until 1818 when he came to Lo- 
gan, and in June of that year became associated with Raymond 
Belt and founded the Logan Foundry under the firm name of Belt 
& Yan Atta. In April, 1853, he retired from the firm and re- 
turned to Yan Attaville and with his Uncle Nelson and Noah 
Clouse formed the firm of Clouse & Yan Atta and became pro- 
prietors of the Yan Atta Foundry. Mr. Clouse remained with 
them a number of years when he retired, the firm then becoming 
X. & R. S. Yan Atta. In July, 1862, Mr. Yan Atta retired from 
the firm and was employed as a machinist in the shops of the Pan 
Handle Railroad at Newark till the following spring. In 1863 he 
returned to Logan and has since been employed in the Logan 
Foundry. In 1859, while he was a member of the firm of Clouse 
& Yan Atta, he started for Pike's Peak, but on reaching Fort 
Kearney changed his mind and returned. From 1866 to 1868 he 
was Clerk of Falls Township. Nov. 14, 1850, Mr. Yan Atta mar- 
ried Martha Jane Alexander, of Logan. They are the parents of 
five children, four now living — Frank A., an engineer on the C, 
H./V. & T. R. R.; Albert B., telegraph messenger; Harry B., 
assistant civil engineer on the C, II. Y. & T. R. R., and Florence 
Ella. A daughter, Mary Alice, died in 1855 aged six months. Mr. 
Yan Atta is a Master, Royal Arch and Council Mason, and a mem- 
ber of the lodge, chapter and council at Logan. 

Jacob Weaver, County Recorder of Hocking County, was born 
near Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1842, where he 
was reared, obtaining a good common-school education in both 
English and German. He is the son of Andrew and Anna (Weid- 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1003 

ner) Weaver. When nineteen years old he enlisted in Company 
A, Seventeenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. lie partici- 
pated in many battles, among them Stone River, Shiloh, siege and 
capture of Corinth, Perryville, Hoover's Gap, Tnllahoma and 
Chickamauga, where he was wounded in the right foot and taken 
prisoner Sept. 20, 1863. He lay on the battle field for sixteen days, 
enduring intense pain, when he was put in prison at Atlanta, Ga., 
but after a few days he was transferred to Libby Prison, being in- 
carcerated there two months. Nov. 30, 1863, he was transferred to 
Danville, Ya., where he was imprisoned until April 4, 1864, when 
he was taken to Andersonville Prison and held a prisoner till Sept. 
9 of the same year. From there lie was taken to Charleston and 
placed under the fire of the Union guns in the Charleston jail, 
during the bombardment of that city, after which he was taken to 
Florence, S. C. On Nov. 30, 1864, he was paroled, and received 
his discharge Jan. 19, 1865, his health being much impaired after 
his long imprisonment. From July, 1865, till January, 1877, he 
was employed as a brake man on the B. & O. R. R., on the Nash- 
ville ifc Chattanooga R. R., and during the year 1867 he engaged 
in shipping stock from Lancaster, Ohio, to Eastern markets, in 
1868 he went to Mattoon, 111., remaining there till the end of the 
year, when he returned to Ohio and settled in North Bern, Fairfield 
County, where he remained till July, 1S73, running a portable 
saw-mill most of the time. He then removed to Lancaster and 
was employed as foreman of the C, 11. V. & T. R. R. till Decem- 
ber, 18S0, when he was elected to his present office, having re- 
moved to Logan in 1876. He was married Aug. 2, 1868, to Miss 
Sarah J. Ballenger, of Mattoon, 111. They are the parents of five 
children whose names are — John A., Mary L., Thomas Ewing, 
Joseph H.and William W. Mr. Weaver is a member of James 
K. Rochester Post, No. 140, G. A. R, of Logan, of which he is 
Adjutant. 

Ralph Webb, deceased, late of Falls-Gore, was born May 14, 
1792, in Bridgeport, W. Ya. His father, Rev. Benjamin Webb, 
a Methodist minister, came to Falls-Gore in 1816, and settled on 
the northwest quarter of section 29, where he died in 1*27. Onr 
subject came to this county with his father, and entered 160 acres, 
or the entire northeast quarter of section 29, receiving a patent 
from the United States Government. The two Webbs settled in 
a dense forest of heavy timber, and cut the first road from Logan 
to their land. Ralph Webb was married Dec. 25, 1812, to Martha 



1004 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Scarf, by whom he had three children, but one now living — Ben- 
jamin, a resident of Falls-Gore. Mrs. Webb died Dec. 13, 1821, 
and Mr. Webb was marriedFeb. IS, 1823, to Mrs. Sarah A. Davis, 
a daughter of Daniel Guilder. They had nine children, but two 
of whom are living — Thomas and Rebecca (now Mrs. Hardy). 
The others were: Mrs. Ann Taylor, Mrs. Jane Sunderland, Isaac, 
Daniel G., William J., John J. and Mrs. M. Adalins Fickle. Mrs. 
Webb had one child by her first husband — M. M. Davis, now Mrs. 
Work, of Lancaster, Ohio. Mrs. Webb resides with her son 
Thomas. 

Thomas Webb is a native of Falls-Gore, and was born May 27, 
1831, a son of Ralph Webb. He was reared on the farm and was 
educated in the common schools, and at Lancaster, Ohio. He re- 
mained in Lancaster two years, working at the tinner's trade in the 
summer and attending school in the winter. He resided in Logan 
from 1S66 to 1871, where he was engaged in buying and shipping 
cattle. He engaged in the cattle business when quite young, 
driving them to the Eastern markets. From 1855 to 1863 he crossed 
the mountains 121 times. From 1S63 to 1871 he shipped by rail. 
In the fall of 1S71 he went to Federal Creek, Ohio, and there en- 
gaged in the oil business until the fall of 1873, when he returned 
to Logan, remaining until the following spring, when he removed 
to his present farm on the southwest quarter of section 29, Falls- 
Gore Township, where he now resides, and is engaged in stock- 
dealing. Mr. Webb was married Jan. 1, 1860, to Margaret A., 
daughter of Jonathan Saffel. They have had seven children, of 
whom six are living — Emma, Cleason G., Charles V., Isaac Will- 
ard, Ilattie and Thomas S. At the time of the Morgan raid dur- 
ing the late war Mr. Webb was overtaken at Millertown, Ohio, 
by Morgan, and had two horses taken from him. He is a member 
of the Masonic fraternity, and his family arc members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

Richard Sioeezey Weitzell, son of George and Mary (Spurrier) 
Weitzell, was born May 1, 1851, in McConnelsville, Ohio, where 
he was reared and educated at the common schools. He was 
brought up as a stone-cutter and mason, and at the age of twenty 
began to work for himself, being engaged as a workman and con- 
tractor till May, 1877, when he was employed in a surveying corps 
of the Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad on Monday Creek 
and Snow Fork branches as rear chainman until the spring of 1878. 
lie was then promoted topographer, being employed in that depart- 



HISTORY .OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1005 

raent until May, 1879, when he was engaged by the Columbus & 
Sunday Creek Valley Railroad as resident engineer, where he had 
charge of the construction of a ten-mile section of the road during 
the summer of that year. In the following spring the company 
changed its name to the Ohio Central, when he had charge of a 
construction of a residency of eighteen miles in Morrow County, 
Ohio. In June, 1880, he severed his connection with that com- 
pany, and was again employed by the C, II. V. & T. R. R. Com- 
pany, as assistant engineer, residing at Columbus. In July he 
went to Georgia, and was employed on a division of the East Ten- 
nessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad until the following Decem- 
ber, when he returned to Ohio and once more became assistant 
engineer on the C, II. V. & T. R. R., which position he still re- 
tains, residing at Logan. He is also employed as mining engineer 
by the Columbus & Hocking Coal and Iron Company, having charge 
of the survey of the mineral lands. In 1879 he became associated 
with his brother, W. H. Weitzell, as quarriers and strippers of 
Hocking sandstone, his brother conducting the business. April 18, 
1878, he was married to Miss Frances, daughter of Dennis Mc- 
Carty, of Logan. He is demitted Master Mason. 

John Wellma?i, son of John and Susannah (Scutt) Well man 
was born near Dorchester, in Dorsetshire, England, July 10,1826. 
His mother dying when he was three years old, and his father 
when he was ten, he went to live with his grandfather, and at the 
age of thirteen he began to learn the miller's trade at Lowell, near 
his birth-place, where he was employed for nine years. He after- 
ward followed his trade at Wyke until 1851, when he emigrated to 
America, and was employed as a miller at Albion, Orleans Co., N. 
Y. In the fall of 1853, he visited England, but returned the fol- 
lowing spring and came to Ohio, where he worked in a mill 
near Columbus until the following August. He then came to Lo- 
gan, and was employed as a miller by Rippey, Dewar & James 
until 1857, when he went to Lancaster, Ohio, and was employed in 
the mill of Joseph R. Parker, and with his successor, John D. Mar- 
tin, until 1866. He then went to Sugar Grove, Ohio, where he man- 
aged a mill for John Martin until 1S69, after which he returned to 
Logan, and with Jacob Killer and R. W. Keyens became propri- 
etor of the steam flouring mill, under the firm name of J. Killer & 
Co. In 1S75 Mr. Killer retired from the firm, the name being 
changed to Keyens tfcWellman, and so continues. In September, 



1006 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1863, he was married to Miss Rosannah Andregg, of Lancaster, 
Ohio. They are the parents of seven children — Edward jS., an em- 
ploye in the mill; Anna, Margaret, Emma, Mary, John A. and 
Benjamin F. 

Alexander White was born in Poss County, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1S03. 
His father was a Virginian by birth, but an early settler of Ohio. 
His mother was a native of Kentucky. His early education was 
limited, being such as could be picked up by attendance on leisure 
days at the country schools; but after attaining manhood he applied 
himself to study, and became one of the best informed men of his 
day. When a boy his time was spent in working on the farm in 
Adelphi and South Perry, his father removing in an early day to 
the latter place. From 1837 to 1840 he worked for General Worth- 
ington, at the Falls Mills. In 1840 he was elected County Recorder, 
serving three years. In 1845 he was elected Auditor, and re-elected 
for five successive terms. In 185S he was again elected Auditor, 
serving two more terms. He was elected and served as a member 
of the State Board of Equalization for the district of which Hock- 
ing formed a part in the years 1853, 1850 and 1S70. In 1873-'74 
he represented his county in the Constitutional Convention. For 
thirty years he was an acting Justice of the Peace. Soon after 
coming to Logan he was elected Mayor, and served one or two 
terms. His first vote was for Henry Clay, in L824. In politics 
he was an unfaltering Democrat, and the most influential man in 
this county the party ever possessed. In March, 1823, he married 
Sarah Friend, by whom he had ten children, eight of whom are 
.still living. His wife died Sept. 4, 1864, and Dec. 27, 1864, he 
married Mrs. Sarah Pavne. Alexander White was a good and use- 
ful man, and in his sphere a great man. His long and unprece- 
dented career in public service, indicates the confidence and 
trust the people had in his qualifications and integrity, and although 
violently and unsparingly opposed by political rivals, his bitterest 
enemies never dared to utter a word or breathe an insinuation 
against his honesty as a man and integrity as an officer. As a 
neighbor he was generous and kind, always aiming to help the 
deserving with such words and works of encouragement as circum- 
stances demanded or his means permitted. He was a man of most 
determined purpose, cool and deliberate in making up his judg- 
ment, but when once satistied as to what was right and for the best, 
he maintained himself against all and every opposition brought 
before him. He hated meanness, and could have no intercourse 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1007 

or association with those lie thought dishonest. He was a stead- 
fast friend in every relation of life, and when his word was pledged 
it stood as good for what he promised as his bond. In 1852 he 
bought the farm near Logan, where he resided till his death, in 
easy circumstances, surrounded by such comforts and convenience 
as his tastes inclined and his own labors provided for him. He 
died June 19, 1870, after having lived to the advanced age of sev- 
enty-three years, and been for more than half a century identified 
with every public and important interest of his party, and every 
useful enterprise of his county; his death was a loss felt in every 
part of the county, as well as in the township in which he lived. 

Darius White, Secretary and Treasurer of the Logan Manufact- 
uring Company, was born in Perry Township, Hocking (then 
Fairfield) County, Dec. 9, 1822, a son of Alex, and Sarah (Friend) 
White. Hereceived a common-school education and commenced 
life for himself as a teacher. From 1845 till 1861 he was employed 
as Clerk in the Auditor's office of Hocking County, and from 1862 
till 1865 was Teller in the State Bank of Logan. In February, 
1867, he with A. Houston, M. Kreig, A. B. Butin and E. S.Collins 
formed the present Logan Manufacturing Company under the firm 
name of Houston, Kreig & Co. He has served as Clerk of I. 
over ten years, and as Mayor one year. March 2 1. 1845, he mar- 
ried Hester A. McBroom, of Hocking County. They have nine 
children — Xancy M., wife of J. W. Beem, of Indiana; Minerva 
Jane, of Logan; Alexander, of Illinois; Edward, of Chicago, 111.; 
William II. and John, of Logan; Cora, wife of George Junker- 
man, of Sandusky, Ohio: Howard and Jessie, at home. 

Harlow White, son of Timothy and Clarissa (Montgomery) 
White, was born at Perryburg, Ohio; March 23, 1834. He lived 
in Belleville, Baltimore and Circleville, Ohio, till he grew to man- 
hood, going to school in these places but receiving most of hie edu- 
cation at the latter place. At the age often year- he began as a 
driver on the Ohio Canal, and was so employed until he was fif- 
teen. From then until he was twenty-one he worked on a boat, 
when he purchased a boat, and from then till 1865 he followed 
canal boating on the Ohio and Hocking canals. During tin'-, time, 
however, in the winter of 1861-*62, he. was employed as Jin. 
Wagon-master under General Nelson, eerving in Kentucky. He- 
was then employed in a foundry at Circleville till 1867, when he 
was employed by B. W. Carlisle as a foreman on the State boats 
of the Hocking Canal, and in 1S7^ he was appointed the successor 



1008 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of Mr. Carlisle as superintendent. In 1879 he removed to Logan 
and in conjunction with his superintendency he engaged in the 
grocery business which he still carries on. He has been twice 
married, his first wife being Clarissa Jackson, of Hocking County, 
whom he married in May, 1862. She died at Cadiz, Ohio, Nov. 9, 
1868. He was again married Sept. 11, 1869, to Catherine Curtis, 
of Lancaster, who has borne him one child — Emma. Mr. White 
is a member of the German Reformed church and his wife belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of Logan 
Lodge, No. 119, K. of P. 

John Franklin White, attorney at law and City Solicitor, is the 
son of Darius and Hester (McBroom) White. He was born in 
Loo-an, Aug. 24, 1859, where he was reared and educated in Union 
schools and graduated from the Union High School in the class of 
'76. He then began teaching, which he followed till the year 1880, 
and while teaching in 1879 he also studied under the preceptorship 
of Hon. John S. Friesner, and afterward with S. H. Bright, until 
he was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus, Jan. 
3, 1882. He then began the practice of law at Logan, and in April, 
1S83, he was elected City Solicitor of Logan, for a term of two 
years. He is a Master Mason and member ot Mingo Lodge, No. 

171. 

John Wright Work was born in Lancaster, Ohio, Nov. 19, 
1823, the eldest of three sons of Joseph and Nancy (Work) Work. 
He was educated in his native town. His father being a boot and 
shoe manufacturer he also learned the business, and when twenty- 
one year's of age, in 1841, became associated with his father and 
uncle under the firm name of Work, Son & Work. In 1S53 he 
came to Logan to take charge of a branch of the Lancaster house, 
under the firm name of John W. Work <fc Co. His uncle dying 
in 1862, the house in Lancaster was known as Work & Son, and 
the one in Logan as J.. & J. W. Work. His father died in 1864, 
and he became sole proprietor of the store in Logan, and his 
brother, James M., was associated with him in the store at Lan- 
caster, the name being Work & Brother. In 1878 he sold his in- 
terest in Lancaster to his brother. Mr. Work was appointed Deputy 
Collector of Internal Revenue of the third sub-division of the 
Twelfth Collectoral District of Ohio, during Johnson's adminis- 
tration and served three years. He was married Dec. 28, 1847, to 
Miss Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Whitaker) 
Fielding. Mr. Fielding was a pioneer ot Lancaster, having settled 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1009 

there in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Work have four children — Clara 
Maria, wife of R. D. McManigal; Annie E., wife of J. P. Hen- 
derson; Mary Ellen, wife of Dr. B. C. McManigal, and Edgar 
Whitaker, a student at Wooster University, Ohio. Four children 
died in infancy, and one son, William Fielding, died May 1, 1872, 
aged fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Work are members of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Logan. He is a Master, .Royal Arch, 
Council and Knight Templar Mason, a member of the lodge, chap- 
ter and council at Logan, and the commandery at Lancaster, lie 
is also a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and encampment at 
Logan, and is Past Grand and Past High Priest. 

Robert Reed Work, son of Joseph and Nancy (Work) Work, 
was born at Lancaster, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1832, where he lived till he 
was sixteen years old, being educated in the public schools of his 
native place. On leaving home he w r as apprenticed to his uncle, 
John Work, to learn the tinner's trade, and served until becoming 
of age. He then worked at his trade as a journeyman at Lancas- 
ter and other places till 1857 when he came to Logan and estab- 
lished his present hardware business, being associated with G-. M. 
Webb, under the firm name of G. M. Webb cV; Co. In March, 
1S65, Thomas E. Baker became Mr. Webb's successor, changing 
the firm name to Work & Baker. He has served as Chief Engineer 
of the fire department of Logan for ten years. In May, 1864, he 
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, 
Ohio National Guards, to serve 100 days as a private. He served 
on guard duty in the fortifications at Washington, D. C, and was 
discharged in September, 1864. Dec. 6, 1859, he married Miss Ann 
Y. Cushing, of Logan. They have seven children, viz.: Ella S., 
Charles Sumner, George Pullen, Robert Cushing, Lottie Roch- 
ester, Frank and Julia Meredith. Mr. Work and wit'e are mem- 
bers of the First Presbyterian Church of Logan, of which he is 
Ruling Elder. He is an Odd Fellow, and member of Charity 
Lodge, No. 7, at Lancaster. 

Oliver W. H. Wright, attorney at law at Logan and junior 
member of the law firm of Bright Oc Wright, is the son of William 
C. and Rachel (Dollison) Wright. He was born near Somerset 
Perry Co., Ohio, April 10, 1856, where he lived six years, when 
he moved with his parents to Hocking County. At the age of 
eight years, being thrown upon his own resources, he worked on 
different farms till he was fifteen years old, when he was employed 
by Dr. James Little, on whose farm he worked until he became of 
64 



llllO HISTORY OF BOOKING VALLEY. 

age, at the same time attending the High School at Logan, from 
which he graduated in the class of 1876. lie then taught in Hocking 
County, and at the same time began the stud}' of 1 iw privately. 
After teaching three years he commenced to study under the pre- 
ceptorship of S. H. Bright, teaching during the winter months. 
He was admitted to the bar April 1, 1870, by the Supreme Court 
at Columbus, and at once formed a co-partnership with his pre- 
ceptor, forming the present law firm of Bright & Wright. Dec. 
2, 1879, he was married to Miss Lelia, daughter of James E. 
Houston, of Logan. They have been blessed with one child — Anna. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church at Logan. In the spring of 1880 he was elected City Clerk 
of Logan, and was re-elected in 1882, his term of office expiring 
in April, 1884. He was elected a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation in April, 1S83, for a term of three years. Mr. Wright is a 
Master, Royal Arch, Council and Knight Templar Mason, and 
member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171; Logan Chapter, No. 75; Hock- 
ing Council, No. 39, and Lancaster Commandery, No. 2, of Lan- 
caster. He is also a Knight of Pythias, and member of Logan 
Lodge, No. 119. 

Robert Wright^ manufacturer, was born in Portage County, Ohio, 
June 2, 1809. His parents were residents of Pennsylvania, whence 
his father, a farmer, removed to Ohio in 1800. His early educa- 
tion was received at the country school, in Hocking County, at- 
tending the winter sessions until he reached his eighteenth year. 
Muring the summer months of those years he was engaged in farm 
labor. Later, he also taught school for two or three terms in the 
winter season. He was thus employed as a farm hand until 1S35, 
but during the latter years of that time was engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits "ii his own acoount. From 1835 until 1842 he was 
interested in the construction of the Socking Valley Canal, having 
secured a contract to finish five miles of this enterprise, partly in 
Athens and partly in Booking County. From 1842unt.il 1855 he 
was employed entirely in agricultural pursuits, and in the latter 
year purchased the larger portion of the Hocking Falls Mills, 
securing the balance of the property in 1862. This mill was built 
by Governor Worthington, o\' Ohio, about the year 1818, and 
remained in the possession of his family until 1855. Since its sale 
the present owner has continued to conduct its affairs, and in c >E 
nection with it is extensively interested in farming and stOck-rais- 
; ng. The farm operated by him at the present time has been in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1011 

his possession since 1S29. In 1844 he was elected a Justice of 
the Peace, but resigned this office in 1846. Tie also served two 
terms of three years each as County Commissioner. In 1850 
he was appointed by the Legislature of Ohio, Associate Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas, and served in such capacity until 
the adoption of the new constitution abolishing the office. In 1852 
he was appointed also, by the Legislature one of the Trustees of the 
Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio, a position which he still holds. 
He was for several years a Director in the Logan branch of the 
State Bank of Ohio, and Director in the First National Bank of 
Logan during its existence, and also a stockholder in the Colum- 
bus & Hocking Valley Railroad until it was sold, lie is inter- 
ested in the building development of Logan, and in its several 
improvements. His present residence on Main street is the hand- 
somest place of its kind in Logan, and was completed in 1873. 
He was married in October, 1840, to Elmira Hamblin, by whom he 
has had four children, three boys and one girl. Of the former, two 
are lawyers and the third a farmer. 

Jacob W. Zeller, farmer, fourth son of Jacob and Catharine 
(Goss) Zeller, was born in Good Hope Tovvnship, Hocking County , 
April 24, 1835, and lived with his parents until manhood, and 
received a common-school education. At the age of twenty years 
he rented a farm in Falls Township and lived there until 1867, 
when he purchased a farm. Two years later he sold his farm and 
in 1869 purchased the one where he resides, near Enterprise. 
Aug, 2. 1855, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick and Leah 
(Fought) Friesner, of Falls Township. They have two children — 
Emily F. and Leah C. Naomi died at the age of twenty-four 
years, and Daniel H. at the age of twenty-two years. Mr. and 
Mrs. Zeller are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 
WARD AND GREEN TOWNSHIPS. 

Ward Township — The Seat of Wealth of Coal and Iron — Min- 
eral, but not Agricultural — About Ninety Per Cent. — 
Shawnee Ore — Gardner's Trace — Interesting Situation — 
Dew Farm Organization — Carbon Hill — Orbiston — Murray 
City — Population and Area — Schools, Etc. — Holocaust — Bio- 
graphical. 

Green Township — Organization and Area — Topography — Its 
Wealth of Water — Coal and Iron — Craft's Furnace — Saw 
and Grist Mills— Early Settlement— Haydensville — Church- 
es-— Greenland Lodge — Assessed Valuation — Schools — Popu- 
lation — Its Relative Progress — Biographical. 

WARD TOWNSHIP. 

MINERAL NOT AGRICULTURAL. 

Ward is the most eastern township in Hocking Count}'. It is 
drained by Monday Creek and its branches, a tributary ot the 
Hocking River. The soil, except in the valley, is generally thin, 
and the land very rough, the whole of it belonging to the mining 
district. The land, being mainly owned by mining companies, is 
cultivated principally by renters, on a small scale. The mineral 
deposits of the township, however, are of great value and at the 
present time are being rapidly developed. At least ninety per cent. 
of the land of this township is underlaid with the great layer or 
coal ten feet thick and of the most superior quality, besides other 
coal beds higher up in the hills three and four feet thick. Iron is 
now being taken from the hills, and lime and lire-clay are also found 
in great quantities. The celebrated 

suaw neb ORE 

which extends throughout the township is the ore known as the 
cold shot, but is Boft and shows large crystals in the foundry iron. 
It is very well suited for mixing with the red shot irons, made 
from Lake Superior ore. This township is also abundautly 6iip 
plied with good oak and poplar timber. 

(1012) 



BI8T0BY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1013 

The township was named in honor of Mr. Naham Ward, a resi- 
dent of Marietta, a very extensive early land owner in the Hocking 
Valley. 

A small part of the present town of Buchtel, formerly known as 
Be semer, lies over the county line in Ward Township. The town 
is on what is known as the old Dew farm, most of which lies in 
Ward Township, embracing some 500 acres of rich, alluvial table- 
land, lying at the base of the hills, at the intersection of the two 
streams, Monday Creek and Snow Fork. The Dew farm was set- 
tled nearly seventy years ago, and ever since has been a noted spot 
in this region of* country, it marks the termination of what, in 
the early day, was known as the "Gardner Trace." 

Tradition has it that when the whole country between the Mus- 
kingumand the Hocking was an unbroken wilderness, and be 
any permanent settlement had been made in this valley, a company 
of brave, adventurous pioneers started from Marietta to blaze a 
road through to the Pickaway plains. To avoid the swamp and 
marshes of the valley they wenl across the hills. Their route for 
weeks wae uninterrupted except by the usual adventures common 
to pioneer explorers, and one Saturday evening — a mild and beau- 
tiful Indian summer day — -they stopped and agreed to rest o 
Sunday in the valley of the stream to which, on this account, they 
the name of Sunday Creek. The next day'.-, travel brought 
them to the site of the present town of Buchtel and in the evening 
they camped on the banks of the stream, which, marking the day's 
fourney, they named Monday Creek. 

That night winter broke upon them in all its fury, and asno 
storm, such as ie seldom experienced in this region, swept down 
from the hills, rendering further progress impossible. In vain 
they attempted the steep hills. The narrow valley, studded densely 
with huge sycamores and almostshut in by the overhanging hills, 
was closed against them by the deep billowy drift-. Further ad- 
vance was impossible. Blazing a tree, which now marks an "out- 
crop" of coal, they concluded to return. The storm lasted for a 
week, and the silvery stream winding through the valley, di 
the minerals more precious than diamonds, along • . i ■ dreary 
hanks the pioneers waded in drifting snow, they called Snow Fork, 
a name cold and cheerless in its incipiency, hut which in the devel- 
oping future will be a wealth of warmth and cheer that the pioi 
who gave it its frosty name and began its history with snivel 
could not reach even in their most pleasant dreams. 



1014 HISTORY OF HOOKING \ w i BY, 

The township was organized in is;>t!, the election oi township offi- 
cers at thai time resulting as follows: Trustees, R. Devoll, John 
Myers and Samuel Stacey. Mr. Devoll was re-elected a number oi 
times, serving about ten years in succession. The first Justices oi 
the Peaoe wore: Samuel Stacey and James Spencer. 

\ 11 i \o i's. 

The villages of this township are new, and for the most part are 
inhabited by collections of miners about the mines. The most im- 
portant among them at present is 

Carbon Hill, whioh was Laid out in l s 7- by Won. Thomas Ewing 
and [som Finley, whoat that time owned the land. The village is 
situated in the valley oi' Monday Creek and on the Monday Greek 
branch of the C, 11. 7. & T. R. R. The propertyin the vicinity 
is now principally owned by the Hocking Coal and Iron Company, 
who are operating very extensively in coal and iron at this and 
other points in the Eocking Valley. The business establishments 
are as follows: [sora Finley, druggist and apothecary; Dyre & 
Smith, hardware merchants; Quillen Brothers, dry goods and 
groceries; J. W. Downhour, general merchandise; Samuel 
Smith, hotel, and John Longstreth, blacksmith-shop. The vil- 
lage has one physician. Dr. C. F. Aplin. It has a public school 
building erected in L882 at a cost of about $3,000. The school re- 
quires two teachers. There are three well-organized churches 
established here, the Methodist Episcopal, United Brethreu and 
the Christian, all founded in L882. The pastors at present are: 
Of the Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Mr. Shaw; of the United Breth- 
ren. Rev. Mr. Dixon, and oi' the Christian, Rev. Mr. Vanpelt. 
The Trustees o( the Methodist Episcopal church are: T. X. Car- 
penter, A. B, Stitt and D. Bay; of the United Brethren church, 
George Randolph and John Roby; oi' the Christian church, Will- 
iam Hartley, James Jones and Elias Boudinot The postoffice 
was established in 1879, when Mr. Brenholts, the present Post. 
master, was appointed to take charge o( it. An assembly oi' the 
Knights of Labor was established here in 1881. Carbon Hill is 
connected by telephone with Sand Run and Orbiston; it also has 
telegraphic connections and an office of the Adams Express Com- 
pany. 

Monday has 'a population oi' about 400 inhabitants, a graded 
school ami two churches. A Methodist Episcopal and Baptist church 
- hold their meetings in the school house, which is a very 
line building costing $2,600. 



HISTORY OE SOCKING VALLEY. 1015 

Orbiston has an iron furnace, the Blellen Furnace, which 
built in 1-77. costing about $65,000. The owners of the fun 
began making iron as soon as it was completed, in 1-77. continu- 
ing less than a year, when busine suspended on account of 
financial embarrae ment. The builders were the Ogden [ron ( 
pany, who sold the furnace after laying idle for a year to the IJ 
ing Iron Company, when it again went into operation under 
management of Mr. John Cumrnings. This company spent con- 

rable money in making repairs and enlarging the 
they won; again abandoned in July, 1880. Workwasagain revived 
in March. L881, continuing until December, 1882, when the fun 
was abandoned. Orbiston has about 500 inhabitai 

Murray City has about 300 inhabitants, It received ii 
from an old gentleman by the name of Murray, residii . tner- 

ho owned the land on which it is situated. Ii 
the eastern edge of I hip, on the P ' mntyline. Mur- 

ray City is in the heart of the coal fields, near the east county . 
southeast, of Straitsville, about seven miles, andin the valley of the 
Snow Forks. It has a beautiful situation on rising ground in this 
valley. It is the first of the mining towns in that r- . ithin 

II eking County, although close on its eastern border. ato 

the towjj was recorded Feb. 2". 1873, and the first sale of lots took 
place Feb. 19, 1873, and were freely purchased. 

Sand Run y small \ . :' about 200 inhabitants, situ- 

ated near the center of tl hip. It was laid out in 1880 by 

Mr. J. I J. S immers. It is situated on a railroad, and has cor. 
tion b . aph and telephone with the 

POP1 

Ward '1 with an a 

3. It is . hills am -, but t : . 

small, and ti sr predominating. It is hounded on the north 

1 i the ea outh by 

on t nip. The soil is the 

valley to raise fruitful crops, and the hills 

Its mineral wealth is rapidly increasing *han 

•her township in the county. 

In 1850 the population 
2,272. gain in the pa thin a fraction of five 

per cent. 

The a- /f War; 

tate. f f ■"■ 7,75 1 >nal property 7 1 3. 



1016 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

SCHOOLS. 

With but one exception (Falls) Ward Township has the largest 
number of public schools of any township in the county, having 
eleven school-houses, all in good repair, with an average attendance 
of pupils equal to any other, according to its population of school 
age. The township appropriation for 1883 amounted to $1,710.88. 

A HOLOCAUST. 

Short as the history of this township is in material facts, a calam- 
ity has checkered its career which will be long remembered with 
horror by its people. In the prosperous little village of Carbon 
Hill lived John Lunsford with his wife and family of seven chil- 
dren, his business being the care of a store which lie kept in a part 
of his dwelling. On the night of Feb. 27, 1878, all the usual pre 
cautions having been taken to set the store and house in safe order, 
the family retired to their beds, but a long, long rest it was, inter- 
rupted only by a few moments of anguish. At about eleven o'clock 
the immediate neighbors were awakened by the cries of Mrs. Luns 
ford, who, being driven from her burning house by suffocation could 
only implore her friends to save, if possible, the lives of her chil- 
dren. Notwithstanding every effort was made to do so, it was all 
in vain, for the hungry flames were rapidlj 7 finishing their work. 
Mrs. Lunsford with an infant in her arms were the only members 
of the family to escape. The father, on awakening, the fire already 
burning furiously, had rushed up the stairs to where the six doomed 
children were sleeping; but before he could return the roof fell in 
and all hope of escape was over. On the following morning the 
charred remains of thefather and six children, ranging from nine- 
teen to eight years of age, were taken from the ruin and, after an 
inquest, were carefully and sadty laid away by their friends in 
their final rest. The origin of the fire is not known but is sup- 
posed to have come from the defective stove in the store. 

BIOGRAFIIICAL. 

Samuel Clegg was born in England, Feb. 29, 1801, and moved 
to this country in 1838 or '40 and lived here until his death, March 
16, 1876. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity in Eng 
land. He was married to Lucetta Zarley, a daughter of Jonathan 
Drake, who died in Pennsylvania. They had three children — Ann 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1017 

J., Amanda L. and Sarah. Mrs. Clegg was born Dec. 19, 1813, in 
Somerset County, Penn. She owns 107 acres of land, on section 
2, Ward Township, which is under a good state of cultivation. 

Nathan Dawley was born July 25, 1703, and died Sept. 12, 1873. 
aged eighty years, one month and eighteen days. His ancestors 
were natives of Rhode Island. He was married Aug. 16, 1822, to 
Annie Wilcox, daughter of William and Mary Wilcox. Mr. Wil- 
cox was born in September, 1803. Mr. and Mrs. Dawley's children 
are — William, Mary Annis, Boon, Horace, Harriet, Abigail, Harri- 
son, Perry and Sarah A. Julia A. and Chebney died in infancy. 

W. M. Daivley, born Oct. 16, 1823, was a son of Nathan and 
Annie Dawley. His mother is still living. Mr. Dawley was born 
in Athens County, and was educated in the common schools of 
the county. He was married March 1, 18-19, to Miss Augusta 
Pugsley, daughter of James and Elsey Pugsley. They .have two 
children — Oscar D. and Hattie. Mr. Dawley owns 514 acres of 
fine land, on section 34, Ward Township, and is engaged in farm 
ing and stock-raising. He is an old settler of the county, and a 
reliable citizen. Politically he is a Republican. 

Philip Devoll was born July 2, 1811, and is the son of Joseph 
and Sarah Devoll, who came to Ohio from Rhode Island in 1811 or 
1812, and located in Ward Township in 1830. Mr. Devoll was 
married in November, 1831, to Miss Sarah Allen, a daughter of 
Asher and Polly Allen. They arc the parents of six children — 
Cynthia, Polly, Eliza, Lorilla, Emma and Eva. Mr. and Mrs. 
Devoll have been members of the Bible Christian church fifty 
years. 

W. R. Dixon was. born July 31, 1815, in Carlisle, Cumberlain 
County, England, and was the only son of James and Jane Dixon, 
lawful citizens of the United States. Mr. Dixon moved to this 
country when he was sixteen years old, and settled at Steuben- 
ville, Ohio, and came to Athens County about 1843 or 1 44. He was 
married July 16, 1845, to Miss Sarah D. Cass, a daughter of Jere- 
miah and Sarah B. Cass. Mrs.Cass is yet living in Athens County, 
and is ninety-four years old. Mr. Dixon was a very hue Greek 
and Latin scholar, as well as a very artistic painter. Mrs. Dixon 
has a number of landscapes and pictures painted by him. He 
never belonged to any secret organization, but was a member of 
the Episcopal church, joining that church before leaving England. 
He died Nov. 25, 1881, and was buried on Thanksgiving day. He 



L018 UlSTOKV OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

was a great lover of flowers, and left a garden that has no equal 
in the county, and is surpassed by none in the State. Mr. and 
Mrs. Dixon had Ave children, three Living — N. T., Man- K. and 
W.J. Elizabeth died in 1880, and Vileta July 25, L882. Mrs. 
Dixon is a member o( the Baptist church. 

/. / was born in Morgan County, Ohio. Sept. 28, IS45 

and is a son of Samuel and Margaret Finley, who are both living. 
Mr. Finley was educated in Morgan County in the public schools 
He moved to Straitsville in L871, where he went into the drug 
business. In L873 he moved to Carbon Hill, where he again be- 
came established in the drug business in L882. lie was married 
Aug. 80, L871, to Miss Jennie Balding, a daughter of Lewis and 
Sarah Balding. Mr. Balding was Justice of the Peace tor about 
twenty years, and also Infirmary Director. Mr. Finley has three 
children — "Willard I.. Delia and Grace. Mrs. Finley died Nov. 
29, 1ST;'. Mr. Finley was the founder of Carbon Hill, which he 
laid out in L§73. He is at present engaged in the drug business. 
His political views are Democratic. 

8. .V. Q deck was bom at Columbus, Ohio. Aug. 28, L854, 
and is a son o( W". and Isabella Oordoeke. His mother is now 
making her home with him. She is sixty-one years old. Mr. Oor- 
decke was educated in the common schools o( Ohio, ami at the 
age o( fourteen went into business, lie is a business young man 
and is at present chief clerk and general manager of the company 
store at l.ongstreth. He has one ot' the best stores in the State of 
Ohio, and doe- a cash business of about $60,000 a year. He was 
married Feb. 16, 1876, to l.utie J. Clark. They have three chil- 
dren Nettie. Bersie and Susie. 

• / 7 ,n Harper was born dan. 4. 1833, and is a son ot* John Har- 
per, who lived in Cincinnati, and died with cholera in L882. Mr. 
Harper was married March 20, 1850, to Miss Annie Harrison, who 
came from England about two years previous to that time. They 
have eleven children ot' whom ten are living — Catherine. Alice. 
Sarah, Benjamin, Lincoln, Lillie, Nira. Mary, Josephine and 
Blanche. Martha died when she was about tour years old. Mr. 
Harper is a very successful tanner and has in his possession LOO 
acres of land, residing on section 14, Ward Township. He sold 
$16,000 worth o\' coal land in the last year. He is now, and has 
D for the last - ; \ years. Township Treasurer, and was Land 
Appraiser one year. 



HISTORY 01 floor; \Q 1 ■ I.J.J.V. I'll 9 

./. H.Jackson, born Sept. 11. 1820, i a on ofRoberi Jact 
who was born in Pei • ylvania, Aug. -. 1795. He came to At] 
County, Feb. 25, L837, where he lived thirtj and in 1867 

came to Ward Town bip, Hocking County. Mr. Jackson 
educated in the common of Ohio, in the old fashioned log 

houses and by studying athome, there not being Bufticienl 
and teachers at that time. II'; was married March 21, l-ll to 
Mary Bean. They have three children — O. D., the founder of 
Jacksonville, Ohio; Mrs. E.V. Randolph, and Mary L. Mr.Jacl 
served 100 days in the late war, and v larged in Sep 

1864. He ha ierved ac >r four terms and was Enrolling 

Clerk in the war. He •■,. I Enumerator in L881, and sub- 

mitted about the best report 3ent to the census office. II': 
ter and has a very \>.- >me of L60 acres of land on 

tion 14, Ward Township. 

A. A. Jwiipher, born March 31, 1 527, in Athens County, 
of George and Phcebe Junipher. His mother died about 1840, and 
his father in L869. Mr. Junipher moved to Ward Township when 
about sixteen and settled on the Codner place. Ho after 4 
; moved to the Wilcox place where he i H 

married Feb. 9, 1 -';';. to Julia Bartlet, a daughter of Silvanus and 
Amanda Bartlet, of New Plymouth, Vinton County 'i ley have 
child -May Addie. Mr. Juniphei i Town tip 'J. istee, He 
.';77 acres of good Jand. 
John Lyons was horn Nov. 20, L798, in a block house in .'■' 
Ohio. He moved to rt, and I ed until ho was ton 

of age, when he cam i Aboul Ah 

he moved to Ward Township, on M 

When a young man he was married to May Limon 
whom he ha< (rard married to E 

had nine children of whom 
ph W., Elizabeth, Jane (de< G-. ( 

W. A.. S. A. and D, O. J! 
War hip, and e gedin farming He 

..'. had it i 

//<<v / ■/ J/ 1, G ' inty, 

aro dead. Mr. ' Hocking 

in 1854. He is an old pioneer ol tl 



1020 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

present Township Trustee. He was in the Army of the Cumber- 
land three ;years and seven months, and was wounded in the battle 
of Chickamauga, but after his recovery served the rest of his time 
and was then discharged. He was married Aug. 17, 1847, to Miss 
Ann Mary Trimmer. They have had four children, only two now 
living — Daniel R. and Mrs. Frances Spencer; James and Charity 
Almedia are deceased. Mr. Masters went to California in 1850 
and remained until Aug. 16, 1852. He at one time owned 300 
acres of coal land but has now disposed of it. He is worth at 
present about $6,500. He owns 186 acres of land in Kansas. 
Mrs. Masters was born Oct. 20, 1827, and was a daughter of Daniel 
and Charity Trimmer, who are both dead. Mr. Trimmer was a 
farmer and stock-raiser. Politically Mr. Masters is a Republican. 

W. J. McManigal was born in December, 1834, in Minim 
•County, Penn., and is the son of Robert McManigal, who died in 
Pennsylvania in 1S57. Mr. R. McManigal was Sheriff of Mifflin 
■County from 1815 to 1818. Mr. W. J. McManigal moved to 
Buchtel, Ohio, in 1877, and from there to Orbiston in December, 
1879, where he has since filled the position of bookkeeper for the 
Hocking Iron Company. He has been surveyor for the Hocking 
Iron Companv since he has-been connected with them, and was 
appointed Postmaster in 1883. He was educated in Kishoquillas 
Seminary, Mifflin County, Penn., but left school at the age ot 
twenty, when he was elected County Surveyor of that county. 
Mr. McManigal was married in 1858 to Martha J. Lawrence, of 
Millroy, Penn., daughter of Rev. Samuel Lawrence, who was a 
minister cf the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and died in 1875 
at Lewistown, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. McManigal are the parents 
of six cbildren — Edwin P., Robert C, Elizabeth M., Mary Y., 
Samuel L. and Sallie L. Sallie died Sept. 21, 1866, at the age of 
two years. 

Lynns B. Pelton, late of Ward Township, Hocking Co., 
Ohio, was born in Connecticut, Oct. 5, 1814. His father, Samuel 
Pelton, was] a tailor, and came to Ward Township in 1853, where 
he died June 28, 1857. Our subject also came here at the same 
time. He was married Sept. 23, 1838, to Hettie M. Woodruff, a 
daughter of Daniel and Hannah Woodruff (deceased). The for- 
mer was a blacksmith. They had four children — Charlotte L., 
Julia A., Rachel E. (deceased),, and Mary A. Mr. Pelton died 
•Oct. 15, L877. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1021 

J. S. Shaw was born Feb. 16, 1825, in Perry County, Ohio, 
but was reared in Ward Township, Hocking County. He is a son 
of Eli and Elizabeth Shaw and received his education in the old- 
fashioned log school-house. He was one of the old settlers of 
"Ward Township, and has killed a great many deer in an early day. 
He was married April 12, 1814, to Miss Annie Woods, daughter ot 
Andy and Elizabeth Woods. Mr. Woods was a soldier in the war 
of 1812. Mr. Shaw has five children — Alba, Ephraim, Elizabeth, 
William and Ida E. Andy and Mariah died in childhood. Mr. 
Shaw owns eighty-three acres of fine land on section 16, which he 
values at $200 an acre. 

Elisha Wathins was born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1806, the 
son of Jonathan Watkins, who died in that county. He came to 
Ward Township in 1816 and was one of the first settlers of this 
county. In 1871 he was injured by a fall which ultimately caused 
his death in 1876. He was by trade a stone mason. He married 
Margaret Philips, daughter of Peter and Sarah E. Philips. 
Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were the parents of eleven children, ot 
whom nine are now living — Wilson, Adaline, Martha, G. W., 
Jerome, Sarah E., Elisha, James and Laura E. Mary J. died at 
the age of twenty-one and Sarah at the age of eighteen in 1863. 

J. S. Watkins, a son of Elisha Watkins, was born Sept. 18, 
184S. He was in the livery business in Straitsville, Ohio, ten 
years, selling out and returning to Murray City, May 18, 1882. 
He owns ten acres of land in Watkins's addition to Murray City, 
valued at $10,000. Mr. Watkins was married July 8, 1879, to 
Miss Samantha Hardy, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Hardy. 
They have one child — Daisy, aged two years. Mrs. A\ r atkins's 
father died in April, 1880, aged seventy-five years. 

GREEN TOWNSHIP. 

ORGANIZATION AND AREA. 

This township was first made a voting precinct in 1823, and 
on June 7, 1S25, it was organized as Green Township, and was 
known as No. 2. It is a congressional township in size, being 
township 13, range 16. When first made a voting precinct its 
territory was north of the Hocking Eiver, the triangle in the 
southwest corner and across the river being a part of Falls, but at 
that time and at its organization it included Falls-Gore within its 
limits, as it did when made a voting precinct, but at the organiza- 
tion of the county in 1818 it was included in Falls Township. It 



1022 HISTORY OF HOCKING YAI.LKY. 

lost Falls-Gore in 1828, the people of Falls-Gore asking to be at- 
tached to Falls Township. This was March 4, 1S28, and since 
that time Green has held her present territory. It is bounded on 
the north by Falls-Gore, east by Ward, south by Starr, and west 
by Falls townships. 

ITS TOPOGRAPHY. 

The valleys found in Green Township are rather of a rolling nat- 
ure, the eroding of the past forming their undulating surface. 
The hills are rugged, and in some places are not subject to culti- 
vation; still, where not too steep, vegetation will thrive fairly, 
and grasses generally grow to their summit. From this cause and 
from the fact that it is one of the best-watered townships in the 
county, it would prove an excellent township for stock. 

ITS WEALTH OF WATER. 

Five-Mile Creek, a description of which is given in Starr Town- 
ship history, enters this township on section 25, in the southwest 
quarter, and flows north, joining its waters with the Hocking on 
the northeast quarter of section 26. 

Sandy Fork enters the township on the northwest quarter of 
section 31, and leaves it on the southeast quarter of the same sec- 
tion, meandering in a course of about one mile and a half. 

Oldtown Creek just crosses the west side of section 36. 

Three-Mile Creek is so named from the fact that the main stream 
is but little over three miles long. It rises on sections 24 and 30, 
and, running in a southerly course, flows into a bayou connecting 
with the Hocking River on the southeast quarter of section 27. 
Small tributaries arising from springs empty into the main branch. 

Kitchen Run is another small stream, which takes its rise on 
sections 10, 11 and 12, uniting together flows in a southeasterly 
course, and unites its waters with those of Monday Creek, leav- 
ing the township at the northeast corner of section 4. Its tribu- 
taries are small. The stream takes its name from a man by the 
name of Kitchen, from the further fact that he ran a race with a 
couple of other hunters on the bank of this stream. They had 
killed a deer, and it was proposed to run a race for the possession, 
or rather ownership of the skin. Kitchen won the race and the 
skin, and the stream was given the name of " Kitchen Run." 

Hocking River passes through from the northwest to the south- 
east, leaving about two thirds of the town north and east of the river, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1023 

and the remaining one third south and west. In the valley of this 
river is the wealth of its agricultural lands, rich in its productive 
capacity, the soil being almost inexhaustible in its nature. 

COAL AND IRON. 

Both coal and iron are found in this township, but the latter has 
not been largely developed, and no very large seams have been 
found. The township lies properly within the coal measure; the 
western line being irregular, has been found extending into Laurel 
Township; and, as you go south, this irregularity extends further 
west until it touches Ross County, coal having been found in 
Eagle Township, Vinton County, on its western side. The coal in 
Green lies in the hills which skirt the valley of the Hocking, and 
is considerable above the level of the valley. 

The Hay den Mining and Manufacturing Company, who are 
doing a large business in sewer pipes, are also interested in the 
Hay den Coal Mine originally belonging to and opened by Peter 
Ilayden. The company has some 2,800 acres of land, and fire clay 
is found in large quantity. The company was incorporated in De- 
cember, 1882, with Peter Hay den as president and principal stock- 
holder, he originally owning the whole property; C. H. Ilayden, 
vice-president, and John W. Jones, general manager. The sewer 
pipe factory is in course of erection near the railroad depot. This 
will be carried on in connection with mining:, the mines having: the 
capacity to work about 130 men. Mr. Ilayden built a switch two 
miles long to his bank, and using two engines and a mining engine 
on coal level. This is the largest mining industry in the township 
excepting the Craft Furnace Company. Green Township's mining 
interests, like many others in the Hocking Valley is yet in its 
infancy, but perhaps the railroad projects which are now starting, 
intending to penetrate the coal and iron region of the Hocking 
Valley, will open up a more extended manufacturing and mining 
interest. The proposed building of these roads has also started the 
owners of the coal lands, who will open them up the moment trans- 
portation facilities are at command. The new lines projected will 
strike the heart of the coal and iron region and in connection with 
the project of the belt railroad are destined to develop the coal and 
iron resources of the vallej' to a magnificent extent. 



1024 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



CRAFT S FURNACE. 



This is one of the largest as well as one of the best furnaces in the 
Hocking Valley. It was formerly located at Newport, Ky., opposite 
Cincinnati. It was found cheaper to freight the pig iron than the ore, 
and the furnace was removed from Newport in the spring of 1877, 
by its owners, the Craft Iron Company. The company are owners 
of about 900 acres of mineral land with an inexhaustible supply of 
iron ore and coal. The capacity of the furnace is forty-five tons per 
day. The buildings are extensive and of brick. The stack is fifty- 
six feet high; diameter at tugers, ten feet; at bosh, eighteen and a 
half, and some Lake Superior ore is used, mixed with native ore. 
The fuel used is bituminous coal and the machinery of the latest 
invention for their work. The furnace went into blast Nov. 5, 
1879, and has continued from that date, except some temporary 
stops, up to May 21, 1883; she then blew out to make general re- 
pairs. The company will also build one new hot blast, another 
battery of boilers (they now have three batteries of two boilers 
each), and will put in new hearth, tressel, etc. The company went 
into the combination known as the Columbus and Hocking Val- 
ley Coal and Iron Company March 1, 1883. This furnace is located 
on section 5 in Green Township, Hocking County. Frank Wheeler, 
general superintendent. Grove Stoddard, bookkeeper. When in full 
blast 130 men are employed at the furnace and mines. There is no 
town laid out here, yet the small residences of the workmen form 
quite a group and look like an embryo village. A postoffice was 
opened in 1879 with the name of Glendale, but the place generally 
goes by the name of Craft's Furnace. It lies on the Monday Creek 
branch of the Hocking Valley Railroad. In connection with their 
business the company run a large general store, in which the post- 
office is also kept, and Grove Stoddard, the first Postmaster, still 
retains the position. 

saw-mills. 

The mill known as the Boardman Mill was first erected in 1850' 
or '52 on section 34. It was burned in 1855. The mill was rebuilt 
the next year and a planing-mill added in 1S60, the first of the kind 
in Hocking County. The old Pattun Mill, now among the things 
of the past, was first used as a saw-mill, the oldest probably in the 
township, having been erected in 1825. Seven years after a grist- 
mill, custom run, was added. Robert Patton w r as the owner and. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1025 

it was run by water-power, and located on section 13. It was kept 
in the family as long as ic was in operation. The freshet of I860 
carried away the dam and it was never rebuilt. 

The old Lehman mill, on Little Monday Creek, on the southwest 
quarter of section 6, was said to have been put up in 1823 by 
Ephraim Parker, but some seem to think the old Patton Mill was 
first. The mill has been overhauled and rebuilt several times and 
it was some years after when Warner Lehman added the grist- 
mill department. It, however, only ground corn. James Fluharty 
became proprietor after Lehman, but the mill has now been idle 
since 1881. It will only be known in the future as a relic of the 
past. Another saw-mill was run by water-pjwer on Little Creek, 
erected on the northwest quarter of section 12, in 1853. It was 
owned by William Martin, but was abandoned in 1860. It went 
by the name of Martin's Mill. The "Dew Mill" was the next, 
built in 1853 by James Dew. It was a saw-mill, and a corn cracker 
was added in 1859. The mill was located on section 34 on the ca- 
nal at the lock below Bjardman's Mill. The old saw-mill gave up 
the ghost in 1872, but the corn cracker is yet doing duty in grind- 
ing feed. George Smith is the present owner. 

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The early arrival of pioneers into Green Township can date from 
1812 to 1815, but few, however, were found within the limits of 
the township at that date. From 1815 to 1S20 the township grew 
fairly and the settlers were scattered over the township along the 
valleys of the several creeks, as well as in the valley of the Hock- 
ing. This last was the most thickly settled, as it gave a larger area 
of land fit for cultivation. Robert Patton, Ephraim Parker, Henry 
Sweazy (the latter from New Jersey), Warner Lehman and perhaps 
fifty families were in the township up to 1823, the time it was de- 
clared a voting precinct, which then included Falls-Gore. Joseph 
Kitchen and a few others who led a hunting and trapping life along 
the streams had homes in Green Township, but they were gone 
about half or two thirds of their time. Kitchen came in 1S19 or 
1820. Henry Sweazy reared a family of fourteen children. Was 
a good citizen and neighbor. Three of his children are now all 
that are living. 

HAYDENVILLE 

is a small hamlet or village, but has never been regularly laid out. 
Its existence dates from 1852, and the} ground on which it 
65 



1026 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

stands belongs to Peter Hayden. One general store is kept by 
Mr. Hayden, and there is but little other business. Mr. Hayden 
also owns the ground known as Hopperville, at his coal-hopper 
across the hill from the old village. There is a school-house 
and also a Methodist Episcopal church, called Haydenville 
Chapel, which was erected in 1870 by the citizens. The church 
was organized with twelve members, which has grown to the num- 
ber of sixty- three. Rev. David Smith is Pastor and service is held 
regularly. John Sterling is Class leader. Sunday-school is kept 
up the entire year and prayer-meetings are held each Wednesday 
night. The church has developed a large amount of good to the 
community. There is a class-meeting held every Sabbath. 

Miller's Chapel. — The Methodist Episcopal church known as 
Miller's Chapel is located on section 33. The church was first 
known as Crawford's Chapel, organized in 1847, holding its first 
meetings at a school-house. The old church was built in 1850 and 
served its purpose for twenty-one years. This was a log church and 
about one mile from the present location. The church was removed 
and renamed Miller's Chapel. The new church was erected in 1870, 
costing something over $1,100. It was dedicated Jan. 8, 1871, by 
the Rev. J. T. Miller, Presiding Elder of the Gallipolis district. 
When moved the class had sixteen members, and it is slowly gain- 
ing, now having twenty, under the present pastorate of the Rev. 
David Smith. Service is held each alternate Sabbath, and class- 
meeting alternately with the service. Prayer-meetings are also 
held. 

Bethel Chapel . — This was one of the earliest churches in the 
township, and was located on land now owned by J. Nutter. In 
1869 the Methodist Episcopal church, known as Smith's Chapel, 
was organized about one and a half miles southwest of Bethel, and 
was joined by some of its members, and Bethel Chapel became a 
thing of the past. 

Smith's Chapel. — This society may be considered the successor 
of Bethel Chapel. It was organized March 26, 1869, on Good 
Friday, in a school-house not far from where stands the neat and 
pleasant white chapel which now greets the eye. Among the 
original members the following names were found, viz. : Isaiah 
Voris, Nancy Voris, Harriet Voris, Jas. Nelson, Mary Nelson, Julia 
A. Fry, J. T. Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Martha Hopkins, Lydia 
Baird and Sarah Allen. The church now numbers sixty-four mem- 
bers. The church lies in the valley of the Hocking, situated on 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1027 

. rising eminence or crest about two miles below Logan, looking 
like an angel in its purity, guarding its flock below. Its Pastor 
is Rev. David Smith. Service is held twice a month, and class- 
meeting with prayer each alternate Sabbath, the latter on Wednes- 
day nights during the winter months. Sabbath-school is kept up 
six months in the year. 

The New Zion Church of the United Brethren was first organ- 
ized about 1850, with only a few members, and for quite awhile 
services were held at the residences of the members, and from 
there they worship at what was called the Poplar school-house, 
which was located on the southeast quarter of section 8. This 
continued until 1861, when the society had grown strong enough 
to build a church of their own. This they did, changing their lo- 
cation about one mile northeast from the school-house and on the 
northeast quarter of section 9. The church building was 32 x 
36, frame, and comfortably finished and neatly furnished. The 
class was reorganized, a portion of what was called the Lehman 
class joining them. The new organization was conducted by the 
Rev. Wm. Burnworth. The church has now a membership of forty 
and is fairly prosperous. Preaching is had twice a month by the 
Rev. J. H. Dickson, the present Pastor. Other meetings are also 
held, and a Sunday-school is kept during the pleasant spring and 
summer months. 

Neiv Fellowship Church is one of the oldest church organiza- 
tions in Hocking County and when first organized, in 1828, was 
known as Fellowship Church of the United Brethren. Services 
were held at the houses of the members. In warm weather Mr. 
Sweazy's barn being rather more commodious was used. About 
1832 or 1833 they erected a place of worship of hewn logs, located 
on section 24, and on the southeast quarter of the section. This 
was used until 1839, when they erected a frame church on the 
same lot, 28 x34 feet in size, plainly finished. After forty-three 
years the old church building was sold and a commodious house 
of worship erected at a costof $2,000. This building was 36 x 11, 
giving ample room, and neatly finished throughout. It is in mem- 
bership and influence one of the largest and most influential of the 
rural churches in the county. The new house was built in 1882, 
and was dedicated in September of that 3 T ear, and named "New 
Fellowship." Rev. J. 11. Dickson is the Pastor, and the mem- 
bership numbers 114. Preaching is held ever}' alternate Sabbath; 
prayer-meeting, Thursday nights; young folks' prayer-meeting, 
every Sunday night, and Sabbath-school, six months each year. 



1028 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the old Meth- 
odist organizations in the county, but failing to find the record the 
date could not be given. It had all the hard experience of early 
days, the members depending upon their own houses for a place 
of worship for several years, and finally securing the use ol a 
school-house. During the decade between 1850 and 1860 they 
succeeded in building a neat trame church, which, while not 
largely increasing its membership, gave them a much larger congre- 
gation. The church needing repair, the Odd Fellows' Lodge of Ebe~ 
nezer offered in 1872 to add another story and fully repair the church 
for the use of the second story as a lodge-room for twenty-five years. 
This was granted. Service is held semi-monthly by the Rev. 
David Smith, and the membership is nineteen. Sunday-school and 
prayer-meetings are kept up nine months of the year. 

Greenland Lodge, No. 542. — This lodge of the I. O. O. F. is 
located at Ebenezer and was established Aug. 31, 1872, with nine 
charter members: Isaac Cohagan, Brown Dyson, George W. Ad- 
cock, Benjamin Coakley, Isaac Tom, Anthony Bumgardner, Ste- 
phen Sharrock, Win. Blackstone and Isaac P. England. The first 
officers were: Isaac England, JN . G. ; S. Sharrock, V. G. ; A. Bum- 
gardner, Secretary, and Isaac Cohagan, Treasurer. The order has 
been a very successful one. Tuey have a hall ot their own, having 
added a story and repaired the Ebenezer church. The contract for 
us) of hall runs twenty-five years. The lodge has grown from the 
nine members above, in eleven years to 111 members. The pres- 
ent officers are: John Bryan, N. G. ; Levi Robertson, Y. G.; Isaac 
England, Recording Secretary; J. H. Blackston, Secretary, and 
Eli Chute, Treasurer. 

ASSESSED VALUATION. 

The Assessor's returns gives the valuation of Green Township 
as follows: Value of real estate, $369,466; personal property, 
$332,647; total, $702,113. 

SCHOOLS. 

The schools of Green Township number nine and they are ar- 
ranged both in location and furniture for the interest of the chil- 
dren of the township. The schools of late years have shown 
marked improvement, as more care has been taken in employing 
only competent teachers. The school money for 1882 from the 
State amounted to $1,825.49, and the school year has averaged from 
twenty-four to thirty-two weeks. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1029 

POPULATION. 

The population by townships is not found back of 1840 by 
any reference at hand. That year Green Township was the third 
in population, being exceeded only by Falls and Marion. In 1840 
it was 1,189; in 1850, 1,290; in 1860, 1,440; in 1870, 1,513; in 
1880, 2,017. This is in the last decade a good showing, and while 
she has steadily but slowly gained in previous decades, the last is 
far in excess of the average of the State, the latter gaining 
twenty per cent, and the township thirty-three and one-third per 
cent., both within fractions. The county's gain was only about 
eighteen per cent., which was not quite up to the average of the 
State, and therefore now behind some two per cent. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The officers of Green Township in 1854, were : Trustees, H. 
Tom, John Guess and "William Pritter; Treasurer, B. Webb; 
Clerk, A. Bumgardner; Assessor, D. Beagles; Constables, J. 
Beard and T. Everet. The present officers elected in 1883 are : 
Trustees, Eli Patton, C. Smith and L. Kepler; Treasurer, G. W. 
Smith; Clerk, E. Clark; Assessor, C. Kritz; Constables, Jacob 
Kepler and E. Roby. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Samuel M. Botts, deceased, late of Green Township, was born 
in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 31, 1833, a son of John Botts, 
who brought his family to Hocking County when Samuel was but 
a small bo} r . lie received his education in the common schools, 
and at the High School at Albany, in Athens County, Ohio. He 
taught school eight winters, and was a successful teacher, but fail- 
ing health forced him to abandon the profession. Oct. 2S, 1S56, 
he married Lucinda C. Parker, a daughter of Albert Parker, an 
early settler of Green Township. They had two children — Mary 
Ellen and Clara M. The latter died April 9, 18S3, at the age of 
twenty-three years. Mary Ellen is now the wife of Charles II. 
Shaw, a son of John A. Shaw. He was born Nov. 17, 1853, in 
this township. They have had three children — Lucy M., Cora F. 
(deceased) and Gertrude. Mr. Botts died Jan. 13, 1874, loved 
and respected by all. He was an Odd Fellow in good standing, 
and a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. 
Botts and Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are also members of the Methodist 
church. 



1030 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

David Boioen, section 19, Green Township, was born in Athens 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, Dec. 11, 1819, a son of David 
Bowen. a native of New England, and an early settler of Athens 
County. Our subject was reared on a farm and attended a sub- 
scription school. At the age of seventeen years he learned the 
stone mason's trade, and cut stone on the Hocking Canal for three 
years, and has worked at the trade at intervals since that time. 
He came to Hocking County in 1843, and has since resided in 
Green Township, where he owns 212 acres of valuable land, and 
is engaged in farming and stock-raising, making line sheep a 
specialty. He owns sixty acres in Starr Township. He was mar- 
ried Jan 1,1843, to Margaret Kirkland, by whom he had six chil- 
dren — Kussell, Mary J., John, "Warren, David and Edmond. Mrs. 
Bowen died July 26, 1871, and in 1872 he married Lucinda Lacy. 
They have had two children — Hester A. (deceased) and Charles 
O. Mr. Bowen was Township Trustee three years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity and of the Presbyterian church. 

Mussel J. Butin, born in Starr Township, April 1, 1840, a son 
of Peter Butin, deceased, a native of the city of Amsterdam, New 
Holland. His grandfather, James Butin, left Germany for Amer- 
ica in 1797, and settled in New York. Our subject has been a 
mechanic since boyhood. He was united in marriage in 1866 to 
Fredonia A., daughter of William C. Atkins. Four children have 
been born to them whose names are: Lydia I., Clara J., William 
A. and James W. Mr. Butin b2longs to the Masonic fraternity, and 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

George W. Cohogan, section 3, Green Township, was born in 
Muskingum County, Ohio, April 7, 1818. His father, Thomas 
Cohogan, a native of Virginia, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. He came to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1817. Our sub- 
ject was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools. 
He moved to Perry County in 1833, and in 1863 came to this 
county and settled on the place where he now resides. Jan. 12, 
1843, he was married to Mary A.^Saffell, daughter of Amos Saffell. 
They have had fourteen children, nine still living, whose names 
are: William, John, Elizabeth, Sarah C, Alice A., Martha 
J., Ann M., James A. and Minerva. He and wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cohogan owns a farm of 
eighty acres and is engaged in general farming. He has been 
Justice of the Peace for three years, and was re-elected in the 
spring of 1883. 



HISTORr OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1031 

Samuel B. England, deceased, late of Green Township, was 
oorn in this county. April 1, 1843, a son of Nathan R England, 
deceased. He was reared on a farm and received his education at 
the Logan Union schools, after which he taught school several 
terms. He was superintendent at Craft's Furnace in this township 
nearly three years. Sept. 29, 1869, he was married to Helena T., 
daughter of Joseph Wolf, deceased. They have been blessed with 
six children, four of whom are deceased. Those surviving are: 
Alice and William R.; the deceased are: Mary M., Effie E., Waldo 
W. and Joseph. Mr. England died Jane 18, 1880, he and his 
children being buried in the Logan cemetery. He and three of the 
children died of typhoid fever within two or three months, and the 
first died April 5, 18S0. lie was a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. 

Edwird D. Lehman, foreman of the farm of the Mining and 
Manufacturing Compmy, was b)rn in Greeu Township, Jau. 16, 
1852, a son of Samuel Lehman, who lost his life while in the late 
war, and Susannah (Tom) Lehman. They were the parents of 
eight children, six of whom are living — Mary C. (Mrs. W. Palmer), 
Edward, Caroline (Mrs. George Lutz), Emmet O., Hannah S. and 
Susannah. Our subject has b^en engaged in the following occupa- 
tions: That of a farmer, miner, brick-molder, stone-mason, and 
well-digging, although he has followed farming most of the time. 
Jan. 17, 1SS1, he married Mary E., daughter of Harvey S. Sudlow, 
of Starr Township. He has been a memb3r of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church for the past six years, and has bsen Superintendent 
of the Sabbath-school several years. He is a member of the I. O . 
O. ¥. society. 

George W. Lihmin was born in Fairfield Count)', Ohio, Dec. 
28, 1823, a son of William Lehman (deceased), an early settler of 
Fairfield County. He was reared on a farm and educated at the 
common schools. He was married April 23, 1843, to Mary, 
daughter of Christopher Ililes. They have had four children, all 
deceased except David, who is married to Sarah Allen. Andrew, 
Joshua and Nancy are deceased. In March, 1846, he came to 
this county and settled in this township. He resides on section 15 
and owns 266 acres of fine land, and is engaged as a farmer and 
stock raiser. Mr. Lehman owns a very fine horse c tiled Pleasant 
Valley Bill, his weight being l,400jpounds. 

Henry P. Moiorey, section 12, Greeu Township, was born in 
this township Feb. 5, 1S53. He was reared a farmer and educated 
at the common schools, lie has been engaged in mining the past 



2032 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ten years in which he lias been very successful. lie was married 
March 11, 1880, to Miss Fannie C, daughter of Jacob B. Angle, ot 
this township. They have had two children — Xoel Henry (de- 
ceased) and Nellie May. He is a member of the United Brethren 
church at Gore, and his wife a member of the same denomi- 
nation at New Fellowship, this township. The father of our sub- 
ject, Andrew J. Mowrey, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Aug. 
15, 1832, a son of Henry Mowrey (deceased), a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, who came to Ohio in an early day. He was reared a farmer 
and always followed that avocation. He came with his parents 
to Athens County in 1836, where they settled in Ames Township » 
on what is now the Mason farm. In 1850 he came to Hocking 
County where he has since resided. He was married May 2, 1852, 
to Jane, daughter of Warner Lehman (deceased), an early settler 
of this county. They are the parents of thirteen children, eleven 
of whom are still living, whose names are — Henry P., William H., 
Samuel W., Joshua, Mary L., Thomas J., Clara A., Benjamin 
C, Emma J., Idella J. and George A. 

John Nutter, residing on section 23, Green Township, was born 
in Harrison County, W. Va., Sept. 13, 1813. When quite young 
his father, John Nutter, died and he came to Hocking County in 
1828 with his mother and settled in what is now Falls-Gore- 
Through hard work and economy they raised $100 and with it 
entered eighty acres of land. He was married Dec. 6, 1832, to 
Christina, daughter of Henry Sweazy. She was born in New- 
Jersey, July 15, 1813. They have had twelve children, nine still 
living — John T., Benjamin. Martha, Mary, Levi, Peter, Sarah, 
Thomas and Margaret T. Those deceased are — Henry, the eldest, 
died in Howard County. Mo., in L878, aged forty-four years; Elisha, 
killed in the late war in the charge at Fort Wagner, and Noah, 
killed by being run over by a loaded wagon when six years old, 
about 1846. Mr. Nutter has resided in Green Township ever 
since coming to Hocking County with the exception of six years 
(from 1838 to 1S14) spent in Wells County, End. He is the owner 
of 332 acres of land three miles due east of Logan, and follows the 
avocation of a farmer and stock raiser. He was County Commis- 
sioner six year-, and Land Appraiser in 1880. He was also Town 
Bhip Trustee four years and Township Treasurer a few years, and 
has been administrator of four estates. Mr. and Mrs. Nutter cele- 
brated their golden wedding Dec. 6, 1882, both being in excellent 
health. They have had seventy -one grandchildren and thirteen 
great-grandchildren. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1033 

/. G. Poston, Green Township, was born ,in Nelsonville, Ohio, 
Sept. 3, 1854, a son of Lorenzo D. Poston (deceased). Our subject 
was reared in Nelsonville and educated at that place and in Duff's 
Commercial College, Pittsburg, Pa. He was married May 15, 
1S78, to Josephine, daughter of Joseph Mercer (deceased), and has 
been blessed with two children — Edwin and Blanche. He is en- 
gaged in dealing in thoroughbred draft and trotting horses, 
having a number of very fine horses of the Clydesdale and Spartan 
stock, among them being Fanny Clyde, Spartan Jr., and Madrid. 
He is doing a good business and is the owner of 300 acres of land. 

Winjield S. Poston, section 21, Green Township, was born at 
Nelsonville, Ohio, Oct. 30, 1852, a son of L. D. Poston (deceased). 
He was reared and educated in his native town, and also attended 
Eastman's Commercial College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He then 
clerked in his father's store in Nelsonville for three years, and in 
1878 came to his present farm. He owns 300 acres, his business 
being that of a farmer and stock-raiser. His house is a two-story 
brick, situated on a beautiful eminence overlooking the Hocking 
Valley bottoms, railroad and canal. He was married April 12, 
1877, to Flora, daughter of Joseph "Wilson (deceased). They are 
the parents of one child — Bertie. 

Jesse J. Pobey, residing on section 23, Green Township, was 
born in this township Nov. 23, 1818. His father was William 
Robey (deceased), a native of Virginia, who came to this county in 
1817 and settled where Boardman's Mill now stands. Our subject 
was reared on a farm, and attended the subscription school of pion- 
eer days. He worked at framing locks on the Hocking Canal for 
a time, and has built several houses and barns. He now owns 204 
acres of land, and is engaged as a farmer and stock-raiser. July 2, 
1842, he married Mary, daughter of John Nutter, Sr. (deceased). 
They have been blessed with twelve children, ten of whom are 
living — Louisa, Elizabeth, Hester A., Catharine, Mary, Alice, 
John, Henry, Noah and William R Mr. Robey is a member of 
the United Brethren church, being a Trustee of New Fellowship 
United Brethren church. He is Treasurer of the ministerial asso- 
ciation, and is a School Trustee. He has held the office of Justice of 
the Peace since 1861 with the exception of one year. 

John A. Shaw was born in Frederick City, Md., Dec. 21, 1830, 
a son of John Shaw, of Falls Township. He came with his parents 
to Hocking County in 1839, where he was reared and educated, 
residing on his father's farm. In 1853 he came to Green Town- 



1034 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ship. Mr. Shaw was elected County Treasurer in 186S, re-elected 
in 1869, again in 1875 and in 1877, holding the office seven and a 
half years. In lS72-'73 he was Treasurer of Green Township. In 
1880 he was elected a Director of the County Infirmary, still retain- 
ing the position. Jan. 13, 1853. he married Josephine Rolsten, 
daughter ot David Rolsten, who came to Hocking from Mus- 
kingum County in 1840. They have nine children — Charles H., 
Harriet E., Sarah A., Josephine A., Edward S., Mary E., Dora J., 
Clara L. and John D. Charles H. married Mary Ellen Botts, 
daughter of Samuel Botts, and Harriet E. married G. L. Nelson, 
both residents of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw and their 
four eldest children are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Mr. Shaw is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, 
Lodge No. 542. He owns 369 acres of valuable land, residing on 
section 26, Green Township. 

Daniel C. Sherrard, foreman of the Sloan Hill opening, or entry 
for Haydenville Mining and Manufacturing Company, was born in 
Muskingum County, Dec. 25, 1847, a son of James Sherrard, of 
Haydenville, also a native of the same county. In November, 
1870, he came to Hocking County, where he still resides. He was 
engaged in mining for a period of twenty years, but for the last 
two and a half years has occupied his present position. He 
was married Jan. 25, 1872, to Catherine, daughter of Daniel 
Walters. Their children are — James, Nellie, Edith, Fred, Charles 
and Robert. Mr. Sherrard has been a member of the Masonic 
society eleven years, and of the I. O. O. F. society three years. 

Grove Stoddard, son of Pomeroy Stoddard (deceased), a native 
of Vermont, was born Dec. 29, 1833, in Lebanon, Warren Co., 
Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He worked on his 
father's farm till thirty-one years of age, when he went to Cincinnati 
and was employed by S. II. Burton & Co. as bookkeeper for six 
years, when the firm sold out to parties who organized the Green- 
wood Stove Company, and he remained with them nearly six years 
in the same capacity. In 1877 he entered the employ of Craft's 
Iron Company, where he remained as suparintendent till March, 
1883, when he was retained by the new comp.iny, viz., the Colum- 
bus & Hocking Coal and Iron Company, as head clerk and book- 
keeper. He was married Dec. 17, 1S61, to Matilda A., daughter 
of James Duncan (deceased). They have had two children — Mary 
E. and Minnie B., both deceased. Mrs. Stoddard is a native ot 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



1035 



Cincinnati, born Aug. 12, 1838. Mr. Stoddard has been Post- 
master at the Greendale postoffice, located at CrafVs Furnace, since 
its establishment in 1879. 

Lewis H. Wolf, son of Joseph Wolf, deceased, was born at Hay 
denville, Hocking County, March 27, 1S48. He was reared a 
farmer and received a common-school education. lie now resides 
on section 3, Green Township, where he is engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. He is the owner of 177 acres of land. He was 
married in 1868 to Alma E., daughter of Nathan R. England, de- 
ceased. Their children are — Flora A. (deceased), Charley, Edward, 
Walter, Mary M. and Joseph H. 

Hon. William A. Wright, section 21, Green Township, was born 
here, on the old homestead, Dec. 18, 1841, his father, John Wright, 
(deceased), being also a native of this township. He was reared on a 
farm and educated at the Logan Union School and at the Ohio Uni- 
versity. He possesses 347 acres of land, and is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace 
three years and served in the Ohio Legislature in 1882 and '83, and 
while in the Legislature he was interested in several bills, one be- 
ing in regard to the leasing of the Hocking Canal. He was mar- 
ried March 26, 1868, to Margaret, daughter of Samuel Wilhelm, 
of Fairfield County. They are the parents of six children, whose 
names are — Thomas S., Lottie A., James W., George L., Edward 
A. and Frederick E. Mr. Wright belongs to the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. society. 




CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

STARR TOWNSHIP— A TOWNSHIP THAT HAS A HISTORY. 

Boundary — Name — Water Courses — Timber — Pioneers — When 
They Came — Who They Were — Starr Postoffice — New Cadiz 
— Haydensville — Schools — Mills — Societies — Political — 
God's Acre — Religious — Churches — Township Officers — Bio- 
graphical. 

boundary, now and then. 

Starr Township is bounded on the north and east by Athens 
County, on the south by Vinton County, and on the west by 
Washington Township. Prior to 1850 the township was twelve 
miles long by three miles wide, containing the west half of its 
present territory and the west half of what is now Brown Town- 
ship, in Vinton County. All that part which now forms the east 
half constituted prior to 1850 a part of York Township in Athens 
County. 

The entire township is underlaid with coal, fire-elay and iron 
ore. The surface is rough and hilly and not so well adapted to 
agriculture as other portions of Hocking and Athens counties. 
The soil is best adapted to grazing and fruit culture, especially to 
the growing of peaches. 

NAME. 

In 1811 Joseph Starr wrote a personal letter to Henry O'Neill 
asking him to petition the Legislature to organize town 12, range 
16, in Hocking County, and name it Starr. It seems that Mr. 
O'Neill complied with Mr. Starr's request, but the exact date of 
his petition it has been impossible to ascertain. However, as early 
as July, 1812, the township transacted business under its present 
name. 

STREAMS. 

The first and largest stream which intersects this township is 
the Hocking River. It enters the township at the middle of the 
north line of section 18, flows a southeasterly course and leaves 
near the middle of the east line of section 5. 

(103G) 





^W^ 7 ^X^^slir// 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1037 

Raccoon Creek rises on section 16, takes a southerly course 
to its junction with the Buffalo Fork on the northeast quarter of 
section 14, thence southwesterly and west to its point of exit on 
the southeast quarter of section 31. 

The fountain head of Buffalo Fork of Raccoon Creek is on sec- 
tions 3 and 4, and flows a southwesterly direction to its confluence 
with the main branch of Raccoon. 

Five-Mile is composed of two main forks, one, originating on sec- 
tions 21, 22 and 28, flows north by Union Furnace and New Ca- 
diz, forming a junction on section 30 with the other main branch 
which originates in Green Township, enters Starr on the north- 
west quarter of section 30, and flows southeast to the point ol 
confluence with the other branch, then flows north, leaving the 
township on the northeast line of section 30, and enters Hocking 
River in Green Township. 

TIMBER. 

The timber of this township, now very scarce, is principally oak, 
maple, poplar and hickory, in their various species. 

OLD SETTLERS. 

In the summer of 1810 Henry O'Neill and two of his sons, 
James and Thomas, came from Portage County, Ohio, to where 
Starr postoffice now is, and erected a small log cabin in the pea- 
vines on the south bank of the Raccoon. The father returned to 
Portage County late in the fall, and brought his family to their 
new home the following spring. Henry O'Neill was born in Ire- 
land, May 26, 1753. He was a highly educated school-teacher, 
and came to America in 1791; first settled at Carlyle, Pa. In 
1796 he removed to Portage County, Ohio. In 1S0S he was ap- 
pointed Justice of the Peace in that county by the Governor and, 
as before stated, he made the first settlement of Starr Township 
in 1810. He was Justice of the Peace many years in this township, 
and was the first Postmaster here. He married Nancy Lee, also a 
native of Ireland, and reared a large family. His wife died in 
1S31, at the age of eighty years. John Clapp emigrated with his 
family to Starr Township in 1816. He was a native of Dutchess 
County, N. Y. He was the' father of thirteen children. 

James Lee came to Starr (now Brown) Township, Vinton County, 
in 1816. 



1088 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Joseph Sudlow settled on section 19in 1817. He built a cabin 
where the Pleasant Point Methodist Episcopal church now stands, 
lie was born in Connecticut and married Hannah Clapp, who 
came with her parents to this township in 1816, and was the tirst 

to teach school in the township. 

Seth Morse came in ISIS, and settled on the northwest quarter 
of section 13. He was born Dec. 12, 1776, in Connecticut. He 
married Polly Patterson in 1809, and was the father of six children, 
three of whom are still living. Mr. Morse died March 16, 1868. 

Isaac Lewis came in ISIS. He was a native of Connecticut. 
He died here May 5, 1861, aged sixty-two years. 

Edward Terry came in 1821 and settled on the southeast quarter 
of section 15. 

Zina Ferris was born in Vermont, Aug. 4, 1795. He worked 
at chair-making several years, and came to Columbus, Ohio (which 
was then a village), in 1SL7, where he worked at manufacturing 
surveyors' instruments, and in 1822 he came to Starr Township 
and settled on the northwest quarter oi' section 20. where he still 
resides, and is the oldest man in Starr Township. He married 
Alma Morse, daughter of Seth Morse, Jan. 23, 1S23. 

3TABB P08TOFFICE 

was established as early as 1815, with Henry O'Neill as Post- 
master, lie was succeeded by John Wright. In 1846 "Wright was 
succeeded by Isaac Lewis, at whose death Lafayette Eggleston be- 
came Postmaster. The office was discontinued for about two 
years during the war, and then re-established with Mr. Egglestou 
as Postmaster. It is now kept in the railroad depot. The tirst 
store was established at Starr in 1S3S, by Bennett & Stockton, of 
\ sonville. A blacksmith shop was built here in ISIS. There 
is oue church — the property of the Methodists. 

NEW CADIZ 

is situated on the northwest quarter of section 23, and was laid out 
in February. L854, by dames Blackburn and Melissa Putin. It 
was surveyed and platted by Colonel Levi Davis, of Logan. The 
main street is sixty feet wide and runs north and south. Water 
street is also sixty feet wide, runs east and west. For some 
years there was a store there, but none at present. It has a doctor, 
a blacksmith shop, and a Presbyterian church. They never had a 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1039 

regular postoffice, but had what they termed the Five-mile box in 
the Logan postoffice, and when any one of the citizens went to town 
he brought the mail for the entire neighborhood, and left it at Car- 
rick's. They now get their mail at Union Furnace. The popula- 
tion of Cadiz is about 100. 

HAYDENVILLE. 

This little village is in Green Township, but the railroad station 
and postoffice are in Starr. 

The first marriage in Starr Township was James O'Neill to Ruth 
Donaldson. The first birth was Henry O'Neill, son of John and 
Abigail O'Neill. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school was taught by Hannah Clapp, on the O'Neill 
homestead, section 25. At present there are ten school districts 
and school-houses in the township. The school fund for 1882 
amounted to $1,768.58. 

The first brick house in Hocking County was erected in 1825 by 
Joseph Sudlow on the northwest quarter of section 19. 

The old Woodard House was built late in the fall and winter of 
1824. It was built for Ichabod Woodard, Sr., and still stands on 
the old place, on the east half of section 15. 

MILLS. 

The first mill was a hand mill on a small stream which flows into 
the Raccoon from the south at Starr postoffice, and was run by 
water-power. It has since been known as Mill Run. In 1815 
James O'Neill erected a saw-mill and constructed a dam on the 
O'Neill farm. In later years it was rebuilt, but on the opposite 
bank, and is still standing. In 1838 Christopher Wolf, Sr., built 
a dam across Hocking River on section 11, and erected a saw-mill 
there the same fall. In 1S48 he sold to James O. Austin, who ran 
it until his death in 1852. It afterward became the property of 
Ohio Patton, who has added a set of corn burrs. 

Wolfs Lock Mill was built by George W. Benedict in 1855, at 
the lock on the Hocking Canal, known as Wolf's Lock. In 1859 
it was purchased by Wilford Stiers, who sold a half interest to 
George Carter in the fall of the same year, and in 1861 Mr. Stiers 
sold the rest of his interest. After passing through various hands 
it finally went down several years ago. 



L040 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

HdydenvilU LnlijJ.O.O.F., J\"o. 541, was instituted in Sep- 
tember, 1872, with William Devore, N. G.; J. L. Sterling, V. G. 
The present Noble Grand is J. L. Sterling; Secretary, Daniel 
Sherrard. They have a fine hall on the northeast quarter of section 
L8, near the Ilaydenville depot. 

POLITICAL. 

In politics Starr Township is largely Republican, although in 
elections tor local officers the citizens do not confine themselves to 
a party vote. Sometime during the late war the Republican cen- 
tral committee proposed to donate a flag to the township in Hook- 
ing County that would give the largest Republican majority. 
There being but two Republican townships in the county, Starr 
and Green, the contest laid between them. Starr came off victo- 
rious by a large majority, and was presented with the tlag. 

CEMETERIES. 

There are now ten cemeteries in this township : Asbury, on 
section 1; the Groves cemetery, on section 9; the Sndlow, on 
section 15; the Morse, on section 19; the O'Neill, on section 2o; 
the McKendree, on section 33; the Chidester, on section 34; the 
Oroy, on section 24; the Wolf, on section 12; and the Mt. Zion 
cemetery, on section 3. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Among t he first' to hold religions services was a Rev. Mr. 
Camp, of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He preached 
in the houses o( Henry O'Neill, Joseph Sndlow and John Clapp. 

The Christian Church* at Mineral Chapel, was first organized 
June s , L846, with nine members, on Five-Mile Creek, by Elders 
A. S. Alderman an 1 .1. W. Brown. It prospered for awhile, and 
died down and was revived in l^t'.S and 1869 by Rev. G. N. 
McDaniel, and again in 1^71 and 1875 through the preaching oi 
Elder Isaac Smallwood. The house, a hewed-log structure, wa9 
built several years ago. At the time of the suspending of opera- 
tions at Union Furnace the church went down, as most of the com- 
municants removed. There are now but six members, and.no ser 
vices are held. 

The Mt. Zion Christian Church was organized in August, 1SG5. 
by Elder J. W. Brown, with nine members, services having been 
held for two years previous in the Bolinger school-Louse. The 



HIST LEY. 

tituent members were: J< ' on, James McDaniel, 

White, Joshua Hard, Sally Hurd, Rachel 

lj<:IH:<:!i. Mary J. Gr< ;;<:. :,v ',-.<; Other. Tt v 7 WOrshi 

me of the Union Sec tian Church until 

in 1868, whi erected the present commodious h< 

x40 feet. It v.'a dedi< ated The first 

and present D John Mason a 

Atkison led to trie nam 1 , [arch, 18$ 

first and k, John Ma .nt.il 

L867. Eedied in 1874. Services each first and third Sabbath by 
>rs Wm. Winn and W. J. Warrener. Sabbath-school six 
months in the year. Prayer and lov< Sabbath. 

eighty-two cornmunicar;'. ] le ho 
tion 

T/". Union Christian Church at Laurel Run. — Elder*] 
Co( •: a protractc 

head of Laurel Run, March ■ or- 

th thirty-:- even n. 
Deacons, George W. .: : - and It 
worship in the 

Asbury Methodi ! /:'// ' 7 - "' Church. — In tl 
a class was _ sed in the 

known as the Maxwell elase rintil the present ho built in 

lhZl, when it i I to its present name in h 

Aebury. Th< i first in Maxwell's h< r a time 

in tl 1 on the H g .ton 

nty line in the neighborhood of the church. T 
• 
McKendree Ct Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. — 

1871, and t • ed from I 

McKendree church near by and assumed name 

house is a frame 

municants. Services < 
TJ 

eld in th< •' 

] 

. '.' 
W. 11. McCutcheon and D 
then in < ring year William 

McClintock and R. B. lie: year, 

licKendre* 



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pos< >. Bftu< M rse, rh« I 

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s all others ; a mark 

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Rev, Willis Y. D*ci 

■ .' se was 

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. '•'■■ tss wh 

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si t Episcopa ves 

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mot! • >me in p 

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in 1863, located o 
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lOJrrt HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Zachariali Hunt, Clerks. Prior to 1821 the offices were filled by 
appointment. The election resulted as follows: Justice of the 
Peace, Jacob JByerly; Trustees, Sylvanus Finney and Peter Krider; 
Clerk, Francis Bartlett; Treasurer, Henry O'Neill; Constables, 
P. Buckingham, Zachariah Hunt. 

The township officers for 1883 are: Justices of the Peace, 
Homer Stiers and F. M. Simms; Trustees, A. Mosure, I. Y. Hart- 
sel and A. Brown; Clerk, R. B. Longstreth; Treasurer, B. C. Mc- 
Manigal; Assessor, C. S. Bay; Constables, R. Williams, I. JV1. 
Weed. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

William H. Armstrong, farmer and stock-raiser, section 34, Starr 
Township, was born in Preston County, W. Va., Feb. 21, 1857. 
He came with his parents to this township in 1861, and settled 
where he now resides. He was married Aug. 18, 1874, to Anna 
Ciiidester, daughter of Peter Chidester, Es<p, an early settler of 
this township — but now a resident of Starr County, Ind. They have 
four children — Susan C, Albert M., Frances E. and Raymond D. 
Mr. Armstrong owns 145 acres of valuable land, and makes a 
specialty of fine-sheep culture. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Isaiah F. Armstrong) 
father of the above, was born in Preston County, W. Va., in 1S20, 
and came to this county in 1861. He married Elizabeth Cupp in 
1S43. They had ten children, six now living — Isaac K., George 
P., William EL, Fannie, Mary M. and Sarah B. They are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Samuel L<tirs<>n Atkison, section 8, Starr Township, was born in 
Morgan County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1842. He came with his parents 
to Starr Township in 1852. lie was married May 15, 1866, to 
Sarah E. Dean, daughter of Jesse Dean, of this township. They 
have four children — Albert A., John II., Jesse C. and Lynna M. 
Mr. Atkison owns eighty acres of land, and is engaged in general" 
farming and fruit-growing. Mr. and Mrs. Atkison are members of 
the Christian church at Mount Zion, of which he is deacon. John 
Atkison (deceased), the father of the above, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, Jan. 1, 1S19. His father, Samuel Atkison, removed with 
his family to Harrison County, Ohio, when John was but a child. 
He came to Morgan County, Ohio, when a young man and to 
Hocking County in 1852, and settled in Starr Township, where he 
resided until his death, Sept. 20, 1869. He was married, Aug. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY". 1045 

27, 1840, to Eve Ann Frey, by whom he had three children — Sam- 
uel L., Nancy J. and Mary E. The eldest daughter, now Mrs. 
William J. Mason, resides in Midland County, Mich., and the 
youngest, now Mrs. Banon Woolery, resides on the old home- 
stead. 

James 0. Austin, deceased, was the sixth child of James and 
Susan Austin, and was born in Newcastle County, Djl., Oct. 15, 
1808. He came to Muskingum County, Ohio, when a young man? 
and soon after went to Wayne County, Ind., but on account of 
sickness returned to Muskingum County. He was married to 
Catharine Spangler Aug. 13, 1837, and at once removed to Lan- 
caster, Ohio. Mrs. Austin is a daughter of George and Barbara 
Spangler, and was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., May 18, 
1814. They had five children, three now living — George W., 
James S., and Mary C. The deceased were — Sarah J. and Henry 
C. Mr. Austin came with his family to Starr Township in 
1848 and resided on what is now the Ohio Patton farm, and 
owned and ran the saw-mill at that point. He owned there 444 
acres of land. Mr. Austin died March 1, 1852. He was a kind 
husband and affectionate father. The administrator managed" badly 
and they lost the most of their property. The boys were small, 
and were compelled to work hard, but being industrious were very 
successful. George and Mary, with their mother, reside on the 
farm, on section 16. where they removed in 1856, having resided 
the two years previous on Raccoon Cree,k. George W. was born 
Jan. 30, 1840. He attended the common schools for three months 
in the winter for a few years, and worked the remainder of the year. 
He is an industrious and enterprising man and now has charge of 
the home farm. 

James S. Austin, Starr Township, was born in Lancaster, Ohio, 
Jan. 17, 1843, a son of James O. Austin. He came with his pa- 
rents to this county when quite small, and except two or three 
years residence in Taylorsville, Ohio, has since resided in Hock- 
ing County. His father died when he was small, and he and his 
brother George supported the family. The father left an abun- 
dance for their support, but through the mismanagement of the 
administrator they lost the most of their property, and had it not 
been for the energy of the sons the family might have suffered. 
They were industrious, hard workers and good managers. Mr. 
Austin enlisted for four months in Company K, One Hundred and 
Fiftv-first Regiment, Ohio National Guards. He was stationed at 



1046 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

forts Sumner, Carney and Reno respectively, and was present 
when Breckenridge made his charge upon Washington. He was 
married Sept. 9, 1869, to Abigail E., daughter of John Mason, of 
this township. She was born Jan. 1, 18-42, in Greene County, 
Penn. They have two children — Amos O. and Mary Ethel. Our 
subject is engaged in general farming on section 22. 

Darius Bennett, a prominent mechanic of New Cadiz, was born 
in Starr Township, March 22, 1S41, and is a son of Jacob Bennett, 
a native of Madison County, N. Y., who came to Starr Township 
nearly sixty years ago and settled in the woods. Our subject was 
brought up on the old homestead and received a common- school 
education. He possesses much ingenuity and early learned the 
use of mechanicaltools. He mastered the carpenter's trade while 
yet a boy without an instructor. He also possesses a knowledge of 
machinery. He erected the machinery and operated a steam en- 
gine at Straitsville for three years. For the past two years he has 
been erecting coal-hoppers aud screens. He was married in the 
fall of 1860 to Frances A., daughter of Wesley Campbell, of Cadiz. 
They have four children — Warren, Josephine (Thompson), Cynthia 
L. and Herman. Mrs. Bennett died July 10, 1878. Mr. Bennett 
was married July 19, 1882, to Charlotte Stemler. His father, Ja- 
cob Bennett, was born Feb. 1, 1788, and married Mrs. Rueann 
Harper, April 22, 1840. She is a daughter of John Mathenv. 
Jacob Bennett died April 12, 1861. 

Lemuel Tobias Bethel, a farmer of Starr Township, Hocking 
Co., Ohio, was born in Hampshire County, Va., Nov. 9, IS 18, 
a son of Joshua and Nancy (Kidwell) Bethel. His parents 
moved to Ohio and settled near Senecaville, Guernsey County, 
when he was seven years of age. When he was twenty-two years 
of age he purchased a farm near Senecaville and carried it on till 
1855, when he came to Athens County and settled in Trimble 
Township, living there till 1S68. He then removed to Harrison 
Township, Vinton Count} 7 , and in 1S80 purchased his present 
farm in Starr Township. In February, 1842, he married Rebecca 
Slater, of Guernsey County. They have eight children — Caroline, 
now Mrs. John Maxwell; Albert S., of Nelson ville; Joshua C; 
Nancy M., now Mrs. J. II. Anderson, of Vinton County; Lettice 
Ann, now Mrs. D. Ogg, of Vinton County; George William; John 
Lemuel; Mary I., now Mrs. Charles Collins, of Pike County. They 
have lost one daughter, Rebecca J., wife of Levi Collins, who 
died Dec. 14, 1881, aged twenty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Bethel 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1047 

are members of the Methodist church. He is a member of Hock- 
hocking Lodge, No. 339, I. 0. O. F., Nelsonville. While a resi- 
dent of Trimble Township he served as Trustee and Justice of the 
Peace. 

William D. Buckingham^ section 29, Starr Township, was born 
in Vinton (then Hocking) County, Ohio, March 29, 1842. He 
went with his parents to York Township in 1856 and came to this 
township in 1S61. He was a soldier in the late war in Company 
E, Ninetieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain 
Angle, who was killed at the siege of Nashville. He participated 
in the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded and thereby 
rendered unable for duty, and nine months later was discharged 
and now draws a small pension from the United States Govern- 
ment. Since the war his business has been for the most part that 
of a teamster. He was married July 31, 1862, to Almira McCallis- 
ter (her father, however, spells the name McCollester), a daughter 
of Abram McCollester. They have five children — Frank E., 
Charles G., Mary D., Martha J. and Abram Curtis. Mr. Bucking- 
ham owns thirty acres of land. William Curtis Buckingham, the 
father of the above, was born in Starr Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
March 8, 1819, and is a son of Philo Buckingham, a native of Con- 
necticut, who came to Starr Township in 1817, and settled in the 
woods. He resided here about twenty-seven years, then went to 
Jackson County, Ohio, and in 1850 removed to Edgar County, 
111., where he died in the spring of 1851. He was brought up 
on the farm and received a limited common-school education. He 
was married Jan. 7, 1841, to Frederica D., daughter of August 
Schaal. She was born in Germany, and brought to America at 
the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham had six children, 
four now living— William D., Caroline M., John A. and Andrew 
B. One son, George P., died at the age of seven years, and an- 
other, Charles W., a promising young man of twenty-two years, was 
killed by falling coal in the mine at Slraitsville, this county. Our 
subject removed to York Township, as above stated, in 1856, and 
to Starr in 1S61, where he now resides on section 29. He is a 
member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. 

Janus Conavxiy was born in Steuben ville, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1S26. 
His father, George Conaway, was a native of County Deny. Ire- 
land. He married Mary Kilpatrick, also a native of that county, 
and in 1826 emigrated to America and settled in Steubenville, Ohio, 
where they remained until 1828, when they removed to Mus- 



101S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

kinsrum County and settled in the dense forests where the nights were 
made hideous by the increasing cries of the prowling wolves, and 
where many other wild animals roamed at will through the wil- 
derness of this then thinly settled country. George and Mary 
Conaway had six children b)rn to them; four of whom, Martha, 
Sarah, John and Nancy, were born in Ireland; the other two, our 
subject and George, were born in Ohio, the latter in Muskingum 
County. All are living except the eldest, Martha. She married 
Lenox Fisher in 1810, and was the mother of five children, three 
of whom are living — Mary J. (Crown), Nancy E. (Krigger) and 
Samantha (Cooms), all of whom reside near Gratiot, Licking Co., 
Ohio. Oue of her daughters, Sarah A. (Loughman), died at the 
age of thirty-two years, leaving a family of five children. Sarah 
Conaway married William Fisher, and has three children — Hon. 
John C, George and Mary K. (Bassett). John Conaway married 
Emily Waterman, of Massachusetts, by whom he has three chil- 
dren — George, Laura and John. They reside in Gratiot, Licking 
Co., Ohio. Nancy Conaway married' Peter Triplett and has two 
children — Mary E. (Irwin) and William A. They reside in New- 
ark, Ohio. George Conaway married Maria McCann, by whom 
he has two children — Jane and Mary A. They reside near Han- 
over, Licking Co., Ohio. The subject of this sketch was brought 
np on a farm and educated in the common schools. His parents 
died when he was young, and at the age of thirteen he was thrown 
upon his own resources, and the remainder of his early life and 
manhood was spent among strangers near Dresden, Ohio. In 
1819 he went to Illinois, and returned in 1850. He went to Texas 
in 1S57, remained there and in Missouri till the fall of 1859, when 
he returned to Ohio. Mr. Conaway was a soldier for four months 
in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, Ohio Na- 
tional Guards. He was engaged on duty most of the time in 
forts Sumner and De*Russy, at Washington, D. C, and was pres- 
ent when Brecken ridge male his charge on Washington. He 
purchased his present farm in November, 1849, and located per- 
manently on it in 1860. lie was married Feb. 28, 1852, to Miss 
Rachel, daughter of Patrick McKee, and in October, the following 
year (1853), removed to his farm in Starr Township. May 25, 
1S51, Mrs. Conaway died leaving one child — Mary E., who died 
at the age of seven months. Aug. 22, 1860 ; Mr. Conaway was 
married t<> Mrs. Ann Mariah McCune,«ee Barnes, who was a native 
of Hocking County and of Sjotch ancestry. Two sons were born 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1049 

to this union — U. L., born June 13, 1861, now of the publishing 
firm of Leggett, Conaway & Co., of Chicago, 111., and Elmer Carl- 
ton, the youngest, born Oct. 5, 1862. Mrs. Conaway was born in 
1835, and died March 24, 1867. Mrs. Conaway had one child by 
her first husband — Matthew McCune. Mr. Conaway celebrated his 
last marriage March 23, 1869, with Miss Phoebe Jane, daughter of 
John and Rachel Mason. They have had three children; of these 
two are living — John Mason, born Oct. 20, 1872, and Fanny Es- 
tella, born Dec. 29, 1875. Mrs. Conaway was born in Greene 
County, Pa., April 27, 1845. Mr. Conaway is a member in good 
standing of the Masonic fraternity, and with his family is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he has been 
identified for thirty years. lie has served the church as Class- 
leader during that entire period except one year. He was member 
of the Board of Township Trustees one term, and has been Ministe- 
rial Trustee for twenty years. He owns 150 acres of land, and is 
engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

Peter Courier, section 35, Starr Township, general farmer, was 
born in Lycoming County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1811, and is a son of 
Peter Courter (deceased), a native of Berks County, Pa. Mr. 
Courter was brought up on the farm, 'and received a limited educa- 
tion in a subscription school. He married Elizabeth Coalman 
July 7, 1836, and has had ten children, of whom six are living — 
Mary A. (Mrs. Sherlock), Charles, Isabelle (Mrs. Trobridge), 
Rebecca (Mrs. Armstrong), Martha (Mrs. Buckingham), and Cath- 
arine (Mrs. Hansel). One son, William, died in the late war from 
the effects of a wound. One daughter, Ella, was married to Isaac 
Lowry, and at her death left one child. Mr. Courter brought his 
family to Jackson Count}-, Ohio, in 1855, where he worked at the 
blacksmith trade until 1858, when he came to Union, or Five-Mile 
Furnace. He came to his present farm in 1861. Mr. Courter is 
a member of the Bible Christian church. Mrs. Courter died Oct. 
16, 1882. She was a church member for fifty-two years, and a 
faithful Christian. Mr. Courter owns ninety-two acres of fine land. 

Rev. W?n. M. Craig, section 1, Starr Township, was born in 
Falls Township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, April 27, 1847. He was 
brought to this county by his parents in the fall of 184S. His boy- 
hood days were spent on his father's farm. He attended the com- 
mon school and finished his education in the Otterbien University, 
at Westerville, Ohio, He was first licensed as a local preacher in 
the Lancaster district of the Ohio Methodist Episcopal Conference 



1050 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in 1876, by Elder H. A. Gortner. He traveled for five years as a 
supply in the regular work. Mr. Craig is now extensively engaged 
in fruit culture, making a specialty of fine budded peaches. As a 
fruit-grower he is eminently successful. His fruits command the 
highest prices in the Cincinnati, Columbus and Baltimore markets. 
Pie was married Oct. 25, 1S66, to Miss Cynthia A. Mathews, 
daughter of Ephraim Mathews. They have five children — Frank 
L., Minnie M., Eugene N., Linnie A. and Emma Grace. Hugh 
Craig, father of the above, was born July S, 1812, in Washington 
County, Pa., and is of Irish parentage. He came to Muskingum 
County, Ohio, in 1822, and to Hocking in 18-18. He married Jane 
Jenkins. They had nine children, four now living — Mary, Martha, 
Jane and William M. 

Nathan H. Essex, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born 
in Jackson Township, Morgan Co., Ohio, a son of Nathan Essex, 
a native of Maryland. He was reared on a farm and received a 
common-school education. He was married in January, 1849, to 
Elizabeth Jane Morris, daughter of John Morr's, born in Morgan 
County, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1829. They have had eleven children, of 
whom ten are living — Charity A. (now Mrs. Rogers), Calvin, E. 
Almira (now Mrs. Cook), Winfield S., Zelda V. (now Mrs. Wolf), 
Amne (now Mrs. Wolf), Hannibal II., Sherman S. and Nelson S. 
Mr. Essex removed to Hocking County in April, 1863, and settled 
on section 3, Starr Township, where lie resided and was engaged in 
farming and clearing his land until his death, March 21, 1873. He 
was a member of the Christian church at Mt. Zion. Mrs. Essex 
afterward married P. C. Blackburn, of Athens County. 

Freeman IF. Frey z section 21, Starr Township, is a native of 
Fayette County, Pa., and was born Sept. 19, 1825. His father, 
Jonathan Frey (deceased), was a native of Greene County, Pa., 
and emigrated to Morgan County in 1836. He came to this county 
in 1865 and died here March 1, 1866. There were nine children 
in the family ot whom seven are living — Elizabeth, Eve A., (Mrs. 
Atkinson), William II., Freeman W., Maria (Mrs. Williamson), 
Phoebe J. (Mrs. Wany),and Isabell. Rachel was married to Benja- 
min Stead and at her death left several children. John died at 
Pittsburg Landing while in the service of the Union during the 
late war. Mr. Frey was brought upon the farm, and while a young 
man learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many 
years. He built many <>f the best dwellings and school-houses in 
Starr Township and vicinity, and the trestles on the railroad be- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1051 

tween Hocking River and Starr postoffice. He served in the late 
war in Company F, Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry one year, and partici- 
pated in the battles of Fort Donelson,- Shiloh and others. He 
was married in Morgan Comity, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1850, to Jane, 
daughter of David Archibald (deceased), a native of Belmont 
County, Ohio. She was born in Morgan County, Ohio. They have 
seven children — Robert E., M. Ann (Mrs. Mason), Lizzie A., 
Emma E., David A., George B. M. and Ida M. For the past few 
years Mr. Frey has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. 

Alford Gray, section 33, Starr Township, was born in Fairfield 
County, Conn., Jan. 1-1, 1809. His father, Eli Gray, brought his 
family to the head of Seneca Lake in New York State in 1818, and 
to Tioga County, Pa., in 1820, and there settled in a wilderness. 
Our subject came to Hocking County in 1853 for his health, and 
has since resided here. He was married Feb. 18, 1830, to Anna, 
daughter of Ira Pettibone. They have seven children — Alva, Au- 
rinda, Aaron, Albert, Adaline, Dexter and Marietta. Mrs. Gray's 
grandfather, Seth Pettibone, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war, and fought in the battle of Bennington. Mrs. Gray was 
reared within twenty miles of that battle-ground. Mr. Gray's 
Grandfather Wood was also a Revolutionary soldier, and was 
present at the surrender of Cornwallis and saw a colored man 
step up to the former and hold the following interview : "Is this 
General Cornwallis ?" " Yes," said Cornwallis, bowing very low. 
"But it must be*. Cobwallis now, 'case General AVashington has 
shelled all de cohn off," replied the darky earnestly. One daugh- 
ter of Mr. Gray, Adaline, married Napoleon Stout, and had three 
children — Frank M., Frederick A. and Edward A. Marietta mar- 
ried William Dishennet and had two children, one living — Anna 
M. Mr. Dishennet's first wife was Eliza A. Ilarter. They had 
one child— George L. 

Henry Groves, section 19, Starr Township, was born in Morgan 
County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1835. He was reared on the farm and re- 
ceived a common-school education. He came with his parents to 
this township in April, 1850. He was married April 23, 1S63, to 
Mary A. Rose, daughter of Rev. William Rose, a Baptist preacher 
(old school), who was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. They 
have had eight children, seven now living — James W., Clarinda, 
Parthena, Ida B., Jesse B., William N. and Frank L. One son, 
Alfred, died at the age of five years. Mr. Groves owns 177 acres 
of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. On 



1052 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

his farm there are two strata of coal, one four feet and the other 
six feet in thickness. Mrs. Groves is a member of the Bible Chris- 
tian church at Mount Zion. Henry Groves (deceased), the father 
of the above, was born in Hampshire Co.unty, Va., Dec. 7. 1T95. 
At the age of sixteen years he began to learn the tanner's trade, 
which he followed for a few years. In 1S25 he came to Morgan 
County, Ohio, and to Starr Township in April, 1S56. He was 
married in 1819 to Rebecca Devault, a daughter of Andrew De- 
vault. She was born June 16, 1795. They had ten children, six 
now living — Mary, Eli, Elizabeth, Eliza, Henry and Margaret E. 
Mr. Groves was for many years a member of the Protestant Meth- 
odist church. He died June 21, 1869, respected by all. Mrs. 
Groves' nephew, Andrew Jackson Devault, has resided with the 
family for the past thirty-nine years, and now resides with Henry 
Groves. He was born in June, 1829, and has been a cripple since 
he was twenty-one months old. Mrs. Groves died in 1869. 

J. Foreman Guthrie, section 31, Starr Township, was born in 
Fayette County, Pa., Nov. 2, 1851. His father, Absalom Guthrie 
(deceased), was a native of Preston County, Va., and brought his 
family to Starr Township in March, 1866. There were eleven 
children in the family, our subject being the fifth. Nine are now 
living — Isaac, Mary F., Rachel A., James M., J. Foreman, Martha, 
Virginia A., S.irah L. and William X. The father died in Feb- 
ruary, 1869. Our subject was married Dec. 27, 1SS1, to Hannah 
Grimes, daughter of Josiah Grimes, of Perry County, Ohio. 
They have one child — Charles W. Mr. Guthrie owns 300 acres of 
land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He also deals 
extensively in stock. Mrs. Guthrie was born Jan. 6, 1859, in Perry 
County. Her grandfather, John Grimes, settled there fifty-fire 
years ago. 

Joseph W. Barned, section 28, Starr Township, was born in 
Preston County, W. Va., July 26, 1836. His father, Edward 
Ilarned, deceased, was also a native of Preston County, and re- 
moved his family to Fayette County, Pa., in 1839. Our subject 
came to this county in- 1861. He was a soldier in the late war, in 
Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-first Regiment, Ohio National 
Guards, for four or five months, and was present when Brecken- 
ridge made the charge on Washington City. He married, Nov. 
26, 1859, Miss Mary F. Guthrie, daughter of Absalom Guthrie, de- 
ceased. They have had seven children, only five now living — Annie 
L., Walter, Jenuie B., Lucy and Estella May. Mr. Harned owns 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1053 

207 acres of land and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
He was Trustee of Starr Township for three years, and Ministerial 
Trustee the past two years. He and family are members of the 
Methodist church. Mr. Harned is a member of the I. O. O. F. 

Benjamin A. Hosom, of Belpre Township, Washington Co., 
Ohio, was born in Bristol Township, Morgan County, Jan. 24, 1825. 
His father, Andrew Hosom, was born near Augusta, Maine, in 
1777. He was the father of eleven children, seven girls and four 
boys, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. Six of 
this number are living — Martha, Sarah, Andrew J., Elbridge G., 
Lydia and Benjamin A. Andrew Hosom came to Muskingum 
County, Ohio, in 1S15, and to Bristol Township, Morgan County, in 
1816, and settled in the woods. He died in Morgan County in 
1S67. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a common- 
school education. For ten years he sold goods over the Southern 
part of Ohio, but for the past twenty-five years has been selling 
fruit-trees in Central and Southern Ohio, and West Virginia. As 
a fruit-tree man Mr. Hosom has been eminently successful. His 
motto has always been fair and honest dealing, and his business 
has constantly increased. In 1872 he sold trees for a few orchards 
in the neighborhood of Xelsonville, to the amount of $1,100, and 
in the past two years he has sold $4,000 worth on the same terri- 
tory. He makes budded peaches a specialty, and has all the latest 
varieties, and one of the largest collections. He has planted some 
of the best orchards in the State of Ohio. He was married July 
4, 1S50, to Mary A. Beckett, by whom he has had ten children. Of 
these eight are living — Andrew J. M., Henrietta A., Mary E., Clara 
A. and William B. (twins), Elmer E. and Everett E. A. (twins), 
and Eva Delle. 

Joseph Ingmire, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in 
the State of Maryland, July 21, 1802, and was a son of Snoden 
Ingmire, who brought his family to Muskingum County, Ohio, 
when the subject of this sketch was a small boy. Joseph came to 
Starr Township in 1849, where he cleared out a farm, working very 
hard until his death, Aug. 21, 1S73. lie was married June 25, 
1S35. to Susanna Williams, by whom he had twelve children ; of 
these ten are living — Eliza J. (Mrs. Hutchinson), John, Snoden, 
Abraham, Mary (Mrs. Boyles), George, Martha (Mrs. Bucking- 
ham), Addison, Lizzie and Susanna. Snoden and Addison, with 
the two younger girls and their mother, reside on the old home- 
stead, of which there is 132 acres, situated on section 36. The boys 
are engaged in farming and stock-raising. 



1054 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Samuel Jones, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in 
Pennsylvania, Nov. 27, 1S09. His father, William Jones, was also 
a native of Pennsylvania, and of English descent. Mr. Jones 
came when a boy with his parents to Guernsey (now Noble) 
County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He there married 
Sarah Voolf, Dec. 27, 1831. They had fifteen children; of theso 
ten are living — William, John, Malinda (Mrs. Smith), Elizabeth 
(Mrs. Howe), Thomas T., Mary Ann, Lucinda, Alexander M., 
Amos M. and Flora E. Two sons, Joseph B. and Solomon W., lost 
their lives while in the service of their country during the Rebell- 
ion. The former died a prisoner in Andersonville, and the latter 
was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville. One daughter, Sa- 
rah, died when a young lady, and two died in infancy. Mr. Jones 
brought his family to Starr Township in 1S3$, and settled almost 
in the woods, there being but a few acres cleared. He was a hard 
worker and good manager, and prospered and grew wealthy. His 
business was that of a farmer and stock-raiser, and at the time of 
his death he owned 950 acres of valuable land. He died March 14. 
1S66, loved and respected by all. He was a church member for 
many years, and a Freemason in good standing. His purse was 
ever open to help the worthy poor, and he gave largely for the 
support of churches, schools and other benevolent enterprises. 

Perry D. Latimer was born in Amestown, Athens Co., Ohio, 
Dec. 16, 1813. His father, Elijah Latimer, settled in Amestown 
in an early day when the wild animals and Indians were numerous. 
Mr. Latimer attended a subscription school in a log cabin where 
Kelson ville now stands. He was married Dec. 6, 1832, to Hannah 
Harris, bj T whom he had ten children, nine now living — Mary L., 
Catharine, Huldah, Clorinda, Jane, Isabell, Hiram L., Samuel I. and 
David P. Mr. Latimer came to Starr Township in 185S. He owns 
ninety-four acres of land, resides on section 24, and is engaged in 
arming and stock-raising. He is a member of the Christian 
church. 

Joseph D. Longstreth, section 21, Starr Township, was born in 
Morgan County, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1824, a son of James and Mary 
(Dodds) Longstreth. His father was a native of Allegheny County, 
Pa., and was brought by his parents to Morgan County when only 
six years old, or about the year 180S. The family were the first 
settlers there, and James had the exciting experience of shooting 
bears and other wild animals. He became a prominent man and 
died in Clinton County, Mo., in 1879. Our subject's grandfather, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1055 

John Dodds, was also one of the first settlers of Morgan County 
the date of his settlement not being certainly known. He cut a 
road through the thick woods in order to reach his land, and at that 
time there was but one house between his home and Roseville. 
Mr. Longstreth came to this county in 1852 and bought land ot 
John Westenhaver, of Green Township, residing in an old log 
cabin. He now owns 1,363 acres of land besides a large tract in Mis- 
souri. As a farmer and stock-raiser he has been eminently suc- 
cessful. He is the most extensive wool-grower in Hocking County, 
having the best quality of fine Vermont sheep. He is also en- 
gaged in the culture of short-horn cattle. Mr. Longstreth is very 
liberal in his charitable and philanthropic donations. He gave the 
land for the Presbyterirn church at New Cadiz, besides giving a 
large amount of money. He was married in March, 1852, to Miss 
Cynthia Bay, by whom he has three children — Robert, Mary E. 
and Cynthia A. Robert is married to Miss Blanche Cresap, ot 
Dresden, Muskingum Co., Ohio. Mr. Longstreth and family are 
members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Longstreth is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Longstreth's father, Robert 
Bay, was born in Washington County, Pa., and his father, Thomas 
Bay, was from England. Robert Bay was a Colonel in the war of 
1S12. He came to Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1816, when the 
wild animals were their only neighbors. Mrs. Longstreth's grand- 
mother, Elizabeth Bay, was a sister of General Samuel Blackburn, 
of Revolutionary fame. Mr. B.iy came to Vinton County, Ohio, 
in 1852, where he died in 1S55. Mrs. Longstreth's mother was 
Phoebe Lindley, of "Washington County, Pa., and of English do- 
scent, and a daughter of Ziba Lindle}^. The last one of the family 
is Ahnus Lindley, of Albany, Ohio, who is aged eighty-one years. 

James M. Loomis, of Cadiz, was born in Starr Township. March 
9, 1849, and is a son of Jesse H. Loomis (deceased), an early set- 
tler of this township. Our subject was brought up on a farm and 
received a common-school education. For the past thirteen years 
lie has been working at the trade of a carpenter. He was married 
Jan. 18, 1879, to Emma II., daughter of John W. Shaw. They 
have had two children, only one living — John W. Mr. Loomis 
owns forty acres of valuable land one mile east of Cadiz, and prop- 
erty in Cadiz. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. 

George Thomas Mason, son of John Mason, of Starr Township. 
Hocking Co., Ohio, was born in Greene County, Pa., Nov. 23, 
1S50. His parents removed with their family in 1852 to Harrison 
County, Va., thence to Coles County, 111., in 1S54, and to Hocking 



1056 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

County, Ohio, in 1S56. As soon as he was large enough to shoul- 
der a hoe he was placed in the corn-field. He attended the common 
district school for three months daring the winter seasons, and 
worked on the farm the rest of the year. He attended Miller's 
Academy, in Athens County, a short time, and the Logan High 
School a few terms. Most of his education, however, in the higher 
branches was obtained by persistent study and without a tutor. He 
began teaching at the age of eighteen years, and taught the most 
of the time for ten years, in the States of Ohio, Illinois and Kansas. 
He has also devoted some attention to teaching vocal music and 
giving public musical entertainments. He had for his instructors 
in music Prof. S. Wesley Martin, of Chicago, 111., and Prof. D. 
Wilson, of Paris, 111. Our subject was married Dec. 21, 1879, to 
Miss Ida E. Gray, daughter of Harvey Gray (deceased), late of 
Sidell Township, Vermillion Co., 111. They have one child — Guy. 
.Mrs. Mason was born Sept. 8, 1855, in Jefferson, Ind. Mr. Mason 
is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, and before his busi- 
ness called him almost constantly from home was an enthusiastic 
Sunday-school worker. His homo is in Areola, Douglas Co., 111. 
John Mason was born May 7, 1819, in Aleppo (now Jackson) 
Township, Greene Co., Pa. His early educational advantages were 
very limited, attending a subscription school only a short time 
during a few winter seasons, but by private study he has become 
very well educated. He mastered the science and art of surveying 
and engineering under the teachings of his elder brother, William, 
then a prominent school-teacher in Greene County, Pa.,and followed 
the business of surveying for thirteen years. lie taught the public 
school in his native county for five winters, and one winter in 
Washington County, Pa. He was married May 21, 1S39, to 
Rachel, daughter of Jacob and Abigail Ross. They have had ten 
children born to them — Mary, Abigail E. (Austin), William J., 
Phcebe Jane (Conaway), Hiram, James K. P., Jacob R. (deceased), 
George T., Timothy R., and Francis R. (deceased). William mar- 
ried Nancy J. Atkinson, by whom he has had nine children; of 
these six are living — Rachel Agnes, Lawson, Eve A., Robert, 
Luther and an infant. Hiram married Kate Eddington, and they 
have had six children, five living — Annie, Arthur, Rachel C, John 
and Maud M. James K. married Elizabeth Snyder and has five chil- 
dren — Minnie M., Ross, Gertrude, Frederick and Kelsie. Jacob 
R. married Hester Ann lies, by whom he had two children, one 
living — J. Luther. Jacob died Jan. 8, 187S, near Des Moines, Iowa. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1057 

William resides near Edenville, Mich.; James, in Palmero, 111.; 
George T., in Areola. 111., and the others in Hocking Valley. Our 
subject removed with his family to Harrison County, Va., in 
August, 1852, and settled on the Reeder farm on the west fork of 
of the Monongahela River, purchasing 280 acres of land. In the 
fall of 1854 he removed to Coles (now Douglas) County, III., 
where he engaged in farming on the prairie until the fall of 1856, 
when failing health caused him to retrace his steps for some dis- 
tance, and he settled on his present farm on section 3, Starr Town- 
ship, Hocking Co. , Ohio. He at first purchased 140 acres, and 
in 1864 added to it fifteen acres. Mrs. Mason died Sept. 1, 1864, 
and Nov. 21, 1869, he married Charlotte L. Pelton, daughter of 
Lynns B. and Ilettie M. (Woodruff) Pelton, the former a native of 
Connecticut and the latter of New Jersey. They have one child — 
Hettie M. Mr. Mason was Auditor of Greene County, Pa., from 
1848 to 1851, and in 1851 he came within seventeen votes of beino" 
elected to the office of County Surveyor in the same county. He 
held the office of County Commissioner for Hocking County from 
1866 to 1872, having been twice elected in that time. During 
his term of office many very important public improvements were 
made, among them several bridges, the new county jail, and 
the new county infirmary buildings. He has led a Christian 
life for many years and has been a member of the Christian 
church at Mt. Zion ever since its organization. The father 
of the above, James Mason, was born in County Tyrone, Ire- 
land, Sept. 24, 1784, and was a son of William Mason, also 
a native of Ireland, who brought his family to Greene County, 
Pa., in 1788, and settled near where Waynesburg now stands (it 
was then Washington County). The elder Mason died in Greene 
County about the year 1815. James Mason married Mary Sayers, 
by whom he had six children — Elizabeth (Ross), William (deceased i, 
Mary (Sayers), George, Charlotte (Scott), and John, whose name 
heads this sketch. James Mason died on the old homestead in 
Greene County, Pa., June 13, 1869. Our subject's mother died 
in January, 1883, in her ninety-seventh year. 

Mary Mason, a well-known school-teacher of Hocking County, 
and daughter of John Mason, of Starr Township, was born in 
Greene County, June 17, 1840; came to Virginia with her parents 
in l v 52, thence to Illinois in 1854, and to Hocking County, Ohio, in 
1856. She was educated in the common schools, New Plymouth 
select school, and Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, College. She be- 
67 



105S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

gan teaching at the age of eighteen years and has taught the most 
of the time since then until within the past two or three years. 
As a teacher Miss Mason has been eminently successful, both as a 
disciplinarian and tutor. She has taught in all over thirty terms in 
the States of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois, and passed through 
many rigid examinations to obtain a teacher's license. The writer 
well remembers when he was a small boy of hearing her relate a 
dream she had just before attending the examination. She was young 
and very anxious as to the result of the fast approaching event, 
and a few nights before the day for the examination she dreamed 
that she had been successful and had been granted a certificate for 
three months and forty days. When she engages in an enterprise 
she goes at it with that iron will which is sure of success, hence 
her success as a teacher. Miss Mason has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church since eighteen years of age. 

Timothy R. Mason, M. D., section 3, Starr Township, was born 
in Greene County, Penn., May 10, 1852, and is a son of John 
Mason. Our subject was brought by his parents to Harrison 
County, Va., in the fall of 1854, and two years later to Coles 
County, 111., where they remained until the fall of 1856, when 
they removed to Starr Township. The Doctor was here brought 
up on the farm and attended the common district school during 
three months in the winter, working on the farm the rest of the 
year. In 1873 he learned the art of telegraphy, but soon after be- 
gan the study of medicine under Dr. D. T. Gilliam, of Nelson- 
ville, remaining there until the fall of 1874, when he took one 
course of lectures in the Starling Medical College at Columbus, 
Ohio. He then practiced medicine a short time in Millfield, 
Athens Co., Ohio, and removed to Sharon, Noble Co., Ohio, where 
he practiced until April, 1876; then removed to Maxvi lie, Perry 
Co., Ohio, where he remained until February, 1877. He then re- 
moved to Mt. Blanco, Meigs Co., Ohio, where he practiced till the 
fall of 18S0, when he removed to the old homestead in Starr 
Township, where he has since resided. He was married April 10, 
1875, to Ann, daughter of Freeman W. Frey, of this township. 
They have had three children — Voss Genner, Mabel R., and Al- 
mus L. 

Abraha?n McCollester (or McCallister, as spelled by other mem- 
bers of the family), was born in Shenandoah County, Va., Oct. 4, 
1803, and came to Fairfield Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1810. 
His education was limited, as the advantages were poor. He at- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1059 

tended school in a log cabin of the rudest description. He came 
to Hocking County in a very early day, and was married May 15, 
1825, to Maria Woltz, a daughter of George Woltz. They have 
had seven children — Elizabeth (now Mrs. Davis), Mary A. (after- 
ward Mrs. Snyder), Thomas, David, Martha, Hettie (now Mrs. 
Lama), and Almira (now Mrs. Buckingham). For the most of 
his life Mr. McCollester has been a farmer, but for seven or eight 
years he was engaged in making chairs, and eleven years he fol- 
lowed the draying business in Nelsonville. Mrs. McCollester 
died April 9, 1879, and he married, Oct. 28, 1879, Mrs. Rebecca 
Loomis. She had five children by her first husband — Russell, 
James, John, Elizabeth and Mary A. 

Alexander McClurg, section 23, Starr Township, was born in 
Columbiana County, Ohio, April 10, 1810, and is a son of James 
McClurg (deceased), a native of Boston, Mass. Our subject was 
brought up on a farm and educated in the subscription school of 
pioneer days. Mr. McClurg went to Brooks County, Va., in 1831. 
He was a brick-maker over thirty years. In 1861 he came to 
Hocking and settled in Falls Township, and in Starr Township in 
1873. He was married in April, 1832, to Isabell, daughter of 
Robert West (deceased), a native of Ireland. She was born in 
Washington County, Pa. They have had twelve children, of 
whom only four are living — Leander, Johnson, Sarah A., and 
Mary S. Those deceased are — James, Robert, William, David, 
Henderson, Frank, Nancy J. and Columbus. They have an 
adopted child — Ida E. Drake, who still resides with them. Mr. 
McClurg owns 161: acres of land, and is engaged in farming and 
stock-raising. While he was in Falls Township he was Justice 
of the Peace nine years. He is a member of the Masonic frater- 
nity. For five or six years he followed oil-cloth painting in Vir- 
ginia. He also followed the stone-mason's and shoemaker's trades 
for several years. 

William McCue was born in Augusta County,Va., in Upper Shen- 
andoah Valley, on Middle River, April 4, 1818. His father, John 
McCue, was also a native of Augusta County. Our subject came 
to Morgan County, Ohio, in 1S30, and to Athens County in 1S35. 
The first threshing he did was in Morgan County, in 1S32, with an 
old-fashioned one-horse tramp grubber, which was a great improve- 
ment on the flail and the tramping floor. The next machine he 
used was a four-horse lever-power grubber. In 1855 he came to 
Starr Township, which has since been his home. The first separa- 



1060 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tor he used 'was a McConnelsville machine in 1858 or '59, built 
by Mr. Patterson and owned by Edmund Wolf and Joseph Mc- 
Daniel. Since 1S32 Mr. McCue has missed but three seasons from 
the dusty threshing machine,and he is known far and near as " Billy 
McCue, the thresher." He was married in 1846 to Eliza Pierce, 
by whom he had one child — Catharine (now Mrs. Stump). Mrs. 
McCue died, and in 1856 he married Alma Terry, daughter of 
Robert Terry. They have had seven children, six living — Philene, 
Allen, Minerva, Julia, Robert and Viola. 

Benjamin C. McManigal, of Union Furnace, was born in 
Mifflin County, Pa., March 27, 1840, and is a son of Robert Mc- 
Manigal, also a native of Mifflin County. Our subject received 
his education at Tuscarawas and Pine Grove Mills academies 
(Penn.). He served in the late war in Company C, Forty-fifth 
Pennsylvania Infantry, from the fall of 1861 until the close of the 
war. He enlisted as a private, and was made First Lieutenant in 
the fall of 1863, and a few weeks later was captured at Petersburg, 
Ya. He was kept a prisoner for four months and twenty-two days, 
in the prisons at Libby, Salisbury, N. C, and Danville, Va., and 
on Washington's birthday, 1864, he was exchanged. After his 
return home he studied dentistry, and in 1866 came to Logan, 
Ohio, where he practiced until 1868, when he went to Litchfield, 
111., and practiced for one year. His health then failed, and in 1869 
he went to Lake City, Minn., and to St. Louis, Mo., in 1S70, where 
he kept books for Garrett, McDowel & Co. until 1871. He then 
came to Union Furnace and clerked and kept books three years. 
In 1874 he, in company with his brother Dal, purchased the fur- 
nace, which they operated from 1SS0 until 18S3. He was married 
March 18, 1874, to Mary E. Work, daughter of John W. Work, of 
Logan. They have three children — Jessie C, Benjamin E., and 
Mary F. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian church, and 
an Odd Fellow. 

Josiah II. Moore was born near Uniontown, Fayette Co., Pa., 
March 16, 1805, a son of Abram Moore, also a native of Pennsyl- 
vania. He served an apprenticeship at wool-carding and cloth- 
dressing in Uniontown, Pa. When young he went to Kentucky 
and worked at his trade, but soon after came to Cincinnati, work- 
ing at his trade in a factory. He next came to Athens County and 
worked for B. Pruden 6ome time, when he was engaged at Wolf's 
Lower Mills, near Athens. After working there awhile he pur- 
chased the saw and grist mills, and afterward bought the Upper 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 1061 

Mills at Salina, in partnership with John Matheny. He then 
bought the latter out and ran both mills for several years, in the 
meantime accumulating considerable property, but the slack water 
in the canal ruined his business. In April, 1844, he came to this 
county and followed the avocation of a farmer, but now, helpless 
and stricken in years, he is living with his son, "Wilson P., in Starr. 
In 1829 he was married to Lydia, daughter of Christopher Wolf, one 
of the first settlers of Athens Township. They have been blessed 
with eight children — Isaac, Andrew, Wilson P., Barak W.,Rhoda 
W. (deceased), Lydia, Caroline W. and Elizabeth H. Mrs. Moore 
died Dec. 27, 1881. Mr. Moore has been a member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal church for many years. 

Aaron W. Mosure, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, Starr 
Township, was born in Green Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, March 
6, 1837. His father, Nathan Mosure, came from Dutchess County ,N 
Y., to this county in 1.834. He was reared on a farm and received a 
common-school education. He enlisted in the late war in Com- 
pany E, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, as a private, and afterward was 
transferred and promoted to First Lieutenant of Company G-, 
same regiment. He participated in the battles of Perry ville, Stone 
River, Chickamauga (here his company of forty-five men lost six- 
teen of their number), Atlanta, Kingston, Resaca, Franklin, Tenn., 
Nashville (where they took sixty -eight pieces of artillery in two 
days, and killed and captured 9,000 rebels). Mr. Mosure com- 
manded his company at the last-named battle, and also at the 
battle of Franklin, Tenn. At that battle the boys in blue made a 
stand to save their supply train, planting their artillery on the 
pike. The rebels made a desperate charge, and in the single charge 
lost 4,500 men in killed and wounded. Lieutenant Mosure received 
a great deal of praise for his gallantry. He was married April 21, 
1867, to Mary J., daughter of Thomas M. Bay. She was born in 
Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. Mosure came to Starr Township in 
1869, where he still resides, and owns 131 acres of valuable land. 
He was Township Trustee several years, and took the census in 
1S80. 

Thomas O'Neill, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born 
June 10, 1792, in Pennsylvania, just after his parents and family 
landed from Ireland. His father, Henry O'Neill, being the first 
settler of Starr Township is mentioned at greater length in the gen- 
eral history of this township. Our subject accompanied his father 
and elder brothers to this township in 1810, and assisted in clear- 



1062 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ing land and sowing a crop of wheat preparatory to removing the 
rest of the family here the following spring. Mr. O'Neill was a 
hard worker, and had many difficulties to encounter. He had to 
go to Channcey to get his blacksraithing done and to get his corn 
ground. He was married in 1817 to Ann Lee,' a daughter of 
James Lee. They have had nine children, only six living — Ros- 
anna, Elizabeth (Lincoln), George, Lafayette, Lovina and Joseph. 
The deceased were — Martha, Alvin and Tnomas. Rosanna and 
George are not married, and reside on the old homestead, of which 
there is 220 acres. George was born June 19, 1822. Rosanna is 
the oldest of the family, and is a subscriber for this work. Eliza- 
beth married Albert Lincoln, and has seven children — Elizabeth, 
Martha, Benjamin, Alvin, George, Thomas, and Charles. Lafay- 
ette married Patty Eggleston, and has two children — Benjamin and 
Asahel. Lovina married Lafayette Eggleston, and had four chil- 
dren — Martha (deceased), Lovina, Lafayette and Ettie. Joseph 
married Mahala Keeton and has one child — Ettie. Alvin (de- 
ceased) married Desire Morse and had two children — Lovina and 
Thomas. Thomas (deceased) married Mary Piney and had two 
children — George W. and Rosanna. Mr. O'Neill died Oct. 30, 
1S68, respected by all who knew him. 

Adam Runyon, section 15, Starr Township, was born in Pike 
County. March 25, 182-1, and is a son'of Henry Runyon (deceased), 
a native of Virginia. Our subject was reared on a farm and attended 
a subscription school in h;s native county. lie came to Lawrence 
County, Ohio, in 1S56, to Vinton County in 1869, and Hocking in 
1876. He served in the late war in Company E, One Hundred 
and Seventy-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, about one 
year. Mr. Runyon was married in June, 1856, to Margaret, 
daughter of John Collins (deceased). She was born in Cabell 
County, W. V a. , and came to Lawrence County, Ohio, soon after their 
marriage in 1856. 

Meredith F. Slmms was born in Culpeper County, Va..May 24:, 
1S36. His father, John W. Simms, was a native of the same county, 
and brought his family to Norwich, Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1838, 
and to Athens County in 1810, settling in Athens Township. Our 
subject began to learn the tanner's trade when twelve years old, 
and followed that business for several years. He came to Starr 
Township in 1865, where he has since resided. lie owns 173 acres 
of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. For the past 
nine years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace. He was 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 10G3 

married in 1864 to Emeline, daughter of Alex. Kinnear. They 
have ten children — Mary, William T. S., Thomas S., Lucy M., 
Lenora, Susan, John W., James M., Lewis Deen and Nancy. Mr. 
Simms is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Captain Wilford Slurs, leading farmer and breeder of tine short- 
horn cattle and fine sheep, Starr Township, was born near Smeca- 
ville, Guernsey Co., Ohio, May 31, 1824. When thirteen years of age 
lie came with his parents to Hocking County and settled on what 
is known as the Myers farm near Logan, at that time a very small 
place. Lie remained during his boyhood on his father's farm 
attending school. When twenty-two he taught one term of school, and 
in the spring of 1846 he helped raise Company D, Second Ohio, 
fir the Mexican war. The regiment was commanded by Colonel G. 
W. Morgan; Simeon Tucker was elected.Captain of the companj'; 
he resigned and Captain Abram Siford succeeded him. Captain 
Stiers was first appointed Sergeant of the company and afterward 
promoted to Orderly. The company left Logan in June, 1S46> 
went to Mexico via New Orleans and Brazos Island, returning 
home at the expiration of the service, in July. 1847. Mr. Stiers 
then remained on his father's farm until fall, when he made up his 
mind either to get married or to go to California. He began first 
to look for a wife and was fortunate in finding a most estimable 
young lady, Miss Eiizabith Wolf, to whom he was married Dae. 
9, 1847. She was born at Wolf's Plains, Athens C >., Ohio, Oct. 17, 
1827, the daughter of Christopher and.Rhoda (Dorr) Wolf, who 
were among the earliest settlers of Athens County. They had a 
family of seven sons and three daughters, Mrs. Stiers being the 
j'oungest. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stiers settled on the 
old Wolf farm in Starr Township, Hocking County, where they 
still reside. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. They have had ten children, all living — Vernon C, born 
March 21, 1849, was married March 18, 1875, to Leah Rannells, 
the daughter of Thomas and Mahala Rmnells, and resides on a 
farm near Creola, Vinton County. Irene was born Feb. 4, 
L851, and wa9 married Sept. 6, 1871, to O. C. Pierce, a native of 
Underbill, Chittenden Co., Vt. He is agent and telegraph oper- 
ator for the C, H. V. & T. P. R., at Haydenville. Stephen Stiers 
was born Nov. 31, 1852, and was mirriedDec. 31, 1877, to Kate 
Russel, a native of England, and resides in Jefferson County, Kas. 
Wilson Homer Stiers was born Aug. 5,1856, and was married May 
3, 1882, to Cora Saumenig, a native of Logan, and resides on the 



1064 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

old homestead. Flavius J., born Nov. 16, 185S; Ada May, May 
23, 1861; Lizzie, Jan. 31, 1861; Wilford M., Aug. 21, 1866; Zoa, 
Jan. 20, 1873 ; Albert H., Oct. 29, 1S76, reside on the old 
homestead with their parents. Captain Wilford Stiers is not only 
one of the old settlers of Hocking County, but is also one of her 
leading farmers and citizens. At the outbreaking of the late 
war he assisted in raising Company F, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry. 
He enlisted as a private but was appointed Lieutenant, and was 
afterward elected Captain of the company; remained in the ser- 
vice eighteen months, when he was compelled to resign on account 
of poor health. He then returned home and has since confined 
his attention to farming and breeding fine stock, paying especial 
attention to fine Spanish Merino sheep, and has one of the finest 
and best-bred flocks in the State. The Captain has some of the 
finest-bred and bast-trained sheep and cattle dogs in the country 
and has sold dogs to leading farmers and stock-men in this and 
other States. 

James W. Thompson, section 29, Starr Township, was born in 
Lodi Township, Athens Co. , Ohio, Nov. 6, 1837. His father, 
John Thompson, deceased, was a native of York Township, Athens 
County. Our subject's grandfather, Jeremiah Thompson, came 
from England to Athens County prior to the year 1800. Mr. 
Thompson's grandfather, Josephus Carpenter, used to run foot 
races with the Indian boys. Mr. Thompson was reared on the 
farm and received a limited education. For some years he worked 
on public works. He served as a soldier in Company I, Seventy- 
fifth Ohio Infantry, for three years, and participated in the battles 
of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Freeman's Ford, second Bull Rnn, 
Cam]) Baldwin, Gainesville, Pocataligo and others. He was 
wounded at the battle of second Bull Run and now draws a pen- 
sion. During the last eighteen months of service he was a Cor- 
poral. He was married Sept. 6,1865, to Mary C. Buckingham, 
daughter of Curtis Buckingham, of this township. They have 
three children — Ellenora, William C. and Charles W. Mr. Thomp- 
son owns eighty-four aeres of land and is engaged in general farm- 
ing. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and he is an Odd Fellow in good standing. 

Samuel Thompson was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Sept. 
18, 1818. His father, James Thompson, was a native of Mary- 
land and an early settler of Coshocton County. His early life 
was spent on the farm and in attending school. He came to Hock- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1065 

ing County in 1841, where he has since resided. Mr. Thompson 
was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Avery. She was born in Bel- 
mont County, Ohio, in 1822, and came with her parents to this 
county in 1841. Her father, Philip Avery, came from Virginia to 
Belmont County in] an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are 
the parents of nine children, six of whom are living — George S., 
Hannah J., Samuel O., Charles, Clara and Wesley. One son, 
James C, was shot accidentally while out hunting with Harvey 
Mitchell, June 19, 1857, at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Thomp- 
son has been a stone and brick mason for the past twenty -six 
years. The first chimney he built was for Ed Skinner in the fall 
of 1S56, and the second was for John Mason the same fall. He 
was Justice of the Peace for Starr Township twelve years. Mr. 
Thompson in 1841 introduced the first blue-stem wheat in Hock- 
ing County, importing it from Coshocton County. 

Lewis White, section 2, Starr Township, was born in Morgan 
County, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1834, a son of Delworth White, a native 
of Pennsylvania, who came to Morgan County in boyhood and re- 
moved his family to Starr Township in 1848. His wife was Miss 
Aley Nickols. They had nine children, but three now are living 
— our subject, Henry and Rachel. The deceased were: Delila 
(Young), Dil worth (who died in the late war), Elizabeth and three 
that died in infancy. The father died Dae. 2, 1873. Mr. White 
was married Sept. 3, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joshua Hurd, 
who came to Hocking County in 1847 and settled in Starr Town- 
ship, where he died April 26, 1879. He was born in 1803 in 
Monroe County, Ohio. Mr. Hurd was the father of twelve chil- 
dren — Jacob (died in the late war), Mary, Nancy, Maria, Nathan 
(deceased), Elizibeth, Losetta, William, Amanda, Almira, and 
John, who died in infancy. Xathan was also a soldier in the late 
war. Mr. and Mrs. White have had eight children, seven of whom 
are living — Jesse, Henry, Sarah, James William, John, Minnie B. 
and Lewis. Charity is deceased. Mr. White owns 150 acres of 
land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. 
White are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. 
White belongs to the I. O. O. F. fraternity. 

Richasoii Williams, section 20, Starr Township, was born in 
Bradford County, Penn., Feb. 23, 1818, a son of Chester Williams, 
a native of Vermont and of English descent. Our subject came to 
Hocking County in 1841. He was married in June, 1842, to 
Charity E., daughter of Benjamin Eggleston. They had six chil- 



1066 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

dren — Marcus D. L.\ Obadiah P., W. Scott (deceased), David Wes- 
ley/Brace D. and Mary M. Obadiah's son, Abraham L., and 
Scott's son, Thomas W., are living with their Uncle Richason. 
Abraham is a promising young man. In 1859 Mr. Williams was 
elected Constable, which office lie has since held with the exception 
of one year. Soon after he came to this county the bank failed and 
left him but $2 to start on. 

Joseph D. Wolf, deceased, was born on "Wolf's Plains, Athens Co , 
Ohio, Jan. 7, 1822, a son of Christopher C. and Rhoda (Dorr) Wolf, 
among the earlier settlers of Athens. Christopher C. was a live 
business man — owned and ran a grist and saw mill and dealt largely 
in stock. lie and wife had seven sons and three daughters. Joseph 
D., the subject of this sketch, was the sixth son. He was reared 
on his father's farm on Wolf's Plains until seventeen, when he came 
with his parents to what is now Hocking County, and settled on the 
farm where his wife still resides, in Starr Township. He was 
married to Mary V. Price in Logan, May 22, 1S44. She was born 
in Dover Township, Athens County, a daughter of Jonas and 
Tamar (Culver) Rice. Her father was one of the early settlers of 
Athens County. He was a Colonel in the war of IS 12. When a 
young man lie went among the Chickasaw Indians and lived with 
them some years. He and his brother Ambrose were afterward 
sent by the Government to survey lands in Ohio. Jonas Culver 
built one of the first mills in Athens County, and also assisted in 
building the Ohio University at Athens. He died with yellow 
fever at Memphis, Tenn., in June, 1839, while returning from 
New Orleans, where he had taken a boat-load of provisions, he 
being Captain of the boat. He and wife had live daughters; four 
daughters lived to be grown. Mrs. Joseph Wolf (now Mrs. Jona- 
than Stirling) was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. AVolf have eight 
children, seven now living — Sarah M., wife of George Fry; Louis 
II.. farmer of Green Township ; Mary M., wife of William N, 
England; Helena T., wife of Samuel England (deceased); Andrew 
J., residing in Washington Territory; Fannie L. and Ettie II.. re- 
siding with their mother. Mr. Wolf died Aug. 10, 1858. Mrs. 
Wolf married Mr. Jonathan Stirling March 20, 1S65. He was 
born in Hocking County and is one of the leading farmers and 
coal men of Hocking Valley. 

Lafayetti W. Wolf, Bon of Mathew D. Wolf, of Starr Township, 
was born in this township May 23, 1853. lie was reared on his 
father's farm and attended the common district school. He en- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. L067 

gaged a short time in mining but has given the most of his at- 
tention to farming. He was married Sept. 3, 1874, to Harriet L. 
i'aflenbarger, daughter of George Paffenbarger. She was born in 
Vinton County, Ohio, and died April 20, 1875. March 7, 1878, 
Mr. Wolf married Florence, daughter of Elias Boudinot, of Ward 
Township. She was b>rn in Djver Township, Athens County, and 
was a prominent school-teacher. They had one child born to them 
—Willis I). Mrs. Wolf died June 25, 1882. Mr. Wolf is now en- 
gaged in selling fruit trees with B. A. EEosom, well known in the 
Hocking Valley. 

Mat hew D. Wolf, section 4, Starr Township, was born in Ath- 
ens County, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1812, a son of Christopher Wolf, who 
came to Ohio from Westmoreland County, Pa., in 1707, and located 
in Marietta, removing the next year to Amos Township, Athens 
County, where he helped Judge Ephraim Cutler clear his first land. 
He was married in 1803 to Rhoda, daughter of Mathew Dorr, 
who came from New York to Athens County in 1 T'.' s . Tney reared 
nine of their ten children to manhood and womanhood. Mr. Wolf 
died in September, 1846. Mathew D. bought the farm now owned 
by Peter Hayden, in 1837, and in 1850 bought the one where he now 
lives, which at that time had not an acre cleared. He now owns 
324 1-2 acres of valuable land. He was married Jan. 1, 1839, to 
Chloe G. Brown, daughter of Perley Brown. Of the fifteen chil- 
dren born to them, thirteen are living — Edmond D., Rhoda, Lydia 
M., Perley B., Joseph W., John L., Lafayette W., Corrinda A., 
Christopher C, Phedora F., Andrew F., Charles P. and FinleyH. 
A daughter, Loraine L., the twin sister of John L., died in Nel- 
sonville, Ohio, May 31, 1878. She was the wife of W. G. Hick- 
man. 

William Wolf, Jr., section 10, Starr Township, was born in this 
township, Nov. 3, 1S38, a son of William Wolf, of Athens County. 
Onr subject was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools. 
Jle married Mary Jane Parker, Dec. 5, 1805. At that time he 
had $13 in money and two horses, and worked for 50 cents a day 
and his dinner. During the construction of the Hocking Valley 
Railroad he was employed as foreman on the grading of one of the 
divisions, and received $2.00 a day. afterward advanced to 82.50 
and board, then to $35 a month and expenses. During the panic 
his salary was reduced to $55 a month, and afterward advanced to 
$60, then to $70. He was one of the contractors who built the 
grade for the Lick Run branch of the Hocking Valley Railroad, in 



1068 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1S69. He then engaged in lumbering for one season in Vinton 
County, for Gould, and afterward for W. W. Brooks, a short time, 
when he was hurt by a falling tree. He then built the grade for 
Peter Hayden's narrow-gauge railroad which extends from his hop- 
pers to his mines in Green Township, and then was foreman for 
Mr. Hayden over ten years, when, on account of failing health, he 
resigned his situation. Daring the spring and summer of 1883 
he erected a neat two-story frame dwelling on his farm, at a cost of 
$1,000. It is 34x28 feet, with a drop-roof kitchen. Mr. Wolf 
now owns 199 acres of land, with good farm buildings. He is the 
father of six children — Dora B. (deceased), Albert P., Fannie P., 
James C, Robert Y. and Lillie M. Mr. Wolf has been a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church twenty-four years, a mem- 
ber in good standing of the Odd Fellows fraternity over twenty 
years, and a member of the Masonic fraternity three years. Mrs. 
Wolf is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Ichabod Woodard, Sr., deceased, was born in Essex County, N. 
J., Oct. 12, 1782, and was a son of William Woodard, a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, who lost his life in that great struggle for liberty. 
At the age of twenty years our subject went to New York State, 
and ran rafts of logs to Philadelphia. He afterward owned a mill 
on the Delaware River, which was destroyed by a freshet. Then, 
in 1812, he placed his wife and children and effects in a one-horse 
wagon and came to Zanesville, Ohio, where he stopped to rest a 
day or two, turning his horse into a pasture field. There was one 
tree (or stub) in the field, and when the horse was grazing near by 
it fell on him, killing him instantly. Mr. Woodard was completely 
broken down by this misfortune, for he was left with a family, a 
wagon, and only $6 in money. He traded his wagon for a horse, 
and managed to get his family to Fairfield County in the fall of 
1813. He there engaged in farming until 1S24, when he removed 
to McArthur, in what is now Yinton County, Ohio. In February, 
1825, he removed to the old Woodard homestead, in Starr Town- 
ship, on section 15. The house he had built there in the fall of 
1824 is still standing, and is occupied by his grandson, Webster 
Woodard. He was married Dec. 16, 1801, to Sarah Bennett. She 
was born on Long Island in 1785, on a place given to her mother, 
Mary Beers, by Mrs. Woodard's Grandfather Beers. It is situ- 
ated where a part of Brooklyn now stands. The deed was lost and 
other parties unjustly own the land. Mr. and Mrs. Woodard 
were the parents of twelve children, eight now living — Martha, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1069 

Nancy, David and William (twins), Nathan B., James G.,Ephraim 
and Isaac. Mr. Woodard was for many years a Methodist, and 
was the father of the class at Woodard's (now called Morris) Chapel. 
His house was for many years the home of the itinerant minister. 
June 2, 1868, he read a few chapters as usual in the Bible, laid in 
a chair near the bed, and expired in a few minutes. 

Ichabod Woodard, deceased, late of Starr Township, was born in 
Delhi County, N. Y., Aug. 18, 1812, and was a son of Ichabod 
Woodard, Sr. Our subject was brought to Zanesville, Ohio, by 
his parents in 1S12, and to Fairfield County in 1813, where they 
remained until 1821, then removed to Mc Arthur, Ohio. He and 
his brothers William and David came to Starr Township in Decem- 
ber, 1824, to build, a cabin and prepare for the family by the fol- 
lowing spring. Mr. Woodard was always characterized by his 
industry and integrity. When a mere boy of sixteen summers 
he did the work of a man on the public works near Lancaster, 
Ohio. He sometimes worked all day and half of the night. The 
money he earned by working at night he kept, but the rest he gave 
to his father. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church in 1831. He was married April 21, 1836, to Eleanor Nel- 
son, daughter of Hon. Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville. 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodard had eleven children born to them — Sarah 
(Mrs. Parker), Mary (Mrs. Moore), Ward, James, H. Clay (de- 
ceased), Clinton, Ella (deceased), Ida (deceased), H. Leroy and 
two that died in infancy. Clay was married to Huldah Tomlinson 
and left one child — James Y. Our subject died March 16, 1868. 
He was a kind husband and affectionate father, an obliging and 
agreeable neighbor. His life was marked by acts of charity and 
benevolence. His purse was ever open to assist the poor and in 
building up churches, schools and benevolent and charitable insti- 
tutions. Mr. Woodard and family removed to their farm on sec- 
tion 16, Starr Township, in 1837, where Mrs. Woodard and the 
youngest son, Leroy, still reside. The latter was born March 1, 
1854 

Nathan B. Woodard was born near Lancaster, Ohio. Jan. 1, 
1815, and is a son of Ichabod Woodard, Sr., deceased. He was 
brought up on a farm and received his education in a subscription 
school. He was married April 21, 1836, to Sarah M. Nelson 
daughter of Daniel Nelson, the founder of Nelsonville, Ohio' 
They have had eight children — Silas, in San Francisco, Cal. ; Daniel 
who was killed at the battle of Chickamauga during the late war; 



1070 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



Lizzie, Supervisor of the female department at the new insane 
asylum at Athens, Ohio; Lydia A., now Mrs. Milton Parker, of 
Nelsonville; Lucy, Mrs. Thompson, now deceased; Amos F., of 
Union County, Iowa; Nathan Webster, of Starr Township; and 
Ephraim R., at home. For the past eighteen years Mr. Woodard 
has been a licensed local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal 
church, of which he has been a member fifty-two years. He has 
filled appointments nearly all over the New Plymouth circuit, and 
has been successful in winning souls to Christ. He has always 
given of L his means largely to support the 'gospel, and for other 
philanthropic and charitable institutions. He was a Class-leader 
in the church for seven years, and an exhorter seven years. He 
was Justice of the Peace for Starr Township six years, and had, 
during his term of office, nearly all of the business of that office in 
the township. He was also Clerk of the township for some time, 
but resigned. 









L 




■ ■ ; 



<<'? 



CHAPTER A'XXJX. 

washington and benton townships a combination 01 
hills and valleys, ' e knd r4 vine 

Washington -Its Name, Topoobaphically Speaking Soil 
PBODuonoa Old Settlebs Populatiom Schools 'K 
ship Officials — Postoffices Chubches Llesbobo, Eh 
Po roFFiCE New Mi. Pleasant, Poini I'm./. .1 Cembtek 

)i. BlOOBAPHICAL. 

Bentom Mete and Bounds Abea -The Wondebs 01 Queer 
Cbees Agbicultubal Rksoubces Mdjtebal Wealth Lnd 
Tbaditions Silveb ahd Lead Mines Descbiption 01 the 
Weibd V r a j.i. by —458 A.cbe« E The Road to JJ ■ ;. 

Cedab and Black Jack Falls Ash Cave— Bloomihg villi 

J i r / . j . J :. : ERE 1 ! TOWNSHIP OfFICEBS POPULATION — BlO 
OBAPHICAL. 

WASHINGTON 

[locking also commemorates the name ol I te immorta : 
of our country in the shape of a full sized congrea tonal township, 
perfectly formed: that is, perfectly square, six miles each way, and 
on t,hf; high road to a healthy future. The hills and 1 
township are not. too high nor too deep tor cultivation, but just 
enoug - »to give goo J drainage. But littlecan be said of it-. 2 
era) productive^ mineral wealth, if it ha-, any, has 

been discovered; il -oil i-. neither remark >od nor remarka 

\Ay pooi'. and cities it has none. 

It belongs to the southern tier of townships in the county, bounded 
on the north by Falls, on the east byStarrTowi ship, on the south 
by Vinton County, and on tl by Benton and Laun 

ships. The drainage of this township find Ohio 

River from the southern portion through Race I 
northern, through Scott'c Fork into the Hocking, and from I te 

tern, through QueerCreek into th River. 

began to be made in this township about ] -.12. arid the fo 
ten years many fa icttled here, among a d lmbei 1 1 

man families in the northern portion of the township. 

(1071) 



I "72 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

SETTLERS, SOIL AND PRODUCTION. 

Among the early settlers are found the following names: Adam 
Engle, Frederic Iligley, Henry lies, Wm. Lashley, Jonathan 
Kimbal, Samuel Johnson, George Garrett, Wells Garrett, Rev. 
Mr. Poland, Wm. Buzzard and 'Squire Watts, the two latter being 
especially adepts in hunting bears, deer and other wild game. 
The most fertile and tillable portion of the township, as well as 
the best timber, was to be found in the valley of Scott's Fork, 
which penetrates it from the north nearly to its center, and conse- 
quently the earliest settlers were drawn to this portion. Although 
the valleys were the most fertile, the uplands were not barren nor 
very steep, and they were also taken possession of by some among 
the first within the township. The soil is of a sandy nature. 
fairly adapted to the production of grass, wheat and corn, which, to 
the present time, are the principal cereals raised. All the other 
grains common to this portion of the State are raised, as are also 
vegetables. The raising of live stock is one of the leading pursuits 
of the township, and has added greatly to its wealth. Cattle of 
improved breeds and wool from tine sheep are especially noticeable 
among the products. Corn is grown less extensively than wheat. 
aud consequently not a great number of hogs are raised. The 
orchard products of the township are good. The land is well 
cleared up, but where the wood remains some very good timber 
may still be found. The mineral productions, as before stated, are 
not extensive, although considerable iron ore has been taken from 
the hills in the southern part of the township and hauled in wagons 
to the Logan and Union furnaces. This ore is found near the top 
of the hills. A thin layer of coal lying several yards below the 
iron has been worked in several parts of the township, by stripping, 
and coal thus secured for local purposes. 

BACKWARD MOVEMENT. 

As far back as records shov, in 1S40, the population of this 
township was 1,124-. and for the next ten years the increase was 
very rapid, the population in L850 numbering 1,640. From that 
time to the present the township has had the remarkable experi- 
ence of going backward with a slow but steady step. The figures 
following the above are. for 1860, 1,629; for L870, 1,684; forl8£ 
1,268. This singular result is not due to a decrease in the attract- 
iveness of this township so much as to the great development of 
minerals in the surrounding localities, and the increased activities 
which have drawn inhabitants to them. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. I 073 

- H0OL8 AND TOWN8HIP 0FFICIAL8. 

The schools of this township are ten in number, all supplied 
with good houses in good repair, and many of them new. The 
township tax for the school fund in 1882 was $2,000.87. The as- 
sessed valuation of this township in 1882 was: Real-estate, $2-_ ; . 
655; personal property, $94,867. 

The first township records to be found arc for the year 1857, 
when the officers were: Trustees, M. B. Cherry, R L. Allard and 
Jacob Nelson; Clerk, J. Ji. M. Eouston; Treasurer, John Cona- 
way. The present officers (1883) are: Trustees, J. M. Lane, George 
Marks and J. EL Price; Clerk, John A. Ferguson; Treasurer, II. 
II. West. 

POSTOFFICES. 

In 1850 the very important event of establishing the overland 
mail route from Logan to McArthur was completed, and in that 
year the mail began to be carried regularly over the line which ex- 
tended through the full length of this township. It passed through 
the little hamlets of Ilesborough arid New Mt. Pleasant, and the 
point where Ewing now stands. The establishment of the post- 
office at this latter place, which was then (1850) designated only 
by a tannery, has doubtless been the chief cause of its exist- 
ence. 

CHURCHES. 

In devotional matters this township has not been neglected. Be- 
sides the church on the southern line of the township in Xew Mt. 
Pleasant, and the two just over the northern line, to which many 
of the inhabitants of Washington belong, the township contains 
within its bounds three strong and active church societies. They 
are the Fairview church, the Methodist Episcopal church at Iles- 
borough, and the German Lutheran at Ewing. A dni >n church 
also existed for a number of years situated on section 11, which 
was torn away in 1877; and a United Brethren society existed at 
Ilesborough for a number of years between 1850 and 1860. A 
church stood also on section 5, which was burned down before the 
late war and never rebuilt. 

ILESBOKOUOir 

is a hamlet of about fifty inhabitants, situated on a high piece 
of ground almost exactly in the center of the township. It was 
laid out into town lots by Henry lies, who owned the land in 1835. 

68 



msiVKY OF HOCKING v.wi.ky. 

&mong the first to buy lets and settle here were: John Ramsey, 
William Vanhorn and James K. Johnson. It has averaged about 
fifty inhabitants for many years, and has never had mere than one 
{{ has now one small store, a blacksmith shop and a oal 
inet shop The district - bonSQ is i:i the village and a large 

frame church The postoffice is kept by Jerre Harden. 

list Mpii I CI at [lesborough was founded 

about DH2 C« > young traveling preachers, John R, Prase an 1 

Wes'.ev Tibbsts, had frequently \ [sited this locality and preached 

B in the houses of BOme of the members. AUer ttie 

lie society, they came alternately each every four 

weeks. ^i\ ing them regular pre tching ever/ two weeks. Seme of 

members were: Eli Baiuteraud wife.LewisTatman and wife, 

3 a s .. tfathias Worthman and wire. Frank Allen 

:i .nd \v mas Underwood and wife, George Vanhorn and wife, 

\Y ..•". V I mora and wife, /John Crawford and wife John MePaniel 

and wife and George Ph - ind wife, Dhe first house of wor- 

erectedby this society, and perhaps the 5 the township 

was built in 1845. A new church was built on another lot in I860, 

h was afterward sold to the to vnship for .1 s '. 1 ■' h »use, and 

the present fine frame church was built in L877. Phis church 

throughout its career has - serous, and n now 

i n p.. s . tj members Che present Pastor is Rev, 

W. C Holliday. A.goodSa b 3chooliskep1 mrch 

pear, su] •' present by M. T. Ferguson. 

bwing 

e from th( n bord< 

iship. It is on the old mail route, and has sprung up' 9 

shed. Fa g is ] santlj situated on the brow of t 
hill, - aes from the S >tt's Fork. A: the 

was seta - . - N " . ttOha tan's si W 1 

Chapman, Postmae is - 

the s Since ne 1 town has ' 

out. and from fifty to sixty pe asided f the time, 

A s- 9 1 i ige's exist 

.: the pre- ins* 9 -nop. 

h C;- s lilies, 

3 establifl -ed as 

3 184S W by i fen German f. 9 ng .this 

- ; rnship. For an .eld meet _- in » 



HISTORY 01 HOOKING PALLET. 1075 

chool-bouse in the louthern part of Falls Township. J n about 

l-i., the present church at Ewing was erected. The 

tor at that time was F. W. Richman. Some of the earliest 

memhers of tin: church were: A'kin. John and Jacob Ke 

ler, Peter Miller, Lawrence Beusenhaver, John Hengsl 
iurn Finkey, Lewis Snyder, and Christopher Mark 
L850 and L860 the society split. A part of the members joining 
together built a new church a little over half a mile north of the 
old one, in FallsTown hip. The old society maintained 

its standing, and has had regular preaching all the time. It has 
now about twenty -five mem bei . The present Pastor is Lewis I 
Mitler. 

BTEW mi. i-J.j.A'-A:. ; 

is situated on the southern lino of the township, the postoffice, 
church and several other buildings being across the line in Viu 
County. Iri 1832 a road was cut through the woods by t 
settlers, from Uriah Linton's place near the center of the township, 
to the McArthur road, and at this junction the town of New Mt. 
Pleasant has .since sprung up. A tarn built here soon after 

the completion of tin'-, road and a store was tarted a month o 
latei-. [t now has three stores, two of which are in this com 
Jr. has a blacksmith shop, cooper shop and waj op, and a 

•ol bouse in this county, the Methodist Ep church being 

aero.-,-, the line. The postoffice, also being in 8« Township, 
Vinton County, i-> called Swan postoffice. 

poim pi 

designed for a village, but never fairly attained that 

ion 19, near the eastern border of the township. I* 
' into town lot-., and at one time had a blacksmith 
and a postoffice, hut now ha-, neither. Jt was never inhabited 
more than one or two families at a time. 

Fairvlew Church, tie only United Brethren >ciety now in tl 
township, is situated on section 32, near the southern border of 
the township. \'<--ry -'-on after the advent of the Method] ' E 
copal missionaries into this wilderness active men of this den 
nation made their appearance, earnestly preaching the gospel of 
Christ and securing convert- to their own doctrine. The fit 
ings were those of a few pioneer-;, already followers of this faith, 
at the house of Aaron IJane- worth. Sr. This was a very ad 



1076 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and devoted society, having such able preachers as Bishop Edwards^ 
then a young man, and a Mr. Bright, also an enthusiastic worker. 
These were also traveling preachers, but they visited this society 
only irregularly. The meetings began as early as 1840, but a per- 
manent organization was not effected until about 1845. Among 
the members at this time were Aaron Hanesworth, Sr., and wife, 
George Mauk and wife, Barney Eidson and wife, and James Reed 
and wife. They built their first church, a log building, 28 x 36 feet 
in size, and situated on the site of the present one, in 1850. The 
present church, a frame building, was built in 1867, the dedicatory 
sermon being preached on the 12th of the following April. The 
present Pastor is J. M. Canter, the membership numbering about 
ninety. The house was repaired and ten feet added to it in 1881,. 
making now 30x46 feet in dimensions. It has regular Sabbath- 
school the year around, superintended at present by J. R. "West. 

CEMETERIES. 

There are cemeteries at each of the churches described in this 
township besides one on section 5, at the site of church which was 
burned there, one on the site of the old Union Church on section 
11, and a few private cemeteries on farms. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

James Blackstone,bom Jan. 27, 1822, in Guernsey County, Ohio,, 
son of James and Nancy (Dennis) Blackstone, both natives of 
Chester County, Penn. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Black- 
stone settled in Guernsey County on adjoining farms where 
they grew up and married, making that county their home 
until the time of their death. Mr. Blackstone died when James 
was about two years of age. Mrs. Blackstone afterward married 
her brother-in-law, Thos. Blackstone. Both are now dead, Mrs. 
Blackstone dying in 1S76. The children of her first marriage 
were — James and "William. By the second there were seven chil- 
dren — Harriette (deceased), Elizabeth, Thomas, Christiana J. (de- 
ceased), Yinston (deceased), Eben and Isaac. James Blackstone, 
the eldest, grew to manhood in Guernsey County. Although the 
educational facilities were very limited, he received a fair edu- 
cation. During the greater part of the time he helped his father 
on the farm. He was married July 4, ]842, to Maria E. Sheley, 
who was born in Guernsey County, April 15, 1821. Previous to 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1077 

this he began working at the cabinet trade which he continued af- 
ter he was married. Then he turned his attention to carpentering, 
which occupation he followed in the vicinity of Claysville for 
nineteen years in succession. In 1861 he came to Hocking 
County where he had eighty acres, a part of the farm on which he 
now lives. He moved into an old log cabin not three rods from 
where his residence now stands. In connection with his work on 
farm he also kept at his trade during the summer months, hav- 
ing erected a number buildings in this and Vinton counties. At 
two different times he made additions to his farm, having at pres- 
ent 226 acres under good cultivation. The land has large veins of 
iron ore, also some coal running through it. Mr. Blackstone has 
been connected with the United Brethren church since 1862. He 
was reared a Methodist, and has been a member of the church 
since he' was sixteen years of age. He has been School Director ot 
Washington Township for the last three years. They have had 
seven children, five of whom are now living, two sons and three 
daughters — Nancy Jane, Charlotte C. (deceased), Mary Maria, 
"William Brown, Joseph H., Martha Ellen, and one dying in in- 
fancy. Mr. Blackstone has always been a hard-working man, and 
although he has shared all the hardships common to the times in 
which he lived he is now, at the age of sixty-one years, enjoying 
remarkably good health. He is still full of that force and energy 
which have all along marked his life. He has been a devout man, 
being a constant reader of the scriptures. Taking Christ for his 
example, he has tried to live in accordance with His teachings. For 
the last fifteen years he has been Class-leader in his church, and 
lias lived to see all of his family brought within its protecting 
folds. As a citizen, he has many friends, and is honored and re- 
spected by them all. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ohio National 
Guards, and, on the first of May, 1863, was mustered into the 
regular army at Columbus for 100 days. He served out his time 
and returned home. In the fall of 1864 he was drafted into the 
army and served till the close of the war. He was mustered out of 
the service at Richmond, Va., June, 1865, and returned home in 
July, 1S65. He was in Company G, Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry. 

John Griffin was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Aug. 2, 
1816, a son of John Griffin, a native of the same county, born 
July 26, 1768. His grandfather, Patrick Griffin, was a native of 
Ireland, born in 1746, and came to America when a young man 



1078 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

He died in 1834. His wife, Margaret (Allgire) Griffin, died in 1840, 
aged eighty-six years. John Griffin, Sr., was married when twenty - 
six vears of age to Susan Herring, a daughter of John and Christia 
Ann Herring. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 
8, 1798. They had a family of eleven children, all but one living 
till maturity. Three sons and two daughters are still living. Mr. 
Griffin died Nov. 11, 1854, and Mrs. Griffin, Aug. 24, 1868. John 
Griffin, Jr., lived on a farm till he was eighteen years old, and then 
went to learn the blacksmith's trade, working two and a half years 
for George Albert, of Youngstown, Pa. He was then variously 
employed till his marriage. In 1S39 he came to Ohio and bought 
eighty acres of land in Salt Lick Township, Perry County, but did 
not settle in Ohio till 1848. May 27, 1S49, he married Catharine 
Sowers, daughter of John and Catharine Sowers. She is a native 
of Frederick County, Md., born March 14, 1819. The summer 
after his marriage Mr. Griffin worked on a farm and the next 
winter at his trade. In the spring of 1850 he settled on his farm, 
moving into a little log cabin, where he lived five years. April 3, 
1855, he came to Hocking County, and bought the farm of 165 acres 
where he now lives. In August, 1878, he had his barn and all its 
contents destroyed by fire; value, $1,200, insured for $700. Mr. 
and Mrs. Griffin have had five children — John Alexander, born 
Oct. 21, 1854; James Augustus, April 17, 1856; Susan Agnes and 
Mary Ann (twins), Nov. 7, 1857; Peter Franklin, Oct. 30, 1860. 
Mrs. Griffin's mother died when she was four years old and she 
with a younger sister was reared by her grandfather, Michael 
Lutz. 

John Hansel. — The grandfather of the subject of our sketch, 
Henry Hansel, was a native of Pennsylvania, and moved from there 
to Fairfield County, Ohio, at an early date. In]lS18 he moved his 
family to Hocking County, and settled on Scotch Creek, in Falls 
Township. He reared a family of seven children, all now deceased. 
George Hansel, the eldest son, was born in Fairfield County in 
1806. He was married in 1829 to Anna Mary Punsey, whose 
parents were from Pennsylvania, early settlers of Fairfield and 
Hocking counties. She was born Feb. 5, 1S05. After his mar- 
riage he entered 160 acres of land three miles east of Logan where 
he resided till his death. At the time of his death he had between 
400 and 500 acres of land, and had also given each of his children 
$1,000. He also had some town property in Logan. He was a 
prominent member of the Lutheran church. He died in August, 



HIST0PY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1079 

1870. His widow is now living on the old homestead, aged seventy- 
eight years. She is the mother of ten children, three sons and 
four daughters now living. John Hansel was born Aug. 27, 1831. 
He was married Dee. 23, 1853, to Emily Harden, a native of this 
township, born March 29, 1834, and a daughter of Even Harden. 
After his marriage he bought 181 acres of wild land, only a small 
portion being cleared. On this place he lived seventeen years, and 
in 1870 purchased his present residence of 167 acres, having now 
348 acres. Feb. 1, 1879, his house was destroyed by fire. He 
immediately erected his present house, which is a large two-story 
frame. Politically Mr. Hansel is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs- 
Hansel have had ten children, only six now living — Ephraim, mar- 
ried Mary Armstrong; William, married Wilmina Corter; Mary 
Ann, wife of C. F. Brandt; Almeda Jane, Sarah Cora and Benja- 
min Ruggles. George Riley died at the age of seventeen years; 
Evan, aged fourteen; Eliza Jane, aged one, and one died in infancy. 
They have one adopted child — Jacob Hansel, the son of a brother 
of Mr. Hansel. 

Ephraim Harden, son of Even and Eliza Harden, was born in 
Perry County, Ohio, April 29, 1831. In September of the same year 
he came with his father to Hocking County, where he was reared.. 
He was married March 30, 1854, to Susan Stiveson, born in Hock- 
ing County, May 18, 1835, and daughter of John and Elizabeth 
Stiveson. They have four children — Joel, born July 8, 1855, mar- 
ried to Rachel Campbell; Eliza Jane, born Oct. 29, 1856, wife of 
Aaron Zeller; Lucinda, June 24, 1858, and Elmer, Sept. 8, 1S65- 
In June, 1856, he purchased eighty acres of land but did not re- 
side on it till 1862. In April, 1878, he purchased eighty acres, 
now having in one tract of land 160 acres, where he resides. 
Politically Mr. Harden is a Democrat, having always voted that 
ticket. 

Even Harden, son of Ignatius and Rachel (Griffith) Harden, 
was born near Pleasantville, Fairfield Co., Ohio, March 12, 
1S<>5. He was reared in Perry County, and remained with his 
father till his death. In 1831 he moved to Washington Township, 
Hocking Co., Ohio, where he lived nine years. He bought his 
farm near Ewing in October, 1840, where he still resides. He was 
married Sept. 20, 1827, to his cousin, Eliza Harden, born in Bed- * 
ford County, Penn., May 10, 1810, and died Jan. 5, 1880. They 
have had six children, three of whom are living — William E., mar- 
ried to Lucetta Harsh; Ephraim, married to Susanna Stiveston,and 



10S0 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Emily, wife of John Hansel. Politically Mr. Harden is a Demo- 
crat, he having cast his first Presidential vote for General Jackson. 
Ignatius Harden was born in 1710, and was an old Revolutionary 
soldier. In the fall of 1800 he moved to Fairfield County, and in 
1805 he located in Perry County, where he remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1827, he having; lived to be 117 years of age. 
His wife died in the fall of 1856. They reared a family of twelve 
children, seven sons and five daughters. 

Enos Knipe, born in Montgomery, Perm., April 20, 1S20, sonot 
John L. and Margaret Knipe. In 1842 he came with the family to 
Muskingum County, Ohio, where his father died two years later. 
He was married in Muskingum County, in December, 1846, to 
Eliza, a native of Loudoun County, Va., and daughter of Samuel 
Amick. They have two children — John "W., born Sept. 22, 1S47 ( 
and Maria Jane. John W. was married to Angeline Linton in 
1870, and has two children— Charlie G. and Albert C. April 1, 
1849, Mr. Knipe moved to Hocking County and has now 236 acres 
of land. He has been connected with the Lutheran church for the 
past twenty years, his wife having joined when she was sixteen 
vears old. In politics Mr. Knipe is a Democrat. 

Elijah Lee was'born Dec. 10, 1829, in Hocking (now Swan Station, 
Vinton) County. His grandfather, James Lee, was a native of 
Ireland and when a young man came to America and lived seven 
years in Pennsylvania. He then put all his earnings into flaxseed 
and started back to Ireland. On the way over there was a storm 
and the seed with all other cargo was thrown overboard, in order 
to save the ship and passenger.-. Mr. Lee soon after returned to 
Pennsylvania and settled in Germautown. He married Elizabeth 
Krickburn, a German lady. They had four children, two sons 
and two daughters. George Lee, the youngest of their family, was 
born in 1798, and in 1816 came to Ohio with his father and brother 
James, locating in what is now Starr Township, Hocking County. 
He was married in 1820 to Martha O'-Neil, a native of Portage 
County, Ohio, born Oct. 8, 1800. They had a family of six chil- 
dren — Samuel.- Nancy, George W. (died March 0, 1874), Ross, [Eli. 
jah and Julia A. Mr. Lee died Sept. 14, 1831, and his wife, Aug. 
12, 1866. Elijah Lee was married Nov. 8, 1860, to Eliza A. JBart- 
lett, a native of La Porte County, Ind., born Dec. 20, 1S38. After 
his marriage he located on seventy-eight acres of land near his 
present residence, which he bought in 1865, having now 268 acres, 
lying in Hocking and Vinton counties. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 10S1 

had six children, five now living — Vernon W., Martha J., Homer 
M., Elijah E. and Emmet S. Lida died Aug. 16, 1878, aged 
eight years, one month and twenty-six days. Mrs. Lee's father, 
Cephas Bartlett, was born in Massachusetts, June 11, 1791, and 
when twenty -one years of age came to Ohio and settled in Hocking 
County. He was by trade a stone mason and made the first burrs 
in the Falls Mill at Logan and in the mill at McArthur. He mar- 
ried in March, 1821, Louisa Evarts, a native of Castleton, Vt., born 
Sept. 22, 1795. Her father, Ambrose Evarts, and his family were 
one of the seven families who first settled in Athens County, and 
her brother, G. A. Evarts, was the first white male child born in 
Athens County in 1797. In 1837 Mr. Bartlett went to LaPorte 
County, Ind., but in June, 1839, returned to Hocking Count}*, and 
resided here till his death, Aug. 25, 1817. Mrs. Bartlett died Jan. 
10, 1871. 

Silas Nixon, youngest of twelve children of Robert and Cather- 
ine (Sapp) .Nixon, was born March 3, 1827, near Straitsville, Perry 
Co., Ohio. The family moved from Virginia to Perry County, 
Ohio, where they settled about 1818. Our subject was married 
April 5, 1819, to Mary Cochran, a native of Perry County, where 
she was born Sept. 20, 1829. She is a daughter of Joseph Cochran. 
They have six children — Sarah Jane, wife of Philip Marx, residing 
near Lancaster, Fairfield County; Thomas, married to Lydia Clark, 
residing on Mr. Nixon's farm in Perry County; Emanuel and 
Amanda (twins), the former married to Mary Gordon; Clara and 
Alva. After marriage Mr. Nixon lived in different places till 
1855, when he came to Hocking County where he settled in his 
precent residence. He has 165 acres of land in a high state of cul- 
tivation, and has been very successful in his business relation.-. 
In 1862 he joined the Baptist church, holding his membership at 
the Scotch Creek church in Falls Township. Politically he has al- 
ways associated himself with the Democratic party. Mr. Robert 
Nixon died in December, 1828, and his wife survived him twenty 
years. 

William Noble, born Dec. 22, 1810, in Washington County, 
Penn. His father, William Noble, was a native of Ireland, and 
emigrated to America with his wife, Elizabeth (O'Neil) Noble and 
an infant, where they lived east of the mountains for three or four 
years, and then settled in Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Noble died. 
In the fall of 1833 the family moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, 
where Mr. Noble lived till his death. They had a family of thir- 



1082 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

teen children, ten of whom lived to maturity. William Noble, 
the subject of this sketch, was twenty-two years of age when he 
moved with his father to Guernsey County. He was married July 
12, 1839, to Mary Ann Ogier, a native of Germany. They have 
three living children — William, married to Kate Sell; James, mar- 
ried to Jemima Lautz, and Celia Ann, wife of Joseph Cherry. Mrs. 
Noble had one daughter, Mary Josephine, by a previous marriage, 
who was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Noble till her marriage with 
Albert Hartsell. In April, 1S41, Mr. Noble moved to Hocking 
County, where he lived till 1S45, when for the following three years 
he resided in Perry County. In the spring of 1849 he returned to 
Hocking County and bought the place where he now lives, it being 
very little cleared at that time. He went in debt for the land, but in 
the course of ten years he had made the last payment, and at the 
present time has 150 acres of land, which is well supplied with iron 
ore and veins of coal. Mr. Noble was reared in the Presbyterian 
church. In early life he was a Democrat, but since the formation 
of the Republican party he has associated himself with it. 

Peter Pleukharp was born Oct. 15, 1824, in Hocking County, 
Ohio. His father, Peter Pleukharp, was a native of Germany, and 
when about twenty-five years of age came to the United States 
and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he remained two years, 
and while there he was married to Margaret Goss, also a native of 
Germany. In 1822 he came to Falls Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
where he entered land, and remained in the township till his death, 
which occurred in Logan, Nov. 3, 1850. He had at the time ot 
his death 323 acres of land, and also some property in Logan. His 
wife died in Fairfield County. They were the parents of thirteen 
children, of whom ten are living. Peter Pleukharp was reared in 
Falls Township, and lived with his parents till he attained his 
majority. Oct. 18, 1849, he was married to Catherine Clark, a 
native of Falls Township. They have six children— Mary Emily 
and Sarah Ann (twins), the former married to George Keifer, of 
Ward Township, and the latter to Clinton Walker, of Licking 
County, Ohio; James, married to Emily Barnett, residing in Vin- 
ton County, Ohio; Maggie, wife of Frank Leamon, of Mc Arthur, 
Vinton County; Eli and Clara, residing at home. After his mar- 
riage he lived eighteen months a mile south of the Falls Mill, when 
he moved on his father's old homestead which he rented for three 
years. In 1S52 he purchased his present place in Washington 
Township, buying at first eighty acres; by subsequent purchases 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1083 

he has at present 155 acres. In 187S he united with the Scotch 
Creek Baptist church, in Falls Township. Politically he has 
always been a Republican. George Clark, the father of Mrs. Pleuk- 
harp, was a native of Virginia, born Oct. 16, 1786, settled in Fair- 
Held County, Ohio, where he lived two years. He then went to 
Scotch Creek, Hocking Cuunty, where he entered forty acres of 
land, but at different times added to it, so that at his death he 
had 315 acres, a part of which was previously deeded to his 
children. Mr. Clark married for his second wife Mary Harris, 
also a native of Virginia, by whom he had seven children, three 
sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. He died on the 
place he settled, Nov. 16, 1878, after living on it over sixty years. 
His wife departed this life about eleven months previous. 

Peter Ranch was born in Yellow Creek, Pa., Aug. 12, 1836. 
His father, Peter Ranch, was a native of Germany, coming to this 
country when a young man. He was married to Mary Magdalene 
Bower in Pennsylvania, and remained in that State a few years. 
In 1838 they moved to Ohio, where they settled in Washington 
Township, Hocking County. After living here three } - ears he 
died, leaving a widow who still survives him. They were the 
parents of four children, three of whom lived to maturity. Their 
son, Frederick, was killed by a freight train June 9, 1881. Peter 
Rauch, our subject, left his home in December, 1853, and com- 
menced to learn the saddler's trade at Logan, at which he contin- 
ued there till December, 1859. He next went to Delaware County, 
Ind., and worked at his trade till March, 1862, when he returned 
to Hocking County and tried farming for a year. In 1863 he went 
to Logan, again working at his trade three years, when his health 
began to fail him. Accordingly in 1867 he purchased the old home 
farm, and sold it in 1875, when he bought his present farm. He 
has 120 acres of well-improved land. Dec. 31, 1863, he w T as mar- 
ried to Hannah Kimble, born Oct. 10, 1843, and daughter of 
George and Bethena ("Watts) Kimble. They are the parents of 
eleven children, whose names are — Mary Ellen, Laura, Clara, Cora 
May, Emma, Nettie Myrtle, Charles, Minnie Arvilla, lona and 
Miona (twins), and William. Politically Mr. Rauch favors the 
Democratic party. However, in local elections he always votes for 
the man he deems best fitted for the office, irrespective of party. 

Wesley F. Reddich was born Jan. 1, 1839, in Washington Town- 
ship, Hocking Co., Ohio, about a mile from his present residence. 
His father, Jacob Reddick, was born in Maryland in 1791, and 



1084 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

when a young man moved to Perry County, where he worked at 
the blacksmith's trade a few years. He was married in Perry 
County to Martha Kelly, a native of Virginia. In 1829 he settled 
in Washington Township, Hocking County, where he worked at 
his trade for eight or ten years, spending the rest of the time at 
farming till death, which occurred May 19, 1869, aged seventy- 
five years. His wife died June 15, 1879, at the age of seventy-five 
years. They had thirteen children, all but one living to maturity, 
and eight are living at the present time, whose names are — Will- 
iam, George, Joseph, L. H., W. F., Elizabeth (wife of Cromwell 
Egleston), Mary (wife of Isaac Johnson), Martha, (wife of Isaac 
Mathias). Wesley F. Reddick was reared in Washington Town- 
ship, living with his father till his twenty-first year. In 1861 he en- 
listed in Company H, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, Captain Pilcher, 
and Colonel McLean commander of the regiment. He served three 
years and two months, having participated in the battles of Bull 
Run, Gettysburg, Gainesville, and an engagement at the Rappa- 
hannock. He was mustered out of service in the winter of 1861, 
and reached home Jan. 3, 1865. From 1865 to 1872 he lived in 
Pickaway and Hocking counties and in Illinois, and in August, 
1872, he returned to Hocking County and purchased his present 
farm, containing 158 acres, situated near New Mount Pleasant. 
He was married in October, 1873, to Mary Elizabeth, .daughter ot 
George Sonders. She died May 3, 1875. Mr. Reddick was again 
married March 16, 1877, to Eleanor Jane Clark, who was born in 
Belmont, Jan. 13, 1811, and reared in Vinton County from the time 
she was two years old. They have two children — Charlie B., born 
Jan. 4, 1878, and Carrie Iretlia, born Dec. 23, 1882. Mr. Reddick 
is a member of the Methodist church and a Republican in politics. 
Samuel Riggs, son of Noah and Nancy (Shepler) Riggs, was 
born in Washington County, Pa., May 22, 182S. When an in- 
fant Ms parents removed to West Virginia, and lived near Wheel- 
ing till he was seventeen years of age. In 1845 the} 7 located in 
Guernsey County, Ohio, where they lived nine years, when they 
moved to Hocking County, where they resided till their death. 
Our subject was married on Dec. 25, 1856, to Sarah Ann, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Johnston, one of the first settlers of Hocking County. 
They have ten children — William J., married to Laura Wright, 
and residing on a part of the farm; Charles W., Elizabeth, Mary 
J., Orlando A., Louisa B., George W., Samuel G., Noah F. and 
Ethel M. After marriage Mr. Riggs moved to his farm in Wash- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1085 

ingto.n Township, where he resided for twenty years. In 1876 he 
purchased his present residence adjoining his farm. In his busi- 
ness career he has been very successful, having begun life without 
anything, but by his industry and careful management he has .at 
present an excellent farm of 567 acres. He has been connected 
with the Methodist church for twenty-two years, being at present 
a member of Mount Pleasant church. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican, having always been a strong supporter of that party. Mr. 
Noah Riggs is a native of Washington County. He died in 1871. 
His wife, Nancy (Shepler) Riggs, a native of Westmoreland 
County, Pa., died in 1862. They reared a family of eight children, 
two sons and six daughters, our subject being the fourth child. 

Daniel Schaal, born in York County, Pa., Oct. 31, 1828. His 
parents were August C. and Mary Agnes Schaal, both natives of 
Germany. Berlin being his father's birth-place, and Wurtemburg 
his mother's. They came to America with their three children in 
the spring of 1827, landing at Baltimore. Being without means 
they went to Pennsylvania and worked for the farmers there till 
they secured enough to take them farther. In 1S31 they moved 
West and located in Muskingum County, Ohio. When they 
arrived in Zanesville Mr. Schaal had only 50 cents in cash and an 
old blind horse. They made Muskingum County their home for 
about six years, when they came to Hocking County, that portion 
which now forms a part of Yinton County. They died in October, 
1869, Mrs. Schaal on the 10th, and Mr. Schaal one week later, the 
1 7th. Mrs. Schaal was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom 
grew up — five sons and three daughters. One daughter has been 
dead about thirty-five years. Daniel Schaal, the fourth child, re- 
mained at home until he was nearly twenty-three years of age. IT is 
educational advantages were very limited, the country being new 
and schools a rarity. He was married June 5, 1851, to Anna 
Elizabeth Hengst, who was born in Prussia, June 30, 1S28, daugh- 
ter of John and Christina Hengst. The Hengst family came to 
this country in 1835 and settled in Lancaster, Fairfield Cj., Ohio. 
After his marriage Mr. Schaal bought a forty-acre tract in Yinton 
County, and began farming. He remained on this farm till the 
fall of 1866, when he removed to Hocking Count}'' and bought 320 
acres in Washington Township, where he has ever since resided. 
This farm has been increased to 420 *acre3, and is now well im- 
proved. He was originally a Whig, and when that old party died 
he fell in line with the Democracy. He has been Township Trus- 



1086 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

tee for six term? at different intervals, the last time holding the 
office for three consecutive terms, the last term expiring April 1, 
1883. Mr. and Mrs. Schaal have had seven children, four of whom 
are now living — John W., married Harriet Funk; George, mar- 
ried Arminda Waller; Adam and Mary E. Schaal. Mr. Schaal has 
been connected with the Evangelical Lutheran church since 1819. 
His wife and children are also members of the same church. 

Israel Sonders was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 6, 1819, 
and is the son of Jacob and Mary Magdalene (Slater) Sonders, the 
former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. When 
three years of age his parents moved to Morgan County where he 
was reared till nineteen years of age, and where his mother still 
resides on the old homestead, his father having died soon after the 
close of the war. He was married Feb. 10, 1842, to Susanna Weller, 
a native of Morgan County. They have had eight children, two of 
whom died in infancy. Those living are — Eli W., Alfred A., 
Jacob G., Lavina J., Sarah A. and Luther. After his marriage 
Mr. Sonders moved to Hocking County, and settled on the place 
he now resides when it was a dense wilderness. He has been a 
member of the Presbyterian church for ten or twelve years, previ- 
ously belonging to the Lutheran denomination. Politically he 
was originally a Whig but is now a Republican. 

Thos. iSioejiston, M. D., born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 10, 
1825. His father was John H. Swepston, a native of Pittsylvania 
County, Va. There he married Winnie Bruce. In 1823, with a family 
of six children, he came to Ohio, locating in Springfield Towmship, 
Gallia. County. He moved in 1830 into Richland Township, Yin- 
ton County (then Jackson County\ and settled on a farm. Mrs. 
Swepston died in 1874 and her husband in 1876. They had fourteen 
children, seven sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived to 
be themselves parents. Dr. Swepston was reared in Richland Town- 
ship, Vinton County, living with his father till his twenty-first 
year. During this time he worked on the farm and attended the 
district school. He then hired out for one summer. The next 
winter he attended school. The following summer he was in 
school at McArthur and the next winter began teaching and con- 
tinued in that vocation five winter terms. He began in 1S52 the 
study of medicine with Dr. Joseph Wilcox, of Allensville, under 
whose tutelage he became. a physician. In 1856 he located at 
New Mount Pleasant, situated on the line between Hocking and 
Vinton counties, where he commenced the practice of medicine. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1087 

He attended lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and 
Surgery during the sessions of 1857-'8. He has continually prac- 
ticed here, and during a period of seven years was in partnership 
with Dr. John Holland, an old practitioner in this region. His 
practice has been large and very successful. He has been a Master 
Mason about seventeen years, and has held many offices in the 
lodge, and at present is Senior Deacon. He was married in 1849 
to Love Samantha Darby, who was born in Richland Township, 
Vinton County. They have had six children, of whom four are now 
living — Salina M. (deceased), Pickney A., Kenzy P., Edna A., 
Mayo B., and one dying in infancy. 

William B. Wadsworth was born April 29, 182-4, in Maryland, 
near the Pennsylvania line, a son of John C. and Margaret (Cline- 
telter) Wadsworth, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the lat- 
ter of Maryland. The Wadsworth family is quite a numerous one 
in the East, and originally came from England. The Clinefelters 
were of Prussian-German descent. Peter Clinefelter, grandfather 
of William Wadsworth, in early times kept a tavern, and the Penn- 
sylvania and Maryland State line ran through his house. In 183S 
or 1839, John C. Wadsworth moved to Ohio and settled in Mor- 
gan County, where he lived eleven years, when" he moved to Vinton 
County and settled between Hamden and Allensville, near where 
the Cincinnati iron furnace now stands. He remained here about 
six years, and then moved to Iowa, where he died in 1879. His 
widow is still living in Decatur County. They reared a family of 
eleven children, of whom eight are now living. William B. is the 
eldest son now living. He lived with his father till after he was 
twenty-one years of age. He was married March 4, 1851, to Lydia 
C Skivington, who was born in Morgan County, Ohio, March 25, 
1828, a daughter of John Skivington. After his marriage he 
worked for other parties two years, and in April, 1853, bought a 
piece of land in the woods of Hocking County, with only six or 
seven acres cleared. Hd built a log house and moved into it in 
October. He lived there a number of years, and then lived in Iles- 
boro a year. In 1863 he bought his present place, which contains 
2S0 acres. Mr. Wadsworth has been a member of the Methodist 
church forty-three years. He has had a family of five children, 
only two of whom are living — Arthur A. and Robert C. Eva May, 
Cornelius Shepard and a twin brother of Cornelius are deceased. 

Hiram K. Wright was born Sept. 1, 1832, in Washington Town- 
ship, Hocking Co., Ohio, a son of Joseph Wright, a native of 
Green Township, born Sept. 17, 1806. His grandfather, Thomas 



1088 HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Wright, was one of the earliest settlers along the Hocking River. 
The Wrights were of Irish descant, and the wife of Thomas was a 
German lady. Josaph Wright was married at the age of twenty- 
one years to Levina Cirver, a native of Washington County, Ohio. 
Shortly after his marriage lie built ahewed-log house, a portion of 
which is still standing. He died June 17, 1S60, and his wife Nov. 
23, 1832. They had a family of thirteen children, rearing ten to 
maturity — Lucinda, wife of J. D. Sain, of Coles County, 111.; 
Albert C, of Benton Township; Presley O., of Cromwell, Iowa; 
Hiram K., subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of George Bond, ot 
Crawfordsville, Ind.; "Robert W. S., of Coles County, 111.; Ann Ma- 
ria; Barbara, wife of Samuel Johnson, of Coles County, 111.; Irwin 
C, a physician at Haydenville; Emily L., wife of Daniel Moore, 
of Coles Count} 7 , III. Hiram K. Wright was married Sept. 5. 
185S, to Susan Trout, a native of Washington Township, and a 
daughter of Paul Trout. She was born Aug. 17, 1837. They have 
four children — Ciara A., Charles V., Stella L. and Bertha Bell. 
They have lost four — Mary L., aged three years; Eugenia F., aged 
eighteen months; Frank II., aged seventeen years, and Irvin D., 
aged twenty-one years. Mr. Wright attended the common schools 
ot Washington Township and the Ohio University at Athens. He 
then taught school at intervals for eighteen terms. After his mar- 
riage he moved on a farm that he had previously bDught, in Ben- 
ton Township, and resided there three years, when he purchased 
the farm where he now resides in Washington Township. Mr. 
Wright was for eighteen years a member ot the Methodist church, 
but in 1S76 joined the Presbyterian church, and was shortly after 
elected Treasurer and Deicjn. Politically he is a Democrat. He 
iias served two terms as Justice of the Peace, two terms as Town- 
ship Trustee, and School Director and Supervisor, and has been 
President of the Board of Education. He has been the executor 
of one estate and administrator of another. He was guardian of 
a brother and sister, having the care of them from the ages of ten 
and fourteen till they were of age. 

BENTON TOWNSHIP. 

THE WONDERS OF QUEER CREEK. 

Benton Township lies upon the southern border, being in the 
smith range of townships of the count} 7 . It is bounded on the north 
by Laurel Township, on the east by Washington Township and 
Vinton County, south by Vinton County, and west by Salt Creek 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1089 

Township. The township has an area of 23,040 acres of land, 
broken in many places, and especially in the region of Queer 
Creek will be found deep ravines, the bold outlines of rocky bluffs, 
and the varied scenery of a country wonderful in its formation, sug- 
gesting to the mind — because of its weird-like appearance at twi- 
light—a home for spirits to dwell in. The wonders of Queer Creek 
have not all yet been developed. Benton's wealth lies not alto- 
gether in the richness of her soil, for down in the bowels of the 
earth lies untold wealth. Iron ore of superior quality, coal in im- 
mense veins, apparently inexhaustible, promises of silver and lead 
and other mineral wealth, all attest the fact that when Benton 
Township shall have been thoroughly prospected and her hidden 
resources brought to the light of day, she will rank in mate- 
rial prosperity with the leading townships in the county. 

SILVER MINES. 

Indian tradition has located rich silver mines within her border, 
and quite an excitement was raised by a supposed find of silver 
ore on the farm of Mr. Moody in April, 1874. Some of the best 
farming land is found in this region, drained by the waters of the 
Scioto, and the valleys of Benton Township are rich in soil and 
fertile in production. For sheep and stock generally it is unsur- 
passed. 

ITS STREAMS AND RAVINES. 

It is watered by Big Pine Run in the northwest, the branches 
of Queer Creek, Cedar Fork, which rise on the east, and Feed 
Rock Run in the southeast. These uniting form Queer Creek 
which, after some twelve miles of meandering, falls into Salt Creek 
on the border of Salt Creek Township. Grasses grow luxuriantly, 
and with its waters make it an admirable stock-raising country. 

Benton Township is given on the map as a congressional town- 
ship, six miles square, but the assessor claims no less than 23,493 
acres upon his roll. This is 458 acres more than a congressional 
township, and he has probably measured both sides of the most 
prominent hills in the township. This setting the land upon 
edges and measuring both sides seems to add considerable to the 
acreage of the township. Benton is in township 11 of range 18. 
and is one of the original townships in the county, and can proba- 
bly boast of as energetic and enterprising people as any township 
in the county. 
69 



1090 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The following description of the remarkable valley of Queer 
Creek is taken nearly verbatim fro:n an old publication ot Dr. S. 
P. Hildreth. 

"the road to hell." 

"The valley of Queer Creek, in the southwestern part of Hock- 
ing County, is a wild, romantic ravine, in which the stream has 
cut a passage several miles in extent through the solid rock, form- 
ing mural cliffs more than 120 feet in height. They are also full of 
caverns and grottoes, clothed with dark evergreens of the hemlock 
and cedar. Near the outlet of this rocky and narrow valley there 
stood a few years since a large beech tree on which was engraved 
in legible characters, ' This is the road to hell, 1782.' These words 
were probably traced by some unfortunate prisoner then on his way 
to the old Indian town of Chillicothe. This whole region is full of 
interesting scenery, and affords some of the most wild and pict- 
uresque views in the State of Ohio. It was once the favorite 
haunt of the bear, as the grottoes and caverus furnished fine re- 
treats for their winter quarters. These caverns were also valuable 
for the vast beds of nitrous earth from which the old hunters, in 
time of peace, extracted large quantities of saltpeter for the manu- 
facture of gunpowder. One of these grottoes, well-known to the 
inhabitants of the vicinity by the name of ' Ash Cave,' remark- 
able for the great quantity of ashes it contains, is the most not- 
able feature of the vicinity and receives a separate notice elsewhere. 

"These ravines and grottoes have all been formed in the outcrop- 
ping edges of sandstone and conglomerate rocks, which underlie 
the coal fields of Ohio, by the wasting action of the weather and 
attrition of running water. The process is yet going on in several 
streams on the southwest side of Hocking County, where the water 
his a descent of thirty, forty or even fifty feet at a single pitch, and 
a fall of eighty or a 100 in a few rods. The falls of the Cuyahoga 
and the Hocking rivers are cut in the same geological formation. 
The water, in some of these branches, is of sufficient volume to turn 
the machinery of a saw-mill, and being lined and overhung with 
the graceful foliage of evergreen shrubs, furnishes some of the 
wildest and most beautiful scenery. This is especially so at the 
' Cedar Falls' and the ■ Falls of Black Jack.' 

" There is a tradition among the credulous settlers of this retired 
spot that lead ore was found here and worked by the Indians; and 
many a weary day has been spent in its fruitless search among the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1091 

cliffs which line all the streams of this region. Ashes and piles of 
cinders have often been found, and the ' pot holes ' in the bench 
of the sand rock in 'Ash Cave,' evidently worn by the water 
at a remote period, have been taken fur ancient contrivances for 
smelting the lead." 

The Wyandot Indians had possession ot this tract of country, 
and there is every evidence to show that the valley of Queer Creek 
was one of their rendezvous, and doubtless a place of retreat from 
their savage neighbors when hostilities existed between them, and 
as game was also plenty to secure their supplies, nature could 
scarcely have furnished a safer retreat. 

ASH CAVE. 

The most striking and beautiful of all the scenes in Hocking 
County is so named from the vast quantity of ashes which it con- 
tains. It has been estimated by different persons to contain sev- 
eral thousand bushels. The author of an old historical work on 
Ohio says, in speaking of this, that he " visited this grotto in 1837, 
and should say there was, at that time, not less than three or four 
hundred bushels of clear ashes, as dry and free from moisture as 
they were on the day they were burned." The source of this un- 
natural and singular deposit yet remains among the mysteries. 
Whether they are the refuse of old saltpeter-makers, or whether 
they were piled up there in the course of ages by some of the abo- 
rigines who made these caverns their dwelling places, are only prob- 
able conjectures. 

The cave is formed by a projecting cliff at the head of a little 
stream, whose deep valley separates the bold rock-ribbed hills tow- 
ering high above from the stately pines which grow at their base. 
At this point, which is the highest rock exposure in the county, the 
ledge is 120 feet high and projects over from the base a distance of 
about ninety feet, forming a semicircular cavern 600 feet in length, 
ninety feet deep and about ninety feet high. At one side of this 
semicircle, near the rock, lies the great heap of ashes which gives 
this beautiful place its name. From the center of the overhanging 
roof a little stream leaps down into a sparkling pool below, lending 
additional beauty and charm to the already sublime picture. For 
a distance of a quarter of a mile down the valley the rocky ledge 
on either side rises to a height of from eighty to 100 feet, forming 
a diversity of splendid natural scenery seldom surpassed. It is 
simply a huge, natural amphitheater where every step and every 



1092 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

glance reveals new and striking wonders. Masses of rock are 
thrown together in magnificent confusion, many of them lichened 
and covered with mossy carpets of varied and gorgeous hues. From 
some points the eye takes in an entire view of the long rockj 7 ledge 
from base to summit; another view presents the furrowed features 
of the rocky faces partially hidden by vines that clamber up their 
sides and the scraggy branches of the pines that grow up from 
below. 

SOME PLAIN PKOSE. 

The first settler was Christian Eby, whose cabin was upon nearly 
the same spot where Bloomingville now stands, on Queer Creek. 
Geo. Starkey was another early settler, also Moses Dolson. The 
first election held was at Eby's. The first sermon was preached by 
the Rev. David Dutcher. 

The first church was a Methodist Episcopal church, near the pres- 
ent site of Bloomingville. Dr. Dutcher was its first Pastor, and the 
first mill was erected by Mr. Eby, on Queer Creek. This mill for 
quite a number .of years was patronized by a large extent of coun- 
try. 

The township has five churches — three Methodist, one Baptist 
and one United Brethren. The present Pastor of the Blooming- 
ville Methodist church is the Rev. Levi Sparks. It has a member- 
ship of 130, and is one of the largest and most flourishing churches 
of this denomination in the county. The Rev. Levi Sparks is also 
the pastor of Wesley Chapel, an organization which is in an excel- 
lent condition. It has now ninety members. 

BLOOMINGVILLE. 

This village was laid out by John Chilcote who owned the land 
upon which it was located. Samuel and Christian Eby were the 
pioneer merchants of the place, their store being on the ground 
now occupied by George Gill as a drug store. While not likely to 
attain a very large size Bloomingville will grow, as it is a very nec- 
essary convenience for the farmers in that section of the county. 
There are now two general stores, one managed by John Goddard 
and the other owned by John Quellin. George Gill owns the 
drugstore. There are two good country hotels, the Ohio House, 
by J. W. lies, and the American, by William Evarts. Drs. Green 
and Redfern are the physicians. Miss Redfern has the only milli- 
nery store. There is one flouring and saw mill owned by Henry 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1093 

O. Haynes, and one blacksmith shop, by John A. Smith. The 
present Postmaster is George Gill. The first Postmaster was 
Herschel Sanford who kept the office at his house about one and 
one-half miles east of Bloomingville. It was called at that time the 
'• Rock House" postoffice. The first Postmaster at Bloomingville 
was Samuel Wilson, followed in the order named: Dr. Floyd, 
Samuel Wilson, J. J. Bilgen, Henry Burch, W. F. Englehart, Pe- 
ter Eby, J. F. Starkey, W. II. Everett, J. T. McCormack, J. C. 
Wolfe and, as above stated, George Gill, the present officer. Stamp 
sales reach about $120 per annum. The town has a population of 
250. The schools in the township number nine, and the amount 
of township funds for 1833 is $1,582.18. The schools are flourish- 
ing and the school-houses neat and comfortable. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1883. 

Trustees, Jonathan Shaw, Isaac Hill and Andrew Devon; Treas- 
urer, J. M. Buchanan; Clerk, George Gill; Assessor, H. Chilcote; 
Constables, Nathaniel Laicht and John Buckingham; Justices of 
the Peace, William Fleming and N. R. Petit. 

The population in 1850 was 933; 1860, 1,319; 1870, 1,118; 1880, 
1,628. The assessed valuation of this township in 1882 was: Real 
estate, $167,851; personal property, $58,175. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Benjamin H. Allen, son of John and Saville Allen, was born 
in Perry County, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1845. When he was three years 
of age his parents came to Hocking County, where he was reared, 
remaining at home till his twenty-fifth year. June 6, 1S69, he 
married Mary C. Ilerl. She died April 17, 1S75, leaving three 
children, two now living. July 18, 1878, Mr. Allen married Sarah 
B. Vest. He was a sehool-teacher several years, but in September, 
1S74, bought the farm where he now lives, and since then has 
worked on the farm during the summer, still teaching during the 
winter months. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. He is a man of considerable energy, and has been very 
successful in what he has undertaken. Mr. Allen has four children 
— Homer C, Eugene E., Prudence E. and Sanley O. 

John Allen, Jr., born in Culpeper County, Va., July 13, 1818, 
was a son of John and Margaret (Umphrey) Allen, natives of Vir- 
ginia. When he was quite young his parents came to Ohio and 



1094 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEV. 

settled near Roseville, Muskingum County. While he was still a 
boy his father died and the support of the family fell on him and 
his brother Jasper. He was married April 1, 1841, to Savilla God- 
love, daughter of John Godlove, and settled on his portion of his 
father's estate, where he lived till 1S46. He then sold his farm 
and came to Hocking County and bought the farm where he now 
lives. Mr. Allen is the father of twelve children, ten now living 
— Matilda A., now Mrs. Louis Seymore; Benjamin H.; Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. David Jadwin; Julia A., now Mrs. E. Huffman; John, 
married Mary Vest; Philander, Minerva, Margaret E. and Savilla. 
Mr. Allen is a member of the United Brethren Church. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat. 

George. Amerine, born in Belmont County, Ohio, July 11, 1820, 
is a son of Peter and Nancy (McConetf) Amerine, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. In 1833 his parents moved to Perry County, Ohio, and 
in 1845 he came to Hocking where, with the exception of six years, 
he has since resided. He was reared on a farm and received his 
education in the country schools, paying his own tuition. The first 
farm he bought was in Vinton County, at that time part of Hock- 
ing, and but little more than a wilderness. In 1855 he sold that 
farm and bought the one then known as the Adam Brown farm. He 
has always been a hard-working man, and by his good manage- 
ment has now a fine farm of ISO acres. He has had eight children 
born to him, two of whom are dead. Three are married and are 
making for themselves good homes. Mr. Amerine has been a 
member of the Methodist church since nineteen years of age. 

Eli J. Dennis, son of Elias and Matilda (Walters) Dennis, was 
born Feb. 23, 1S34, in Perry County, Ohio. When he was six 
months old his parents came to Hocking County, where he was 
reared and educated. June 6, 1S58, he married Mary M. Poling, 
daughter of Abraham Poling. After his marriage he rented land for 
three years, and then took a lease for some land of Simon Deaver, 
remaining on it nine years. In March. 1870, he bought eighty acres 
in Benton Township, which he has brought to a good state of culti- 
vation. Besides being a farmer he is by trade a stone-mason, and is 
one of the best in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have had fourteen 
children, twelve of whom are living — Mary C, Allie A., David, 
Barbary, Vance, Cynthia, George, Jacob, Denona, Eftie, Henry 
and James H. One son, Vance, has had the spinal meningitis 
twice, and is now a cripple, probably for life. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1095 

W. B. Fleming, son of Joseph and Jane E. (Middleton) Flem- 
ing, was born April 4, 1836, in Virginia. In 1842 his parents 
came to Ohio and settled in Licking County. When sixteen years 
of age he went to work for David Waters as an apprentice to learn 
the trade of a millwright, and worked at that trade till 1861. 
April 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Ohio In- 
fantry, for three months. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the 
Thirty -eighth Ohio Infantry, for a year, and participated in the 
battles at Phillipi, Laurel Hill and Carrick Ford. July 19, 1862, 
he enlisted in the One Hundredth Ohio Infantry for three years. 
During his latter term of enlistment he was in the engagement at 
Knoxville, through the Georgia campaign, the battles of Franklin 
and Nashville, then to Washington, Wilmington and Greensboro, 
where he was mustered out July 13, 1865. He was married in 
September, 1869, to Miss M. J., daughter of John and Polly 
Brewer, of Tennessee. He lived in Tennessee ten years after his 
marriage, working at his trade. In 1881 he came to Ohio and 
located in Logan, and in August, 1882, came to' Bloomingville. 
He was elected Justice of the Peace April 2, 1883. He has been 
a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity since 1858. He is also a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

P. J. Green, M. D., son of John and Catharine (Darwin) Green, 
was born Feb. 17, 1817, in Enniskillen, Fermanagh County, Ire- 
land, and came to the United States with his parents in 1829. 
They came to Ohio in 1832, locating first in Muskingum County, 
and in the spring of 1833 moved to Perry County. Hi s father gave 
him the benefit of a liberal education, intending to fit him for the 
priesthood in the Catholic church, but he did not coincide with his 
father's plans, and so, when nineteen years of age left home to take 
care of himself. In the fall of 1837 he entered the Cincinnati 
Medical College and attended three sessions, graduating in 1839. 
lie was clerk on the river steamer Tuscarawas for four years and 
a half, and was on board at the time it was blown up with gun- 
powder. He then went to Cuba, but did not remain long, return- 
ing via New Orleans to Perry County, where he taught school 
twelve months. Sept. 3, 1845, he married Asenath Dollison and 
moved to Muskingum County, where he taught school and reviewed 
his medical studies three years. In October, 1849, he came to 
Hocking County and entered upon the practice of his profession in 
Logan. After a residence there of two years he went to New Mt. 
Pleasant, where he remained eight years. He then went to 



1096 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Kingston, Ross County, but in 1S60 left there and came to Bloom- 
ingville, where he still resides. He has, by close application to his 
profession, acquired a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Green has 
reared a family of seven children, six now living. 

Samuel H. Her, son of William and Ann (Berry) Her, was born 
in Hocking County, Jan. 30, 1851. He was thrown on his own re- 
sources when quite young, but succeeded in getting a fair English 
education in the public schools. He was married Jan. 4, 1872, to 
Emma, daughter of Basil and Margaret A. Black. They have five 
children — Minnie, Lillie, Dellie, Joseph N. and Noah W. After 
his marriage Mr. Her settled on the farm where he now lives, on 
section 6, Benton Township. He makes a specialty of fruit, 
taking great pride in his work, and being one of the largest fruit- 
growers in the county. He joined the Disciple church in March, 
1S72. Politically, he is a Democrat. 

Solomon Parrish, born in Baltimore County, Md., July 24, 1806, 
is a son of Joshua and Sarah Parrish. His parents moved to Bel- 
mont County, Ohio, in 1S09, where he was reared and educated. 
He commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade when seventeen 
years of age and worked at it in Belmont County till January, 
1833. He then went to Tuscarawas County and remained till 
1854. In October of the latter year he came to Hocking County 
and located in Benton Township. He has made farming his chiet 
occupation, and now owns 252 acres of tine land. Feb. 21, 1828, 
he married Elizabeth Jones, a native of Montgomery County, Md. 
They are the parents of ten children, five only now living — Aminda, 
born Sept. 30, 1832 ; Thomas, Oat 7, 1834 ; Marion, Dec. 23, 
1839; Abraham R., Sept. 19, 1812. and Esther V., Sept. 21, 1847. 
Mr. and Mrs. Parrish joined the Methodist Episcopal church at 
West Union, Tuscarawas County, March 12, 1837. Their family 
are all members of the church here. 

Emery Fisk Redfern, M. D., son of Uriah and Jane (Murphy) 
Red fern, was born in Jaskson, nova par; of Vinton Cjunty, June 
4, 1S42. He lost both his parents when a child and went to live 
with Isaac Dunkle, remaining with him till twenty years of age. 
July 31, 1862, he enlisted in Company V, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry. 
He participated in twenty-one battles and skirmishes, the more 
prominent being Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, and with 
Sherman to the sea. He was discharged June 13, 1865, having 
been in the service nearlj' three years and never having been ofT 
duty. Aug. 9, 1862, he married Martha Nichols, daughter of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1097 

John F. and Mary (Lark ins) Nichols. They have four children — 
Francis N. R., Isaac W., Mary A. J. and Lillie L. M. Dr. Redfern 
ommenced the practice of medicine in 1870, and in the winter of 
lS78-'79 attended medical lectures at the American Eclectic Col- 
lege, Cincinnati, receiving a diploma from that school. He located 
in Sharonville, Pike County, and remained about six months; then 
went to Limerick, Jackson County; from there to South Perry, and 
thence to South Bloomingville, where he has since been engaged 
in the practice of his profession. Dr. Redfern is a member of 
Lodge No. 361, I. O. O. F., McArthur, and of the Grand Army of 
the Republic. 

Frederick Wolfe, son of Daniel and Joanna (Bench) Wolfe, was 
born in Surry County, N. C, Sipt. 24, 1^14, and came with his 
parents to Ohio in 1825, settling in what was then Ross County, 
but is now Vinton. His father not being able to buy a half sec- 
tion, the least that could be bought at that time, was obliged to 
settle on Congress land. Mr. Wolfe remained with his father in 
Ross County ten years and then came to Hocking County and 
entered forty acres of land. In 1835 he married Rebecca, daughter 
of John and Hester Chilcote. About the time of his marriage he 
traded his land for what is now known as the Eby farm. He by 
industry added to his possessions till at one time he owned 262 
acres of fine land. He now has 105 acres. Mr. Wolfe is the oldest 
resident in Benton Township. When he first came here he had to 
go twenty-four miles on horse-back to mill. Their salt was brought 
from the Kanawha Salt Works, Va.,also on horse-back. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wolfe have had eight children, of whom the following grew 
to maturity — John (married twice, Mary and Rachel Davis), Hester 
A. (now Mrs. T. J. Allison,) Daniel, Joshua (married Jennie John- 
son), William, Mary Eby, and Columbus (married Jane Turner). 
Mr. Wolfe has been a member of the Methodist church since 1840. 




CHAPTER XL. 

SALT CREEK ANP PERRY TOWNSHIPS— VARIED SCENERY, FER- 
ULE SOIL, A WEALTH? AND PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE 

Saj Cress V9 lt it Comprises -Metes and Bounds Aki\, 
Srs Mu.k^ bi Seven— Population — Pioneers, Schools lnd 
Churches Postoffice and Stores Cownship Officers, L8S8 — 

BlOQRAPHICAl 

Perrv — Area -Boundary— Scrnkrt Early. Settlers [nci- 

b First White Child Born — Mills— Township Offi- 

csrs v ..a Psrrt — Laurei.yilli — BubnaVista — Churches — 

Population— Valuation — Prsssnt Officials Noted 

—Biographic u . 

SALT CREEK 

WHAT IT COMPRISES, 

Salt Ci prises the southwest corner of Hocking County, 

extending one farther south than any other township of the 

COW e township is root;-. in shape, its dimensions 

• .. - \ ■ as m east to west, and seven from north to south. 

[tc ins - \ square miles more than the ordinary 

cong ship, and in all, 26,880 acres of land. Salt 

Creek Township is bounded on the north by Perry, on the east by 

ton and Vinton County, on the south by Vinton County, and 

on the wesl ! — County. It is drained entirely by S 

Creek, .-. tributary of the Scioto River, from which it takes 

o. The soil is fi 1 productive along the valley oi S 

Creek and its tributaries and well adapted to tanning, but the up- 

I is thin and in some parts very rough. Vanning and gra 

principal occupations of the inhabitants. 

Although ' rgest township, in territory, in the count} it 

ranks sixth in population. The increase has been fair in the 

sea - ring a growth of about twenty- 

- \ per cent., In lug fourth in this respect in the county. The tig- 

ftdes are as follows: Population in L840, 

821; in I860, 1,094; in >■ ; in 1870, 1,179; and in L880, 

• 1,486. The assessed valuation of Salt Creek Township in 1882 

; personal property - ,840. Although 
109S 







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**^>rv 



'm 




i M 



m 



VS7?,!* 




HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1099 

tli is township can not boast of a rock house, an ash cave*, or a 
"road to hell," yet in natural scenery it partakes of the nat- 
ure of its neighbors, and has within its borders a portion of the 
wonderful stream Queer Creek. But where it is a little behind in 
this respect, the difference is probably more than balanced by the 
industry and sobriety of its people, — facts which would refute the 
charge of containing a "road to hell" in any sense. Among the 

FIRST SETTLERS 

here were : Daniel Karshner, Moses Wiggins, Thomas Wiggins 
and William Hoover. The exact date of their arrival to this part 
of the great forest of the Northwest cannot now be ascertained, but 
it was probably near the time of the first flood of emigration to the 
Ohio Company's purchase, as in 1840 the township had a fair pop- 
ulation for that date, as shown above, ranking fourth among the 
townships of the county. The general occupation was that of 
clearing and cultivating the soil. Lemuel Wiggins built and ran 
a saw-mill on the bank of Salt Creek at an early date, it being the 
first in the township. It was afterward changed into a grist-mill, . 
and was finally abandoned, which leaves the township without a 
single manufacturing establishment. The first blacksmith-shop 
in the township, owned by D. L. Davis, was built in 1858, and sit- 
uated on section 15, near the Haynes postoftice. There are three 
shops in the township at present. 

This township has eight school districts, each of which is sup- 
plied with a school-house. For the support of the schools the 
township tax in 1SS2 was $1,039.95. 

CHURCHES. 

The churches of the township are three in number, the most im- 
portant of which is the United Brethren society, known as 

Zion Church. — This society was first organized in 1855 with a 
membership of ten persons. A building was erected a few years 
after the organization of the society, situated very near the center 
of the township, on section 21. Throughout its history this church 
has been one of prosperity and great usefulness. The present 
Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, is an earnest and efficient 
Pastor, and the society, now numbering about seventy members, 
bids fair for a long and useful future. 

Bethel Church (United Brethren) is located on section 12, near 
the eastern border of the township. The location is a pleasant 



1100 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

one, oft the bank of Big Pine Creek, the church being supported by 
an oarnost and faithful membership. The members who organ- 
ized the church in 1S51 were as follows : Alfred Reid and wife, 
John Reid and wife, II. J. Lowe, John Hoffman, J. L. Lowe and 
wife, J. Martin, Sr., I. L. Bookwalter and John Barnhart. For 
two years this society held services in private houses, when their 
present building was erected in 1S53. The church now numbers 
forty members in its fellowship and is steadily growing. The 
present Pastor is Rev. Jesse McLaughlin. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated in the southern por- 
tion of the township, on section 34, was organized and the building 
erected in 1S79. Since then it has gradually grown and extended 
its inriuence until at this time it is one of the most powerful 
churches for good of this denomination in the county outside of 
the city of Logan. 

The 'only 

POSTOFFICE 

ever established within the township is situated north ot its cen- 
ter, near the confluence of the two streams. Big Pine and Salt 
creeks. It was established in 1871, when D. L. Davis, who has 
held the office continuously up to the present time, was appointed 
Postmaster. For a few years the office went by the name of Pine- 
ville, but it was changed to llaynes postoffice, being in the midst 
of the llaynes neighborhood. 

The stores, two in number, situated in this township, are coun- 
trv stores, there being no village within its limits. The first one, 
the one now kept by M. D. Davis, was established as early as 
1S40, by Reuben Wise. The other, situated at the junction ot 
the Suit Creek and Pike Run roads, was built and started by 
Joseph Poling in 1875. This store is at present owned by Mrs. 
Maggie Poling. 

Although as yet not very greatly advanced in the business 
thrifts of a long-settled community, yet the people of this town- 
ship have 

ix ruosrEOTivE 

a railroad through the Salt ('reek Valley, which has been surveyed 
and already partially graded. This will pass through the town- 
ship from northwest to southeast, a little north of its center. A 
new postoffice, to be kept in the Poling store, has also been pro- 
vided for. and expects to begin business July 1, l^S-3. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1101 

The township officers for Salt Creek at present are : Justices, 
Daniel L. Davis, Lewis Neace and Benjamin Stephenson; Treas- 
urer, Nelson Karshner; Clerk, J. C. Buttre; Justices of the Peace 
D. L. Davis and William Kennedy; Constables, S. Robinson and 
Charles Davis. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Nelson Bowsher, born Jan. 19, 1837, is a son of Abraham and 
Elizabeth (Gaul) Bowsher, natives of Ohio. He was married in 
September, 1861, to Susan, daughter of Jacob and Debby (Grim) 
Seesholtz, her father a native of Germany and her mother of Ohio. 
They have had four children, three only now living — William L., 
who married Mary Miller; George F., who married Dosha Wil- 
kins, and Rose E. Mr. Bowsher has an interest in a saw-mill which 
he runs in connection with farming. He has a well-cultivated farm 
of seventy acres, with good farm buildings. He enlisted during 
the late war in Company A, One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry. 
He went to Memphis, and from there to the Yazoo River, 
where he was in a six days' engagement; from there to Arkansas 
Post, Morganzie's Bend and Horse Shoe Bend, where he worked on 
the canal all winter. He was in the battles at Thompson's Hill, 
Champion Hill, Black River, siege of Vicksburg. From there he 
went New Orleans, Brazier City and Algiers, where he took a vessel 
for Texas. He remained there all winter and then went back to 
Alabama; from there to Pensacola, Fla., then back to Blakely, 
Ala., where he was in a siege of seven or eight days. He was 
mustered out of the service in July, 1865, at Houston, Texas. 

Christopher C. Haynes, son of Christopher and Annie (Wiggins), 
Ilaynes, was born Feb. 28, 1846. He was reared on a farm and 
educated in the common schools. Jan. 24, 1867, he married Ella, 
daughter of George and Mary Crider. They have one son. He 
bought 100 acres of land in Pickaway County but lived there only 
a year. Oct. 1, 1S69, he sold his Pickaway County farm and bought 
420 acres where he now resides, and has since bought forty acres 
more. He is now having three ponds for fish made, covering one- 
half an acre each. He has a saw-mill that has the capacity for cut- 
ting 8,000 feet of lumber per day. Hr. Haynes is one of the sub- 
stantial men of this township, and is always ready to do all in his 
power for its welfare. 

Jacob S. Haynes, a native of Salt Creek Township, born July 
16, 1842, is a son of Christopher and Annie (Wiggins) Haynes, 
natives also of Ohio. His father died in the spring of 1859. Feb- 



1102 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ruary, 1866, he married Maria, daughter ot David and Jane 
(Smith) Dressback. He located on- 160 acres of fine land which 
was his share ot his father's estate, and by industry and frugality 
has added to it trom time to time till he lias now 300 acres, with 
good frame residence and commodious farm buildings. InNovem- 
ber, L863, he enlisted in Company M, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and 
was mustered out in October, 1S65. He participated in several 
skirmishes and was with General Burbridge on his march through 
Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Carolina to Georgia, 

Nelson Karshner, born in Perry Township, Hocking County, 
March 25, 1S39, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Spangler) Karsh- 
ner. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Spangler, who repre- 
sented Fairlield County, Ohio, in the Legislature and Senate 
twenty-one years. Nov. 2, 1862. Mr. Karshner married Annie, 
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Ebert) Hostler. They have had eight 
children, four sons and two daughters now living. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Karshner settled on a portion ot his father's farm where 
he still resides. In 1SVS he bought 154 acres of fine land. He 
was elected Township Treasurer in 1S64 and has held the office by 
re-election till the present time, this being his nineteenth year. 

Rufus Karshner, born in Salt Creek Township, Hoiking Co., 
Ohio, Dec. 22, 1S23, is a son ot Elijah and Eliza ^llalderman) 
Karshner. His father was born in Pennsylvania, and came to 
Hocking County with his father in 1807, and died Feb. 20, L879, 
a^ed seventy-nine years, lie roared eight out ot nine children to 
be men and women. At his death he left a fine property of 424 
acres. Rufus Karshner was married Sept. 10, 1858, to Delilah 
Ebert, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Ebert. They have nine 
children — Susan A., now Mrs. John Drum; Diana, now Mrs. 
Charles Dent; Lama, now Mrs. Charles Blanchard; Eliza, Jessio 
May, Franklin, Elijah, Daisy and Bishop. Mr. Karshner lived 
with his father two years after his marriage, and then bought the 
place where he now lives, lie has 133 acres of land which he has 
brought under a good state of cultivation. He was elected Countv 
Commissioner in L879 and re-elected in l s ^2. lie is a member ot 
the German Reform church. Politically he is a Democrat. 

William Kennedy, son ot John and Jane (Campbell) Kennedy, 
is a native of Ireland, born Aug. 4, L826. He came to America 
in L846; landed in New York, and remained there a year. Then 
went to New Philadelphia where he lived till 1801. Aug. 19 of 
that year he enlisted in Company I, Thirtieth Ohio Infantry, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1103 

participated in many hard -fought battles, among them Frederick 
City, South Mountain and Antietam. In the latter he was wounded 
in the upper part of the left hip and sent to the hospital, but on 
account of continued disability was discharged in October, 1863. 
Oct. 4) 1864, he was sufficiently recovered to again enter the ser- 
vice, which he did, serving till the close of the war. Mr. Kennedy 
was married Feb. 7, 1852, to Elizabeth Robinson, a native of 
Ireland, who came to America with her parents in 1833. They 
are the parents of eleven children, seven now living — John O, 
James 11., Sarah E., Elma E., Charles E.. Margaret A. and Mary 
N. Mr. Kennedy has held several local offices in the township, 
being at present Justice ol the Peace. lie is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and the Soldiers' Monumental Asso- 
ciation of Pickaway County. He has a fine farm of 280 acres, 
120 being well cultivated, the rest timber, with a two-story resi- 
dence erected in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Charles Spencer, son of James C. and Eleanor (Karshner )Spen- 
cer, was born in Ross County, Ohio, April 20, 1830. lie was 
married Jan. 24, 1857, to Jane Strous, daughter of John and 
Angelinc Strous, of Pickaway County, Ohio. They have five chil- 
dren — James, Mary J., Anna, John and Ella. The first year after 
his marriage he lived with his father, and then went to Pickaway 
County, and lived two years. In I860 he returned to Hocking 
County and lived on what was known as the Larrick farm, till 1873. 
He then bought his brother's interest in the home farm and re- 
turned to the old homestead. lie now has 444 acres of fine land, 
all well cultivated, and is considered one of the best farmers in 
Hocking County. 

George W. Wiggins, born Oct. 13, 1836, is a son of Z. D. and 
Lucinda (llaynes) Wiggins, the former of English and the latter 
of German descent, but both natives of Ohio. In 1862 he was 
appjinted Assistant Provost Marshal, a position he held till 1864, 
when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-first 
Ohio Infantry. Owing to ill health he was on the field very little, 
though he was at Washington when the Confederates were trying 
to tako the city. He was discharged in November, 1864, and re- 
turned home, and again served as Assistant Marshal till the close 
of the war. He was married Oct. 20, 1859, to Caroline, daughter 
of Jesse and Elizabeth (Plank) Ebert, natives of Ohio. They have 
seven children— Mary, Jacob, Laura, Ransford, Sherman, Clara and 



1104 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Otis. Mr. Wiggins is a member of Lodge No. 114, I. O. O. F., 
Adelphi, and has taken the subordinate and camp degrees. He 
was reared a farmer and lias always followed that occupation, but 
has recently sold his farm of 25S acres and intends moving to 
Illinois this fall. 

PERRY TOWNSHIP. 

METES, BOUNDS AND AREA. 

This township is situated on the extreme western border ot 
Hocking County, and is bounded on the north by Fairfield 
County, the east by Good Hope and Laurel townships, on the south 
by Salt Creek Township, and on the west by Pickaway County. 
It is one of the largest townships of the county, there being but 
one other of equal size (Salt Creek). It embraces forty-two sec- 
tions of 26.S80 acres of land. 

The scenery is beautifully diversified, with gradual sloping hills 
and rich, green valleys, and perhaps no other township in the county 
presents a fairer domain or more fertile soil, which is composed of 
black loam, clay and sand or loam, and is well adapted for raising 
a rain and grazing purposes. The immense forest ranges that once 
ruled as monarchs of the domain have rapidly diminished before 
the steady increase of population, which is made up of people of 
industry and intelligence. 

PIONEERS. 

The first white settler in the towuship was George Ballon, who 
came in 1S07, but only remained a very short time. The follow- 
ing year Samuel Friend, John Morse and George White came 
with their families, and formed the nucleus to what is now a pros- 
perous community. They had to go to Chillicothe to get wheat 
or corn ground for bread, and sometimes the families would have 
to wait for more than a week for their return, with nothing to 
subsist on but hominy and wild meat. The wives of the settlers 
shared their trying lot with great patience and boldness of spirit. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first white child born in the township was a son of Mr. and 
Mrs. Samuel Friend, and was named Samuel Friend, Jr. He 
cnly lived a short time consequently his was the first death re- 
corded. 

The first sermon was preached by Rev. David Dutcher in the 
cabin of Samuel Friend. This service was interrupted by the ap- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1105 

proach of a large bear, which came and took a hog from the pen 
within a few feet of the cabin. The people went forth to his 
swineship's rescue. Old Bruin was soon overtaken while making 
off with his prize, and finally killed. 

The first church was built by the Baptists in 1820, and was lo- 
cated just below where the village of South Perry now stands, and 
the first school-house was erected about the same time on section 21. 
These buildings were both constructed of logs. 

The first mill was built by Benjamin Bennett in 1824, on Middle 
Fork Creek, section 21. 

In 1835 James Armstrong opened a sture near where South 
Perry stands, and became engaged in a general mercantile business. 
This, however, was shortly afterward purchased by Levi Friend, 
who continued in the business for some time. 

Perry Township formerly belonged to Fairfield County, but in 
1849 became a part of Hocking County, and its first township 
officers elected after its annexation to Hocking were as follows : 

Trustees, Joel Stump, Samuel Fetherolf and William Hice; 
Justices of the Peace, David Wagner and Alexander McClelland; 
Treasurer, William McClelland; Clerk, Samuel L. Hunter; Asses- 
sor, David B. Wagner; Constables, Corbin Murray and Christian 
Fogler. In this township there are three villages, South Perry, 
Laurelville and Buena Vista. 

SOUTH PERRY. 

This village was laid out in 1838 by Levi Friend. It is located 
on section 22, range 19, and contains about 200 inhabitants at the 
pr< sent time. It was here the first postoffice in the township was 
established in 1838, through the efforts of Levi Friend, who was 
appointed first Postmaster. 

The fir=t house was built by Ira McCullom; the first black- 
smith-shop, by John Melhiser, and the first practicing physician 
was Dr. William T. Floyd. 

The present business of South Perry consists of one general 
merchandise store, one hotel, two blacksmith-shops and one prac- 
ticing physician. There are also two churches and one school- 
house. 

South Perry was incorporated in 1849, and Samuel F. Strous 
was elected first Mayor. He filled this position during the exist- 
ence of the corporation, which was only about three years. 
70 



1106 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

LODGES. 

Tiie Odd Fellows have a lodge here instituted Aug. 25, 1869, 
with the following charter members: William Floyd, Lewis Wag- 
ner, Joseph Julien, Joel H. Stump, T. J. Siddons, William Arm- 
strong, A. H. Wilson and William Steel. The lodge is in a pros- 
perous condition and has about thirty members. Its present offi- 
cers are: Elisha Marshall, N. G.; William Steel, V. G.; C. C. 
Susholtz, Secretary; J. R. Bushee, Treasurer; T. J. Siddons, Chap.; 
John Ebert, Guardian, and George Drum, Warden. 

In 1841 there was a temperance organization formed called the 
"Teetotalers," which resulted in much good for a time. In 1868 
the "Good Templars " had an order here, and although there is 
at the present time no temperance organization there are but few 
evidences of intemperance, and quiet and good order prevails 
throughout the entire village. The " midnight brawls " so com- 
mon to places of this kind are of very uncommon occurrence. 

LAURELVILLE 

is pleasantly situated in the Salt Creek Valley, on section 29, at 
the point where Laurel Creek, from which it took its name, emp- 
ties into Salt Creek, in the extreme southwestern corner of the 
township. It was laid out Dec. 23, 1871, by John Albin, W. S. 
Albin and Solomon Riegel, aided largely by the efforts of Rufus 
Dodson. There has since been two additions by Allen Strous, 
the tirst in 1S76 and the second in 1882. At the tim3 it was laid 
out there were but three houses, but soon after people of thrift and 
enterprise began to come in and it has since grown quite rapidly, 
having at this time a population of fully 200. 

The citizens take great pride in its growth and general appear- 
ance, and in it are to be seen many pleasant residences of modern 
architecture and surroundings which show a cultivated taste. 

Its present business consists in three general merchandise estab- 
lishments owned and operated by Rufus Dodson, Hedges &Drum, 
and John McNicol; one planing mill, by H. D. Riegel; one 
general sawing mill, by Messrs. Drum, Riegel & Steel; one 
flouring mill, with a capacity of about fifty barrels per day, by 
Zara McDaniel; three blacksmith shops and one harness shop. A 
postoffice was established here Jan. 1, 1879, through the efforts of 
John Bates, who was appointed first Postmaster. Mr. Bates retained 
the position only a short time, being succeeded April 1, 1879, by 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1107 

Rufus Dodson, the present incumbent. The first house was built 
by Solomon Riegel, as was also the first hotel, which was known 
as the Laurelville House. The present hotel was built and is kept 
by Jacob Friend and is called " Friend's Hotel.' 1 The lumber trade 
has been an important factor in the business interests of this place, 
it having been one ot the best lumber markets in the county. 
This village has two churches, the Cumberland Presbyterian and 
a Baptist, and one school-house. 

lil'K.VA VISTA 

is a small village located on section 3, laid out in 1848 by Peter 
Kane. It has about sixty inhabitants, and its business interests 
consist of one general store and one grocery. There is a p03toffice 
at this point, with C. Moore as Postmaster. It also has one church 
and one school-house. 

CHURCHES. 

Perry Township is well supplied with churches, there being 
seven. A full and extended history of some of them it has been 
impossible to obtain. 

Methodist Episcopal. — There are three churches of this denomi- 
nation in the township. One is situated at South Perry, which was 
the first in the township. They held services in dwelling houses 
for six or seven years, then built the church now used by the 
United Brethren church. Their present house of worship was built 
in about 1 S45. The present membership is 129, and the church 
is in a flourishing condition, with 1. M. Brashears as its Pastor. 
The congregation includes many of the best citizens of Perry Town- 
ship, and is entirely free from debt. 

Bethany Church is situated on section 33, and is a beautiful 
brick building which was erected in 1874, and neatly and taste- 
fully finished. Among the first members were: Win. Rice and 
wife, Mary Hedges, Peter Harron, Mr. Thomas and wife, and Mr. 
Cave and wife. The first Class-leader of the church was Wm. R 
Their present Pastor is the Rev. I. M. Brashears. The congregation 
numbers many of the wealthy citizens, and all the male members 
but three are said to be worth over $7,000 each. The membership 
at the present time is seventy-six. 

BuenaVist'i Church. — This is an offspring of Bethany church, 
is situated at Buena Vista, and has a membership of about eighty. 
Their first minister was Rev. W. T. Jones, and the present is Rev. 
I. M. Brashears. 



1108 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Cumberland Presbyterian. — In January, 1876, a move was made 
by the people of this denomination to build a church at Laurel- 
ville. A subscription paper was started for this purpose, to which 
the people enrolled their names generally for large amounts, Messrs. 
W. S. Albin and Zara Mc Daniel giving the lot on which to build. 
The people were so unanimous in their support it was decided to 
build at once, and the following were chosen to constitute the 
building committee: W. S. Albin, Rufus Dodson and Charles 
Spencer. The work was begun June 10, 1876, and completed Oct. 
18, 1877, with a debt of only $300. It was dedicated Nov. 5, 1877, 
and at this^time enough money was donated to pay off all the 
indebtedness of the church. The first members were: Rufus Dod- 
son and wife, Charles Spencer and wife, W. S. Albin and wife, 
John Dent and wife, Angeline Dent, Emma Dent, David Karen - 
ner, Francis Karshner, Sarah and Louisa Carrick. The first Pas- 
tor was Rev. M. Dent, who still remains with them. They have in 
connection a very pleasant Sabbath-school of about sixty scholars. 

The Baptist Church is situated at Laurelviile, and was built in 
18S3. It is under the pastorate of the Rev. J . C. Reed. The first 
members were: Allen Strous and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Alex. Martin, 
Betsey Davis and Mrs. Hay. There has as yet been no addition to 
the membership. 

Union Church. — This was formed by the uniting of the Luther- 
ans, Methodists and Albrights. Among the first members were 
Samuel Spangler, Samuel Fetherolf, David Defenbaugh, William 
McClelland and wife, and Amos Whistler. The pulpit is now sup- 
plied by Rev. I. M. Brashears, and the membership numbers 
about ninety-eight. 

United Brethren. — This church, located across Laurel Creek, 
opposite South Perry, was formerly occupied by the Methodists, 
from whom it was purchased. The society was organized in 1838. 
The membership numbers about 100, composed of people who are 
ever earnest workers in the Christian cause. Their present Pastor 
is Rev. Jesse McLaughlin. 

SCHOOLS. 

A comparison of the old log school-house built in 1820 with the 
present school buildings which are now scattered over Perry Town- 
ship shows a wonderful improvement, also the methods of teach- 
ing of the teachers of the present, and a like change will be seen. 
The schools of this township, ten in number, are in excellent con- 
dition, with a township fund this year of $1,503.96. Most of the 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1109 

people take great interest in the matter of education, consequently 
many men have gone forth as representatives in high positions, and 
there are yet many citizens of intelligence and culture throughout 
the township. It may be truly said that Perry has sent forth more 
men who have made their mark in the world than any other town- 
ship in the county. 

The population of Perry Township was first given in 1S50, when 
it numbered 1,217. In 1860 it was 1,729; in 1870, 1,745; in 1880, 
1,995. In 1S65 its assessed valuation of real and personal property 
was $363,417; in 1867, $381,576; in 1880, $177,446. The town- 
ship officers for 1883 are: Trustees, Milton Armstrong, Joseph 
Hedges, John A. White; Justices of the Peace, Amos Hedges, J. 
B. Riarson, P.'M. Floyd; Treasurer, Isaiah Deffenbaugh; Clerk, 
P. M. Floyd; Assessor, John A. McClelland. 

NOTED BEECH TKEE. 

This tree, still standing, has a history. At its roots the Indians 
held their pow-wows, and under its shading branches many a war- 
dance has been held. Indian traditions speak of this monarch ot 
the forest, and undoubtedly the war councils of the savages were 
held here until this tree has brought forth better fruit to the pio- 
neers of long ago. It has not only protected from storm and sun- 
shine those who planned the extinguishment of the hated pale-face, 
but in later years the gospel of Him who died that all might be 
saved has resounded through the forest, and under its wide-spreading 
branches has stood many an eager throng drinking in the words 
that taught them the immortality of the soul and the glorious 
brightness of the great beyond. On this great tree in pioneer 
days was cut this device, "The Road to Hell.' 1 It was cut by a hunter 
and trapper who, having been captured by the Indians had camped 
one night under its mighty shade in his way to captivity and torture. 
After suffering untold horrors by having his beard pulled out by 
the roots, burned and branded by pine knots, and suffering other 
trials of untold agony, he escaped before his final doom of being 
burned at the stake. He reached this tree and recognized it, and 
suffering as he had, he cut those terrible words, tor it had been to 
him truly a veritable %> road to hell." It is on the old Indian 
trace, and Ash Cave, some little distance away, is said to have 
been the scene of captives being roasted to death. 



1110 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ITS LATER HISTORY. 

The oldest settler tound the above mystic words but time had 
been able to cover them up by over a century of growth. The 
name ot Henry Moore with date, 1850, is now the oldest mark 
found. It was a splendid camping-ground in early days. The old 
pioneers used to gather under its branches and have squirrel fries, 
or congregate for a talk and rest from the weary tramp after the 
forest game. Just above the ground, say about two teet, this tree 
measures some fifteen feet in circumference, or five feet in diameter. 
It is about 100 feet high and its spreading branches cover a space 
eighty-three teet from tip to tip. The first mill erected in that sec- 
tion of Hocking County was put up within about seven or eight rods 
from this tree, and under its shade was the work shop, not only of 
that mill but others, and the first sermon preached in the county, 
also, was under its protecting branches. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

William S. Albin was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Feb. 6, 
1S22, son of AVilhamand Xancy (Clark) Albin, the former a native 
of Virginia and the latter of "Washington County, Penn. William 
S. Albin was reared on a farm, and has made farming his principal 
avocation through life. He was married Oct. 14, 1847, to Miss 
Elizabeth A. Tribby, daughter of Samuel and Frances (Yost) 
Tribby, who were natives of Virginia. This union was blessed 
with six sons and six daughters — John T., Erastus, Martin L., 
Mary F., Areta, Vina, Nancy R., William H., Isaac L. are those 
living. Amanda, James F. and Rachel A. are dead. William 
Albin, Sr., and Nancy Clark were married in 1816, and were the 
parents of twelve children and lived to see them all married and 
settled in life. Mr. Albin is now in his ninetieth year. William 
S. Albin and wife are both members of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian church at Laurelville. Three of their children are married, 
two sons and one daughter. John T. married first, Emma Arm- 
strong. His second wife was Miss Davis. He now has his third 
wife, who was Miss Mary B. Hamlin. He is in his thirty-fifth 
year. Erastus married Miss Mary Moody, in January, 1S77. 
Mary F. married Ira W. Barnhouse in 1875. 

Milton Armstrong, farmer and stock-raiser, eldest son of William 
and Sarah A. (Fetherolf) Armstrong, was born in Perry Town- 
ship, Hocking County, Jan. 21, 1842. lie was reared on a farm 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1111 

receiving his education in the subscription schools, lie lived with 
his parents till attaining his majority, and March 17, 1804, he mar- 
ried Miss Caroline, daughter of Peter and Leah (Dunkel) Mowrey. 
They have had ten children, nine of whom are living — Henry A., 
born Aug. 12, 1864; Wilbur E., bom May 1, 1866; George G., 
born March 26, 1868; llarley K, born Jan. 23, 1870; John P., 
•born Oct. 4, 1872; Sylvia E., born Dec. 15, 1874; James E., born 
Nov. 25, 1870, died April 12, 1877; Alice May, born March 30, 
1878; Minerva A., born Sept. 24, 1880; Dunton, born June 22, 
1 882. Mr. Armstrong first purchased the farm known as the Arm- 
strong homestead where he lived two years, after which he pur- 
chased his present farm, which contains 237 acres of excellent land, 
and has also eighty-eight acres in Pickaway County. He and wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member 
of the I. O. O. P., Silver Moon Lodge, No. 440. 

William Armstrong. — The Armstrongs were among the earliest 
settlers of Hocking County. Thomas Armstrong was born in 
Franklin County, Pa., June 15, of that memorable year of our 
country's history, 1775, and came to Hocking County in his twenty- 
fourth year. He married the same year Miss Margaret Patton, born 
in the same county and State as himself, and who with her father's 
family had preceded him one year, having come to Ohio in the 
year 1801, and settled soon after in Salt Creek Township. Miss 
Patton was born June 15, 1783, being just eight years her hus- 
band's junior. They were married Oct. 16, 1802. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Armstrong were born nine children, five sons and four daugh- 
ters — James, born in October, 1803; Ann, Dec. 19,1805, deceased, 
wife of D. K. Debaugh; George Flanningham, born April 19, 
1808; William, Oct. 28, 1810; John, March 4, 1813; Thomas, May 
30, 1815; Mary Mc, Jan. 18, 1818; Margaret, Jan. 11, 1822; George, 
Dec. 25, 1826. All of the above have crossed the mystic river for 
the golden shore excepting Mary Mc, now the widow of Jacob Bus- 
sard, residing in Heading, 111., and William, the subject of this 
sketch. William Armstrong, whose birth' is recorded above, resided 
with his parents on the farm until he reached man's estate and took 
upon himself the cares of a family. He married Miss Susanah 
Fetherolf, one of a family of noble pioneers who became prominent 
in the early history of the valley. The result of this marriage was 
a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters — Jane, wife 
of Alvin Kanck; Minerva, wife of ZaraMcDaniel; Caroline Mowrv; 
Mary Ann, wife of Samuel McClelland; Susanah, wife of Albert 



1112 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

"Wolf; Nelson, who married Alice Dillon; George B. married 
Sarah Aun Dunkle; Emma O. deceased, late wife of John T. Albin; 
Cinderella, late the wife of A. J. Wise, but now deceased; William 
T., who married Mace Kittsmiller. Mr. Armstrong lost his wife 
of over a quarter of a century Oct. 17, 1863. They had passed 
through the trials and struggles of pioneer days emerging into the 
broad sunlight of prosperity and rest when they were called to 
part. Mr. Armstrong married again April 13, 1865, this second 
wife being Mrs. Ellen A. Floyd, a daughter of Alexander White 
and widow of the late John M. Floyd, both honest, honorable and 
trusted citizens. The fruit of this marriage was one child — Minnie. 
Mr. Armstrong has always followed that noblest of occupations, a 
farmer's life, and with rare tact and judgment combined with 
strong sense his labor has proved profitable, and he has gathered 
the fruits of a well-spent and laborious life around him in such 
quantity as to make life a pleasure — a well cultivated farm, a good 
house and a full granary. Mr. Armstrong, although over three- 
score years and ten, being now seventy-three years of age, is a 
hearty, vigorous old man, enjoying a clear conscience, good health, 
his latter days being days of peace and plenty, with a loved family 
and friends around him. Mr. Armstrong served two terms as 
County Commissioner of Hocking County, from 1860 to 1866, a 
time that tried the honesty, judgment and nerve of the incumbent, 
and he filled the office with credit to himself and to the honor of 
his county. As one of the most prosperous farmers in the county, 
a Christian gentleman, active in the cause of religion and morality, 
in sympathy with the doctrines of the Lutheran church, he stands 
as a representative man in his county, and can look back upon a 
well-spent life without sorrow and without reproach. Mrs. Arm- 
strong is an active member of the Methodist church, and they are 
floating down the pathway of lite hand in hand, with peace and 
plenty here, and hereafter life everlasting. 

Samuel Bailor, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, April 16, 1816, a son of Samuel and Susan (Shatter) 
Bailor, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in an early day. 
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in 
the subscription schools. When seven years old he went to his 
uncle, Isaac Shatter, with whom he lived till he reached his ma- 
jority, after which he engaged in the carpenter's trade for about ten 
years. He was married April 0, 1846, to Miss Susannah Buzzard, 
born July 11, 1822, and a daughter of Jacob Buzzard, one of Hock- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1113 

ing County's pioneers, who lived to the advanced age of ninety- 
nine years. This union was blessed with nine children — DelilaJ., 
born April 12, 1847, and died July 21, 1847: Amelia, born Jan. 
28, 1849; Clark, born Oct. 15, 1S50; an infant, born Sept. 8,1853, 
died Nov. 3, 1S53; George, born June 4, 1855; an infant, born 
Jan. 14, 185S, died the same day; Charlotta, born May 30, 1859, 
died July 7, 1859; John, born July 7, 1860; Charles, born July 
31, 1867, died Aug. 3, 1867. After marriage he followed farm- 
ing in different places till 1859, when he purchased the farm in 
Perry Township, Hocking County, where he has since resided, 
having accumulated a large property of 415 acres by his industry 
and exertion. lie has given his children a good education. His 
wife is a member of the Baptist church. 

James B. Bushee, blacksmith. South Perry, was born in Pick- 
away County, Ohio, July 10, 1829. When he was about two years 
old came with his father's family to Hocking County, where he 
was reared and received his education in the common schools. His 
father being a blacksmith, he was early put at work in assisting his 
father in the shop, and there became master of the trade, remaining 
with his father until he was about eighteen years of age, when his 
mother died and the family was broken up. He then went to work as 
a journeyman in Adelphi and other towns of Boss County. He was 
married Nov. 9, 1851, to Sarah Mettler, a native of New Jersey, 
born Oct. 4, 1831, and came to Hocking County when about nine 
years of age. They have had eight children, five still living — 
Adolphus C, born June 3, 1854; Margaret A., born July 17, 1855; 
Hannah A., born Sept, 27, 1856; Francis E., born March 8, 1860; 
Alva C, born May 18, 1868. After his marriage Mr. Bushee 
began business in South Perry, where he has since been located. 
During the late war he enlisted in Company B, Seventy-first Ohio 
Infantry, where he participated in the battles of Spring Hill, 
Franklin and Nashville. He served until the close of the war and 
received his discharge June 12, 1865. He returned to his home in 
South Perry and engaged in his present business, which he has 
since followed. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Silver Moon 
Lodge, No. 440. 

Benjamin E. Cave was born in Montgomery County, Ivy., Jan. 
19, 1S10, a son of Benjamin and Mary (Mounts) Cave, his father a 
native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. His parents 
came to Ohio in 1815, arriving in Perry Township Dec. 24, 
and settled on the farm now owned by their son-in-law, J. A. 



1114 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

McLelland. Benjamin E. remained at home till twenty-three 
years of age, working on the farm and at the carpenter's trade. 
He now owns a larm of 130 acres. July 5, 1832, he married 
Susan, daughter of James and Abigail Roult, of Pickaway County. 
Ten children have been born to them, nine still living — Mary J., 
Isaac jN" , William H., E valine M., Emily M., James R., Lubine E., 
Jasper C. and Chas. W. In October, 1861, Mr. Cave enlisted in Com- 
pany H, Seventy -fifth Ohio Infantry, and was appointed Sergeant of 
the company. May 8, 1862, at the battle of McDowell, Va., he was 
wounded in the left shoulder, and after remaining in the hospital 
till the next September he was discharged. His son Isaac served 
three years in the war and was wounded at the second battle of 
Bull Run. Mr. Cave is an active worker in the temperance cause, 
having been a member of a temperance organization since 1S41. 
He and his wife have been members of the Methodist church over 
fifty years. 

Calvin Defenbaugh, farmer and etock-raiser, was born in Perry 
Township, on the line between Fairfield and Hocking counties, 
July 2, 1832. He is a son of George and Rebecca (Faust) Defen- 
baugh, both natives of Hocking County, and a grandson of George 
Defenbaugh, one of the early settlers of Hocking County. Our 
subject was reared on a farm and lived with his parents until man- 
hood, being educated in the common schools. He was married 
Sept. 4, 1853, to Miss Martha J., daughter of Covington Cox, 
who was among the pioneers of the county, and for many years 
was prominently identified with Perry Township. They have been 
blessed with three children — Harvey, born Jan. 21, 1855; Colum- 
bus M., born May S, 1S58, and William D., born Sept. 8, 1S60. 
He rented land for some years and followed the avocation of a 
farmer. He moved to Iowa where he engaged in farming for four 
years when he returned to his native county, and in 1866 purchased 
the farm where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Defenbaugh are 
active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church 
at South Perry. 

Isaiah Deffenbaugh, merchant, was born in Perry Township, 
Fairfield County, now Hocking, Ohio, Feb. 19, 1845, the oldest 
son of James and Lyda (Stump) Deffenbaugh and a grandson of 
the venerable Daniel K. Deffenbaugh, who was one of the first 
settlers of the county. He was reared on a farm, and received his 
education in the common schools, residing with his parents until 
he was crrown to manhood. He was married Dec. 25, 1867, to Mary 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1115 

J. McLelland, born Jan. 22, 1847, a daughter of Win. and Isabel 1 
(Alexander) McLelland, of Perry Township. After his marriage 
he engaged in farming for a period of nine years, and in the 
spring of 1876 purchased a half interest in a mercantile establish- 
ment with L. Wagner at South Perry, where he met with marked 
success. He has been elected to many local offices of trust and 
responsibility. Mr. and Mrs. Deffenbaugh are the parents of four 
children— Lyda Bell, born Nov. 21, 1869; George A., Oct. 1, 1872; 
James W., Aug. 6, 1875; Orange Judd, Sept. 25, 1879. They 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, he having held 
every office in the church. His wife has been a member since six- 
teen years of age. 

Daniel K. Defebaugh was born in Ross Count}'', Ohio, Jan. 
21, 1798, a son of George Defebaugh, a native of Pennsylvania, 
born Dec. 16, 1767. His grandfather, George Defebaugh, was a 
native of Holland, and a cousin of Napoleon Bonaparte. His 
father came to Ohio in 1797 and located in Ross County, four years 
later coming to Hocking County. He was married in 1791 to 
Elizabeth Keller, a native of Dalton, Pa., born in July, 1772. 
They reared a family of seven sons and three daughters. The first 
night spent in Hocking County a cradle was made for our sub- 
ject of walnut bark, with a bear skin and coon skin for bed and 
covering. In 1814 Mr. Defebaugh went out as drummer in the 
war of 1812. At the battle of Mackinaw he received a shot through 
the ear and still carries the scar. In 1815 he was bound to a 
millwright and served an apprenticeship of four and a half years. 
He worked as journeyman only six months, since then carrying on 
business for himself, being his own foreman. Oct. 30, 1822, he 
married Nancy Ann Armstrong, daughter of Thomas Armstrong, 
a native of Ross County, born Dec. 19, 1805. Ten children have 
been born to them; nine lived to be settled in their own homes — 
James, born Nov. 3, 1823; George, born Jan. 13, 1826, died Dec. 
18, 1870; Elijah, born March 9, 1828; Isaac, born May 2, 1830; 
Thomas, born Nov. 9, 1832, was drowned May 27, 1834; Caroline, 
born Jan. 2, 1835, died April 28, 1875; Allen, born Oct. 10, 1837; 
Martin, born Jan. 19, 1840; Margaret, born May 11, 1842; An- 
geline, born March 1, 1847. Mrs. Defebaugh died March 24, 
1875, after a married life of fifty-three years. Mr. Defebaugli has 
been a man of great strength, and although now nearly eighty-six 
years of age is stronger than many men not more than half his 
age. Politically he is a Democrat and has cast sixty-one votes 



1116 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

for that party. He is a member of the Lutheran church as was 
also his wife. He lias always been a public-spirited man, and has 
by his influence and liberality done much toward the up-building 
ot his township. There is not a church for many miles around that 
he has not assisted in building. 

Mufus Dodson, merchant and Postmaster, was born in Perry 
Township, July 30, 1830, a son ot Charles and Mary M. (Defen- 
baugh) Dodson, his lather born Nov. 26, 1S03, and his mother Dec. 
22, 1809. His grandparents, Thomas and Catherine (Broncher) 
Dodson, came to Fairfield (now Hocking) County in 1805, and set- 
tled only two miles from where he now lives. In 18-10 his parents 
moved to Allen County where his mother died in February, 1847, 
and his father was killed by a runaway team July 4, 1S62. After 
the death of his mother Mr. Dodson returned to his native county 
and worked on a farm till 1855. He then came to Laurelville and 
worked in a saw-mill winters for seven years. He then clerked in 
a store three years, and afterward ran a wholesale notion wagon 
through this State. In the fall of 1867 he built his present store, 
and in February, 1868, opened with a fine stock of goods and has 
built up a large trade. In 1870 he was appointed Postmaster of 
Laurelville. Oct. 21, 1850, he married Judy Steel, daughter ot 
James and Mary (Shirk) Steel. They had a family of five children, 
four dying in infancy and one at the age of seven years. Mrs. Dod- 
son died Feb. 17, 1860. June 27, 1861, he married Mary J. Steel, a 
sister of his first wile. Ten children have been born to them, nine 
now living — Clara A., Rachel A., Jennie, Laura E., Frank, Emma, 
Effie, Bertha and Rnfus C. Mr. Dodson is a member ot Adelphia 
Lodge, No. 114, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian church. 

Nelson Feth.rolf 'was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, July 24, 
1845, a son of William and Mary (Culp) Fetheroll, When he was 
a year old his parents came to Hocking County where he was reared 
and educated. During the tall and winter of 1S67 he taught school, 
and the next two years worked on the farm teaching during the 
winter. Nov. 12, 1868, he married Amelia E. Bailor, a native ot 
Fairfield County, born Jan. 28, 1S49, and a daughter ot Samuel and 
Susan (Buzzard) Bailor. They have five children — Rosalie, born 
Aug. 15, 1869; Missouri, Feb. 27,1871; Minnie A. C, Sept. 12, 
1872; Martha E., June 16, 1875; William N., July 30, 1877. 

Thaddew S. Floyd, machinist, was born in Adams County, Pa., 
March 29, 1837, the son of William and Mary ( Allender) Floyd, 
natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1S39. When they 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1117 

reached Jackson County his mother died, and his father came with 
the family to Hocking County and located in Perry Township, 
where he remained till his death. Our subject received a common- 
school education, and when he was about eighteen years of age he 
went to Washington Court- House, where he learned the machinist's 
trade, serving an apprenticeship ot two and a half years. He then 
entered the employ of the C. & M, R. R. as an engineer, and remained 
in that position about six months. At the breaking out of the late 
civil war he enlisted, May 15, 1861, in Company I, Second Ohio 
I nfantry. He went from here with his regiment to Covington, Ky., 
where they remained about two weeks, and from there went to Lex- 
ington under General Nelson, and participated in many of the hard- 
fought battles, among which were Fort Donelson, Nashville, Pi r- 
ry ville, Stone River and Battle Creek. He was detailed Assistant 
Quartermaster under 13. H. Bird, and while running a provision 
train from Nashville to Stephenson his train was derailed by guer- 
rillas, severely injuring his spine and breaking his hip, which con- 
fined him to the hospital about seven months, and from which he 
still suffers at times. In July, 1862, while at Keysburg, he was 
taken prisoner by General Terry's command, but was fortunately 
exchanged in a few days. After serving faithfully about three years 
he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home, where 
he has since remained. At the time of the accident to his train 
he was captured by the guerrillas and was taken to a rebel hos- 
pital, where he was confined for two months. At the battle of Per- 
ry ville, Ky., out of seventy-five men in his company who went in, 
our subject was one of eighteen who escaped uninjured. He has 
held several township offices, and has always taken a great interest 
in the matter of education, ever willing to lend his aid to any laud- 
able enterprise which will be of benefit and interest to the commu- 
nity. 

Mrs. Eve Fogler, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Miller) 
Kibler, was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 27, 1827. Her 
father was a native of Germany and her mother of Pennsylvania. 
She was married Jan. 9, 1801, to Henry Fogler, son of John and 
Catherine (Judy) Fogler, born Nov. 3, 1S10. He had previously 
married Margaret Armstrong, born Jan. 11, 1822, a daughter of 
Thomas and Margaret Armstrong, by whom he had five children, 
four now living — Mary, now Mrs. Daniel Lowery; Malinda, Cas- 
sie and Allen (twins). Allen was married Dec. 15, 1881, to Lora 
Haynee. Mrs. Margaret Fogler died Oct. 4, 1859. Mr. Fogler died 



1118 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Feb. 11, 1S74. Mrs. Eve Fogler has taken charge of the farm. 
She has 318 acres of fine land and has proved herself to be fully 
capable of superintending its culture. She has one son — John F. 

Jacob Friend was born in South Perry, Hocking County, Ohio, 
Jan. 15, 1848, a son of Orrin Friend. His grandfather, William 
Friend, was a native ot Brownsville, Pa., and came to Ohio in 1804, 
four years later locating in Perry Township. Our subject was 
reared in South Perry, spending his youth in attending school and 
assisting his father in the tannery. When he was twenty years of 
age he gave his father $50 of his next year's earnings for his time, 
and went to work on a farm by the month. Oct. 8, 1871, he mar- 
ried Nancy E. Wilkins, a daughter of John Wilkins, of Warren 
County, Va. At the time of his marriage he was obliged to bor- 
row $15 to defray expenses. In 1877 he came to Laurelville and 
bought a house and lot on time, not having the money to pay for 
it. His property is now worth $3,000, and his prospects for a pros- 
perous future are as bright as any young man's in the township. 
Mr. and Mrs. Friend have four children — B. W., Sarah O, Anna 
M. and Edward W. 

Amos Hedges, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Perry Town- 
ship, Fairfield (now Hocking) County, Nov. 17, 1833, a son of 
Caleb and Mary (Clelen) Hedges. His father was born March 
4, 1789, and his mother, Feb. 2, 1794, near Georgetown, Md., 
of English descent. They were married in 1814. His father 
came, to Ohio in 1812 and located the farm where our subject 
was born. In the spring of 1813 he planted a cherry-tree, which 
at the preseut writing (1883) is three and one-half feet in di- 
ameter. Mrs. Hedges died in February, 1S56, and Mr. Hedges, 
in October, 1875. He had filled many offices of trust, both in the 
church and township. Amos Hedges is still living in the house 
where he was born. He was married Oct. 11, 1855, to Sarah J., 
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Shuck) Morgan, natives of 
Pennsylvania, who came to Perry Township in 1843. They have 
had the following children — Caleb Russell, Clark (died October, 
1876, aged sixteen years), Eliza, Mary S., Cora D., Emma May, 
Amos W., and two that died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges are 
members of the Methodist church. Mr. Hedges has been Justice 
of the Peace since 1879. He has a fine farm of 160 acres. 

Joseph Hedges, merchant, Laurelville, was born in Salt Creek 
Township, Pickaway Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1818, a son of Joseph 
Hedges. His father came to Ohio from Barbour County, W. Va., 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1119 

in 1802. He was a very prominent man of the county, having 
been Sheriff a number of years, and at the time of his death, 
1835, was County Auditor. The subject of our sketch spent the 
earlier years of his life on a farm and worked a year at the 
carpenter's trade. April 26, 1836, he was engaged as clerk for 
David King, of Tarlton, remaining with him two years. He then 
worked for another firm several months, and in 1S41 became estab- 
lished in the mercantile business for himself. In 1856 he removed 
to Laurelville. In 1863 he returned to Tarlton, and sixteen years 
later, Oct. 2, 1879, came again to Laurelville, where he is doing an 
extensive business. July 16, 1841, he married Elizabeth J. Hamlin, 
a native of New Hampshire, born March 13, 1820. Eight children 
have been born to them, only five now living — Matilda, born in 
1S43; Mary, born in 1841; James H., of Tarlton, born Jan. 3'», 
1S52; Anna, now Mrs. Edward Bitzel; William Henry, died in 
1842; Leafy, died in 1861; Francis, born in 1845, died in 1852; 
Elizabeth, wife of John Burt, died in December, 1880. Mrs. 
Hedges died July 31, 1879. Mr. Hedges was Mayor of Tarlton 
and a Commissioner of Pickaway County. In 1883 he was elected 
Trustee of Perry Township. He is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. He has been a member of the English church since 1837; 
his wife was also a member of that church. 

David R. Hoey, born in Adams County, Va., April 25, 1805, 
was a son of William and Julia A. (Stanley) Hoey, natives of Ire- 
land. When he was twenty years of age he commenced the man- 
ufacture of shingles, an occupation he followed a number of 
years. In 1827, he married Jane Hutchison, a native of Maryland, 
born in March, 1809. In 1833 they came to Ohio and resided 
in Wayne Couuty four years. They then came to Hocking County, 
at that time little more than a wilderness, and entered forty acres 
of wild land, where he has since resided. He has by industry 
added to his farm from time to time till he now has 280 acres of 
tine, well-improved land. Mr. Hoey is a self-made man, and one 
in whom the citizens of the township have confidence. He is lib- 
eral, and by his influence and means contributes largely to all en- 
terprises that will be of benefit to the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hoey 
are the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. 

William J. Hoey, son of David R. and Jane A. (Hutchison) 
Hoey, was born Jan. 2, 1828, in Adams County, Pa. He was 
reared on a farm and educated in the common school. Nov. 
11, 1849, he married Eliza Reid, who died Sept. 6, 1855. May 25, 



1120 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1856, he married Leah Huffman. Nine children have been born 
to Mr. Iloey, only six now living. After his marriage lie settled 
on the farm where he now lives, at that time containing forty 
acres, which he has since added to, and now owns sixty-three acres 
of good, well-improved land. During the late war he enlisted in 
Company A, Seventy-third Ohio Infantry. He was stationed at 
Camp Logan, Ohio, about three months, and from there went to 
New Creek, Va. Then to Clarksburg, where he was in charge ot 
the hospital four months. He was in the engagement at More- 
field, Va., and was afterward sent to Frederick City, Md., where he 
had charge of the hospital two months, lie received his discharge 
at Seminary Heights. 

Thomas Irwin, M. D., was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, March 
20, 1830, a son of Elisha and Orpah N. (Amos) Irwin, natives of 
Maryland. He was reared on a farm and given a common edu- 
cation in the country schools. He was of an ambitious disposi- 
tion, and by his own efforts acquired a good literary education, and 
in 1855 commenced to read medicine with Dr. C. S. McQueen, of 
Ringgold, Morgan County. In the spring of 1858 he went to 
Hancock County, 111., where he began the practice of his profes- 
sion, remaining there a year. He then returned to Morgan County 
and remained till 1868, when he went to Chapel Hill, Perry 
County, and two years later came to South Perry, where he now 
has a large practice and has been very successful in his profession. 
He was married Feb. 27, 1868, to Mary E., daughter of Otho IL. 
and Agnes (Shepard) Williams. She was born in Morgan County, 
June 9, 1848. They have three children — Lulu, born Jan. 10, 1871; 
Rochester, Aug. 8, 1873; Algernon C, July 3, 1877. Dr. and 
Mrs. Irwin are members of the Disciple church. Mrs. Irwin has 
a wide reputation in literary circles. 

Peter Kane, son of James and Elizabeth (Miller) Kane, was born 
in Fairfield County, May 26, 1816. lie was reared on a farm and 
educated at the subscription schools. "When sixteen years old he 
worked as a gunsmith, which business he has since followed in con- 
nection with farming, and by dose attention to these pursuits has- 
accumulated a good property. April 9, L846, he married Miss Mary, 
daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Pickle, old pioneers of the county. 
By this union were eight children, seven still living — Elizabeth,. 
Zimri, Oliver, Jacob, Solomon, Lavinia and Abraham L. One died 
in infancy. He continued to live on the old homestead after his 
marriage till 184t», when he bought his farm where he now resides. 



HI6T0BT 01 H0< KING VALLEY. 1121 

His farm contains 332 acres of well-cultivated, land. He and his 
wife have been members of the Methodist church for over forty 
years. 

Samuel £arshner, son of John and Elizabeth (Spangler) Karsh- 
ner, was born in Salt Creek Township, Feb. 4. 1843. June 7, 1867, 
he married Susan Delong, daughter of Isaac and 8arah(Hayi 
Delong. They have seven children — Ollie, Alda, flattie, Ray, 
Pear), Dora and Edith. Mr. Karshner has a farm of 1 16 acres 
and a fine brick dwelling. During the late war. he was drafted, 
but left home to avoid serving. 

William Lindsey, farmer and stock-raiser, was born May 4, 
1827, in Perry Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, now Hocking 
County. He is the third son of Thomas and Mary (Blackburn) 
Lindsey who came from Ireland about 1813 and settled in Phila- 
delphia. About the year 1823 they came to Perry Township, 
Ohio, where they remained many years, his mother dying on the 
old farm Jan. 16, 1848. After the death of his wife Mr. Lindsey 
went to Illinois where he died in 1807. Our subject was reared 
on a farm and received his education in the subscription schools. 
He was married April 7. L850, to M S i an, daughter of S 
mon and Elizabeth (Buzzard) Creiglow, who were among the pio- 
neers of the county. They are the parents of seven children, six 
of whom are living — Mary Jane, born March 13, 1851, and died 
Oct. 4. 1877; Samuel, born Dec. 21, 1853, a farmer and school- 
teacher in Perry Township; Nelson, born July 23, 1856, a farmer 
in Pickaway County; John A., born Fob. Hi. 1859; Clemen- 
tine May 6, 1-01; Sherman W.. Nov. •;. L 869, and Bertha L., 
Dec. 7, 1873. On attaining his majority, his father gave him 
eighty acres of unimproved land, to which he has added from 
time to time till he now es 210 acres of excellent land in a 

high state of cultivation, including the old homestead which he 
has gained by hisown industry. He is giving his children a good 
practical education. He and wife are active members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

Mrs. Minerva (DimckeT) Lutz, daughter of George and Sarah 
( Mounts) Dunckel. was born in Hocking County, July 6. 1850. Her 
father was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio fifty years 
ago. Pier mother was a native of Ohio. She was married Sept. 
L869, to iiyron Lutz, son of Jacob and Lydia (Rank) Lutz. 
They first went to housekeeping in Pickaway County, but remained 
there only a year. They then moved to the Stump farm and lived 
71 



1122 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

there four years. They then lived two years on the Lutz farm. 
Mr. Lutz died Oot. 3, 1877, leaving four children — George A., 
born July 13, 1870; Ulysses C. and Grant (twins), born Oct. 10, 
1872; William A., July 30, 1874. Mrs. Lutz is a member of the 
Cumberland Presbyteriui church. She has been an invalid six 
years, but is cheerful and uncomplaining in her affliction. She has 
a fine two-story residence in Laurelville, erected in 1872. 

George Marshall, M. Z>.,was born in Carroll County, Ohio, April 
21, 1846, a son of William and Margaret (Black) Marshall. His 
father was born near Steubenville, Ohio, July 4, 1812, but in early 
youth removed with his father, Robert M irshall, to Monroe Town- 
ship, Carroll County. On reaching his majority he chose the 
vocation of a shoemaker. In 1835 he married Margaret, daughter 
of Andrew Black, of Monroe Township. Sept. 1, 1S56, they 
started with a family of eight children for Hocking County, coming 
in wagons, driving the cows, etc., and settled within a mile of the 
Rock House, where he pursued farming till 1879, when he was 
taken sick and died Nov. 1,»1879. George Marshall was ten years 
of age when his parents came to Hocking County. His youth was 
spent in assisting on the farm and attending the common schools. 
He attended the Ohio University a year, ami in 186S went to Kan- 
sas, where he taught school two years. He then returned to Ohio 
and attended the University another year, teaming during the 
vacation, and in 1871 went again to Kansas. He was appointe 1 
by Governor Henry one of the first Commissioners of Smith County. 
He followed farming two years, and then returned to Ohio, and 
after teaching a short time began the study of medicine under the 
preceptorship of Dr. Black, of Carroll County, remaining with him 
three years. In the winter of 1875— '76 he attended lectures at the 
Medical College at Cincinnati, and again in 1877— '78, graduating 
from that institution, in the. meantime remaining with his precep- 
tor. After his graduation he returned to Kansas and practiced a 
year, and owing to failing health returned to Ohio, where he has 
since resided. Dr. Marshall enlisted in October, 18(33, in the 
Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and was mustered out in November, 1865. 
lie served in Generals Burbridge and Stoneman's commands, and 
participated in many battles and skirmishes. He is a member of 
Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., and of Silver Moon L^dge. 
No. 440, I. O. O. F., South Berry. 

Samuel McClelland, farmer and stock-raiser, is the third son of 
Alexander and Minerva (Spangler) McClelland. He was born in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1123 

Perry Township, Fairfield County, afterward annexed to Hocking 
County, Feb. 17, 183'!. He was reared on a farm and educated in 
the common schools, living with las parents till he grew to man- 
hood. He was married Dec. L3, I860, to Miss Mary A., daughter 
of William and Sarah (Fetherolf) Armstrong, early pioneei 
Hocking County. This union was blessed with five children, four 
still living— Willis W. and Wallace A. (twins), born duly 22, L862; 
Surah Cedilla, born Aug. 6, L864; George H., burn Aug. 11, 
L867, and Dervin, born April 1, 1874, and died April 1, 1876. In 
1870 lie purchased his present farm of 191 acre-, of land in a high 
state of cultivation. He has held many local offices of trust and 
responsibility, ile and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church (Union). He is a member of the I. 0. 0. I\, South 
Perry Lodge, No. 440. In the late civil war he enlisted in Company 
J>, Seventy-first Ohio Infantry, Septem >er, L864. He participated 
in many battles and skirmishes, and while at Pulaski, Tenn., was 
taken seriously ill, when he was taken to Louisville, Kentucky, II ■-- 
pital, but was afterward transferred to Nashville, Tenn. From there 
he was taken to Indiana, then to Camp Denison, Ohio, where he 
remained during the winter, serving till the close of the war, when 
he was honorably discharged April 25, 1 365. 

Zarn MoDaniel was born in Harrison County, Va., Nov. 1 L 
1 - 22, and when six years of age came with his parents to Hocking 
County, locating four miles from Logan. In 1838 be went into 
Falls Mills to learn the trade; served an apprenticeship, and re- 
mained there till 1857. He then went into the steam mill at Lo- 
gan and worked there eleven years, when he came to Laurelville 
and rented the flouring mill fur five years. He then bought the 
mill and now has a capacity of grinding 100 barrels of flour per day. 
He was married March L9, L844, to Malinda Tatman, a native of 
Ohio. She di<-d Dec. 5, 1881. May 25, 1882, he married M. 
Williamson, a native of Hocking County. Mr. McDaniel is a 
memberofthe Masonic and I. < >. 0. F. fraternities. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist church. 

John M. Momel, deceased, was born in J. Sept. 12, 

L818, the eldest son of Michael and Anna Mary (Harmon) Rornel. 
He wa6 married June 12, 1846, to Christina Deuschle, who was 
born May 3, 1^23. They came to the United States in l-.".land 
located on the farm where Mrs. Romel and her children now re- 
side. They had a family of nine children, only four now living — 
Christina, born Jan. 8, 1849, died in infancy; Michel, born June 



1124 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

8, 1850, died in infancy; Jacob F., born July 25, 1851, died Sept. 
18, 1864; Christina, born Feb. 10, 1S53, died Oct. 15, 1876; Mary, 
born Dec. 15, 1S55; John M., born May 17, 1S5S; Wilhelm, born 
Nov. 15, 1860, died March 29, 1861; William F., born Aug. 4, 
1862 ; Elizabeth,'born May 19, 1S65. Mr. Romel died Dec. 1, 1877. 
He was, as is also his wife, a member of the German Lutheran 
church. Their farm contains 160 acres of good improved land. 

Salem Shoemaker, tanner and stock-raiser, was born in Madison 
Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, April 2, 1S49, a son of Levi and 
Sally Ann (Roads) Shoemaker, who were old settlers of that county. 
Our subject was reared on a farm and received his education 
in the common schools, residing with his parents until he grew to 
manhood. He was married Oct. 13, 1875, to Miss Samantha Stone, 
a daughter of Samuel and Catharine (McCormick) Stone. They 
have four children — Bertha May. born May 26, 1876; Pella Grace, 
born May 9, 1S78; Ida, born Nov. 19, 1880; Edwin B., born Nov. 
IS, 1882. After bis marriage Mr. Shoemaker moved to his present 
home where he has eighty-seven acres of improved land. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

James S. Steel was born in Perry Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
Feb. 10, 1845, a son of James and Mary (Sherrick) Steel. "When 
he was eighteen years of age, in September, 1863, he enlisted in 
Company M, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry. They immediately went to 
Richmond and remained two weeks; then went to Virginia and 
participated in the battle of the Salt Works; then went into winter 
ijuarters in Kentucky, and was afterward on patrol duty through 
many of the Southern States. He was discharged July 10, I s ' '■.">. 
and the next three years worked at the carpenter's trade. He then 
went to Vermillion, 111., and remained three years. Mr. Steel 
first married Elizabeth Highfill, of Kentucky. They had one 
child, mother and child both now deceased. He afterward married 
Elizabeth Higley, of Laurel Township, Hocking County. They 
have three children — Laura M., Frank and John. Mrs. Steel is a 
member of the Lutheran church. 

John S. Steel, carpenter and builder, was born in Perry Town- 
ship, April 24. 1836, a son of James and Mary Steel. His father 
having a large family, he was obliged at an early age to take care 
of himself. He was married Nov. 2. 1857, to Sophia Koch, a 
native of Pickaway County, Ohio. They had a family of eleven 
children, eight now living — Daniel K., Samuel K., Charles K\, 
William E. K., Mary Ann, Lucy, John and Emma. Mrs. Steel 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1125 

died June 1, 1878, and Dec. 22, 1878, Mr. Steel married Mrs. Mary 
(Elbert) Mulette. They have one child— Ella. Sept. 3, 1861:, Mr. 
Steel enlisted in Company M, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry; went first to 
Kentucky and remained till the following spring; then went to 
Nashville and from there to Knoxville. In October, 1864, be was 
taken sick and confined in the hospital four months. At Knox- 
ville he was again prostrated by disease, from the effects of which 
he has never recovered. He was discharged Juh r 3, 1865. For 
three years after his return he was engaged in farming; then went 
to Vermillion, 111., but remained only a year, returning again to 
Ohio. Since then he has been working at the carpenter's trade. 
Mr. Steel is a member of the Methodist and his wife of the Presby- 
terian church. He is a member of the Adelphi Lodge, No. 114, 
I. O. O. F. 

T. A. Steel was born in Perry Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
Sept. 18, 1858, a son of William and Barbra (Julian) Steel, who 
were also natives of this county. He is a miller by trade, having 
worked at it about ten years, and is now running the Laurelville 
mill. He lived on the farm till he was fourteen years of age re- 
ceiving his education in the common schools of the country. 

Lemuel Stone, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fauquier 
County, Va., Oct. 7, 1808. "When he was a child he came with 
his father's family to Ohio and located in Belmont County. In 
1838 they moved to Guernsey County, where he resided twelve 
years engaged in farming. In the spring of 1850 he came to 
Hocking County and settled on his present farm in Perry Town- 
ship. In 1S53 he engaged in the mercantile business at South 
Perry, remaining there about three years and again returned to his 
farm, and in 1859 again engaged in business for about a year and a 
half, still managing his farm. He was married March 20, 1838, to 
Miss Catherine McCormick. They were the parents of six children, 
three now living. Mr. Stone is a self-made man, having accumu- 
lated a large property by his own industry and careful manage- 
ment, and has a landed estate of 350 acres of improved land, of 
which he has provided his children each good homes. His wife is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Allen Strous, a native of Perry Township, born Sept. 26, 1826, 
was a son of Jacob and Mary (Rusledoffer) Strous, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. His father, in company with Adam Devenham, was the 
first white men to settle in this township, Allen now living on a 
portion of the land first settled by his father. He was married 



1126 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

March 18, 1849, to Mary Friend, daughter of William and 
Sarah (White) Friend, natives of Pennsylvania. They have 
five children — Sarah, now Mrs. Joel Hoey; Elizabeth, now 
Mrs. Samuel Scott; Samuel, who married Eliza J. Harman; 
George and Asa. Mr. Strous has always lived on the old home- 
stead. He had 277 acres of his father's estate, a part of it 
being where Laurelville now stands, but has sold portions of it till 
lie now has but 210 acres. He is living in a large, stone dwelling 
built seventy years ago. During the late war he was drafted twice 
but paid $300 for a subttitute one time and was released by the 
Government the other. Mr. and Mrs. Strous joined the Baptist 
church in 1871. 

Joel H. Stump, born Feb. 12, 1832, on the farm where he now 
lives, is a son of Joel and Barbara (Hoey) Stump, the former a 
native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Kentucky. His father was in 
the war of 1812 and died in 1868. His mother died in 1879. Mr. 
Stump was married Oct. 4, 1869, to Margaret, daughter of John 
and Mary (May) West. They are the parents of nine sons, eight of 
whom are living — Thomas J., Benjamin F. (died Feb. 6, 1881), 
George E , Isaac K, William M., Joel H., Amer P., Byron N. and 
Martin V. Mr. Stump takes great interest in the education of his 
children, and the two oldest are now teachers in the public schools 
of the county. He has a farm of 127 acres, all well improved. He 
has been a member of the Methodist church since 1850. Mr. 
Stump was Justice of the Peace fifteen years and has been School 
Director of his district twent}--one years. 

W. S. Tucker, born in Leesville, Carroll Co., Ohio, April 3, 
1834, is a son of Henry and Ann (Roby) Tucker. His father was a 
native of Maryland. Mr. Tucker commenced to learn the trade of 
a chair-maker when he was seventeen years of age, and has worked 
at this trade at intervals till a few years past. He received his edu- 
cation in the common schools of the country and is quite an expert 
with a pen. He was married May 1, 1856, to Phoabe Hudson, 
daughter of James and Ellenor (Clark) Hudson. She was born 
May 18, 1834. Mr. Tucker enlisted in Company B, Thirty -first Ohio 
Infantry, Aug. 3, 1861, and served two years and sixteen days, lie 
was in the battle of Stone River, the only regular battle that he 
took part in, though he was in several skirmishes. He was Ser- 
geant during the whole of his service. He was discharged on ac- 
count of disability to attend duty Aug. 16, 1863. He has a bass 
drum he made in the spring of 1861, which was used to beat up all 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1127 

the volunteers of this part of the State. He at one time owned 
about forty acres of land, but has no real estate at present. He is 
now running a portable sawmill. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are the 
parents of three children living and five dead — Jasper B., born 
Feb. 3, 1857, married Nellie Blackburn; Hollis C, born Aug. 15, 
1858, married Clara Fox; Sarah S., born May 20, 1860, died June 
4, 1871; Bittie E.,born Feb. 17, 1862, died Oct. 1, 1863; Ella S., 
born March 9, 1866; James Henry, born April 25, 1873, died Feb. 
27, 1878. 

John Lew is Wagner, merchant, South Perry, was born in Muhlhau- 
sen, Prussia, Sept. 11, 1824, a son of John Andrew and Susanna 
(Karschner) Wagner. His youth was spent in attending the citizens' 
school of his native city. At the age of fourteen years he left school 
and went to learn the locksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship 
of three years, after which he spent five years in traveling through 
the principal cities of Europe as journeyman. In 1848 he, with his 
father's family, emigrated to the United States, and located for a 
time in Newark, N. J., where he followed his trade until the 
fall of 1S56, when he came to Ohio and lived in Circleville for one 
year. He then came to South Perry, where he has since resided. 
Pie engaged in the grocery business for a year and a half, and then, 
in 1858, purchased the dry-goods store of Steven Grouch. He 
enlisted in Company 0, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, Jan. 1, 1862. They 
first went to Camp Chase, and after a short stay went toFortDon- 
elson, where they were in a four days' engagement; from there 
they engaged in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Mem- 
phis, Tenn. At the latter place he was taken seriously ill and went 
to the hospital, where he remained eleven months, after which he 
received his discharge and returned to his home in South Perry 
about Oct. 11, 1862, and engaged in his present business in com- 
pany with Frank Wagner. He was married in Newark, N. J., 
April 7, 1850, to Louise Wagner, who came to America with his 
father. She was born June 8, 1823. They have had three chil- 
dren, who died in infancy. Mr. Wagner is a member of the A. 
F. & A. M., Adelphi Lodge, N"o. — ; 'also of I. O. O. F., Silver 
Moon, No. 440. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. Mr. Wagner has been Township Treasurer five 
years. 

Levi Weaver, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Perry Town- 
ship, now Hocking County, Ohio, in June, 1818, the only son now 
living of Jacob Weaver, w T ho came from Northumberland County, 



1128 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Pa., in 1810, and purchased the farm where our subject now lives, 
where he resided until his death, July 25, 1858. Our subject was 
reared on the farm and lived with his parents until he reached his 
majority. He then worked out until he was married, Oct. 1, 1846, 
to Sarah Friese, a daughter of John Friese, who came from Berks 
County, Pa., and was among the tirst settlers of the county. After 
his marriage he moved on the old homestead, where he has since 
resided, and after the death of his mother he purchased the inter- 
ests of the heirs and now owns a fine farm of 100 acres of improved 
land. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are the parents of twelve children, 
nine now living — Mary, John, Caroline, Samuel, George, Martha, 
Laura, Sarah E. , Ellen. Susan and two twins are deceased. Mrs. 
Weaver is a member of the Lutheran church. 

Charles B. Wilkins, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Warren 
County, Va., Jan. 19, 1846, a son of John and Sarah 0. (Calvert) 
Wilkins. He enlisted Feb. 17, 1864, in Company A. Seventy-third 
Ohio Veteran Volunteers, and immediately went South and went 
into camp at Lookout Valley, Tenn., where they remained until the 
first of May, after which he participated in many battles, some of 
the more prominent being Buzzard's Koost, New Hope Church, 
Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, and with Sherman 
on his march to the sea; from there he went to Alexandria, and from 
there to Washington, where they remained for a time, then went to 
Louisville, Ky., where they were mustered out of the service and dis- 
charged July 26,1865. He returned home and has since been engaged 
in farming. He was married Feb. 4, 1868, to Emma Bushee, daugh- 
ter of Alvah Bushee, of Lancaster, Ohio. She was born Aug. 10, 
1852. They have had six children— Alda Z., born July 1, 1869; 
Lewis D., Aug. 7, 1870; Mathew V., July 2, 1872; George E., Sept. 
1, 1877; John W., April 9, 1879; Frank C, Aug. 28, 1880. Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilkins are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. 

Jacob M. Wilkins, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Belmont 
County, Ohio, Oct. 19, 1856, a son of John and Sarah C. (Calvert) 
Wilkins, who were among the pioneers of the county. Our subject 
was reared on a farm and received his education in the common 
schools, residing with his parents until he grew to manhood. He 
was married Nov. 20, 1876, to Laura Alice Unger, a daughter of 
Peter Unger, of Hocking County. They have two children — Har- 
ry E., born Aug. 30, 1877,} and Hattie May, born May 2, 1879. 
Since his marriage Mr. Wilkins has followed farming with marked 
success. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1120 

John Wilkins, deceased, was born in Warren County, Va., June 
15, 1822, a son of John and Mary (Brudlow) Wilkins. March 13, 
1845, he married Sarah C. Calvert, daughter of Richard and Lvdia 
Calvert. In 1845 they came to Hocking County, Ohio, remaining 
only a short time. From here they went to Guernsey County and 
remained a few months, and then went to Belmont County and 
lived three years, returning at the end of that time to Hocking 
County, and purchasing a farm on Little Pine Creek. Four years 
later they moved to South Perry and lived three years and then 
purchased the farm where Mrs. Wilkins and the family still live. 
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins had a family of eleven children — Charles B., 
born Jan. 19, 1S46; Mary E., Aug. 27, 1847; Lvdia M., June 15, 
1849; Nancy E., March 12, 1851; John R., March 6, 1853; Amanda 
V., Oct. 2, 1854; Jacob M., Oct. 19, 1856; Sarah E , Nov. 3, 1858; 
Docia D., April 9, 1861; Eliza S., Nov. 5, 1863; Thomas B., July 
28, 1869. Mr. Wilkins died March 4, 1882. He and his wife 
were both members of the Baptist church. 

John 12. Wilkins V7&% born in Warren County, Va., on March 6, 
1S53; the second son of John and Sarah C. (Calvert) Wilkins, who 
came to Hocking County in the fall of 1851. Our subject was 
reared on a farm and received his education in the common-schools, 
living with his parents until he grew to manhood. He was mar- 
ried Dec. 27, 1877, to Sarah- M. Johnson, b mi May 19, 1852, 
daughter of the Hon. George Johnson, of Perry Township. They 
have two children — Earnest Leroy, born Nov. 22, 1878, and Mar- 
vin, born July 16, 1881. Since his marriage Mr. Wilkins followed 
farming three years, and in 1882 engaged in the wire-fence business. 
He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Silver Moon Lodge, No. 440. 

Samuel J. Wolf, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Perry 
Township, on the farm where he now lives, Aug. 23, 1856, the oldest 
son of the Hon. S. S. Wolf, who has for many years been identi- 
fied with the political interests of Hocking County. Oar subject 
was reared on a farm and received his education in the common 
schools, residing with his parents until he grew to manhood. He 
was married May 5, 1881, to Miss Minerva J. McBroom, a daughter 
of J. C. McBroom, of Laurel Township. They have one child — 
Herman S., born April 16, 18S2. Mr. Wolf resides on the old 
homestead which contains 136 acres; his residence and stable and 
other out-buildings are the finest in the township. His residence 
was erected in 1869 by his father. His stable and out-buildings 



1130 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

are large and commodious, furnishing shelter for his stock and 
machinery. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. 

Thomas B. Wolf, farmer and stock-raiser, section 20, Perry 
Township, was born in this township April 14, 1858, the youngest 
son of the Hon. S. S. Wolf. He was reared on a farm and received 
his education in the common schools, residing with his parents 
until he grew to manhood. He was married Sept. 1, 1881, to Miss 
Martha E. Drum, daughter of George and Matilda Drum, of 
Hocking County. They have one child — Ethel May, born Aug. 
1, 18S2. April 25, 1882, they moved on his present farm, which 
contains 163 acres of improved land, on which he has a fine two- 
story residence which he erected in 1882. Mrs. Wolf is a mem- 
ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. 

William JR. Young, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Perry 
Township, Fairfield (now Hocking) County, June 27, 1839, a son of 
James P. and Harriet (Rice) Young, his father born April 5, 1S05, 
and his mother May 1, 1817. March 16, 1870, he married Eliza- 
beth Kane, daughter of Peter and Mary (Pickle) Kane, born Sept. 
19, 1847. Six children have been born to them — Harriet Luella, 
born May 6, 1871; Darletta, Jan. 25, 1873; Edward, Sept, 7,1874; 
John, Oct. 1, 1878; Effie, June 28, 1880; Frank, July 28, 1882. 
After reaching his majority Mr. Young took charge of his father's 
farm, and on^he death of his father inherited the homestead. In 
1869 he purchased a mill and the next six years manufactured lum- 
ber in connection with farming. Mr. Young manufactured brick 
in 1874 and 1877, and for a year or two was in the hedge business 
working along the line of the Ilanibal & St. Joe Railway, and in 
Illinois and Ohio. He has always been industrious and has ac- 
cumulated a good property, having now 362 acres of fine land. Mr. 
and Mrs. Young are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 
He has been Class-Leader, Trustee and Steward and takes an active 
interest in all that pertains to his church. In 1869 Mr. Young lost 
his residence by fire, but has since rebuilt and now lias a very 
pleasant home. His parents were married May 3, 1835. They 
had a family of five sons and one daughter, only two now living. 
They were members of the Methodist church, his father being a 
local preacher and Deacon. 






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csAotWL 



CHAPTER XLI. 

LAUREL, GOOD HOPE AND MARION TOWNSHIPS— A LAUREL 
WREATH OF HISTORY BEAUTIFULLY BLENDED. 

Laurel — The Laurel Bush — Topography — Boundary — Early 
Settlement — Death — First Preacher — Churches — School- 
house — Official Record — Gibisonville — Population — The Fa- 
mous Rock House — Biographical. 

Good Hope — Its Bounds — Valleys Productive — Official Record 
— Rock Bridge Village — Rock Bridge" — Churches and Schools 
— Transportation, Population and Stock — Biographical. 

Marion — Topography and Boundary — Area — Pioneer Settlers 
—First Things — Population — Valuation — Real and Personal 
— Churches — Schools — Biographical. 

LAUREL. 

THE LAUREL BUSH. 

Laurel Township is bounded on the north by Good Hope Town- 
ship, on tiie east by Falls and Washington, on the south by Ben- 
ton, and on the west by Perry. It took its name from the great 
quantities of the laurel bush which is to be found within its bounds. 
Its surface is very hilly and broken by deep ravines and steep prec- 
ipices. The soil is composed of black loam and sand and is excel- 
lent for the production of cereals, and much of the land is very 
good for grazing. 

The first settlement was made in 1812 by three men, a Mr. 
Smith and two brothers named Koons. The} 7 came here to escape 
being drafted into the army of the war of 1S12 and located on 
Laurel Creek. Among the first settlers were: George Kinser, 
Robert McBroom, Josiah Cantwell, John, White, John Fox, Daniel 
Shesler and a Mr. Grim, with their families. John White began 
the manufacture of gun-powder, and had a mill for that purpose a 
short distance west of where Gibisonville now stands. 

ITEMS. 

The first death in the township was that of the son of John 
White who was killed by the explosion of the powder-mill. 

(1131) 



1132 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The first school-house was built in 1829, on Laurel Creek, section 
29, and the first teacher was Robert McBroom. 

The first sermon was preached by Rev. David Dutcher in the 
cabin of Squire McBroom. 

The first church was a Methodist Episcopal, built in about 1S3T, 
where Gibisonvi'le is now located. 

The first township election was held in the log school-house, 
and Robert McBroom was elected the first Justice of the Peace. 

The first mill was built in about 1S28 by Levi McCullon on Lau- 
rel Creek, near where an old mill now stands. It was a saw-mill 
run by water.power. 

The first store was opened by Kennedy Linn in the building ad- 
joining Joel Gibison's residence in 1840. 

There is perhaps no township in the county where peace and so- 
briety reigns to a greater extent than in Laurel. There are no 
saloons or places where intoxicating liquors are sold. 

GENERAL AND OFFICIAL. 

The citizens are generally thriving and industrious, and there 
are man}' well-to-do farmers, and a few very large land-holders. 

The present township officers are: Trustees, David Howdy- 
shell, A. H. Evans and Joseph Bell; Justices ot the Peace, T. D. 
"Woods, John Koon and Thomas Hutchinson; Treasurer, George 
Krim; Clerk, F. W. Dolison; Assessor, Jacob A. Cupp. 

Laurel Township is well supplied with public schools, having 
nine within its borders, all of which have good houses. The town- 
ship school fund tor Laurel in 1882 was $1,248.38. It has four 
churches, all supported by a strong membership. 

The Method ist Jiju'scopal Church was first organized at Hope- 
well, but the exact date cannot be ascertained. It was probably 
the first in the township. Among its first members were: Robert 
McBroom and wite, Josiah Cant well and wife, and Margaret 
Riarson. The church was subsequently transferred to Gibisonville. 
The membership at present numbers seventy members. The 
present Pastor is Rev. Levi Sparks. 

TheUnited Brethren Church was established in Laurel Town- 
ship as early as 1S30. The organization was effected in the house 
ofFrederick Hood, with the following membership: F. Hood and 
wite, Mr. Gibison and wife, and William Prim. The first Pastor 
was William Handy. For a great many years this little society, 
not feeling able to build a church, held their meetings in their 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1133 

dwellings and in school-houses. In about 1858 they erected their 
present church building. At present the society consists of 
twenty-four members. Their minister is Rev. Mr. Wright. 

The Baptist Church was first organized in this township Janu- 
ary, 1846. The charter members were: John H. Fristo, Benjamin 
Berry, Mrs. Hannah Berry, Mrs. Ruth Crane and A. Longshore 
and wife. The society was at first preached to by Mr. John H. 
Fristo, the present Pastor being Rev. Mr. Wetherbee. The pres- 
ent membership is about thirty. 

The Disciple Church was organized in August, 1866, with the 
following seven members: W. G. Dawson, Francis L. Davis, 
David P. Black. John Tanner, James Tanner, Mary A. Daw- 
son and Margaret Black. Their present church building was 
erected in 1880. The first Pastor of this flock was David P. Black, 
the present one being Rev. John F.Moody. Its membership is 
about sixty-five. 

GIBISONVILLE 

was laid out by Samuel and William Gibison, from whom it de- 
rived its name in 1840 and at the present time has about sixty in- 
habitants. It is located on section 21, very near the center of 
the township. Its business interest consists ot one general store, 
kept by T. D. Wood ; one physician, W. G. Dawson ; one black- 
smith shop, one wagon shop, one nursery and a shoe shop. There 
is a postoffice at this point, Mr. Joel Gibison being the present Post- 
master. It also has two churches and a village school, supported 
independent of the township. The school fund for the village in 
the year 1882 amounted to $278.26. The assessed valuation of the 
village school district in 1882 was: Real property, $27,601; per- 
sonal property, $22,992. Population of the township in 1850 
was 1,126; 1860, 1,322; 1870, 1,343, and in 1880, 1,292, show- 
ing a slight falling off. The assessed valuation in 1882 was: Real 
estate, $159,660; personal property, $18,404, a total of $208,064. 

ROCK HOUSE. 

a wall of massive granite rock rising to the height of 166 feet, 
covered here and there with fern and moss. It is a veritable 
rock house resting upon pillars of sandstone, about midway 
between the ravine below and the top of the rock-bluff, and behind 
those pillars a large room, perhaps a hundred feet long, thirty feet 
wide, and about the same height, rising like the roof of a house, 



1134 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

highest in the center. The massive oak, the tall and graceful pine, 
and their less renowned wooded brothers ; the bold bluffs, the 
deep ravines with the rock bottoms and pearly streams; the laurel, 
and the moss and fern clinging in their soft embrace to the points 
of jutting rock — all these make a sight wonderful to behold and 
stand out in living reality of a masterpiece of Nature's work. From 
the top of the cliff you can look down on the top of the loftiest 
trees. The shelving rock is a resting place; the deep ravine is 
gloomy and has a weird-like appearance in the evening twilight. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

James Berry was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, Nov. 15, 
1S30. His father, Benjamin Berry, was an old pioneer of that 
county, but when James was ten years of age came to Hocking 
County and located in Laurel Township. James spent his early 
life on the farm and in attending school, and when sixteen years 
of age he commenced teaching school, an occupation he followed 
the greater part of twenty-two years. In 1874 he purchased the 
farm where he now resides. He has ninety acres of land on sec- 
tion 7, Laurel Township, with a good residence and farm build- 
ings. He was married when nineteen years of age to Mary Sulli- 
van, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. They had six chil- 
dren, only one now living — Susanna E. Mrs. Berry died Sept. 3, 
1864. Sept. 19, 1S65, Mr. Berry married Jane L. Marshall, a 
native of Carroll County, Ohio. Politically Mr. Berry is a Repub- 
lican. During the late war he served four months in Company I, 
One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Infantry. He has held the 
offices of Township Trustee and Assessor. He is a member of the 
I. O. O. F. fraternity. 

Rev. D. P. Black, son of David and Mary Black, is a native 
of Perry County, Ohio, born June 1, 1833. He was the fifth of a 
family of nine children, and his early life was spent on the home 
farm, and when eighteen years of age he went into Deavertown, 
Morgan County, where he worked at the carpenter's trade five years. 
In the month of April, 1856, he went into Muskingum County and 
lived nine years in that county. He came to Hocking County in 
1865 and resided in Benton Township until two years ago, when he 
purchased a portable saw-mill' of twenty-five horse-power which he 
and his two sons are now operating in Laurel Township. He was 
married to'Oney S. Sowers, of Muskingum County, April 6, 1856. 
They have a family of five children — DeAVitt C, Addie, Caroline, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1135 

Job S. and Rachel. Rev. Black is a member of the, Disciple 
church, in which he has labored, as a preacher of the gospel for sev- 
enteen years. 

John Brehm, son of George and Margaret (Myer) Brehm, is a 
native of Franklin County, Pa., born Aug. 22, 1803. In 1810 his 
parents removed to Perry County, Ohio, near Somerset, where he 
was reared and educated. He was married in 1828 to Dorothy 
Snook. They had a family of five children, only three now living 
— Margaret, Mary and John. Mrs. Brehm died, and in 1839 Mr. 
Brehm married Margaret Marshall. They had two children, only 
one now living — Hun. George Brehm, Mayor of Logan. Mr. 
Brehm married for his third wife, in 1873, Rachel Crawford. 
When he came to his present farm it was all wild land, but he now 
has 172 acres of finely cultivated land with good farm buildings, 
his residence being on section 31. He has been a member of the 
Baptist church forty years. Politically he is a Democrat. 

Charles Cupp, son of Christopher Cupp, is a native of Licking 
County, Ohio, born Dec. 7, 1821. When eight years of age his 
parents moved to Fairfield County, where he lived till eighteen 
years of age. He was reared a farmer and received a common- 
school education. He came to Hocking County in 1842, and 
located in Laurel Township. In 1S50 he bought the farm where he 
now resides, on section 27. At that time it was wild timbersd 
land, but now he has 205 acres of tine well-cultivated land. Julv 
8, 1816, he married Mary Ann Hood, who died Jan. 17, 1847. 
Jan. 20, 1818, he married Deborah Hood, a sister of his first wife. 
They have five children — John C, Jacob A., Charles W., Clarissa 
E. and George W. Politically Mr. Cupp is a Democrat. He has 
held the offices of Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. 
lie is a member of the Protestant Methodist church. 

IT. G. Dawson, M. D., son of Thomas and Nancy Ann (Moore) 
Dawson, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, June 3, 1838. 
When he was tour years old his parents moved to Morgan County, 
where he was reared and educated. When he was twenty-three 
years of age he commenced reading medicine with Dr. W. II. 
Ilolden, Millertown, Perry Co., Ohio; was with hitn three years; 
took a course in Starling Medical College in 1864-65, and in 1865, 
located at Gibisonville, and commenced practicing medicine, where 
he has built up a large and successful practice. He is living on a 
tarm adjoining the village where be has a good residence and is 
surrounded with all the comforts of a home. He was married 



1136 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Aug. 28, 1862, to Mary A. Tanner, of Morgan County. Three 
children have been born to them — Elmer A., Lillie M. and Will- 
iam T. Mrs. Dawson died Sept. 13, 1881. Dr. Dawson received 
a diploma from Columbus Medical College in March, 1881. Dr. 
Dawson is a member of the Christian church. He has been a 
Republican since old enough to vote. He belongs to Logan Lodge, 
I. O. O. F. In 1867 he lost by fire his residence, medicine 
goods and a fine library. He is now living with his children and 
conducting a lucrative practice. 

L. C. Friend, a native of Laurel Township, was born July 5, 
1814. His father, Aaron Friend, is also a native of this township. 
During the late war he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and 
Fifty-first Ohio Infantry, and served 100 days. He then enlisted, 
January, 1864, in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-first 
Ohio Infantry and served a year. He was married Nov. 17, 1867, 
to Hannah E. Odell. They have three children — Eliza Jane, Me- 
lissa M. and Clara Nevada. Mr. Friend has a fine farm of 175 acres 
on section 8, with a two- story residence and good farm buildings, 
where he has resided since 1868. Politically he is a Republican. 

John Geiger, a native of Maryland, born in the city of Balti- 
more, Dec. 19, 1810, was a son of John Geiger, a native of France. 
In 1821 his parents came to Ohio and located in Morgan County, 
where he was reared. He was married when twenty-seven years 
of age to Mary T. Busgoon. They have six children — James, 
Phillip, William, Mary Ann, Julian and Francis. Mr. Geiger 
came to Laurel Township in 1818 and located on section 24, where 
he still resides. He has 200 acres of highly cultivated land, with 
a good residence and farm buildings. Politically he is a Demo- 
crat, lie has been Justice of the Peace six years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic church. 

Joel Gibison is a native of Monmouth County, N. J., born 
Sept. 22, 1807, a son of Samuel and Mary (Ilendrickson) Gibison. 
When he was eleven years old his parents came to Ohio and lo- 
cated in Pickaway County. In 1826 he came to Laurel Township, 
and in 1849 bought the farm where he now resides. He was mar- 
ried March 13, 1828, to Elizabeth Friend, of this county. They 
had three children — Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Eliza. He was mar- 
ried to his second wife, Mrs. Susan Judy in 1836. She died ih 
1872. March 7, 1875, he married Almira Keller, of this town- 
ship. They have three children — William, Nevada and Joel. Mr. 
Gibison is politically a Republican, and has served his township as 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1137 

Constable. Township Trustee, Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. 
He is a member of the United Brethren church. He has seventy- 
three acres of fine, well-cultivated land. 

D. W. Howdy shell, son of Samuel and Sylva Howdyshell, is a 
native of Falls Township, Hocking County, Ohio, born May 2, 1843. 
"When he was three months old his parents moved to Perry County? 
Ohio, where he was reared, spending his boyhood days in assisting 
on the farm and attending the common school. When twenty-two 
years of age he came to Hocking County, and located in Laurel 
Township, where he now has a fine farm of 306 acres on section 36, 
and is making a specialty of sheep-raising. He was married Sept. 
9, 1866, to Mary Jane Metier, of this township. They have two 
children — Sarah Matilda and Hannah R. Politically Mr. Howdy- 
shell is a Democrat. He has been Township Clerk three years, and 
is at present President of the Board of Education. 

P. W. Kreider, son of Dr. S. C. Kreider, was born in Hocking 
County, Ohio, in September, 1839. During the late war he served 
four months in Company K, Ninety-second Ohio Infantry. He was 
married in December, 1858, to Elizabeth Moyon, of Pickaway 
County, Ohio. Eight children have been born to them — Michael, 
Elizabeth, Edward, Kate, Samuel, Charles, Peter and Mary. Mr. 
Kreider has always followed farming for a livelihood, and now has 
a fine farm of 283 acres on section 9. He carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising. Politically he belongs to the Greenback 
party, and though no aspirant for office has served in the capacity 
of Constable. 

J. G. Krinn, son of John G. and Margaret Krinn, is a native of 
Germany, born Feb. 2, 1814. When he was six years old his 
parents came to America, locating in Lancaster Township, Hock- 
ing Co., Ohio, where he was reared and educated. His early life 
was passed on the farm, and he thus learned in youth the princi- 
ples that qualify one to become a successful farmer. lie now owns 
200 acres of fine land on section 13. Dec. 3, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company F, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and was discharged in 
February, 1865. He participated in many hard-fought battles, 
among them Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg and Grand 
Gulf. He was married March 1, 1866, to Mary Ann Brown, of 
this township. Four children have been born to them — Caroline, 
Maggie, Charles and Emma, the latter now deceased. Mrs. Krinn 
died Jan. 28, 1873. April 30, 1874, Mr. Krinn married Kitty 
Funk, of Hocking County. They have three children — Frank, Ida 

and Flora. Mr. Krinn is at present Treasurer of Laurel Township. 

72 



H3S HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

John Kr inn, son of Gottleib Krinn, was born in Laurel Town- 
ship, March 18, 1841. His early life was spent on the farm and he 
received but a limited education. He enlisted Nov. 4, 1861, in 
Company H, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry; was in the battles of Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, blockade of Vicksbnrg, Grand Gulf and Chicka- 
saw. At the latter place he was wounded. He re-enlisted in 1863, 
and was discharged in September, 1865. He has a fine farm of 210 
acres with a good residence and farm-buildings, where lie has lived 
since 1866, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married 
Sept. 20, 1866, to Susan Rhodes of this county. They have three 
children— Alice A., Charles M. and Elbert G. Politically Mr. 
Krinn is a Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren 
church. 

M. V. McBroom, son of Robert and JSTancy Y. (Cantwell) Mc- 
Broom, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, Dec. 19, 1819. He was 
reared and educated in this township, and when eighteen years of 
age went to Mercer County, Ohio, and remained a year, returning 
again to Laurel Township. He was married Oct. 18, 1842, to 
Eliza Ann, daughter of James and Rachel Carroll. They have had 
ten children born to them — James R., Wesley M., Elizabeth R., 
Nancy J., Lewis A., Mary M., Joseph D., Greenburg Y., Hester 
Rowena and Laura E. Mr. McBroom has afi ne farm of ninety-one 
acres, all well-improved, and is surrounded with all the comforts 
of life. Politically he is a Democrat. He has held the offices of 
Land Appraiser, Assessor and Infirmary Director. 

Robert McBroom, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, and 
when quite young came to Ohio and settled in Pickaway County, 
and in 1815 came to Laurel Township, Hocking County, and set- 
tled on wild land. He was married in 1816 to Nancy Y. Cantwell. 
They had a family of fifteen children— J. C, J. K., M. Y., Eliza- 
beth H., Robert M., Minerva P., Edward C, William H., Green- 
burg S., Mary M., Lewis A., Nancy J., Hester Ann, James G. and 
one not named. Mr. McBroom held the office of Justice of the 
Peace nearly thirty years. He was a member of the Methodist 
church. 

Joseph C. McBroom, son of Robert and Nancy (Cantwell) Mc- 
Broom, was born May 26, 1817. He received his education at the 
common schools, and at the age of nineteen entered the profession 
of a teacher, in which he continued for sixteen years. He was 
married March 30, 1843, to Maria lies, of Hocking County. They 
have five children— Clara E., Allen R., Sarah E., John W. and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1139 

Minerva J. Mr. McBroom is a distinguished financier, and one 
of the largest real-estate owners in the county, owning about 2,800 
acres. For many years he has been honored with public trust, 
nine years County Commissioner, eighteen years a Justice of the 
Peace; he has also held most of the township offices. Politically 
he is a Democrat. Religiously he has been a member of the Meth- 
odist church for more than fifty years. In 1863 Mr. McBroom 
removed to the farm where he now resides, amid pleasant fields 
and faithful friends. He still ranks among the most successful farm- 
ers of Hocking County. 

Jacob Myer, born in Laurel Township, Sept. 18, 18-10, is the eldest 
of six children of Christian and Caroline (Young) Myer. He was 
married in September, 1861:, to Caroline Bloom, of Laurel Town- 
ship. To them were born three children — Barbara Ellen, Caroline 
Elizabeth and Susan Doratina. Mrs. Myer died May 21, 1875. 
Mr. Myer moved on to the farm where he now resides in 1873. He 
has 115 acres of good land, a commodious barn, and is intending to 
erect a new residence. He is a self-made man. Commencing life 
with comparatively nothing, he gained by his industry a good 
property, which he afterward lost on account of sickness and drought. 
He was not discouraged, but started again and now has, by his good 
management, again acquired a good farm. He has run a threshing 
machine for twenty years and is considered one of the best thresh- 
ers in Hocking County. 

Orpheus Ogle, son of Hercules and Frances (Mutton) Ogle, is a 
native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born Aug. 4, 1823. His father 
was at one time a large slave-owner in Virginia, and was also the 
owner of the salt mills at Wellsville. When quite young Mr. Ogle 
commenced to work in the blacksmith's shop with his father, and 
learned his trade so thoroughly that he is now able to manufacture 
most articles made in a blacksmith's shop. He was married Nov. 

8, 1846, to Nancy A., daughter of Anion and Nancy A. (Cox) Long- 
shore, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New 
Jersey. They are the parents of thirteen children, eleven now liv- 
ing — William II., born June 4, 1848, has been a minister of the 
gospel sixteen years; he has been twice. married, the first time to 
Rachel Johnson, and the second to Phoabe Grant; Elias A., born 
April 30, 1850, married Maggie Kershaw, Nov. 2, 1872; Mary A., 
born April 5, 1852, was a twin of Margaret J., who lived only twen- 
ty-two days; Henry F., was born Feb. 12, 1859; Emma M., May 

9, 1861; Lemuel, Sept. 6, 1863, lived fifteen days; Maggie, Dec. 



1H0 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

19,1864; Wesley II., June 24, 1867; Silas O., Nov. L3, L868; Cora 
T., Mav 7, L871; Rachel E., Aug. 16, 1873; Gertrude C, June 20, 

1881. Mr. Ogle has ;i farm of 120 acres, and is a well-to-do farmer 
of the township. Ho takes a great interest in the education of his 
children, and also contributes liberally to anythingthat tends to the 
welfare and education of his township. His father was a soldier 
in the war of 1812. 

James Rt id, section 31, Laurel Township, poetoffice Rock House, 
was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Oct. 6, L812. His father, 
George ileid, was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. James was 
the eldest of a family of thirteen children, ami when a child his 
parents removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he was reared and 
educated. When nineteen years of age he came to Hocking County. 
In 1853 he purchased the farm of seventy-one acres where he now 
resides, which is well cultivated and affords him all the comforts of 
a good home. He was married Aug. 2, 1S38, to Mrs. Matilda 
(Cave) Coonrad. They have live children — Robert, Mary, Lau- 
rence, Matilda and Eliza. Politically Mr. Reid is a Republican. 

John Sheik, son of John and Mary Sheik, is a native of Ger- 
many, born duly 26, L832. When he was quite small his parents 
came to America and located in Bearlield Township, Perry Co., 
Ohio, where he was reared and educated, lie was married Feb. 14, 
1854, to Rebecca J. Allen, a native of Perry County. They are the 
parents of ten children — Pleasant A., John R., James M., Mar- 
garet M., Francis A., Laura M., Rebecca Agnes, William 8. and 
Phillip S. (twins), and Mary J. Mr. Sheik came to Laurel Town- 
ship in 1855, settling on section 34, where he now has L72 acres oi 
well-improved land, a two-story residence and good farm buildings. 
He is a member ot the United Brethren church. Politically he is 
a Democrat. 

David Uhkle, section 1, Laurel Township, was born in Tuscara- 
was County, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1830. His father, Solomon Unkle, was a 
pioneer of that county and died when David was eighteen months 
old. His mother moved to Perry County when he was three years old 
and there he was reared and received a limited education in the com- 
mon school, lie came to Eocking County in L853, and by industry 
and frugality has acquired one of the largest farms in Laurel Town- 
ship. He has 600 acres all well improved, with a handsome resi- 
dence and commodious farm buildings, and is oneot the wealthiest 
men of the township. He was married when twenty years of age 
to Caroline Stroch, a native oi' Hocking County. They are the 



HI8T0RY OF HOOKING PALLET. II II 

parentsoi ten children Elizabeth A.., Solomon, John, Ellen, Ji 
Daniel, Era ma, Essie, Carrie and Charles. Politically Mr. Dnkle 
is a Democrat. 

D. B. Whitcraft, a native of Carroll County, Ohio, wasbornJuly 
6, L841, a son of William and Nancy Whitcraft, his father oi Irish 
parentage. When Ik: was five years oi age bis parents came to 
Laurel Township, I Locking Co., Ohio, where he was reared and edu 
cated. A.ug. 4, L861, he enlisted in the Thirty-first Ohio Infantry 
and participated in the battles "I Chickamauga, Stone River, Mis 
sion Ridge and about twenty-two skirmishes. Hewa _"; 1 

A 1 1 _< . 10, L864, and returned home, but again enlisted March 22, 
] 865, in Company E, Fifty -eighth Ohi > Infantry, and served till S 
16, L865. He was married .July I, 186 !, to S le W. Kelch. They 
have three children -William. Eiizaan I Jessie. Mr. Whitcraft has 
for a number of ; en engaged in the saw-mill busine . but at 

presenl is farming, owning a good farm of eighty acres. Politi- 
cally he is a Republican. 

Qeorg< I). Whitoraft, a native of this t >wnship, was born Jan. 30, 
1842. Hi.- father, Thoma3 Whitcraft, was a native of In Ian I, and 
came to Ameri -a in L801, locating in HoekingC I ti >. G 

D. was reared on a farm and educated in the com i In 

the spring of 1864 he enlisted in Company A. One Hundred and 
Fifty-first Ohio Infantry, and served four mouths. He then served 
eight months in Company B, of the One Hun Ired and N^iuety-first 
Ohio Volunteer Infautry. Mr. White raft hag been in the employ of 
Gibison & Wood, merchants, a number of years. He moved to 
the farm where he now lives in L867. He ha-; -iu acres of valu- 
able land. He maki dty of dealing . and is 
idered one of the best judges of that animal in the county. 
Politically he is a Republican. He was married in S r. 1867, 
to Jane Hockman, who died leaving two childrei new 
living— Catherine Jane. Mr. Whitcraft the i ra irried Martha 
Sowers. They have three children — Estella, Tho nas and Em* \. 

T. D. Woods, - ,n oi Edward and Arminta Woods, . : ■■• of 

Hocking County, born Ocl 27, L842. He lost his father when quite 
young, and upon hi- mother marrying again went to live with 
Joel Gibison, remaining with him till A.ug. 4, L831, when he 
listed in Company B, Thirty-first Ohio Infantry. His regiment 
participated in some of the most noted battles of the war, an 
them Chickamauga and Mi-don Ridge. Mr. Wo detached 

from the regiment and assigned to duty in the Quartermaster's de- 



1142 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

partment, where he remained several months. After the war he 
became established in the mercantile business in Gibisonville< 
where he still has a large stock of general merchandise, and by 
honesty and fair dealing has secured a liberal patronage. He was 
married April 11, 1S66, to Sallie E. Whitcraft. They have one 
daughter — Nevada J. Politically Mr. "Woods is a Republican. He 
has held most ot the township offices, serving as Justice of the 
Peace five years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. 
He has a farm of 125 acres near the village ot Gibisonville. 

David Zeigler, son of Andrew and Elizabeth Zeigler, is a native 
of Muskingum County, Ohio, born June 29, .1816. He resided 
at home till twenty-one years of age, receiving the education at" 
forded in the subscription schools of the pioneer days. He was 
married in February, 1810, to Elizabeth Bell, of Muskingum 
Countj\ Ten children have been born to them, six now living — 
Jane, Sarah, Joanna, William B. Eva and Charles. Frances, 
Joseph, Minerva and Mary are deceased. In 1S51 Mr. Zeigler 
came to Hocking County, settling on the (arm of 151 acres where 
he now resides. He is a member of the United Brethren church, 
and has been a Class-Leader and Trustee. Politically he is a Re- 
publican. 

GOOD HOPE. 

BOUNDARIES AND AREA. 

Good Hope Township is bounded on the north by Fairfield 
County, on the east by Marion and Falls townships, on the south 
by Laurel Township, and on the west by Perry Township and Fair- 
field County, being in the northwest portion of the county- It con- 
tains twenty-four sections but the sections forming the west tier are 
about one-third larger than the others, or are known as fractional 
sections, so that the distance east and west is about six and one- 
third miles, and from north to south four miles. The surface is very 
uneven and in many places rough and broken; yet there are some 
fine farms, principally in the eastern portion. The soil is usually 
good and produces fair crops of grain and grass. As yet no min- 
erals of sufficient imp irtance to be worthy of utilization have been 
discovered. The Hocking River flows through the northeast cor- 
ner of the township, and its bottoms furnish excellent farming 
lands. The Columbus & Hocking Valley Railroad passes through 
the township along the banks of the river, giving to it about three 
and one-half miles of railroad with a station near the village of 
Rockbridge called Millville. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1143 

The inhabitants are principally of German descent, and are hard- 
working, economical people. Among the first settlers were — 
Benjamin Bevugher, Michael Plunk-, Abraham Pitcher and Andrew 
Crockett, with their several families. It is the smallest township 
in the county, both in area and population, but is the equal of 
any according to its size for thrift and' material progress. 

The township officers for 1883 are: Trustees, David Lederer, 
Robert White, Charles Bailey; Justices of the Peace, < >. B. IIuls, 
Abraham Miller; Treasurer, J. W. IIuls; Clerk, Jacob Smith;- 
Assessor, William Capenter; Constable, A. E. W^essenberger. 

ROCKBRIDGE. 

This natural curiosity is a bridge of solid sandstone, the under 
side forming an arch of about thirty degrees curvature. It is level 
on top, ranges from eight to twenty feet wide, and is entirely de- 
tached from adjoining rock for a distance of about eighty feet. The 
span measured from the under side is about L50 feet, and is at an 
elevation of about forty-five feet from the bottom of the gulch. 

ROCKBRIDGE VILLAGE, OR MILLVILLK STATION. 

This is the only village in the township, situated on section 23, 
on the banks of the Hocking River. It took its name from the 
natural "rock bridge," to which it is in close proximity. It has 
at the present time about 250 inhabitants, and its business interi 
consist of two general merchandise stores, one kept by D. W. 
EEuls, and the other by O. R.Huls; one grist-mill, one saw-mill, 
one carriage-shop and one blacksmith shop. There is one prac- 
ticing physician. It has two clinches, the Advent Christian and 
United Brethren and two schools. The assessed valuation ofMill- 
ville school district in L882, was: Of real estate, $27,712; of per- 
sonal property, S22,896. The school fund the same year amounted 
to $354.26. 

CHURCHES. 

Advent Christian. — This church is situated at Rockbridge, and 
was organized Feb. 27, 1870, by Elder A. E. Babcock, with six- 
teen members. Henry Fink was elected Elder, and O. R. IIuls 
and M. V. Imboden, Deacons, and William II. IIuls, Secretary. 
They have at the present time about seventy members, and the 
present Pastor is Rev. Wesley McBroora. The church is in a 
flourishing condition. 



1144 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

United Brethren. — The membership of this church includes many 
of the best citizens of the township. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. 
Wright. This church, like the German Catholic, which is situa- 
ted in the northwest portion of the township, presents few events 
of historical interest, yet they are both, in their way, doing much 
good throughout the township. 

SCHOOL POPULATION. 

There are no less than seven well-kept public schools in this 
township, and the average attendance is good. There is a good 
school-house, with all the necessary accompanying articles for 
the use of the scholars in each sub-district, and the teachers 
the past year have shown ability, judging bj T the rapid advances 
made by their pupils. The township fund for 1883 amounted to 
$1,102.38, In this respect Good Hope Township is showing her 
wisdom, for in the education of her sons and daughters is her ma- 
terial progress assured. The population was in 1850, 635; in 
1860, 953; in 1870,986; in 1880,1,083. The assessed valuation 
of Good Hope Township in 1882 was: Real estate, $113,333; 
personal property, $107,163— total, $220,496. 

STOCK AND TRANSPORTATION. 

The waters of Clear Creek flow through the northern portion of 
the township and empty into the Hocking River after passing 
some four miles through the township. Other small streams flow- 
ing from springs rise in the south and, running north, also flow into 
the Hocking. The township is thus well watered and an admirable 
country for stock. Millville and Pine Grove lie on the west bank 
of the Hocking which has to be crossed to reach the. railroad, of 
which about three miles passes through the northeast portion of 
the township. It has thus excellent transportation facilities. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

Abel Carpenter, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Falls 
Township, Hocking County, July 22, 1836, and is the son of Samp- 
son and Catherine Carpenter, who wore among the early pioneers 
of the county. Our subject was reared on the farm where he 
now resides and received his early education in the common schools. 
He was married Dec. 5, 1S61, to Miss Phoebe Ridenonr, daughter 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1145 

of William and Rachel Ridenour. They have seven children — 
Simeon, Eliza, Ellen, Christina, William, Edward and Emma. Mr. 
Carpenter has a fine farm containing 166 acres of improved land, 
on which he has erected a very pleasant residence of modern style. 
He has held several offices of trust in both township and county. 
He has been Township Treasurer and Trustee for several years and 
is at the present time County Commissioner, this being his second 
term. 

Owen R. Huls, merchant, station and express agent, was born 
in Falls Township, Hocking County, April 1, 1837, the son of 
William and Mary (Roberts) Huls. His father a native of New 
Jersey, and his mother of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio about 
1833 and located in Hocking County. Our subject was reared on 
the farm and received his education in the common schools, attend- 
ing the University at Westerville one term. He began teaching 
school when eighteen years of age and taught thirteen years. He 
was married in 1860 to Miss Ann M. Cupp. They were the parents 
of two children — O. Willard and Win. Howard. His wife died 
Jan. 1, 1864. He was again married Nov. 26, 1866, to Susan L. 
Cupp, a sister of his first wife. They have seven children — Frank 
M., Chas. B. and W.m. L. (twins), Cora, James C, Henry M. T 
Daisy. Mr. Huls has held the office of Township Trustee for two 
terms, and now is a Justice of the Peace, serving his second term 
in this office. He has been notary public for about eighteen years. 
He and his wife are members of the Advent church. Politically 
he is a Republican. 

Captain William H. Huls, born in Falls Township, April 1, 1837, 
is the son of William and Mary (Roberts) Huls. The father was 
born in New Jersey, June 8, 1806; came to Ohio in 1827 and lo- 
cated at Canal Winchester where he became ens:a<red on the canal 
locks which were being constructed at that place. Here he was 
married, Oct. 22, 1829, to Mary, daughter of Owen and Letitia 
(Williams) Roberts. They moved to Falls Township in 1836 where 
Mr. Huls worked on Bonner's lock, after which he became en- 
gaged in farming. They joined the Methodist Episcopal church 
in 1830, in which they remained until 1848, when they joined the 
United Brethren church, of which they were members at the time 
of the father's death, Feb. 11, 1868. The mother remained a 
member of the above church until 1S70, at which time she joined 
the Advent Christian church at Rockbridge, Ohio, of which she 
was a member at the time of death, June 15, 1S74. Both are bur- 



1146 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ied in the Antioch cemetery. Our subject remained with his par- 
ents until he reached his majority and received a common-school 
education. He taught his first and last term of school in the Kline 
•district during the winter of 1860. At the breaking out of the late 
civil war he was engaged in learning the carpenter's trade, but 
Oct, 5, 1861, enlisted in Company H, Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, as 
a private; was soon elected Second Lieutenant, and Oct. 2, 1862, was 
promoted to First Lieutenant, and Jan. 1, 1864, to Captain, which 
commission he held at the close of the war. During his service in 
the army he participated in several hard-fought battles, among 
which were Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Johnson's Landing, Miss., 
and was on the gun-boat Pittsburg when she ran the blockade ot 
Vicksburg. He was mustered out of the service at Columbus, 
Ohio, Jan. 14, 1865, after serving four years and three months. 
On leaving his company he came to Rockbridge where he now re- 
sides. He was married June 30, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Weltner. 
They have six children — A. Eugene, Iola Bell, Winona E., "William 
M., Eva J. arid Bertha E. Mr. Huls was appointed notary public 
in April, 1882. He and his wife are active members of the Advent 
Christian church. 

Henry Troxel, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Hocking 
County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1825, the son of Jacob and Catherine 
Troxel, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in June, 180S, 
and settled in what is now Good Hope Township, within a half 
mile of where our subject now resides. They remained here about 
five years, then moved to Fairfield Count}', where they remained 
until the father's death. The mother was again married and went 
to Illinois, and there remained until her death. Our subject was 
reared on the farm and received his early education in tho common 
schools, but this was very limited on account of his father's death, 
which occurred when he was only eight years old. He was mar- 
ried in 1852 to Miss Annie Housman. His wife died about two 
years after their marriage. He was a<jain married, in 1865, to 
Miss Susan Firn frock, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Fimfrock, 
residents of Fairfield County. They have four children — Charles 
L., Eva E., Annie R. and Henry Boyd. Mr. Troxel has a fine 
farm containing 496 acres of improved land, on which is a pleasant 
residence and substantial farm buildings. He also owns a tract of 
land in Fairfield County containing 160 acres. He is a man pos- 
sessed of great native mental vigor, and a liberal share of good, 
sound judgment, as is shown by his success through life. He has 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1147 

always taken a lively interest in the matter of education, and one 
of his principal aims is to give to his children what he was de- 
prived of — a good, thorough education. He and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Advent church. 

John Weltner, farmer, was born in Fayette County, Pa., Sept. 
13, 1816, and is the son of John "and Mary (Blosser) Weltner. lie 
came with his parents to Wood County, Va., when an infant, and 
at the age of sixteen came to Ohio and located in Fairfield County, 
engaged in tenching school, which he continued for about twenty 
years. He was married Jan. 16, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Beery. 
They have had thirteen children, nine of whom are living — Christian 
H.,Elizabeth R, Joseph C, Sarah E., John W., Daniel C, Will- 
iam D., Effie A. and Clara C. Mahal a C, Mary F.; Martha J. and 
Lydia A. are deceased. -Mr. Weltner came to this township in 
the spring of 1841 and located on the farm where he now resides, 
which contains 600 acres of improved ^land. with substantial farm 
buildings. He has held the office of Township Clerk for six years, 
and has been Justice of the Peace nine years. He is politically a 
Republican. 

David Zeller, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Good Hope 
Township on the place where he now resides, Aug. 4, 1836, and is 
the son of Jacob and Catherine Zeller, who were among the pio- 
neers of this township. He was reared on the farm, received his 
early education in the common schools, and has always remained 
on the place of his birth. He was married Feb. 24, 1859, to Miss 
Mary Fulmer, daughter of John and Rickey Fulmer, residents of 
Fairfield County. They have eleven children — Daniel H., Jacob 
I., Ellen S.j Lina M., Addie C, Cora C, Harvey E., Alice E., Charles 
H., Homer W. and Orion E. Mr. Zeller has a fine farm contain- 
ing 157 acres of improved land on which he has erected a very 
pleasant residence. He has held the office of Township Trustee 
several years. He has ever taken a lively interest in the matter of 
education. Mr. Zeller and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He is a member of I. O. O. F., Hocking Val- 
loy Lodge No. 262, located at Logan. Politically Mr. Zeller is a 
Republican. 

Jacob Zeller was born in Pennsylvania. Jan. 6, 1801, and is the 
son of John and Elizabeth Zeller, who came to Hocking County 
in 1804 and located at Enterprise. At that time there were only 
three families in this vicinity. They remained there until his 
mother's death, and shortly after his father came to Good Hope 



1148 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Township, and at the time of his death was living with his son on 
the place where he now resides. Our subject was reared on a farm 
and remained with his parents until he was about twenty-three 
years of age, then came to Good Hope Township and settled on 
the place where he now resides. He was married May 12, 1822, to 
Miss Catherine Goss, daughter of Martin Goss, a resident of this 
township. They have had ten children, seven still living — Benja- 
min, Henry, Margaret, Jacob N., David, Catherincand Sarah. 
Mary, Eliza and Asa are deceased. Mrs. Zeller died Jan. 4, 1874. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his 
wife. Mr. Zeller retains his strength remarkably for a man of his 
years, and by his integrity has always won the respect of his fel- 
low citizens. 

MARION. 

TOPOGRAPHY AND BOUNDARY. 

Marion Township is in the north range and second from the east- 
ern line of the county, and about two-thirds of it lies farther north 
than the general northern boundary line of the county. The gen- 
eral appearance of the county is extremely broken and rough, 
although the soil is usually good and produces good crops. Marion 
Township is bounded on the north by Fairfield County, on the east 
by Perry County and that portion of Falls Township called Falls- 
Gore, on the south b} T Falls Township proper, and on the west by 
Good Hope Township and Fairtield County. It is watered in its 
northern part by Rush Creek,which flows nearly across the township 
from east to west, and is the principal water-course in this part of 
the township, while across the southwest corner flows the Hocking 
River, into which empties Crockett's Run, a small creek in that 
portion of the township. 

AREA. 

The township has been exclusively settled by farmers and stock- 
raisers, there being no town or village within its borders. It is six 
miles square. The inhabitants of this township are generally of 
German descent. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

It was about in 1808 that the first white settler ma<le his home 
in Marion Township, and this was probably Christian Beery, who 
came from Fairfield County about the time mentioned above, and 
settled on Rush Creek, section 7. lie was s »on followed by George 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1149 

Hansell, George Engle, and perhaps a few others, and in about 1811 
came Abraham Beery, George Beery, Jacob Miller, and about two 
years later Jacob Good and another Christian Beery. These neavly 
all settled on and near Rush Greek, on sections 6, 7 and 8. These 
were the pioneers of the township, and they blazed the way for 
those who followed. Mr. Rudolph Scherchel settled in the town- 
ship in 1825, and for half a century was a leading citizen of the 
township. He was a Prussian by birth, and brought with him a 
colony of his countrymen. He died Aug. 25, 1875. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first church was erected by the Lutherans on Rush Creek, 
near Christian Beery's cabin, and the first good man who had 
charge of it as Pastor was Rev. Reefman. This church flourished 
for a long time, but finally there was a division among them, and 
part of the members formed a new society and built a church 
near the old one. 

The first mill was built by Amos Davis on Rush Creek, where 
Kite's mill now stands, in 1831, and this gave to the early settlers a 
means of converting their wheat and corn into flour and meal 
without going to some distant town for this purpose. 

The first school-house was built near Christian Beery's. It was 
only a small shanty, built of logs. It bore no comparison to the 
nine roomy, comfortable school-houses in the township of to-day, 
being built in the homeliest, simplest fashion, and furnished in 
the most frugal and primitive style. 

POPULATION. 

The number of inhabitants in 1840 was 1,370, composed of a 
hard-working class of people who exerted their every energy 
to transform the dense wilderness into comfortable homes and 
productive fields. After this time the increase in population 
was very slow until 1870, when it had only reached 1,561. 
In 1880 it had so depreciated in its population as to only reach 
1,426. This was probably owing to the fact that the township had 
developed no mineral resources, and was thrown entirely upon its 
agricultural features, which are not very attractive to the young 
people of to-day, and they accordingly went forth into the busy 
marts of the world to seek a more pleasant and lucrative way of 
obtaining a livelihood than digging it out of the hills of the home 



1150 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of their childhood, as their forefathers had' done. The assessed 
valuation of this township in 1882 was: Real estate, $212,758; per- 
sonal property, $140,957; total, $353,715. 

CHURCHES. 

Marion Township is well supplied with churches, there being 
nine in the township, which are divided among the different sects 
as follows: Two Lutheran, which were the pioneer churches of 
the township, both located on section 8, in the Rush Creek settle- 
ment; three Methodist Episcopal, located on sections 12, 22 and 
31; two United Brethren, one on section 3 and the other on sec- 
tion 27; two Dunkard churches on sections 6 and 24. These dif- 
ferent societies all have comfortable buildings and are well sup- 
ported. 

SCHOOLS. 

The schools of this township are well attended and well sup- 
ported. The old log school-house that was the best of the old pi- 
oneer clays had little of the elements of convenience to be found in 
the year 1883. The public-school fund was then not known, but 
the subscription school, with the teactier " boarding around," 
was the only place of education. To-day the Township of Marion 
has for the year 1883 a school fund of $1,963.13, and if more is 
wanted it can be had by a very light taxation. There is nothing, 
then, to be wondered at if the rising youth of Marion Township 
shall equal in all respects the attributes of an educational people. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

• Alfred M. Brown, teacher, twelfth son of Thomas and Hannah 
(Beech) Brown, was born in Marion Township, July 2, 1856. He 
was educated at the common schools. When twenty- one years of 
age he began teaching school. He attended the Normal School at 
Lebanon, Ohio, two terms, and has attended select schools during 
his vacations, thus preparing himself to make teaching a business. 
Thomas Brown, farmer, fifth son of William and Hannah (Tay- 
lor) Brown, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., June 13, 
1811, and lived with his parents until manhood. At twenty-one 
years of age he began working on a farm for wages. In 1846 he 
removed to Ohio and leased lands in Marion Township, Hocking 
County. In 1850 he purchased the farm where he resides. He has 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1151 

served as Assessor of Marion Township four years. Sept. 11, 1832, 
he married Hannah, daughter ot John and Rosanna (Moore) 
Beech. They had nine sons — William, of Licking County; David, 
of Hocking County: Amos O., guard in Ohio Penitentiary; James 
of Columbus; Joseph, of Franklin County ; Lewis, of Putnam; 
Noah II., of New Baltimore; Isra, of Hocking County, and Alfred, 
at home. John, the second son, died aged two years; Samuel 
died in the army at Boliver, Tenn., aged twenty-one years; Jesse, 
aged two years; Leroy, aged eleven years; Oliver T., aged one 
year; Anamary, aged one year; Nancy J., aged one year. Mr. 
and Mrs. Brown arc members of the Presbyterian church. 

Jeremiah Carpenter, farmer, second son of Samson and Cather- 
ine (Walters) Carpenter, was born in Falls Township, Hocking 
County, July 27, 1825. Soon after his birth his parents removed 
to Good Hope Township, where he lived with them until manhood. 
His first work for himself was shingle-making, which he followed 
for a few months. He then rented a farm six years, and in 1852 
purchased the farm first" entered by Rickey and Davis. He also- 
owns and runs a saw-mill by water-power. He has worked at the 
cooper's and wagon-maker's trades, but has been principally enga<red 
in farming, where he resides, in Marion Township since 1852. June 
26, 1847, he married Phcebe, daughter of John and Christina, 
(Kline) Engle. They have four children — Elizabeth, wife of 
Lewis McGill, of Columbus, Ohio; Daniel, of Hocking County; 
Sarah, wife of John Hufford, of Hocking County; and Catharine, 
wife of David Dupler, of Hocking County. His wife died April 
13, 1854, aged twenty-seven years. She was a member of the 
Evangelist church. June 7, 1855, Mr. Carpenter married Mrs. Mag- 
daline, widow of Henry Heyd and daughter of Daniel and Susan 
(Friesner) Swartz, of Fairfield County, Ohio. They have six children 
— Susan, wife of William Elick, of Hocking County; Noah, Pachel, 
William, Wesley and Amos, at home. Lewis died in infancy^ 
Frakie died in his second year. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Carpenter had 
two children by her first husband, both deceased — Lydia, born 
Sept. 23, 1851, died March 2, 1876; Daniel, born July 25,' 1853, died 
Dec. 24, 1878. 

George W. Framre, farmer, second son of George and Mary (Ru- 
ble) Erasure, was born in Falls Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, 
May 10, 1838. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Ma- 
rion Township, where he lived with them until manhood working 



1152 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY". 

on the farm, receiving a common-school education. In 1865 he 
purchased the farm where he resides and has been engaged farming 
and wool-growing, making fine stock sheep a specialty. In April, 
1879, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Marion Township and 
re-elected April, 1882. Sept. 29, 1859, he married Mary, daughter 
of Peter and Margaret (Pultz) Beery, of Hocking County, by whom 
he has three children — Margaret E., wife of John II. Bright; Mary 
A., wife of William Risley, of Falls Township; and Almeda. Ma- 
linda and Emerson died in infancy. His wife died in 1871, aged 
thirty-one years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. May 21, 1S72, he married Martha, daughter of Edward 
and Jemima (Fast) Tigner, of Hocking County. They have three 
children — Charles A., Amanda J. and George W., all at home. 
Alice C. died aged two years. Himself and wife are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Isaiah Frasure, farmer and wool-grower, eldest son of George 
and Mary (Ruble) Frasure, was born in Auburn Township, Fair- 
field Co., Ohio, Aug. 9, 1829. In 1831 his parents removed to 
Falls Township, Hocking County, and afterward removed to Marion 
Township, where he lived until manhood. In 1877 he purchased 
the farm where he now resides in Marion Township, and has been 
extensively engaged in wool-growing and farming, making fine 
stock sheep a specialty. He is a member of Hocking Valley Lodge, 
No. 191, I. O. O. F., Logan, Ohio, and has filled all the chairs in 
the lodge. He is also a member of the Encampment, No. 262, 
Logan, and has filled all the chairs in that body. Oct. 22, 1849, 
he married Mary, daughter of John G. and Rebecca (Howser) 
Blosser, of Hocking County. His wife died Jan. 17, 1882, aged 
fifty-two years. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Oct. 14, 1882, he married Lydia, daughter of Thomas J. 
and Christina (Friesner) Durr. Mr. Frasure is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. His wife is a member of the Dunk- 
ard church. 

Noah Gri?nm, farmer, second son of Jacob and Margaret (Holt) 
Grimm, was born in Rush Creek Township, Fairfield County, Jan. 
18, 1822. His parents came from the Shenandoah Yalley, Va., to 
Ohio in 1818, and first settled on Rush Creek. He lived with his 
parents until eighteen years of age. At eighteen years of age he 
was apprenticed to Jacob Beery to learn the carpenter and joiner's, 
also cabinet-maker's, trade. He worked at the trade a few months 
when his health failed and he returned to his father's and worked 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 1153 

on the farm two years. He then worked at his trade till 1848. 
From 1848 till 1860 he was engaged in milling, lie then returned 
to his lather's farm and three years later sold his interest and pur- 
chased the farm where he now resides. He served as Assessor of 
Marion Township one year. Sept. 21, 1851, he married Nancy, 
daughter of John and Aseneth (Speer) Hamilton, of Hocking 
( Jounty, by whom he has five children — Aseneth, wile of Baxter M. 
Shaw, of Neosho County, Kan.; Israel, a machinist of Indianapo- 
lis, Ind.; Sarah A., Amos and Phcsbe, at home. John died aged 
twenty-three years, Jacob aged eight years and William in infancy. 
His wife died Oct. 7, 1882, aged fifty-six years. She was a member 
of the German Baptist church. He is a member of the same 
church. 

David Hamilton, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, March 
19, 1825, and came to Ohio with his Grandfather Ilines and lived 
with him until sixteen years of age. His grandparents dying, 
he worked for his brother until twenty-one years of age. He had 
no education until after his marriage. At twenty-one years of age 
he began clearing land his grandfather gave him. In 185b' he 
sold his farm and purchased land on Laurel Run. Nov. 15, 1861, 
he enlisted in Company K, Fifty eighth Ohio Infantry, as a pri- 
vate and was appointed First Sergeant of his company and served 
as such until his death, lie was engaged in the battles of Fort 
Donelson and Shiloh, and soon after the battle of Shiloh was ta- 
ken sick with typhoid fever and died on the steamer Tycoon, 100 
miles south of Cincinnati, May 13, 1862. Dec. 21, 1845, he mar- 
ried Mary, daughter of Mathias and Hannah (Blosser) Lecrone, of 
Fairfield County, Ohio. They have five children — Noah, of Hock- 
ing. County; Elizabeth, wife of J. N. Shaw, of Neosho County, 
Kas. ; Minerva, Amos, Jacob, of Neosho, Kas. Mrs. Hamilton 
sold the farm and settled the business and has purchased another 
farm, and her son Amos lives with her. He is a school-teacher 
and manages her farm. 

Nicodemus D. Rufford, M. J)., third son of Christopher and 
Mary (Reaner) Kufford, was born in Fairfield (Jounty, Ohio, 
June 14, 1826. When twenty-one years of age he rented land, 
and the next two years, in connection with farming, studied medi- 
cine. He then began teaching school, and continued reading med- 
icine for three years. lie then located at Straitsville, Perry 
County, and practiced until 1861. In August, 1861, he was com- 
missioned as recruiting Lieutenant and enlisted in Company H, of 
73 



1154 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

the Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to 
Captain of the company; was on special detail surgeon duty. He 
was in the battles of Winchester, Va., Cedar Creek, Fredericks- 
burg and Charleston, Ya. His command was then transferred to 
the Peninsula, from there to Fortress Monroe, Yorktown, Suffolk 
and Norfolk, and returned to Fortress Monroe, where he was dis- 
charged in December, 1802. He returned to Straitsville and resum- 
ed the practice of medicine, and in the winter of lS04-'05 attended 
lectures at the Columbus Starling Medical College and graduated 
in the spring of 1805. He continued his practice at Straitsville 
until 1879 when he purchased the farm where he resides. Feb. 25, 
1847, he married Eliza J., daughter of Rev. Samuel and Rebecca 
(Igehagnes) Bright, of Hocking County, by whom he has one son — 
Georere A., of East Tennessee. Four children are deceased — Samuel 
S., died, aged eighteen months; William J., aged fifteen months; 
Clara D., aged one year; Mary R., aged twenty- two years. He was 
divorced from his wife in 1870. May 13, 1877, he married Frances, 
daughter of Joseph B. and Catharine (Leonard) Bright, of Hock- 
ing County. They have one daughter — Mary H. Himself and wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

John Shaw Martin, farmer, Marion Township, Hocking County, 
eldest son of John M. and Isabel (Shaw) Martin, was born in Rush 
Creek Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio (now Marion Township, 
Hocking County), July 5, 182-1, and lived with his parents until 
twenty-two years of age, working on a farm and attending the 
common schools. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, 
and taught three winters at Geneva, and the winter of 1845 at. 
tended the Greenfield Academy in Fairfield County one term, then 
in charge of Dr. Williams. The six succeeding winters he taught 
school, receiving $10 per month, and $10| for the last term. In 
the spring of 1850 he purchased and removed to the farm where he 
resides, and has been engaged in farming. He now owns the farm 
where he was born, and where his father first settled. He has 
served as Clerk of Auburn Township, Fairfield County, two years, 
and Clerk of Marion Township nine years. He served as Commis- 
sioner of Hocking County two terms. He has been Justice of the 
Peace of Marion Township since 1870. April S, 1S47, he married 
Mary W., daughter of William and Jane (McCloy) Black, of Perry 
County. They have eight children — George W., a missionary 
minister in Utah; Jane I., widow of William G. Sweitzer, Sarah 
A., wife of Robert Boland, of Perry County; John W., a teacher 



RISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1155 

in Utah; Albert S., Bible agent in Utah; Franklin P., Emma M. 
and Maggie B. at home. James R. died in infancy, and Mary R., 
aged four years. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the United 
Presbyterian church. 

Alexander 3£c0 'une, 31. D., third son of Alexander and Mar- 
garet (Mitchel) McCune, was born in Allegheny County. Pa., Dec. 
28, 1806. When six years of age his mother died, and he lived 
with John Wilson until seventeen years of age. He then was 
apprenticed to William Crawford, of Pittsburg, to learn the cabinet 
trade, and worked with him four years. He then worked at jour- 
neyman work in different places till 1832, when he established a 
shop in Williamsburg, Guernsey County, and there began reading 
medicine with W. B. Stotler, M. D. In 1838 he removed to He- 
bron, Licking County, and began practicing medicine. He practiced 
in Hebron, New Salem, Bremen and Geneva till 1865, when he 
came to Marion Township and purchased the farm where he now 
resides. He is the oldest practicing physician in the county. He 
was Land Appraiser of Marion Township for the year 1870. He is 
a Master Mason, member of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, A. F. & A. M., 
Logan, Ohio. June 3, 1832, he married Margaret, daughter of 
Archibald and Elizabeth (Doughty) Crawford, of Monroe County, 
Ohio, by whom he has two sons — Henry, of Kansas, and Alexander 
M., of Fairfield County, Ohio. John V. was in the late war and 
died in 1862. His wife died in 1841. She was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. October, 1842, he married Amanda, 
daughter of Andrew Craiger, of Fairfield County, by whom he has 
eight children — Hilas, 'Rnfus, Hiram, Margaret E. (wife of Henry 
Jurgensmier), [sabel (wife of Robert Bell), Eliza E. (wife of Will- 
iam Palmer), Emily (wife of John Shinniff). His wife died April 
14, 1861. Jan. 14, 1864, he married Mrs. Harriet, widow of Will- 
iam Plummer, and daughter of John and Margaret (Rosser) Rosser. 
Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

David Miller, farmer, fourth son of John and Catharine (Groves) 
Miller, was born near Pleasantville, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Sept. 21, 
1819. When he was nine years of age his parents removed to 
Perry County. At the age of eighteen years he was employed for 
a time on a canal boat on the Ohio Canal, and afterward worked 
for farmers in Scioto and Pike comities until twenty-four years of 
age. He then rented a farm in Fairfield County, near Rushville, 
until 1851. In 1848 he had purchased land in Mercer County, and 
in 1851 he traded it for the farm where he now resides. In March, 



1156 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

1841, he married Rebecca, daughter of George and Mary (Leoh- 
ner) Rader, of Fairfield Comity, Ohio, by whom he has two 
daughters — Mary A., wife of Isaac Mericle, and Laura, wife of T. 
Movers, both of Allen County, Ohio. Maiinda died June 17. l ss _. 
aged thirty-eight years; John, in infancy; Catharine, aged one year; 
Clarissa, aged two years; Allen R., aged live years; William P., 
aged three years; Rebecca J., in infancy. His wife died in 1S5S, 
aged thirty-four years. She was a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal church. Nov. 1, 1860, he married Elizabeth, daughter of 
Thomas G. and Lydia (Barb) Perry, of Licking County, Ohio. 
They have one son — Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members ot 
the Methodist Episcopal church. 

Noah Poling, section 36, Marion Township, was born in Rush 
Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Nov. 22, 1825. His father, Samuel 
R. (deceased), a native of Maryland, came to Ohio over seventy 
years ago, and in 1829 brought his family to Hocking County, 
where our subject has since resided. His mother, Elizabeth (Sta- 
nley) Poling, drew a pension, as her husband was a soldier in the war 
of 1812, under George Sanderson, of Fairfield County, Ohio. She 
departed this life March 29, 1882, aged eighty-eight years. Noah 
Poling was married April 12, 1S19, to Mrs. Susannah Rhoads, 
daughter of Isaac Red. They were the parents of ten children, 
eight of whom are still living — Alnora J. (McGlougin), Samuel 
and Elizabeth (twins), Sarah A., Dwight A., James T., Margaret 
and John O. He has nearly 184 acres of land, his business being 
that of a farmer and stock-raiser, lie has been Township Trustee 
one year, and Trustee of the Infirmary livcyears, and has also held 
other smaller offices. 

Samuel St. Clair, farmer, second son of Hugh and Julia A. 
(Kutter) St. Clair, was born in Indiana County, Pa., May 11, 1819. 
March 25, 1865, he enlisted as a private in Captain J. W. Dough- 
erty's company, of Indiana County, Pa.; was assigned to the One 
Hundred and Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, and was on 
duty od Roanoke Island and Newburn, N. C. He was mustered out 
at Newburn, and discharged at Harrisburg, Pa., July, 1865. He 
then returned home to Indiana County, Pa., and sown after came 
to Perry County, Ohio, and worked in a saw-mill one year. In 1866 
he and his brother purchased a portable saw-mill and engaged in 
milling iu Ferry and Hocking counties until 1872. He then sold 
his mill interest and has since been engaged in farming. He 
served as Assessor of Falls Township in 1878 and 1879. He is a 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



1157 



member of Hocking Valley Lodge, No. 191, I. O. O. F. Nov. 9, 
1871, lie married Josephine, daughter of George and Mari t (Moore) 
Crawford, of Hocking County. They have three children — Frank, 
Josie B. and Jennie M. Himself and wife arc members of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal church. 

Andrew W. Voris, farmer, eldest eon of [saiah and Nancy 
(Hughes) Voris, was born near Bremen, Fairfield Co., Ohio, 
June 20, 1838. In 1849 his parents removed to Logan, and 
lived two years. In L852 his father purchased a farm three 
miles east of Logan, lie was reared on a farm and educated at 
the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he rented a 
farm near Gore. A year later he purchased a farm in Marion 
Township. Feb. 14, 1805, he enlisted in Company II, Eighteenth 
Ohio Infantry, at Athens, Ohio, as a private for one year and was 
on garrison duty at Chattanooga, Tenn., until the last of May, 
1865. They were then transferred to Augusta, Ga., where he was 
detailed on special duty in the commissary department. Nov. 9, 
1865, ho was mustered out near Augusta, Ga., and returned to 
Columbus, Ohio, where he received his discharge, and returned 
home. Some time after returning from the army he sold hisfarm 
and rented alarm one year, lie then purchased the farm he had 
sold and in 1872 purchased the farm where he resides. Aug. 7, 
1860, he married Charlotte, daughter of Robert and Anna(McGee) 
Sanderson, of Hocking County. They have six children — Emma, 
wife of Noah Carpenter, of Hocking County; Charles J., Lucy, 
Eona A., Francis A. and Shady V. at home. William T. died, aged 
three years; Benjamin J., in infancy; George, aged four years; 
Asa, aged three years, and Augustus, in infancy. His wife died 
June 22, 1881, aged forty-seven years. She was a member of the 
Medio list Episcopal church. He is also a member of the same 
church and Superintendent of Sabbath-school. 




CHAPTER XLIJL. 

HISTORY OF VINTON COUNTY— A COUNTY WHICH CAME INTO 
BEING READY MADE, BY TOWNSHIP. 

A County which had no Pioneer History — Labor — Its Organ- 
ization, 1850 — Boundary and Area — Early Arrivals — An 
Interesting Letter — Names of Early Settlers — Political 
Movements — First Convention — First Will — Jail and Con- 
tract — Court-House — Items— Mineral Interests— Coal — Iron 
Ore — Geological Report — Burr Stone — Agricultural and 
Stock Statistics — Valuation — Miles of Railroad — County 
Infirmary — Buildings and Cost — Officials. 

no pioneer history as a county. 

La or s the ground work of progress, the road to wealth, to 
health and to happiness, and therefore labor is a necessity. Labor 
has wrought the wilderness which once shrouded Yinton in gloom 
into smiling fields and glowing furnaces. Churches and schools 
have sprung up all around, one to guide and guard the moral vine- 
yard, the other to prepare the rising generation for the perform- 
ance of intelligent labor. 

It was not until 1850 that Vinton County came into existence 
something near a halt century after the first pioneer had tread 
her soil and the Indians departed in the direction of the setting 
sun. The counties which were shorn of their territory to form 
Vinton County were Athens. Hocking, Jackson, Ross and Gallia, 
and her population at the time of organization numbered 9,33S. 

AREA AND BOUNDARY. 

Vinton County is credited in the census of 1S80 with an area of 
400 square miles. This is an error, being composed of exactly 
eleven congressional townships and six sections over, or 402 square 
miles. There are five townships having less than a congressional 
township, and one that has more. Madison and Knox have each 
two thirds of a congressional township, in territory; Clinton, five 
sixths; Eagle is wanting tour sections to complete her quota; I lar- 

(1158) 






Si \^tM/i^ur Jfp 




HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. ] 159 

rison needs two sections, while Richland has six sections over. 
What Harrison and Eagle lacks, Richmond makes up, and what 
Clinton wants is made up by the twin townships Madison and 
Knox, with one tier of sections to spare. On the west side Vin- 
ton County has but eleven miles of border, while on the east she 
has twenty-four miles. In her widest part, from east to west, she 
is twenty-six miles, and the above twenty-four miles gives her 
greatest length north and south. She is not a beauty in form, in 
fact her shape cannot very well be described. With this area of 
square miles she is entitled to 257,280 acres of land, but she is 
assessed, in the aggregate, on 258,078 97-100 acres, or about 
758 acres more than the area in square miles. It is evident that 
the assessors measure both sides of some of the hills. Yet, not- 
withstanding this, some of the townships fall short of having the 
number of acres that should be found in an area six miles square 
— that is, what is returned by the assessor. Wilkesville is assessed 
on 522 61-100 acres less than what her area calls for, while Swan 
Township is actually assessed on 380 30-100 acres more than is said 
to be within its limits, by the same rule of six miles square. 

SOIL. 

The soil of the county is well adapted to grass, and some of the 
farmers have already splendid grazing farms. The valleys in 
many places are wide, and the hills generally are of a sloping 
character, which in many places are cultivated to their summit, 
and have been successfully devoted to grape culture. Fruit can 
also be raised upon the sides of these hills. The valleys where 
clay is found can be improved by under-drainage, but that composed 
of alluvial is inexhaustible in its fruitful bearing qualities. Outside 
of its mineral productions Vinton County can be found to have 
some fine agricultural lands, nowhere surpassed. 

SOME EARLY ARRIVALS. 

The early history of the pioneers will mostly be found in the 
township histories, as they preceded the county history from thirty 
to forty-five years. There are some names of old and prominent 
citizens that may have escaped mention, and the notice of a few of 
those who were prominent in the first settlement of what is now 
Vinton County, will not be amiss. The early settlement of Vinton 
County seemed to have centered more strongly around McArthur 
and Elk townships, and these represent the first settlers of the 
county to a great extent. 



1160 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Of Mr. Miisselman, the discoverer of the burr stone, very lit- 
tle is known. He was probably the first white man who settled in 
the county. He worked a few years quarrying these stones, as in 
fact did most of the early or first settlers. 

George Will was a soldier in the Indian war under Generals St. 
Clair and Wayne, and also in that of 1812. In the former he was 
severely wounded. He settled in 1797 in the valley of the Scioto, 
some twelve miles from Chillicothe, where he remained until the 
war of 812. In 1813 he was aid-de-camp to General McArthur. 
After the war he settled at the new town of Adelphi, in Ross 
County, putting up a residence and store, and engaged in the mer- 
cantile business, at which he secured a competency. He was the 
first Postmaster of that town, and remained until 1837, when, 
being a Whig, he was removed under Van Buren's administration, 
but was reappointed by General Harrison, who knew him as a sol- 
dier comrade and a man of sterling integrity and worth. During 
the interval in which he was out of the Postmastership he was 
elected to the Legislature. He was a member of the Methodist 
church for twenty-five years before his death, which occurred March 
27, 1815. George Will was a man of strong mind, energetic, 
a good neighbor and devoted friend, and while having views and a 
faith of his own he believed that others could honestly differ from 
him and be true. 

Samuel Sage was born in Bristol, England, June 11, 1756. and 
died April 8, 1824, in the sixty- eighth year of *his age. He was a 
soldier of the war of the Revolution and was present at the sur- 
render of Cornwallis. He married Miss India Canovan, of Galway, 
Ireland, and came to America in 1774. They first settled in Vir- 
ginia after peace was declared, in which State five children were 
born to them — Joel, Nancy, Charlotte, and twin sons, James and 
Joseph. The latter lived and died in Elk Township, marrying Miss 
Nancy Land fair. Joseph married Miss Polly Pliner and moved to 
Iowa, where he died. Charlotte married John Boyles, who lived 
in Athens County, and Nancy became the wife of James Pilcher, 
and the other four were single. Samuel Sage came to Ohio in 1806 
and settled on what is known as the Warren farm, but in 1810 re- 
moved to Elk Township and purchased the farm which is now the 
property of Daniel Will. His son-in-law, James Pilcher, followed 
them and settled in Madison Township, near Zaleski, and his farm 
is also owned by Daniel Will. Mr. Sage's wife died in 1833. Mr. 
Sage was a man well educated, of gentle bearing and steady habits, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1161 

and in this country followed the profession of teaching, and farm- 
ing, but principally the former. He ever commanded the respect 
and confidence of his neighbors. 

Joel Sage, the eldest son of Samuel Sage, came with his father 
and settled in Elk Township in the spring of 1815. In the fall of 
that year, or winter, McArthurtown being laid out in November, 
1815, he opened the first tavern ever kept in what is now Yinton 
County. He was a man peculiarly adapted to the business, a genial, 
hearty man. He also carried on his arm, and the two kept him a 
busy life. He died in the prime of vigorous manhood in 1818. 
Seven days previous to his own death he had buried his wife, 
and from the time of that parting he seemed to droop. lie soon 
followed the one he loved so well. 

Robert Sage was the only son and child of Joel Sage and his wife, 
and was born in 1811. He is living, and at this time the oldest 
native citizen of Elk Township. He married Miss Jane Brewer, 
and nine children were born to them, six sons and three daughters, 
six of whom are living, four sons and two daughters. Three 
of the sons are living at Hot Springs, Ark., and one in Yin- 
ton County. A daughter is living in McArthur. Mr. Sage has 
been a prominent citizen of McArthur for half a century, a well- 
known and honored citizen. He is now holding the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace, it being the sixth time he has been called upon 
to serve. He metes out justice so fair and impartial that he stands 
as a pillar of strength in the cause of right. lie is respected by all. 

Isaac Dunkle commenced his residence in Yinton County at the 
age of three years, in 1818. He was born in Pickaway County. 
Sept. 11, 1815, his father, John Dunkle, moving to this section. 
Mr. Dunkle is still living, and a resident of Vinton County, highly 
esteemed by those who know him, an honest man and upright cit- 
izen. 

Isaac Peirson came to Yinton County in the prime of physical 
manhood in 1805. Mr. Peirson was an active member of the 
Methodist church, and a prominent citizen of McArthurtown when 
it first came into existence. 

Jacob Byerly was an early settler in Swan Township, locating in 
1820 in his twenty-first year, having been born Feb. 20, 1709. He 
married Susan I lass the same year. They had ten children, of 
whom seven, six daughters and one son, lived to manhood and 
womanhood. His wife died July 26, 1854, and before her death 
weighed 330 pounds, being the largest woman in the county. He 



1162 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

married Mary England for his second wife, who survives him, and 
is living in Mahaska, Iowa. Mr. Byerly was a straightforward, 
honorable man, and was well known in McArthur. He was a car- 
penter by trade. He died in 1875, in the seventy-seventh year of 
his age. 

Nathaniel Richmond settled in Clinton Township in 1820, and 
located the land upon which the village of Hamden now stands. 
He was a man of strong mind, a Huent conversationalist, well edu 
cated, and of considerable scientific attainments. He'was called a 
scientific fanner, and was not of the age and people in which he 
had cast his lot. He was progressive, and had a commanding way 
in his manner which did not please all with whom he came in con- 
tact. This caused trouble, and he lost two children by what was 
believed to have been poison, the latter being thrown into his well. 
He, in a few years, left for a more congenial clime, and settled in 
Knoxville, 111., where, having scope for his genius, he became very 
wealthy. He was an honorable man and an entertaining com- 
panion. 

Benjamin Reynolds was born at Martinsburg, in Virginia, Aug. 
22, 1790. In the year 1811 he was married to Susan Shriver, who 
was born in the year 1793. Mr. Reynolds, with his family, started 
West in 1817, and in December of that year settled in Perry County, 
Ohio. After living in that county thirteen years, he removed with 
his family to Swan Township, which then formed a part of Hock- 
ing County. Mr. Reynolds had, since that time, lived on the same 
farm, and had seen a tract of country changed from a wilderness to 
fruitful fields and pleasant homes. McArthurstown was at that 
time about fifteen years of age. Mt. Pleasant and Ilesboro were 
not; and the " Puritan Fathers" looked upon New Plymouth as a 
sickly plant. Much of the land in the northern part of the county 
had not been " entered," and roads across the country were few 
and unworked. Mr. Reynolds lived to see almost all his old neigh- 
bors pass away, nearly two generations having come and gone since 
he moved to the farm on which he died. The most remarkable 
feature in the history of this family is its longevity. Mr. Rey- 
nolds was in his ninety-thinl year at the time of his death, in June, 
1883. Mrs. Reynolds is now in her ninetieth. They had fourteen 
children, all of whom were living up to 18S2. In that year a 
daughter, Rachel, died, being thefirst death in the family. Henry 
Reynolds, of McArthur, is the oldest son, being now in his seven- 
ty-first year. George, the second son, is a citizen of Swan Town- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1163 

ship; Samuel, the third son, is now living in Iowa; Isaac, the fourth, 
is a resident of Kansas. Six daughters live in this county, three 
of whom are married. Elizabeth is the relict of Silas Wilson, and 
mother of George W. and Dennison Wilson, of Zaleski; Sarah is 
the relict of Harrison Foster, and lives in Iowa; Lydia is the relict 
of the late H. II. Svvaim, of Elk Township; Mary Ann is the wife 
of Henry Schlotterback, of Swan Township; Mariah is the wife of 
Charles M. Sidman, living near Nelsonville, in Athens County; 
Lucinda is the wife of Presley Wright, who lives in Iowa; Cordelia 
is the wife of E. H. Waller, of Swan Township. Anna and Susan 
live with their mother in Swan Township. The youngest child is 
now forty-five years old, and the average age of paients and chil- 
dren at the death of the first member of the family, in 1882, was 
sixty-two years. 

AN INTERESTING LETTER. 

The author of this work received from Mr. George W. Shockey, 
formerly a citizen of Vinton County, but now of Washington, D. 
C, a letter in which were some references to old times in McArthur, 
and from which a few extracts are here given. 

He said: 

"I was born in Athens County, Ohio, now Vinton County, in 
the year 1822, and can recollect many of the first settlers of Elk 
Township. My grandfather, Frederic Snyder, came from Hamp- 
shire County, Va., in the year 1821, and settled on the farm 
at Vinton Station, three miles east of McArthur. He was a farmer, 
and also had learned the carpenter's trade. Several years after, he 
removed to Ross County, and died at the ripe age of ninety years. 
His son, Smith Snyder, came from the same county in Virginia, 
and in the same year married Miss Rachel Fry, and made a settle- 
ment on the farm now owned by Charles Brown, He built a saw 
and grist mill on Raccoon Creek near his house, which were run 
successfully for many years. 

" Jacob Shockey, a pioneer, was a native of Berkley County, Va., 
and moved to Vinton County (at that time Athens) in 1821. He 
first arrived at Chillicothe, Jtmt in the same year moved to Elk 
Township, Vinton County, one and a half miles east of McArthur, 
on Congress land, then known as the old Will field, but now owned 
by Henry Robbins. At that time Elk Township was almost a 
wilderness, with the exception of one or two acres. This settlement 
was a dark, wild forest of heavy timber, in which many wild beasts 
of the forest loved to roam at large. Near by and on this farm were 



1164 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

several rock houses and a saltpeter cave. Not far off was also an 
alum cave, and many deer licks and a wild-cat den. I can remem- 
ber of seeing a black bear near McArthur. It was treed and shot 
by Stephen Martin in sight of the court-house in McArthur. There 
were numerous wild animals in and about McArthur since my 
recollection, such as bear, deer, wolves, catamounts, wild-cat, 
foxes, coon, and other smaller animals. A few years after, Mr. 
Shockey bought a piece of Congress land now known as the Howell 
estate, then sold it and purchased another place, known as the 
Purkey place, one and half miles northeast of McArtTmr. From 
there he moved to McArthur, and after all the hardships of pioneer 
life — of a new and unsettled countiw redeemed from a wilderness, a 
family of seven reared, educated and provided for, and after living 
to see the march of civilization and modern improvements take the 
place of the Indians and wild beasts of the forest — he was destined, 
just as peace, prosperity and contentment had found an abiding- 
place in his home, to cross the mystic river and join those who had 
gone before, leaving an honored name and an unblemished reputa- 
tion. He died at the age of sixtj^-eight. 

"names of early settlers. 

" Robert Sage, Hiram Hulbert, Jacob Shry, Rachel Snyder, James 
Pilcher, John England, David Evans, Charles Bevington, David 
Culbertson, Michael Swaim, Moses Dawson, Eli and Cyrus Catlin, 
David Markwood, George Fry (Senior), Isaac Shry, William Hoff- 
hines, John Wyman, Levi Wyman, James Robbins, Philip Kelch, 
John "Winters, John Morrisson, Lewis Benjamin, Samuel and 
Jacob Calvin, James Bothwell, Richard McDougal, Thomas John- 
son and Nathan Horton. I think there were never any block 
houses in Vinton County. There were two water-mills on Elk 
Fork of Raccoon Creek, built by Moses Dawson as early as 1820. 
One on the farm now owned by Harvey Robbins, one and a hal 
miles east of McArthur, the other, one mile northeast of McArthur 
on the same stream, known now as the Gold Mill." 

This closes the most important part of Mr. Shockey's letter. 

There is a brother of the writer living in the county, Air. Jno. 
J. Shockey, who has served as Sheriff of the county, etc., whose 
name will be found among the list of County Officials, ami another 
brother of the writer, Win. M. Shockey, was a minister of the 
Methodist church, who was highly esteemed for his talent and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1165 

worth, but who died at the early age of thirty-two years, his death 
occurring in 1860. 

POLITICAL MOVEMENT. 

Soon after the organization of the county the commissioners 
called an election for county officers. As the then county of Vin- 
ton was composed of no less than parts of five counties it was 
hard to form an idea of the political complexion of the county. 
The Whigs and Democrats at once began to move for party lines, 
and there was also an independent movement which proposed a 
joint convention of Whigs and Democrats, each taking half of the 
ticket. This latter was managed by a few shrewd men , who were 
good wirepullers, and they got their names on the ticket. This, 
however, is a little ahead; a meeting was called, a convention 
unanimously agreed upon and the call was made for a convention 
to meet and form a union ticket. 

THE FIRST COUNTY CONVENTION. 

This meeting was held on the 6th of April, 1850, at McArthur, 
for the purpose of nominating candidates to fill the various offices 
of the new county of Yinton. The convention was composed of a 
Democrat and a Whig from each township in the county, except 
Clinton and Eagle. The proceedings manifested the utmost una- 
nimity of feeling, and there was an evident desire to avoid party 
feeling, and to allay anything like local or sectional prejudices; 
and it was evident that not a single* delegate left the meeting dis- 
satisfied with the proceedings, or with any other feeling than that 
of perfect satisfaction at the results. The ticket nominated was 
emphatically a union one, being composed of five Democrats and 
five Whigs, selected by a convention of both parties, in which 
nine of the eleven townships were fairly represented. The Demo- 
crats were given the first choice of officers. They chose D. Rich- 
mond for Treasurer, whereupon he vs\as nominated by acclamation. 
The Whigs then selected Thomas Davis for Auditor, who was also 
nominated by acclamation. It was then agreed to give the Demo- 
cratic delegates the choice of sheriff, two commissioners and 
recorder; whereupon they selected the following candidates for 
Commissioners: Almond Soule and Patrick Murdock; Sheriff, W. 
Brady; Recorder, Joel A. Walden. To the Whig delegates was 
given the choice of candidates for commissioner, surveyor, coroner 
and prosecuting attorney; whereupon, they selected as follows: 



11G6 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Commissioner, A. Curry; Surveyor, W. M. Bolles; Coroner, A. L. 
Beard; Prosecuting Attorney, John A. Browne. The meeting then 
confirmed all nominations unanimously. 

There was later a ticket nominated which was known as the 
county ticket, and the candidates were: Commissioners, A. Soule, 
Jr., L. S. Payne, Andrew Curry; for Treasurer, Henry Payne; for 
Auditor, Joseph Magee; for Sheriff, Francis Shades; for .Recorder, 
James Malone; for Surveyor, William St. Clair; for Prosecuting 
Attorney, Thomas Shelby; for Coroner, T. S. Rice. The latter 
ticket was elected excepting Prosecuting Attorney, Coroner and 
Surveyor, Browne, Beard and Bolles, Union ticket and Whig's 
being elected. Andrew Curry, Commissioner, was on both tickets. 

The result of the election ended the Union tickets and since then 
Whigs and Democrats, and Republicans and Democrats have clung 
to their party and stood by its principles. The election took place 
April 15, 1850, being the first election held in the county. The 
officers, however, only served until the regular election in October 
of the same year. 

THE FIRST WILL 

recorded in Vinton County after its organization was that of Ben- 
jamin Stevens, and reads as follows: 

" benjamin stevens's will. 

"In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I, Benjamin Ste- 
vens, of the county of Vinton' and the State of Ohio, do make and 
publish this my last will and testament. 

" I then first give and devise to my beloved wife, Lydia, the farm 
on which we now reside, situated in Elk Township, Vinton Co., 
Ohio, containing about 120 acres, during her natural life, and all the 
stock, household goods, furniture, provisions and other goods and 
chattels which may be thereon at the time of my decease, during 
her natural life as aforesaid, she, however, selling so much thereof 
as may be sufficient to pay my just debts. At the death of my 
said wife, the real estate aforesaid, and such part of" the per- 
sonal property or the proceeds thereof as may there remain uncon- 
sumed and unexpended, I give and devise to my three children, 
viz.: Robert Stevens, Lavilla Stevens and Priscilla Stevens, each to 
share and share alike. I do hereby revoke all former wills by me 
made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and 
seal this loth day of June, in the year 1850. 

Benjamin Stevens. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1167 

"Signed and acknowledged by said Benjamin Stevens, as his last 
will and testament in our presence, and signed by us in his presence. 

' 1 Aquila Webb, 
" William Carson, 

his 
" Isaac + Hawk. 
mark. 

COUNTY JAIL. 

The commissioners met May 14, 1851 (Paine and Curry being 
present), to take steps toward the erection of a county jail, and or- 
dered published in the Vinton County Republican for four weeks 
the following notice: 

"Notice to Contractors. — Sealed proposals will be received by the 
commissioners of Yinton County, at the auditor's office in Mc- 
Arthur, until the 12th day of June, A. D. 1851, for building a brick 
jail and jailor's dwelling in the town of Mc Arthur. The building 
will be let to the lowest and best bidder, who will be required to 
give sufficient security to said commissioners for the performance 
of the work. Plans, specifications and terms of said building can 
be seen at the auditor's office. The commissioners will be in ses- 
sion at the auditor's office on said 12th day of June, to enter into 
contract with the person or persons who may be deemed the lowest 
and best bidders for building the jail." 

Wednesday, May 22, the commissioners purchased ofS. II. Brown 
forty-two feet off the east side of lot number 67, for the pur- 
pose of locating thereon the jail and jailor's dwelling for Vin- 
ton County, paying therefor $150. The sale was duly consummated 
June 2, the county purchasing an additional strip two feet wide and 
ten rods long of lot number 67, for $20, making $170 paid for the 
whole site. 

The bids received were: F. A. McLain, $3,999; John Lod, 
$3,500; Farr & Yager, $4,500; L. S. Bort, $3,899; Sisson&Hul- 
bert, $3,590; Westfall & Backus, $3,775; Henry Reynolds, $3,999; 
Richmond & Archer, s3,4~4; Albert Lake, $3,398; Robbins & 
Dill, $4,000. 

Mr. Lake finally declining to make a contract the work was 
awarded Richmond & Archer at their bid, and the latter executed 
bonds in accordance with the contract, and went to work, the com- 
missioners allowing them an advance payment of $740. In-lots 
Nos. 63 and 64, which had been donated to the town by the orig- 
inal proprietors for court-house purposes, were accepted by the 



1168 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

commissioners at a special meeting Jan. 27, 185*2. It was intended 
for oonrt-house, jail and market-house, and the site of the fail was 

changed and a new contract entered into with Evans Archer. 

ITEMS. 

The Methodist church was rented for a court-room for the year 
1854. 

The county purchased a safe for the use of the Treasurer, Henry 
Payne, in 1S56. at a cost of 6112.93 delivered in Ale Arthur. In 
September of the same year the court-house bell was purchased at 
an expense of $270. 

• The new court-house was completed December. 1856, and accepted 
by the commissioners. The sheriff and prosecuting attorney 
were assigned the southeast room, now forming part of the audit- 
or's office, and the others are using about the same offices as then 
assigned them. 

In June.lSoS. the assessment districts were changed to single town- 
ships, each of the municipal divisions having its own assessor, and 
numbered from one to twelve. 

On June 7, 1S59. a new treasurer's safe was purchased at a cost 
of $1,000, of Dodd ec Co.. they to take the old one at $105. It 
was paid for in installments. 

MINERAL INTERESTS. 

A glance at the map oi' the State is sufficient to show the impor- 
tant geographical position of this county in regard to the mineral 
region in Southeastern Ohio. The townships of "Wilkesville, Clin- 
ton. Richland, Elk, Swan and Brown are all embraced within the 
celebrated belt of mineral lands known as the "lower coal series," 
lving between the conglomerate and calcareo-silicious or burr stone 
strata. Their valleys, table-lands and hills are sufficiently elevated 
to embrace all the several layers of workable coal, limestone, iron 
ore, the pure quartz or millstone rock, sandstone and shale. They 
embrace, also, a group of associated minerals which, when a means 
of cheap transportation shall have been furnished, will be sources 
oi exhaustless wealth, not only to the citizens of the county, but to 
the whole State. 

COAL AND IKON ORE. 

The coal fields of VintonConnty underlie nearly three fourths ot 
its surface, and iron ore is in the same beds and is inexhaustible in 
quantity. From the summit coming down into the valley of Rac- 



HISTORY OF BOOKING VALLEY. 1 L69 

coon Greek you strike the iron and coal ledges thatfil] the hills. 
Before you leave the crest of the liill many feet in your downward 
course, iron ore crops out in Large quantities, and there in no end 
to the best of potter's clay. This valley of Raccoon Creek leads 
to McArthur, growing wider as it. nears the town. In this the coal 
field is reached when within about five miles of McArthur, aud the 
hills are lull of it, of a splendid quality, some being the .lad. on 
coal, noted lor ita superior quality. This Jackson coal is found in 
other parts of the county, and no less than three veins of ore are 
found above it. One known as the Dunkle vein, is from one to 
four feet in thickness, and lies under the linn- tone or Winter's vein 
of coal. Over the Winter's vein lies the gray limestone ore that 
is considered the best of the three veins; but this last is noi regu- 
lar, being found more or less in pockets, in some places even nine 
feet thick, but as above remarked, its irregular deposit gives the 
other two veins as the most profitable to work. 

Raccoon Creek Valley and Elk Fork are noted for the coal that 
abounds in the lulls through which they run. All the hills around 
McArthur tor miles are idled with coal, lime and iron. There are 
two strata of coal above the water level, the upper generally about 
twenty or twenty-five feet above the other. Nearly all of these 
veins are from four to six feet deep, of the vary best quality of 
coal. Northeast of McArthur the veins run from three and a half, 
.five and a half to six or seven feet in thickness. On Dr. Wolf's 
farm on Elk Fork, the Jackson coal has been found from six to fif- 
teen feet below the surface, and from three to live feet in thickness. 
Northeast from the town it is found at the depth of sixty feet, and 
over that a vein of iron ore from two to three feet thick, and then 
comes the limestone, and over that the limestone ore, in some places 
running eight feet in thickness. 

GEOLOGICAL BEPOBT. 

In this connection, however, the conclusion of the report, or 
rather the summary of the geological report made in 1870, in refer- 
ence to Vinton County may be appropriate here, in closing, speak- 
ing of Vinton County, it says: 

" The county is rich in iron ore and coal. The better ore, as a 
general thing, is the so-called ' limestone ore,' or the ore. resting on 
ferriferous limestone. This remarkable limestone is found in live 
townships, viz.: Madison, Elk, Clinton, Vinton and Wilkesville. 
The northern limit of the limestone presents a ragged outline, and 
very often the limestone is replaced by burr or flint. The north- 
74 



1170 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

era limit is found in Madison and Elk townships. At one point in 
Brown Township, a little limestone was found, which further in- 
vestigation may prove to be the geological equivalent of the fer- 
riferous limestone. If so, it is only a local deposit. It is a fact of 
no little interest that this limestone never reappears in our lower 
coal measures in the northern part of the Second District. There 
is a limestone in the First District called the ' gray limestone,' 
which may, perhaps, hereafter be found to correspond proximately 
in stratigraphical position to the ferriferous limestone. 

" North of Elk and Madison townships we find the Nelsonville 
coal but in other important particulars the strata in the northern 
part of Vinton County do not correspond with those of the south- 
ern part. This dissimilarity has been formerly noticed by our intel- 
ligent furnace men, who in their explorations between the Marietta 
& Cincinnati Railroad and the Hocking River, report themselves 
as 'lost ' in their geological calculations. 

"There is, doubtless, much good ore of the block and kidney vari- 
eties north and west of the limits of the ' limestone ore,' but as 
there have been no furnaces to create a market, comparatively lit- 
tle exploration has been made. The ' limestone ore ' in Elk and 
the more southern townships is often very thick and of very fine 
quality. The Craig ore, already described, is also a very excellent 
ore, and very rich in iron. There is ore enough in the county to 
supply many furnaces for a long time to come. 

" The best coal found as yet is the ' Wolfe Coal,' in Elk Town- 
ship. I have no doubt that this coal in its raw state will make 
iron. The seam lies quite low in the valley, and for the most part 
is below the bed of the stream, but it may, perhaps, be found 
over a considerable area by sinking shafts. The county is gen- 
erallv well supplied with coal suited for all household and ordi- 
nary uses. 

''The blue, or Putnam Hill, limestone is generally well developed, 
but it is mostly too earthy to make it a valuable material for quick- 
lime. In the neighborhood of McArthur it is hard and susceptible 
of a good polish, but will not compete with marble for ornamental 
purposes." 

AGRICULTURAL AND STOCK STATISTICS. 

The crop statistics of Yinton have changed much since it became 
a county. This has resulted from the development of the mineral 
resources of the county. While the population of the county has 
increased the agricultural productions and stocks have decreased. 
This is a mistake, especially as regards stock. Whether the min- 
eral productions increase or not, it would be found on trial that 
stock-raising might be heavily increased without risking the ag- 
gregate of mining interests. It looks as if a period of depression 
had set in upon the agricultural and stock industries of the county, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



1171 



and that something should be done to prevent a still more dis- 
astrous retrogade movement. The figures given are not calculated 
to be a source of pride or congratulation for the people. 



CROP REPORTS. 

In 1858 the wheat crop was 13,463 acres, 148,118 bushels. In 
1858 the com, 14,58(5 acres, 454,898 bushels. In 1862 the wheat 
crop was 11,156 acres, 216,866 bushels. 

1867. 

The wheat crop was 4,321 acres 32,922 bu. 

The corn crop was 11,682 acres 310,523 bu. 

The oat crop was • 3,778 acres 63,713 bu. 

The hay crop was 9,440 acres 10,552 tons. 

The potato crop was 386 acres 24,264 bu. 

The tobacco crop was 90 acres 76,194 lb*. 

The coal mined 167,957 bu. 

The pig iron manufactured 17 022 tons. 

The crop of wool 150,587 lbs. 

The crop of buckwheat 515 acres 4,148 bu. 

STOCK STATISTICS. 



1870. 

Horses 3 704 

Cattle 11,304 

Mules 265 

Sheep 20,719 

Hogs 8,916 

1875. 

Horses 3,547 

Cattle 8,869 

Mules 383 

Sheep 19,876 

Hogs 6,751 



1880. 

Horses 3,344 

Cattle 9,240 

Mules 324 

Sheep 38,470 

Hogs 5,162 

1883. 

Horses v . . . 2,974 

Cattle 8,829 

Mules 289 

Sheep 45,814 

Hogs 4,455 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 



1870. 



Orchard products $ 43,268 

Home manufactures $ 16,930 

Maple sugar, lbs (i, 415 

Maple syrup, gals 4,048 

Sorghum molasses, gals 29,010 

Corn, bu 342,211 

Oats, bu 59,824 



Barley, bu 10 

Buckwheat, bu 1,447 

Tobacco, lbs 115,739 

Wool, lbs 104,934 

Potatoes, Irish, bu 41,052 

Potatoes, sweet, bu 1,654 

Hay, tons 12,341 



Assessed Value Real Estate $2,087,220 

Assessed Value Personal Estate 1,598,260 



Total Value Real and Personal Estate $3,685,480 



True Value Real and Personal Estate $5,583,937 



1172 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY, 



1875. 



786 



Orchard products, bu 

Home manufactures 

Maple sugar, lbs 4,756 

Maple syrup, gals 323 

Sorghum syrup, gals 14,548 

Corn, bu 460,055 

Oats, bu 21,426 

Assessed Value Real Estate $2,522 

Assessed Value Personal Estate 1,724 



Barley, bu 

Buckwheat, bu 2 

Tobacco, lbs 41 

Wool, lbs....: 76 

I '< >t atoes, Irish, bu 86 

Potatoes, sweet, bu 

Hay, tons 6 



18 
839 
629 
829 
,965 
936 
,061 

460 
224 



Total Value Real and Personal Estate $4,246,084 

1880. 



Orchard products, bu 74,317 

Home manufactures 

Maple sugar, lbs 4,204 

Maple syrup, gals 1,596 

Sorsrbum Byrup, gals 14,388 

Corn, bu 845,298 

Oits, bu 20,249 



1,475 

28,913 

168.796 

86,2 ID 

1,931 

10,016 

Assessed Value Real Estate $2,578,791 



Barley, bu 

Buckwheat, bu. . . . 

Tobacco, lbs 

Wool, lbs 

Po'atoes, Irish, bu. 
Potatoes, sweet, bu. 
Hay, tons 



REAL ESTATE VALUATION. 

1882. 



TOWNsmrs 

Brown 

Clinton 

Eaele 

Elk 

Harrison 

Jackson 

Knox 

Madison 

Richland 

Swan 

Vinton 

"VVilkesville 

Hamden Village 

Wilkcsvillc School District ... 

Zaleski Village 

Z deski School District 

McArthur Village 

McArthur School District 

Total acres assessed 



NO. OF ACKKS. 



23,051.03 
19,500.33 
20,937.63 
21,194.18 
21,837.30 
23,240.50 
15,505.52 
18,689.22 
26,876.09 
23,426.30 
28,101.88 
21,351.39 



1,363.83 
1,883.76 



258.908.91 



VALUATION . 



$307,664 

454,116 

164,596 

433.149 

185,8S~> 

2-12 933 

111,345 

143,820 

367,441 

370,186 

233,522 

267.7 79 

102,081 

77 011^ 

( 114.770 

} (56,049 

( 234,786 

] 66,417 

$3,943,551 



RAILROADS. 



There is a total of 63£ miles of main track of railroad in Vinton 
County, and 8.59 miles of siding. The valuation of railroad 
property in the county for the year 1S82 amounted to 8530,781, 
and the tax levy on the same was 89,622.62. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 1173 

COUNTY INFIRMARY. 

Vinton Count}' bad on its organization but one pauper that de- 
manded aid. This was Elizabeth Chapman, of Jackson Township, 
for which the county commissioners made provision for her sup- 
port at its first session in A.pril, 1850. It was some years before 
the necessity of a county infirmary was demanded, only from two 
or three to five being the largest number of paupers cared for in 
any one year for the first decade of the county's existence. "While 
the poor had been taken care of in their respective townships, and 
the hills or expense paid by the county, some few it was found 
necessary to keep at a public institution. Robert Burncs and Jonas 
Robbins were kept at the Athens County Infirmary at the contract 
price of $5 per week for clothes and board from June, 1859. Tt 
was not until 1S63 that a poor tax was levied for the support of 
paupers in the county and for a fund to invest in a poor farm. The 
levy was 10 cents on the dollar, valuation of real and personal 
property, and the same levy was made in 1864. In 1865 the com- 
missioners decided to purchase a farm, and contracted for land of 
David Pinney and Elias P. Davis, the former to receive $4,200 
and the latter $3,800, of which $2,700 to the former and $2,300 to 
the latter was to be cash. The Pinney contract was annulled and 
Davis held good, the farm being transferred to the county. This, 
however, proved far from satisfactory. The farm did not suit, and 
an invitation to make bids for erecting infirmary buildings was not 
even responded to by a single bidder. This put the matter in a 
serious light, for without buildings the farm was no^ wanted, and 
as it stood, the people refusing to endorse it, the property was 
sold by the county to Elisha Whitlatch for $3,500, $1,000 cash 
and tin; balance in equal annual installments, one and two years, at 
six per cent, interest on the deferred payments. This was a loss 
of $300 on the original purchase. 

The question of purchasing a poor farm was submitted to the 
people of Vinton County at the general election in October, 1871. 
The result was over a two-thirds vote in its favor, and is here given 
by townships: 



YES. NO. 

Eagle 104 

Brown - 45 83 

Swan 51 78 

Jackson 99 99 

Elk 309 4 

Vinton 103 

Madison . ..„. 107 4 

Clinton 260 



yes. no. 

Richland 244 22 

Harrison 5 123 

Wilkesville 170 68 

Knox 102 

1,617 583 
Majority in l'avor, 1,034. 



1174 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The Ullum farm, about one mile north of Mc Arthur, was se~ 
lected, comprising 322 acres of excellent land handsomely located, 
and paying for the same $37 per acre, or $11,914. 

INFIRMARY BUILDING. 

The announcement was made that bids would be received Jan. 
31, 1873, for erecting an infirmary building on the farm, and bids 
were received from: C. W. Holland, $25,000; W. McCoy, $10,800; 
O. W. Gilman, $9,945; Lander Sprague, $8,993; G. W. Pilcher, 
$8,989; Harry Zimmerman, $8,975. The contract was given to 
O. W. Gilman, and he completed the building the following year, 
1874. It is a two-story brick building shaped like the letter L 
with a frontage of ninety feet. It is rather an imposing building, 
well arranged for the use required, and cost the county, furnished 
complete, $16,237.83. There has since been added an addition 
for the insane at a cost of $984, but as the main building far ex- 
ceeded the original contract price this addition is likely to follow 
in proportion to its amount, and will probably reach $1,500 be- 
side the furniture before completed, as it is at this writing in course 
of erection. 

ITS SUPERINTENDENTS. 

The first Superintendent of the poor farm was James Denni- 
son, who, however, only held the position three months, moving 
to Missouri. He was succeeded by John T. Robb. November, 
1876, Mr. Robb retired after two years' service and was followed by 
^Villiam^Whitlatch, who has proved a very competent person and 
has held the position to the present time. The average number of 
inmates per year has been fifty-five; at this time, however, there 
are but forty-eight. 




CHAPTER XLIII. 

THE PRESS AND OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The Vinton County Press — McArtiiuk, Zaleski and IIamden — 
Agricultural Society of Ante-Bellum Days — Safe Bdrolary 
— §1,000 Stolen and Safe Blown to Pieces — The Contents of 
Burglar-Proof Vault Saved — Contents, $40,000 — No Con- 
victions. 

the vinton county press. 

The Vinton County Republican was the first paper printed iu 
Vinton County. It was removed from Logan to McArthur, and the 
first number issued April 13, 1850. It was published by J. A. 
Browne and L. S. Bort, J. A. Browne, editor. The name at the head 
of the first three numbers of the paper was Vinton Republican, 
but the editor explained: " We propose to call our paper the Vin- 
ton County Republican, but have not now the proper type to put 
in the county." The motto of the paper was: " 'Tis a base aban- 
donment of reason to resign our right of thought." Oct. 21 
of the same year L. S. Bort became sole proprietor. At the close 
of the first year L. S. Bort, J. K. Rochester and L. W. Bort became 
partners, Mr. Rochester retiring at the end of seven weeks, and L. 
W. Bort, Jan. 22, 1S52, and again L. S. Bort became sole proprie- 
tor, and continued its publication until August of that year. 

Vinton County Flag. — Aug. 26, 1852, the Republic'/ n was pur- 
chased by "a Democratic joint stock company," B. P. Hewitt and 
E. F. Bingham,' editors, and the name changed to the Vinton 
County Flag. May 20, 1S53, E. A. Bratton purchased and took 
editorial charge of the paper, changing the name Aug. 19, 1853, to 
McArthur Democrat. Motto: " The spirit of the age is Democ- 
racy," which was changed in August, 1851, to: "No North, no 
South, no East, no West, under the Constitution; but a sacred main- 
tenance of that instrument and true devotion to our common 
country." Changed Nov. 8, 1856, to: " Equal and exact justice to 
all men of whatever state, religious or political." March 20, 1856, 
Alex. Pearce bought the paper, taking J. T. Spence as partner 
April 17, who remained until March 13, 1858. Mr. Pearce sold 

(1175) 



1176 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

out Dec. 27, 1860, to E. A. and W. E. Bratton, who again changed 
the motto to: "No North, no South, under the Constitution, but a 
sacred maintenance of that instrument and the Union." May 7, 
1861:, W. E. Bratton retired, and returned Oct. 19, 1865, and con- 
tinued its publication until the close of that year. 

The Vinton Record.— Jan. 2, 1866, W. E. & A. E. Bratton took 
the Republican, and again the name was changed to the Vinton 
Record, with the motto: " The right is always expedient." June 
1, A.' "W. Bratton sold his interest to "W. E., who sold Jan. 3, 
1867, to Ruth C. Bratton. E. A. Bratton was editor during all 
these changes except the year 1866. Aug. 22, 1867, John T. Raper 
and ~W. H. H. Robinson purchased the office and restored it to its 
original politics. Aug. 27, 1868, John T. Raper bought out his 
partner and continued its publication until Nov. 23, 1876, during 
which time it did not miss publication one week, neither did they 
issue a hall sheet, although the publishers were sometimes put to 
their wits ends to get out the paper. One case particularly deserves 
mention. During six weeks, while the hundred days' men were 
out in the service, Mrs. Ruth C. Bratton did all the work of the 
office except such assistance as her husband, who knew nothing ot 
the business, was able to render in doing the presswork. Mr. Raper 
sold the paper on the date above mentioned to Mr. A. Barleon, its 
present owner. For the past three years Mr. Barleon has been 
assisted in the office duties by J. Ira Bell, and they have thus far 
been successful in giving to the reading public of Vinton County 
a good local paper, and ably presented to them the teachings ot 
their party. They have now many warm friends in this commu- 
nity who are always cordially greeted whenever they enter the 
" sanctum " of the Record. 

McArthur Republican. — Dec. 10, 1852, the Bort Brothers com- 
menced the publication of this paper. It advocated the principles 
of the Whig party, and had for its motto the old motto of the Vin- 
ton County Republican: " 'Tis a base abandonment of reason to 
resign the right of thought." Dec. 9, 1853, L. S. Bort withdrew, 
and L. W. Bort became editor and proprietor. March 3, 1S54, the 
Republican was discontinued for good and sufficient reason, as 
stated by Mr. Bort, that he was losing over $600 per year by its 
publication. He said in lii< valedictory that he had " 424 subscrib- 
ers, thirty of whom were real, the remainder only professional." 

McArthur Herald. — June 2, 1S54. George Fultz and A. G. Hard 
revived the old Republican under the name of the McArthur Her- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1177 

» 

aid, they having rented the office for one year, and suspended May 

17, 1855, to relit and refurnish the office for the publication of the 
Mineral Region Herald. This paper made its appearance July 14, 
1855, A. G. Hard, printer; W. L. Edmiston and T. Wells Stan- 
ley, editors. May 26, 1856, Mr. Stanley retired, leaving Mr. Edmis- 
ton in full charge of the paper. It suspended publication during 
the summer of 1857. 

Mc Arthur Journal. — Aug. 4, 1856, John W. McBeth revived 
the Mineral Region Herald and changed its name to the McAr- 
thur Journal, having for its motto, 

" Pledged but to truth, to liberty and law, 
No favor sways us and no fear shall drive." 

From Aug. 7 to Nov. 21, 1862, the paper was discontinued, 
while Mr. McBeth was in the army, publication being resumed on 
the last mentioned date. He continued the paper until the time 
of his death, which occurred in the beginning of 1863. 

Mc Arthur Register. — J. G. Gibson revived the Journal, April 
23, 1863, under the name of the McArthur Register, with the 
motto, " One flag, one country, one destiny." Sept. 1, 1865, Mr. 
Gibson severed his connection with the paper, and H. S.Suther- 
land appeared as publisher, with Captain H. C. Jones, editor, and 
Captain J. J. McDowell, assistant, the intention being to suspend 
publication at the close of the fall political campaign, and accord- 
ingly, Oct. 26, 1865, the paper suspended. 

Zaleski Herald. — The Zaleski company bought the material of 
the Register, moved it to Zaleski and leased it to W. L. Edmiston r 
who commenced the publication of the Zaleski Herald, Feb. 11, 
1866. Feb. 7, 1867, W. E. and Ruth C. Bratton succeeded him, 
and commenced the publication of the Zaleski Echo. The Echo 
was a neutral paper and its publication only continued for about 
a year and a half under their supervision, and was purchased Oct. 

18, 1868, by A. W. and E. A. Bratton, who continued its publica- 
tion till June 10, 1869, when E. A. Bratton retired from the firm 
and the name was changed to the Vinton Democrat. Its politics 
were also changed to Democratic as its name would indicate. Sept. 

19, 1869, it ceased publication, and July 14, 1870, the material was 
purchased and added to the office of the Vinton Record. Thus 
ended up its eighteen years of doubtful existence. 

The Democratic Enquirer made its first appearance Jan. 24, 
1S67, J. W. Bowen, editor and publisher. The venture grew out 
of the disaffection of some Democrats with the Bratton Brothers 



1178 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

for renting out two columns of their paper (the Democratic organ) 
to Captain H. C. Jones, for the use of the Republican party. By 
the subsequent sale of the Record, Aug. 22, 1S67, the Enquirer 
became the recognized organ of its party, and as such is published 
at the present time, with Mr. Bowen still at its helm. 

The Literary Gem made its appearance May 1, 1867, with D. 
F. Shriner, publisher, and L. D. Martin, John C. Pugh, and C. M. 
Sage as editors. It was a semi-monthly, and made the fourth 
paper in the county at that time. Only three numbers were issued 
when it quietly subsided. 

The Raccoon Reporter was established in 1868, at Zaleski, by 
Major E. A. Bratton. It was printed at the office ofthe Echo. It 
was intended to aid in securing the navigation of the Raccoon 
River, and disappeared after a short period of irregular publication. 

The Christian Witness. — Jan. 23, 1873, J. W. Bowen became 
the publisher of the above-named paper, which was edited by Elder 
J. V. B. Flack, with the editorial office at Haynesville, Clinton 
Co., Mo. This paper advocated the principles of the Christian 
Union Church. Mr. Bowen continued to publish the paper here 
until Jan. 13, 1877, at which time the paper was discontinued 
here, and moved to another place of publication. 

The Hamden Leader was established Dec. 24, 187-4. by J. W. 
Bowen, as a strictly independent paper, with the motto, "The 
greatest good to the greatest number.'- Feb. 10, 1876, F. Mont 
Small wood became the editor, and continued in charge of the 
" sanctum" until the paper was discontinued, Dec. 5, 1878. 

Mc Arthur Journal. — The first copy of the Journal was issued 
Aug. 14, 1879, with Brown, Bray & Co. as publishers, and M. M. 
Cherry and E. B. Drake in the editorial department. The Jowrnal 
advocated the principles of the Republican party. Dec. 14, 1879, 
M. M. Cherry became its sole editor by the withdrawal of Mr. 
Drake. Jan. 8, 1S80, the firm name of A. W. Brown & Co. ap- 
pears as the publishers, and April 22, 1880, J. Ira Bell became 
editor, Mr. Cherry resigning on account of other business. June 
24, 1880, Mr. Bell resigned to accept a position with the Vinton 
Record, and again Mr. Cherry assumed the editorial duties. April 
14, 1880, the paper was purchased by Hugh -I. Savage & Co., who 
published the paper with W. M. Entler as editor. June 30, 1881, 
the name was changed to the Vinton County Democrat, and March 
27, 1882, Mr. Entler purchased the interest of Mr. Savage, and 
has since continued the publication. Upon Mr. Entler's assuming 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1170 

sole charge, he changed its politics, and it has since been a strong 
advocate of the Democratic principles. 

Hamden .Enterprise. — This paper first made its appearance Jan- 
nary, 1880. The proprietors were: Wm. Cassiil, F. M. Small- 
wood and K. J. Cameron. The two latter were practical printers, 
and all three gave their time to the paper. At the end of six 
months Mr. Cassiil withdrew from the firm, and the remaining 
partners, Messrs. Smallwood & Cameron, continued its publica- 
tion, getting np a very creditable local paper until April 7, 1883. 
On May 7, 1883, the firm dissolved by mutual consent. Just pre- 
vious to this, that is, on April 7, 1883, Messrs. Smallwood & 
Cameron started a paper at Wellston, Jackson County, which was 
taken in charge by Mr. Smallwood. At the date of dissolution, 
May 7, 1883, Mr. Smallwood took the Wellston paper, a five-column 
quarto, called the Wellston Argus, while Mr. Cameron assumed 
sole control and proprietorship of the Hamden Enterprise. The 
Enterprise is now in a good financial condition, and has a high 
reputation as a progressive local paper, independent in politics, 
but untiring in its devotion to the building up of the material in- 
terests and future prosperity of the village of Hamden. 

K. J. Cameron, the present editor and proprietor of the Ham- 
den Enterprise, was born in Vinton County, Ohio, March 5, I860. 
At the age of fourteen years, and in the year 1874, he commenced 
to learn the printing business in the office of the Hamden Leader. 
He held the position of " devil" for one year, and then removing 
to Mc Arthur entered the printing office of the Enquirer of that 
village, and soon, by hard work and attention to business, reached 
the position of foreman of the Enquirer job office. In November, 
1870, he left McArthur, after working about four years with but 
two weeks' vacation in all that time, to enter upon the newspaper 
business, and on his native heath, in the twenty-second year of his 
age. He was selected at above age Clerk of Clinton Township on 
the Democratic ticket, receiving the nomination from both parties, 
thus having no opposition, and served one term with credit to 
himself and to the satisfaction of the people whose servant he was. 
Mr. Cameron has now before him a bright and promising career. 

FORMER EDITORS. 

Of the former editors and publishers J. A. Browne died at Lo- 
gan in the fall of 1863; L. S. Bort and J. K. Rochester died at the 
same place; G-eorge Fultz, at Chillicothe, Jan. 22, 1858; John W. 



1180 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

McBeth, at McArthur, on or about the 17th of February, 1863; J. 
G. Gibson, in McArthur, Feb. 11, 1866. A. G. Hard at last ac- 
counts resided in Nebraska, and W. L. Edmiston was teaching 
school in Indiana; W. H. H. Robinson is Deputy Clerk of Clermont 
County, Ohio; and T. Wells Stanley died at Delaware, Ohio, May 
19, 1S83; E. F. Bingham is practicing law in Columbus, Ohio, and 
is a prominent Democratic politician; P. B. Hewitt is at Fort Mad- 
ison, Iowa; JohuT. Spetice went to Highland Comity, where he 
engaged in farming; H. S. Sutherland is a railroad conductor in 
Alabama; J. J. McDowell went to St. Louis, Mo., where he was en- 
gaged in the iron commission business; W. E. Bratton is at Spring- 
Held, Ohio; C. M. Sage is a hotel proprietor at Hot Springs, Ark. ; 
H. C. Jones, John C. Pugh and E. A. Bratton are lawyers in 
McArthur; Mrs. Ruth C. Bratton resides in McArthur; A. W. 
Bratton, foreman in the Athens Herald office at Athens, Ohio; 
Alex. Pearce is Deputy-Recorder for Vinton County and resides 
in McArthur; L. D. Martin is in the Railway Postal service be- 
tween Grafton, W. Va., and Cincinnati, Ohio; Dan F. Shriner is 
foreman in the Border News office at Adelphi, Ohio; John T. Ra- 
per is editor of the Scioto Valley Gazette at Cincinnati, O. ; J. Ira 
Bell, formerly editor of the McArthur Journal, is now foreman in 
the office of the Vinton Record. 

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

In ante-helium days Vinton County boasted of an agricultural 
society. Fairs were held, the people turned out and exhibited 
themselves and such stock, grain, vegetables and works of art as 
they had at hand, and it was a few days of pleasure that was heart- 
ily enjoyed, and gave a new inspiration to life. If this society ever 
held more than nine fairs the writer has been unable to find the 
record, but while the fairs have disappeared the ground still lies 
out of doors with the same fence standing up in places as a monu- 
ment of an unfortunate failure. 

June 1,^1872, an effort was made to organize and carry out to 
success an agricultural and mechanical association. A meeting 
was called at the above date and resulted in the formation of a 
company, and the election of officers was as follows: President, 
Benoni Hixon; Vice-President, E. A. Bratton. Managers: Will- 
iam Bray, Elk Township; L. A. Atwood, Richland Township; T. 
M. Bray, Clinton Township; Benjamin Hawk, Wilkesville Town- 
ship; John Calvin, Vinton Township; Robert Thompson, Madison 



HISTORY" OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1181 

Township; George R. Bell, Knox Township; Thomas Magee, Brown 
Township; John Bray, Swan Township; R. S. Barnhill, Jackson 
Township; S. H. Haynes, Eagle Township; M. H. Walker, Harri- 
son Township. This seemed to have been the Alpha and Omega 
of this move to inaugurate an association. 

POPULATION OF VINTON COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS. 

When Vinton County was organized the following municipal 
townships, already independent divisions of their respective coun- 
ties, were united to form the county of Vinton, to wit: 

From Athens County, Elk, Vinton and Brown, to the last of 
which had been added two tiers, or one-third of Lee Township, ot 
the same county; from Hocking County, Jackson, Swan, and Brown; 
from Jackson, Richland and Clinton; from Ross, Harrison and 
Eagle; from Gallia, Wilkesville. 

Tiie population of these townships in 1850, was: Elk, 1,645; 
Brown, of Athens, 648: Vinton, 460; Jackson, 835; Swan, 1,139; 
Brown, of Hocking, 439; Harrison, 580; Eagle, 476; Richland, 
1,193; Clinton, 880; Wilkesville, 1,037; total, 9,338. Of this total 
population each of the following counties contributed as follows: 
Athens County, 2,753; Hocking, 2,413; Jackson, 2,079; Ross, 
1,056; Gallia, 1,037; total, 9,338. 

In the organization the two townships named "Brown" were 
called North and South, respectively. This did not long remain. 
Brown Township, of Athens County, having one third of Lee 
attached, gave it eight miles east and west by six miles north and 
south. In December, 1850, the citizens of the east half of the 
township petitioned for the organization of a new township to be 
called "Knox," which was granted, and which left South Brown 
with the other half, or four miles by six. In the spring of 1S52, 
South Brown petitioned the County Commissioners for a change 
of name from South Brown to Madison, which was granted. 
These have been the only changes made since Vinton was organ- 
ized. The following is the population by decades, commencing 
with the census of I860: 



1182 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS — 402 SQUARE MILES. 



TOWNSHIPS 

Brown 

Clinton 

Eagle 

Elk 

Harrison 

Jackson 

Knox 

Madison 

Richland 

Swan v . 

Vinton 

Wilkesville 

Total 



1860. 


1870. 


874 


1,297 


1,544 


1,724 


593 


681 


2,234 


2,063 


780 


782 


1,228 


1,294 


475 


559 


782 


1,623 


1,717 


1,814 


1,281 


1,062 


807 


056 


1,316 


1,472 


13,631 


15,027 



18S0. 



1,241 
1,608 
1,044 
2,000 
1,172 
1,288 
947 
2,217 
1,668 
1,095 
1,131 
1,812 

17,223 



"$1,000 REWARD — VINTON COUNTY TREASURY ROBBED. 

" Between three and half-past three o'clock Sunday morning, Feb. 
11, 1866, the county safe was blown open. The burglars had 
opened the two outer doors of the room by means (as is supposed) 
of false keys. The two outer doors of the safe are large and heavy, 
and were blown off with a tremendous force, tearing off the hinges 
and throwing the doors across the room, mashing the counter and 
sinking the corner of one door in the west wall of the building. 
The front part of the safe was torn to pieces, the partition wall 
between the Clerk's and Treasurer's office was a perfect wreck, and 
the papers on tile of the Clerk, incases against this wall, were mixed 
up with brick and mortar in admirable confusion. The damage 
done to the court-house and safe is probably over $1,500. The 
robbers were disappointed in not getting into the burglar-proof 
safe, and only got some loose change, amounting to about $200, 
belonging to the county, and we understand about $600 belonging 
to individual depositors. It has hardly paid for engineering, and 
we think little Vinton came off first best in this raid. The above 
reward will be given for the apprehension and conviction of the 
burglars." 

The above was published in the Vinton County Record, Feb. 15, 
1866. It was pretty well understood who committed the bur- 
glary. There had been three men hanging about the town, and 
particularly about the court-house, and had become very intimate 
with the County Treasurer, David Foreman. He had been warned 
that these men meant no good, but he was completely blinded. 
The chief of the gang was a man named JMaley Thompson, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1183 

he was always lying around the Treasurer's office. They succeeded 
in blowing open the safe and securing in all, from $1,000 to $1,200, 
but the main booty they were after was in the burglar proof de- 
partment inside ot the safe. In the blowing: off of the big 
doors, one was thrown against the side of the room with such 
force as to break down a partition and fill the room with plaster and 
papers, and the other imbedded one end of itself in the wall and 
the other end cut a hole in the floor, and was found standing or lean- 
ing against the wall of the room. There is no doubt but the noise 
frightened the thieves, and, with the crash of falling partition, gave 
them the belief that the whole town had been aroused. They has- 
tily gathered what they could find and decamped, not daring to 
stay to blow up, if they could, the other, or burglar proof depart- 
ment. There were cash and United States bonds in the latter 
place amounting to over $40,000. This they entirely missed. 
There had been a previous attempt to steal the key of the safe 
from the Treasurer, and by getting the outside door open be pre- 
pared to tackle the burglar proof vaults. One of the men had 
secreted himself under the Treasurer's bed. Mr. Foreman, after 
he had retired one night, felt confident he heard the steady breath- 
ing of a person in his room. He got up, dressed, lit a lamp, and 
sure enough there was under the bed one of these men. He pre- 
tended to be drunk and said he had crawled in to sleep his drunk 
off, and was too far under the influence to know what he had done, 
and got under the bed instead of on top of it. He pretended to 
stagger, but said he was all right, and Foreman let hi in out, 
and then retired to bed. He had believed the fellow and thought 
nothing further of the incident until the safe was burglarized. It 
was then plain enough to him what the man was there for. The 
men's names were Maley Thompson, the leader, a man by the 
name of Mills, and one other from Cincinnati. Thompson and Mills 
were arrested, but nothing could be proved against the latter. 
They were in jail some three or four months, when Thompson 
broke jail before his trial came off and was never afterward 
caught. Mills was released, nothing being proved against him, as 
above stated. The leader, Thompson, while not admitting his 
guilt while confined, said enough to give parties to understand he 
did it. He said while in jail they would never bring him to trial, 
and he did make his escape. The man from Cincinnati was bailed 
out, and that was all that was heard of him. 



1184 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

A special act of the Legislature gave the county commissioners 
the power to reimburse or credit the amount stolen from the 
county, which was placed at $300, to County Treasurer Foreman 
at their discretion. They allowed him that amount in his settle- 
ment. It was the general feeling that the county was extremely 
fortunate in not being in a worse fix. The Treasurer was not be- 
lieved to be in any way involved, only a very badly duped man. 

TAXATION VINTON COUNTY — FOR 1882. 

County tax $16,003 90 

School tax 17,279 90 

Road tax 9,028 81 

Poor tax 7,201 75 

Towns and villages 4,020 90 

Bridge tax ... ... 4,000 97 

Building tax 2,000 49 

Township taxes 3,899 08 

Special taxes 3,018 37 

Total county and local tax $06,454 23 

STATE TAXES. 

Sinking Fund $ 2,000 49 

General Revenue Fund 5,601 36 

Common School 4,000 98 

Total State tax $11,602 83 

Total taxes $78,057 06 

Dog tax $ 1 ,582 00 




A 





-nuso 



CHAPTER XLIV. 

VINTON COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

Introductory — Eighteenth Ohio, Three Months' Service — Eight- 
eenth Ohio, Three Years' Service — Second West Virginia. 
Cavalry — Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry — Ninetieth Ohio In- 
fantry — One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry — 
Twelfth Ohio Cavalry — One Hundred and Ninety-fourth 
Ohio Infantry. 

introductory. 

Prior to 1861 the people of Vinton County knew only the arts of 
peace. Even the martial spirit which inspires and animates the 
bold militia-man had never been awakened. The solemn tread of 
the "awkward squad " had never broken the stillness of her hills 
and valleys. The "muster days " of the forefathers had long since 
been numbered with the events of the past, and save'and except 
the treasured " military education " of a few veterans of the war 
of 1812 and what a few Mexican .soldiers knew of the " school of 
the company," the men of Vinton County were as ignorant of the 
art and science of war as they were peaceably disposed. Scarcely 
a man in the county had ever seen a battalion, or knew enough of 
the formation of a company to place theJCorporals in position. But 
when the tocsin of war sounded and the call was made for volun- 
teers, the men of the county responded promptly and enthusiasti- 
cally. 

To prepare a full history of the part Vinton County bore in the 
late war would be impossible. Almost a quarter of a century has 
passed since the opening of the terrible struggle, and the men who 
bore a part in those stirring scenes and incidents have drifted away 
to different parts of the country. Many have] gone to their long 
homes. Friends and even relatives have little or no data from which 
accurate details can be given, so that a mere general history only 
can be given of the thousand to twelve hundred men who went to 
the front from Vinton County, and the companies that can only be 
traced by their regiments — then with brigades and divisions and 
thus, as integral parts of those mighty army corps which crushed 
the rebellion and restored the nag. 
75 . (1185) 



1186 HISTORY OF HOCKING. VALLEY. 
EIGHTEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY THREE MONTHS' SERVICE. 

April 18, 1861, James L. Aikin, a young attorney of McArthur, 
prepared an " enlistment paper," and signed it as a " volunteer sol- 
dier." William J. Rannells was the second man to enlist, but 
there was no hesitancy on the part of the people, and on the 20th 
of April the company was more than up to the maximum. These 
people — farmers, laborers, furnace men, artisans, business men gen- 
erally — came from all parts of the country and represented all 
classes of society, all political parties and all religious denomina- 
tions. 

They enlisted for three months and organized the company by 
electing Judson W. Caldwell (a Mexican soldier) as Captain; Henry 
S. Hamilton, First Lieutenant, and Alex. Pearce, Second Lieuten- 
ant. The company remained at McArthur, drilling and getting 
ready for the field, for about four weeks. They were sworn in by 
a " 'Squire," but not mustered in until May 28, 1861. They were 
mustered into service at Marietta, by Lieutenant,afterward General, 
Sill. The muster-roll at the Adjutant-General's office in Colum- 
bus shows that the company numbered ninety-nine privates, four 
Corporals, and four Sergeants. 

After the muster-in of the company it was ordered to Parkers- 
burg, W. Va. 7 where it was united with other companies from 
Ohio, and the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry three months 
regiment was formed by the selection of Timothy R. Stanley, of 
Vinton County, as Colonel; Win, M. Bowles, of Scioto County, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel, and William H. Bisbee, as Major. Lieu- 
tenant Alex. Pearce was appointed Adjutant, and John C. Paxton, 
as Quartermaster. 

Thus organized the Eighteenth went into service in the valleys 
and mountains of West Virginia. The regiment served its time 
doing such duty as was assigned to it, suffering such hardships as 
fell to its lot, many of which were owing to the then unprepared 
condition of the General Government or the State of Ohio to 
properly clothe and feed the troops. It was engaged generally in 
guarding railroads, bridges, etc. It returned to Ohio in August 
and was mustered out Aug. 28, 1861. 

EIGHTEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY (THREE YEARS' REGIMENTK 

"The Government at Washington" having learned that the sup- 
pression of the Rehellion was more than a three months' contract, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1187 

bad issued a call for more troops, and before the tbree months' men 
bad been mustered out, men were being enlisted for "tbree years' 
service." 

Asbbel Fenton, George W. Dunkle and II. C. Jones bad re- 
cruited " squads " of men wbicli consolidated made a company. 
These men were mostly .from Swan, Brown and Elk townships, a 
few being from Clinton and Richland. The company organized 
Aug. 12, 1861, by electing Asbbel Fenton, Captain; George W. 
Dunkle, First Lieutenant, and H. C. Jones, Second Lieutenant. 
Thus organized the company went to Camp Wool, Ohio, where 
another company under Captain Miller, of Ross County, was en- 
camped, and there became the nucleus of the Eighteenth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry. In the first part of September another company 
was formed in Vinton County, which organized by electing "William 
L. Edmiston, Captain ;Perley G. Brown, First Lieutenant, and Will- 
iam H. Band, Second Lieutenant. Two companies, C and G, 
came from Athens County; K, from Meigs; F, from Washington; 
D and I, from Gallia and Meigs, and Company E also came from 
Ross County. 

Captain Fenton's company became Company B, and Edmiston's 
company became Company II on the organization of the regiment. 

The regiment was organized Sept. 6, 1861, at Camp Wool, T. R. 
Stanley being mustered as Colonel, Josiah Given as Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and C. H. Grosvenor as Major. 

The regiment was ordered to Camp Dennison, Ohio, early in 
September, when it went into camp of instruction; Alex. Von 
Schrader, afterward Inspector-General of the Fourteenth Army 
Corps, acting as " Drill Sergeant." In November the regiment 
was ordered to Elizabethtown, Ky., by way of West Point. At 
Elizabethtown it was brigaded with the Nineteenth and Twenty- 
fourth Illinois and Thirty-seventh Indiana under Colonel Turchin, 
of the Nineteenth Illinois. 

This brigade formed a part of General O. M. Mitchel's Division 
of the Army of the Ohio. The regiment remained at Elizabeth- 
town and " fought the measles " some four or five weeks when the 
division went to Bacon Creek, where it remained until the first 
part of February, 1862, when it left its last camp of instruction and 
started South. 

The division marched to Edgefield, opposite Nashville, reach- 
ing there Feb. 24. General Mitchel was then ordered to 
move upon the Memphis & Charleston Railroad through Mur- 



1188 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

freesboro and Fayetteville. His division of three brigades of in- 
fantry, three batteries of light artillery and a regiment of cavalry 
was an independent command. The division left Nashville in 
March and made a bold and rapid advance through Murfreesboro, 
Shelbyville and Fayetteville to Hnntsville, Ala., reaching there 
April 7. The town was taken, 170 prisoners captured, besides fif- 
teen locomotives, 150 passenger and freight cars, and a large 
amount of stores and property of great value to the enemy. Im- 
mediately Colonel Tarchin's brigade was sent westward to seize 
Decatur and Tuscumbia. General Mitchel's mission seemed to be 
to keep the enemy out of Middle Tennessee and North Alabama, 
to give Generals Grant and Buell an opportunity to clear the Cum- 
berland River, get possession of the enemy's stronghold and whip 
the Confederate army if possible. Whatever the object was, it will 
remain forever a fact that General Mitchel pushed his commands 
into the enemy's country by forced marches, rapid marches, night 
marches as well as day marches, from point to point, with a de- 
gree of energy, skill and audacity unequaled in the history of any 
infantry command in the late war. lie controlled the country 
from Nashville to Huntsville, Ala., and from Bridgeport to Tus- 
cumbia. His command had no general engagement, but was en- 
gaged in numerous skirmishes and small battles which kept the 
enemy clear of his territory. 

The Eighteenth Ohio was stationed at Athens, Ala. May 1, 
18G2, they were attacked by Scott's rebel cavalry, supported by 
infantry and artillery. General Mitchel ordered the regiment, af- 
ter it had held its ground for some time, to retire toward Hunts- 
ville. This took the command through the village. The citizens 
seeing the regiment falling back threw up their hats. The rebel 
women waved their handkerchiefs. Some shots were fired from 
the houses, and the tirade of abuse was such that the officers had 
hard work to keep the men from firing into the citizens. The ene- 
my's cavalry seemed cautious about coming too close, and the ar- 
tillery was badly aimed, so that little harm was done. General 
Turchin coming to their support with the Nineteenth Illinois and 
some artillery, the regiment faced about and drove the enemy out 
of town and out of that vicinity. This was the occasion when 
Turchin's brigade "went through" Athens. Some companies of the 
Nineteenth Illinois contained some as hard characters as could be 
enlisted in Chicago, and with such men as leaders, and the soldiers 
feeling outraged at the conduct of citizens who had been properly 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VAXLEY. 1189 

treated by them, with Colonel Tu renin's European ideas of war 
customs, there was scarcely a store or warehouse that was not pil- 
laged. 

Colonel Turchin laid in the courthouse yard while the devasta- 
tion was going on. An aid-de-camp approached, and the Colonel 
remarked, 

"Yell, Lieudenant, I dink it ish dime to shtop dis tam billag- 

ing." 

"Oh, no, Colonel," replied Bishop, "the boys are not yet halt 
done jerking." 

"Ish dot so? Den I schleep for half an hour longer," said the 
Colonel, as he rolled his fat, dumpy body over on the grass again. 

The boys of the Nineteenth Illinois used the word "jerk" in the 
sense of " steal " or " pillage." 

This gave the two regiments the expressive title, " Turchin's 
Thieves." It secured Turchin a court-martial and dismissal from 
the service, but President Lincoln, recognizing the services of his 
brigade and the fighting qualities of Turchin, made him a 
Brigadier-General in the very sight of Buell's kid-gloved policy. 
This served, however, as a lesson to the rebel citizens, and al- 
though it didn't make them love us any more, it taught them that 
we were at least entitled to decent treatment, if not to respect. 
On May 29 General Mitchel started an expedition to Chattanooga. 
The Eighteenth accompanied it. Turchin's brigade marched 
through, and on June 7 Chattanooga was being bombarded from 
the north bank of the Tennessee River. Kirby Smith having re-en- 
forced the town, the command returned to Shelhyville. 

After the command of Buell's moved back to Tennessee from 
Corinth, the old Turchin brigade was broken up, and the Eight- 
eenth Ohio, Nineteenth Illinois, Sixty-ninth Ohio and Eleventh 
Michigan formed a new brigade under Colonel Stanley. This was 
assigned to General James S. Negley's division. This brigade re- 
* mained at Nashville during Buell's march across Kentucky. It 
was on the right of Negley's division at Stone River, Negley's 
division being on the right of General Thomas's army. 

On the morning of Dec. 31, 1S62, General McCook's command, 
still on the right of Thomas's line, gave way. This allowed the 
rebel army to swing around and envelope Negley's command, but 
the brigade commanded by Stanley stood firm under a terrific fire, 
and the ground was held until our reserve came up. Seeing the 
enemy pressing across a small cleared field, and that they would gain 



1190 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

great advantage thereby, Roussion rode up to Colonel Given and 
asked him to charge the enemy. The enemy were flushed with what 
seemed certain victory, and were rushing forward with new spirit. 
When Roussion asked Colonel Given if he could make the charge, 
Given replied : "1 can do anything," and the order to charge was 
given. The charge was made in gallant style, the enemy fairly 
hurled back with the bayonet. General Roussion spoke of it as the 
most gallant charge of that terrible battle. On Friday, Jan. 2, 
the regiment was again heavily engaged, in fact it was in the thick- 
est of the fight, on Friday as well as on Wednesday. The regiment 
lost at this battle: Captain Fenton, Company B; Captain Taylor, 
Company E; Captain Stivers, Company K; Lieutenant Blacker, 
Company E, and thirty-two enlisted^ men killed. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Given, Captain Welch, Company C; Captain Rose, Com- 
pany I, and Adjutant Minear with 143 men were wounded. 

The Eighteenth remained in the same brigade and division un- 
til after the battle of Chickamauga. It bore its part through the 
Tullahoma campaign, and was in some sharp engagements. It 
also bore its part in the Chickamauga campaign and through t that 
terrible but misjoined battle. ' In the battle of Chickamauga it lost 
heavily in killed and wounded. Six commissioned officers were 
wounded, among them Captain Brown, Company A, and Lieuten- 
ant Honnold, Company B, both of Yinton County. 

After the battle of Stone River Lieutenant-Colonel Given was 
made Colonel of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Ma- 
jor Grosvenor was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and upon the 
death of Captain Fenton Captain Welch was made Major of the reg- 
iment. During the summer of 1864 the regiment remained at 
Chattanooga, Colonel Stanley being in command. In August the 
rebel cavalry under Wheeler and other daring rebel generals be- 
gan a series of raids to destroy the railroads and bridges betweeu 
the army and'Nashville. The work of driving them back and re- 
storing roads and bridges fell to the Eighteenth Ohio, Seventy-eighth 
Pennsylvania and a few other old regiments assisted by new col- 
ored troops. The marching over the hot pikes in August and Sep- 
tember can hardly be described; after several forced marches the 
command was mounted, and the men having been unused to horse- 
back riding for nearly three years the suffering was terrible, but 
the command could get over more miles of road, and come nearer 
taking care of Wheeler than it could on foot. 

During some twenty days and nights the men were almost con- 
stantly in the saddle, this, too, after nearly three years of foot so 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1191 

diering, and it wore out the men and ruined the horses. Wheeler was 
driven out of Tennessee and the regiment again dismounted. They 
were never envious of cavalrymen after this "horse-back" experi- 
ence. 

A large number of the Eighteenth re-enlisted as veterans, but 
not enough to maintain the organization of the regiment, so that in 
November the regiment was ordered to Camp Chase, Ohio, where 
it was mustered out Nov. 9, ISO*. 

The following commissioned officers were from Vinton County. 
Colonel T. R. Stanley; Captain Ashbel Fenton, Company B, who 
died April 14, 1863, of wounds received Dec. 31, 1862, at Stone 
River; First Lieutenant Dnnkle promoted to Captain, died June 9, 
1863, at home, from disease contracted in the line of duty; Captain 
William L. Edmiston, Company H, resigned Aug. 30, 1862; Cap- 
tain Alex. Pearce, Company D, mustered out with regiment, Nov. 
9, 1864; Captain Homer C. Jones, Company B, mustered out with 
regiment; Captain Perley G. Brown, Company A, mustered out 
with regiment; First Lieutenant John G. Honnold, Company B, 
mustered out of invalid corps at expiration of service; Lieutenant 
Honnold was permanently disabled by a gun-shot wound in the 
knee at Chickamauga; Lieutenant Sylvanus Bartlett, mustered 
out of engineer regiment in 1865; Lieutenant Bartlett was trans- 
ferred to United States Engineer regiment and promoted to First 
Lieutenant; First Lieutenant Daniel Bates mustered out with vet- 
erans 1865; Second Lieutenant William II. Band resigned Sept- 
26, 1862, died of disease contracted in the service. 

After the regiment was mustered out the veterans of the regi- 
ment together with the veterans of the First, Second, Twenty-fourth 
and Thirty-fifth Ohio regiments with such recruits as had been en. 
listed, were consolidated and formed a veteran regiment, called the 
Eighteenth Ohio, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel, afterward 
Colonel and Brevet-Brigadier-General, C. II. Grosvanor. 

This new organization got into good fighting shape before the bat- 
tle of Nashville, which was fought Dec. 6, 1864. In this battle the 
new organization of old soldiers made up of the veterans of five fight- 
ing regiments won lasting honor by gallant conduct. On the 19th it 
participated in the bloody and finally successful assault upon Over- 
ton Hill. It here lost four officers out of seven and seventy -five 
men killed and wounded out of less than two hundred. 

Attached to General Stedman's command the Eighteenth fol- 
lowed Hood's defeated array to Huntsville, and two days later as- 



1192 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

sisted in the capture of Decatur. In April, 1865, the regiment 
went into camp near Fort Phelps. In July it accompanied Gen- 
eral Stedman's command to Augusta, Ga. Oct. 9, the order came 
for its honorable discharge; it returned to Columbus, Ohio, and 
was mustered out. Having seen much hard service and having 
left upon the battle-fields of the South many gallant men, it leaves 
a record of which those who come after it need never be ashamed. 

SECOND WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY. 

As soon as the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, three 
months' men, were mustered out, Sergeant H. S. Hamilton and 
others began recruiting men for the three years' service. Desiring 
to go into the cavalry service, and there being no opportunity to 
join a regiment of Ohio cavalry, they went to Virginia and assisted 
in forming the Second West Virginia Cavalry. This company or- 
ganized by electing Henry S. Hamilton, Captain; George W. Sny- 
der, First Lieutenant, and Edwin S. Morgan, Second Lieutenant. 
It was mustered into service Nov. 8, 1861. The regiment was 
made up of Ohio men, and organized by selecting Win, M. Bowles 
as Colonel; John C. Paxton, Lieutenant-Colonel; Rollin L. Curtis 
and John J. Hoffman, Majors. It never had but ten companies, 
hence only two Majors. Its first service was with General Garfield, 
aiding in driving the forces under General Humphrey Marshal 
from the fastnesses of Eastern Kentucky. In 1862 the regiment 
was under General Crook, a great portion of the time. It was con- 
spicuous in the battle of Lewisburg, Va.,«in May, 1S62, and was 
complimented by General Crook for its gallantry. Colonel Bowles 
resigned in June, 1862, and Lieutenant-Colonel Paxton was pro- 
moted to Colonel. May 7, 1863, Paxton was succeeded by Win. 
H. Powell, who was promoted to Colonel. During 1863 the regi- 
ment was in tJie Kanawha Valley and in the mountains of South- 
western Virginia. During the year i't was engaged in many sharp 
skirmishes and some severe engagements, notably at Wvtheville, 
on July 18, where Colonel Powell was wounded and taken 
prisoner. 

In May, 1S61, the regiment was attached to the Third Brigade 
of General Averill's division, Colonel Powell commanding the 
brigade. This command participated in several engagements, 
was constantly on duty, and received honorable mention by General 
Averill for its coolness under fire and skillful evolutions in the 
face of the enemy. 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1193 

The Second West Virginia was with General Sheridan's army 
during his brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, taking 
an active part in the engagements at Winchester, Va., July 19, 
1864; Moorfield, W. Va., Aug. 7; Bunker Hill, Va., Sept. 2 and 
3; Stephenson's Depot, Sept. 7; Opequam, Sept. 19; Fisher's 
Hill, Sept. 22; Mount Jackson, Sept. 23; Brown's Gap, Sept. 26, 
and Weis's Cave", Sept. 27, 1864. This campaign won for Colonel 
Powell the rank of Brigadier-General, and the gallant Ouster 
added his compliments and thanks to those of Crook and Averill. 
The Adjutant-General of West Virginia says of this regiment : 

"No regiment in the service from any State has performed more 
arduous duty than the Second Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry, 
and none have better deserved the compliments and praises it has 
received." 

The Second West Virginia Cavalry belonged to General Cus- 
ter's famous Third Cavalry Division, and was present when Lee 
surrendered. General Custer being at the front received the flag 
of truce. General Custer's order thanking his command, when 
the Third Division was disbanded, is as dashing as Custer him- 
self, and in as much as the Second West Virginia Cavalry helped 
to make the record to which the General refers, we give an extract 
from it as follows : 

"The record established by your indomitable courage is unpar- 
alleled in the annals of war. Your prowess has won for you even 
the respect and admiration of your enemies. During the past six 
months, although in most instances confronted by superior num- 
bers, you have captured from the enemy in open battle 111 
pieces of field artillery, sixty-five battle-flags and upward of 10,- 
000 prisoners of war, including seven General officers. Within 
the past ten days, and included in the above, you have captured 

forty-six pieces of field artillery and thirty-seven battie-flags. 
tt # # # *•*■*-:<- 

"You have never lost a gun, never lost a color, and have never 
been defeated. And, notwithstanding the numerous engagements 
in which you have borne a prominent part, including those mem- 
orable battles of the Shenandoah, you have captured every piece 

of artillery the enemy has dared to open upon you. 

-x- * # -:•:- # * •:<• * 

"And now, speaking for myself alone, when the war is ended, 
and the task of the historian begins; when those deeds of daring 
which have rendered the name and fame of the Third Cavalry Di- 



1194 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

vision imperishable are inscribed upon the bright pages 'of our 
country's history, I only ask that my name may be written as that 
of the commander of the Tnird Cavalry Division. 

G. A. Custer, Brevet- Major- General. 

A. Adj. -General Barnhardt. 

Company D aggregated 117 men, nearly all from Vinton County. 
The regiment did not re-enlist as veterans enough men to keep 
up the organization to the minimum number, and they were not 
entitled to a Colonel. This left the regiment in command of Lieu- 
tenant Colonel James Allen, Majors E. S. Morgan and Charles E. 
Hambleton. Some of the companies were consolidated, and a new 
company joined the regiment in 1864, under Capt. A. J. Smith, of 
Jackson County. This new organization gave the regiment only 
eight companies, but the regiment maintained its place as a regi- 
ment on the rolls of the volunteer cavalry, and its place in the 
brigade and division, and its identity among the grand army of 
heroes that made such men as Sheridan and. Custer famous. The 
regiment was mustered out June 30, 1S65. The following commis- 
sioned officers were from Vinton County: Captain H. G. Hamilton, 
resigned, date unknown; First Lieutenant, George W. Snyder, 
resigned Feb. 24, 1863; Second Lieutenant, Edwin S. Morgan, 
promoted to Captain Company K, promoted to Major, mustered 
out with regiment; Alex. Ward, First Sergeant, Company D, 
promoted to First Lieutenant, Compan}' A, mustered out with reg- 
iment; Joseph Amkrom, promoted to Captain, Company G, trans- 
ferred to Company E, mustered out with regiment; First Sergeant, 
W. S. McLanahan, promoted to Second Lieutenant Company D, 
and mustered out with regiment. 

It speaks well for Vinton County that while it had but one com- 
pany in the regiment, it furnished at the expiration of their long 
and brilliant term of service one Major, three Captains out of 
eight, and also two Lieutenants; and while it is clear that the regi- 
ment did as much to maintain the flag as they could have done had 
they been credited to Ohio, it is to be regretted that Ohio has not 
the credit their services would have given her on the rolls of those 
who went forth to do battle for our common country. 

THE SEVENTY-FIFTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

In the fall of 1S61 Henry B. Lacy, then Prosecuting Attorney 
of Vinton County, received a recruiting commission and began 
the enlistment of men for the three years' service. George Fry, of 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1195 

Vinton Station, also enlisted a squad of men; these consolidated 
and organized a company by selecting George Fry as Captain; Jud- 
son W. Caldwell (of Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, three months' men) 
as First Lieutenant, and H. B. Lacy as Second Lieutenant. This 
company went to Camp Wool, Ohio, and joined the Seventy-fifth 
Ohio Infantry, becoming Company I of that regiment. After 
remaining some 'time at Camp Wool and failing to complete the 
regimental organization, they were ordered to Camp McLean, near 
Cincinnati, where some four companies of men, under Colonel N. 
C. McLean, were trying to form the Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry. 
These two parts of regiments were consolidated — being six compa- 
nies of the Seventy-fifth and four of the Seventh-ninth Ohio. Of 
this regiment, the Seventy-fifth, N. C. McLean was made Colonel, 
E. A. Constable, of Athens, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Robert Reilly, 
Major. Henry B. Lacy was appointed Quartermaster. • The most 
of the regiment was mustered in in December, 1861. 

The Seventy -fifth remained at Camp McLean for instruction and 
drill until about the last of January, 1862, when it went to West 
Virginia, arriving at Grafton, Jan. 29, 1862. On the first of March 
it was assigned to General Milroy's brigade, and began active ser- 
vice early in the spring of 1862. Its first fight was at Monterey C- 
H, April 12, 1862. On May 8, at Bull Pasture Mountain, Milroy 
fought a division of Stonewall Jackson's army for several hours 
with the Seventy-fifth and Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry, and held the 
enemy in check until night came to his relief, when a successful 
retreat was effected. Stonewall Jackson reported this fight* as the 
'' bloodiest of the war for the number engaged." Colonel Harris 
was severe^ wounded, and eighty-seven men were killed and 
wounded in this engagement. Shortly before the battle of Cross 
Keys (June 10, 1862), the Seventy-fifth wa6 brigaded with the Fif- 
ty-fifth, Seventy-third and Eighty-second Ohio regiments, under 
General Schenck, and this was known as the "Ohio Brigade." At 
the battle of Cross Keys the Ohio Brigade did good service. 
Immediately after this battle General Schenck was given com- 
mand of a division, and Colonel McLean was placed in command 
of the Ohio Brigade — he having been made a Brigadier-General. 
The Seventy-fifth was also at Cedar Mountain, Aug. S, but was 
not heavily engaged. 

Aug. 30, 1S62, at Groveton, near the old Bull Itun battle-field,. 
General Pope attacked Jackson and a severe fight took place. The 
Seventy-fifth here had hot work. The regiment lost twenty-one 



1196 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

men killed and ninety-two wounded. The color bearer of the Sev- 
enty-fifth was killed and another severely wounded. Jan. 12, 
1863, Colonel Constable resigned; Lieutenant-Colonel Reilly was 
promoted to Colonel, Colonel McLean having been commissioned 
Brigadier-General Nov. 29, 1862. William J. Rannells was promoted 
to Second Lieutenant December, 1861. First Lieutenant J. W.Cald- 
well resigned Dec. 14, 1862. Sept. 21, 1862, Lieutenant Ran- 
nells was promoted to First Lieutenant. Captain Fry resigned June 
10, 1863; Rannells was promoted to Captain and David B. Caldwell 
to Second Lieutenant, Company I. 

May 2, 1863, the Ohio Brigade was engaged in the battle of 
Chancellorsville, where it behaved gallantly. In the short space 
of half an hour the Seventy-fifth lost 150 men killed and wounded. 
Colonel Reilly fell mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg; 
the Seventy-fifth was under fire every day of the battle and lo3t 
heavily. Out of 292 enlisted men, 63 were killed and 106 wounded, 
beside the loss of 34 prisoners. 

Three commissioned officers were killed; seven were wounded. 
Among the severely wounded was Captain Win. J. Rannells. 

In August, 1863, the Ohio Brigade was sent to Charleston; 
afterward it was sent to Folly Island, thence to Jacksonville, Fla., 
where it was mounted and was known as the Seventy-fifth Mounted 
Infantry. In its new capacity as cavalry it did good service in 
breaking up the system of blockade runners and preserving order, 
but it did not have a chance to forget its fighting qualities; it had 
frequent skirmishes, and not unfrequently with forces far outnum- 
bering it. Aug. 17, 1S64, the regiment was attacked by a strong 
force of the enemy, and being surrounded it fought till its ammu- 
nition gave out, when it was decided to cut. its way through the 
enemy rather than surrender. In this they partially succeeded. 
They lost, however, fourteen men killed and thirty wounded; these 
with about sixty men and twelve officers fell into the hands of 
the enemy, and were held as prisoners until 1865, excepting Cap- 
tain Rannells, who bought a guard for $600 and made his escape 
in November, 1864. Sept. 21, 1S64, what was left of the Seventh- 
fifth captured an entire company of the Second Florida Cavalry, 
with their horses, arms, etc. In October, 1864, Companies A, B 
and (' were sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and mustered out. In 
November, Companies D, G and F were also mustered out. 

After the fall of Savannah, the veterans of the regiment were 
organized into a veteran battalion under Captain Wm. J. Rannells. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1197 

This battalion performed much hard service in Florida, where it 
remained on duty until the last gun had been fired, and then closed 
its career by helping to capture the rebel chief Jeff Davis in his 
final effort to reach the last ditch. The Seventy -fifth Veteran Bat- 
talion captured Secretary McCullough, and the baggage of the 
ex-President of the late confederacy. In August, 1865, the last 
of the Seventy-fifth were honorably discharged, leaving on the 
battle-fields a larger list of dead than almost any other regiment 
in the service. 

THE NINETIETH OHIO INFANTRY. 

In July and August, 1862, Company B, of the Ninetieth Ohio 
Infantry, was enlisted. It organized by electing John S. McDow- 
ell, Captain; John S. Witherspoon, First Lieutenant, and Joshua C. 
Gibson, Second Lieutenant. It was ordered to Lancaster, Ohio, 
where the regiment was organized by the selection of Isaac N". Ross 
as Colonel; Charles II. Rippey, Lieutenant-Colonel; Samuel N. Yeo- 
man as Major, and Lieutenant D. JS". Kingery, of Vinton County, 
as Adjutant. The regiment was sent immediately to the front. 
It reached Kentucky in time to participate in General Buell's mas- 
terly "scamper" over Kentucky. The greater portion of Com- 
pany B was mustered into service in July, but the company was 
not up to the maximum until August. The regiment was not fully 
organized until Aug. 28, 1862, yet by the 1st of November it had 
marched nearly as many miles as some regiments had that had been 
in the service a year. It was in General Crittenden's corps of the 
Army of the Ohio, and at the battle of Stone River. It was in 
General Craft's brigade of General Palmer's division. Although 
a new regiment that had never had time or opportunity to go into 
camp of instruction, it behaved gallantly under fire at Stone River. 
Company B, in this fight, was commanded by Lieutenant Wither- 
spoon. The regiment lost in this battle, in killed, wounded and 
missing, 130 men. Six officers were wounded. 

April 14, 1863, Lieutenant Witherspoon was promoted to Cap- 
tain and assigned to Company I, which ^he commanded until the 
muster out of the regiment. Lieutenant Gibson resigned Dec. 14, 
1862. Sergeant John L. Hatfield was promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant, Company B. James K. Jones, private of Company B, was 
appointed Sergeant-Major of the regiment immediately after the 
battle of Stone River, and April 10, 1863, was promoted to Sec- 



1198 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ond Lieutenant and placed in command of Company G. He was 
promoted to First Lieutenant Jan. 1, 1864, and to Captain, Sept. 
14, 1864. 

The Ninetieth remained in General Palmer's division of Gen- 
eral Crittenden's corps until after the battle of Chickamauga. At 
this battle General Palmer's division bore its full share and tbe 
Ninetieth led one or two desperate charges in gallant style. On 
the second day of the battle the regiment fought behind some has- 
tily constructed works, and as the line gave way before the terri- 
ble rain of lead and iron, the Ninetieth were among the last to 
retire. Adjutant Kingery was shot dead while on this line. In 
this battle the Ninetieth lost three commissioned officers killed, and 
eighty-three enlisted men killed, wounded and missing. 

Colonel Rippey resigned Oct. 20, 1863, and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Yeoman was promoted to Colonel. Under Colonel Yeoman the 
Ninetieth went with the Fourth Corps, Army of the Cumberland, 
through all the Atlanta campaign. It was in the fearful charge at 
Kennesaw when Captain Witherspoon was severely wounded. 

For 120 days the Ninetieth Ohio, with its gallant comrades of 
the Army of the Cumberland, marched, fought and suffered, until 
on Sept. 8, 1864, it entered the city of Atlanta. It then turned 
north to aid in intercepting the rebel army, under Hood, on its 
way to Nashville, and was at the bloody and desperate battle of 
Franklin. It was on the front line in that "hand to hand " engage- 
ment. It was in the front, too, at the magnificent battle at Nash- 
ville, where the rebel army, under Hood, was crushed by Pap 
Thomas in one of the best planned and most masterly fought bat- 
tles of the war. 

The Ninetieth remained in service until the close of the war, 
when it returned to Ohio and was mustered out, leaving a record 
of which its members and their children may ever be proud. 

Vinton County furnished to the Ninetieth about ninety men and 
the following commissioned officers: Captains, J. S. McDowell, J. 
S. Witherspoon and James K. Jones; Lieutenants Gibson, J. L. 
Hatfield; D. N. Kingery, Adjutant. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

The OneJHundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry was organized 
in 1862 at Circleville, Ohio. It was made up of men from Vinton, 
Perry, Fairfield, Pickaway, Fayette and Hocking counties. John 
Cradlebaugh was its first Colonel, Horatio B. Maynard, Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and John II. Kelly its first Major. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1199 

Gompany F was recruited in Vinton County, and organized by 
electing Cornelius Karnes, Captain; Elbridge L. Hawk, First Lieu- 
tenant, and Samuel L. Wilson, Second Lieutenant. 

The company was mustered in Aug. 12, 1862, at Circleville, 
Ohio. Iu September it went into camp at Marietta, Ohio, where 
it remained some six weeks in camp of instruction. 

December 1 it started to Memphis, Term., and arriving there in 
due time it became a part of Sherman's army. From this time 
forward the One Hundred and Fourteenth "saw active service." 
The regiment was a part of the assaulting column upon the ene- 
my's works at Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 26, 1862, and was severely 
engaged on that day and the day following. It was here that 
Lieutenant Samuel L. Wilson lost his leg; and although he lived 
some years and was afterward Clerk of the Common Pleas Court of 
Vinton County, yet he eventually died from the effects of that 
wound and amputation. 

Phillip M. Shurtz was made Second Lieutenant, vice Wilson 
honorably discharged. 

The One Hundred and Fourteenth was in the battle at and helped 
to capture Arkansas Post, Jan. 11, 1863. 

After this they went to Young's Point, Miss., on the Yazoo 
River. Here they suffered severely from sickness; over 100 men 
of the regiment died in the space of six weeks. 

From Young's Point they went to Millikin's Bend, where they 
remained until April, 1863, when they, with the army under Gen- 
eral Grant, moved against Vicksburg. 

Captain Karnes resigned Feb. 6, 1863; First Lieutenant E. S. 
Hawk was promoted to Captain; Second Lieutenant James Duffy, 
also of Vinton County, was made First Lieutenant of the com- 
pany. 

The regiment was in the whole of the great campaign against 
Vicksburg. It was at the battle cf Thompson's Hill, May 1, 1863; 
Champion Hills, May 16; Big Black Bridge, May 17, and the siege 
of Vicksburg. 

The regiment did gallant service during the campaign, making 
one or two brilliant charges, and it left in the valley of the Mis- 
sissippi many noble men. 

After the fall of Vicksburg the regiment moved from point to 
point along the Mississippi and over the State of Louisiana, as or- 
dered, and finally, Nov. 28, 1863, it left New Orleans by steamer 
for Texas, where it remained until April, 1864, when it was or- 



1200 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

dered to Alexandria on the Red River, where it joined General 
Banks's army in his retreat after his terrible defeat, and endured 
the suffering which Banks's command had to undergo in getting 
back to the Mississippi River. 

"This campaign was very severe. Forced marches of ten days' 
duration, through the stifling heat and dust, and being continually 
harrassed by the enemy on both flanks and rear, made it almost 
unendurable." 

In November, 1864, at Morganza, the One Hundred and Four- 
teenth and One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Infantries were 
consolidated, retaining the number One Hundred and Fourteenth. 
This rendered eleven or twelve officers supernumerary, and they were 
honorably discharged. Among these was Captain James Duffy, 
of Yinton County. Company F, became Company A of the new 
regiment and was commanded by Captain E. L. Hawk. 

The regiment was not idle after the new organization, although 
it had no severe engagement. Colonel Cradlebaugh had resigned 
in 1863, and Lieutenant Kelly had been promoted to Colonel. He 
commanded the regiment from the time Colonel Cradlebaugh was 
wounded (in May, 1862), but the regiment being below the mini- 
mum number he was never mustered as Colonel. 

The regiment marched and traveled by land and water, over 10,000 
miles, performed duty in ten different States, was engaged in eight 
hard-fought battles, and in skirmishes without number. It lost in 
killed and wounded six officers and eighty men. It lost heavily by 
disease in the first year of its service, over 200 dying and quite a 
number having been discharged for disability. It is impossible, 
from data at hand, to give the •death list of Yinton County men. 

The regiment was ordered to Ohio in May, 1865, and mustered 
out of the service. 

TWELFTH OHIO CAVALRY. 

In September and October, 1863, a company of men was recruited 
in Yinton County for the cavalry service. It organized by electing 
William A. Gage, Captain; James J. Defigh, First Lieutenant and 
Charles S. Ranuells, Second Lieutenant. 

It went into camp at Cleveland, where the regiment (the Twelfth 
Ohio Cavalry) was organized 'Nov. 12, 1863, by the selection of 
Robert W. Radcliff, Colonel; Robert II. Bentley, Lieutenant-Col- 
onel; John F. Herrick, Miles J. Collier and Erastus C. Moderwell, 
as Majors. Captain Gage's company was Company L. One half 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1201 

of the regiment, including Company L, were ordered to Johnson's 
Island to guard prisoners of war; the other half remained at Cleve- 
land until the return of the men from Johnson's Island, when the 
regiment went to CampDennison, where it was mounted and equip- 
ped in the spring of 1804, and from which point it started South. 

In May, 1864, it was brigaded with the Eleventh Michigan Cav- 
alry and Fortieth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, under Colonel True, 
of the Fortieth Kentucky, and it was assigned to the division of 
General Burbridge. 

May 23, 1864, the command of General Burbridge started to 
Saltville, Va., to destroy the Confederate salt works, but on nearing 
Bund's Gap it was learned that the rebel General Morgan was 
pushing his command into Kentucky on a raid, thereupon the com- 
mand of Burbridge turned back to take care of Morgan. Lieuten- 
ant Detigh was in command of Company F through the fight 
at Mount Sterling, and until the regiment reached Lexington. 

June 9, 1864, the command reached Mt. Sterling, which place 
Morgan had captured on the day previous. After a sharp fight 
with some convalescents of the Twelfth, under Sergeant Win. L. 
Brown, of Company L, who went into service from McAthur, it was 
not until Sergeant Brown fell, shot dead on the line, that the little 
band surrendered. 

On reaching Mt. Sterling General Burbridge threw forward the 
First Battalion of the Twelfth, including Company L, and by a 
gallant dash upon the enemy routed them, recaptured the Union 
soldiers taken the day before, together with the captured stores 
and a number of Confederate prisoners with stores of the enemy. 
Morgan retired to Cynthiana where Burbridge followed him up 
again, made an assault and routed General Morgan's command, 
taking a large number of prisoners. The Twelfth Ohio Cavalry 
was in the advance in this fight as well as in that at Mt. Sterling. 
These two fights closed Morgan's career as a "great rebel raider." 
Colonel Basil Duke admits that it was the complete destruction of 
Morgan's command. He says: "Morgan's loss at Cynthiana 
was very heavy and he was compelled to march back to Virginia." 
Kev. T. Sonour, in his " Morgan and His Captors," says: " Mor- 
gan's prestige was gone, and from this time (the Cynthiana 
fight) he sinks out of light as the worst whipped rebel General ever 
sent on a raiding expedition." President Lincoln telegraphed his 
thanks to General Burbridge and his command. In these engage- 
ments First Lieutenant Defigh, of Company L, but commanding 
76 



1202 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

Company F, led a gallant charge and was mentioned for bis dash 
and pluck. During a portion of the fight at Mt. Sterling Com- 
pany L was commanded by Lieutenant C. S. Rannells leading the 
company in the charge in which Defigh led Company F. "We have 
made mention of these fights with Morgan more in detail than we 
otherwise would, from the fact that when the rebel raider came to 
"Vinton County he did not get his just deserts, and it is some con- 
solation to know that Yinton County men helped to close his mil- 
itary career. 

After having cut short Morgan's raid into Kentucky, Burbridge 
again started for Saltville, Va., arriving there Oct. 2, 1864, throw- 
ing forward the Fourth Brigade, the Twelfth taking its usual place 
in advance. A severe engagement took place, lasting all day. 
The enemy was supported by artillery and reinforced by General 
Early with 5,000 men and the Federal forces were compelled to re- 
tire. Finding his forces outnumbered and the enemy strongly 
entrenched, General Burbridge returned to Lexington, Ky. At 
this fight the Twelfth lost forty-nine men killed and wounded. 
After the command returned to Lexington it was placed under 
command of General Stoneman, and bore its part in the celebrated 
"Stoneman's Raid." In these the Twelfth Ohio had some hard 
fighting, and a carefully prepared history of the regiment men- 
tions some daring charges made by the Twelfth. In one of these 
the command became surrounded and Lieutenant Defigh was ta- 
ken prisoner, but in the haste and excitement they forgot to dis- 
arm him. When a rebel soldier gave a him harmless blow with 
his sabre and innocently inquired, " You d-n Yankee s-n of a b — , 
how does that feel?" Defigh drew his saber, struck the fellow a 
blow across the head, and, turning his horse toward his friends, 
made good his escape. Stoneman's raids into Yirginia required a 
great deal of endurance and the men suffered terribly. Besides 
this, they were for days in the presence of the enemy, fighting more 
or less severely. At Yadkin River, ten miles from Saulsbury, 
they fought a heavy force under Pemberton, captured 1,304 pris- 
oners and 3,000 stand of small arms, the Confederates being beaten 
and utterly routed. The command was in the heart of the confed- 
eracy for weeks, destroying railroads, bridges, stores, arsenals, 
and capturing prisoners. It captured the great rebel cavalry, 
General Wheeler and his staff", also the Vice-Resident of the con- 
federacy and his escort. It marched and fought and worked dur- 
ing the winter and spring of 1864 and '65 in a manner which 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1203 

seems almost incredible. One, the last Stoneman raid, our histo- 
rian, Captain Mason, says: " For sixty-nine days it had not drawn 
a Government ration or seen the national flag. During that period 
it had swept around a circle that lay through six States, and meas- 
ured with all its eccentric meanderings fully a thousand miles. It 
had shared in the last and longest cavalry raid of the war." In 
speaking of the Twelfth, General Burbridge says: "I had no 
better regiment under me, and at Mt. Sterling, Cynthiana, Kings- 
port, Marion, Wytheville and Saltville, the regiment and officers 
distinguished themselves." They returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, 
and were mustered out Nov. 24, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY- FOURTH OHIO INFANTRY. 

In March, 1865, the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, " one year " regiment was organized at Camp 
Chase, Ohio. Two companies of Vinton County men were enlisted 
for this regiment, about 180 men. Company D organized 
by electing John Gillilan, Captain; David Guthrie, First Lieu- 
tenant, and Frank Rowlie, Second Lieutenant. Company K 
organized by electing Henry Lantz, Captain; Wm. W. Buckley, 
First Lieutenant, and Anthony W. Bratton, Second Lieutenant. 
Lieutenant Bratton resigned July 12, 1865. 

These two companies thus organized went to Camp Chase, Ohio, 
where the regiment organized by the mustering in of Anson G. 
McCook as Colonel; O. C. Maxwell, Lieutenant-Colonel; H. Lee 
Anderson, Major. 

On the 14th of March, 1865, the regiment left Camp Chase for 
Charlestown, Va., where it was assigned to Major General Eagan's 
division. 

The regiment being well officered was rapidly becoming profi- 
cient in drill, and but for the surrender of Lee, which occurred 
when they were just ready for the field, they would no doubt have 
been heard from at the front. 

They returned to Camp Chase and were mustered out Oct. 
24, 1865. 

ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT NATIONAL GUARDS. 

In May, 1864, in response to a call of Governor Brough, the 
One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Infantry, called 
" National Guards," was formed at Marietta, Ohio. 



1204 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Three companies of men from Vinton County went into camp, 
Dut one company was distributed around to fill up other companies. 
Company C, Captain, Jos. J. McDowell; First Lieutenant, Han- 
son P. Ambrose; Second Lieutenant, Robt. S. Barnhill, retained 
its organization, as did also, Company H, Captain, Isaiah H. 
McCormick; First Lieutenant, Nathan Murphy; Second Lieuten- 
ant, Saml. G. Scott. Second Lieutenant Win. H. Jenning, of Cap- 
tain Garrett's company, was retained in service, assigned to 
another company. 

The regiment was organized by the mustering in of Thomas W. 
Moore as Colonel; Isaac R. Kinkead, Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
Win. L. Edmistou, of Yinton County, as Major. 

The regimental organization was completed May 18, 1864, and 
as most of the officers and many of the men had seen service, the 
command was at once ready lor the field. 

On May 23 they left Marietta for Harper's Ferry, where they 
remained until June 6, when they went to Washington and thence 
to Bermuda Hundred. Here Lieutenant Saml. G. Scott died. 
After remaining a short time at Bermuda Hundred they went to 
City Point, and while there an explosion of an ordnance boat took 
place, and some of the men of the regiment were killed, but none 
of the Vinton County men. 

On the 5th of September, 1864, the regiment returned to Marietta, 
and on the 11th was mustered out, having completed its " hun- 
dred days " of service. 

DETACHMENTS. 

In addition to the companies organized in Vinton County a num- 
ber of men enlisted in other commands, and were officered by men 
from other counties. 

FIFTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In the Fifty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as nearly as can be 
ascertained, there were ten Vinton County men in Company F, 
about the same number in Company D, and about thirty in Com- 
pany E. 

R. E. Phillips, of Vinton County, was made Second Lieutenant 
of Company E, and soon after the battle of Shiloh he was promoted 
to First Lieutenant. 

The Fifty-third was organized at Camp Diamond, near Jackson. 
Jesse J. Appier was first Colonel; Robert Fulton, Lieutenant-Colonel 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1205 

and Harrison S. Cox, Major. The organization was completed in 
January, 1S62. April 18, 1862, Captain Wells S. Jones was mus- 
tered in as Colonel, vice Appier " mustered out." 

LieutenantPhillips was afterward made Lientenant-Colonel of 
the Fifty-ninth United States Colored Infantry, in which capacity 
he served until Dec. 8, 1863, when he resigned his commission. 
The Fifty-third Ohio was unfortunate in its first Colonel, and while 
the men suffered severely at Pittsburg Landing or Shiloh, and did 
good fighting for the chance they had, the conduct of their Colonel, 
J. J. Appier, was such as to cast a cloud upon the entire regiment. 
The men of the regiment, as brave and true as the men of any other 
Ohio regiment, felt the disgrace keenly, and right well did they 
redeem their good name, by soldierly conduct, gallant fighting, and 
heroic endurance on the march, under Colonel Wells S. Jones. 
General Sherman said, in 1864, that "under another leader, Colonel 
Jones, it (the Fifty-third) has shared every campaign and expedi- 
tion of mine since, is with me now, and can march and bivouac and 
fight as well as the best regiment in this or any army. Its reputa- 
tion now is equal to that of any from the State of Ohio." 

THIRTI -SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Lieutenant Aaron Martin and Lieutenant Lafayette Hawk and a 
number of men from the eastern and southeastern part of the county 
enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. As nearly 
as can now be ascertained, about thirty-five men enlisted in Com- 
panies C and K; ten of these were from Wilkesville Township. The 
Thirty-sixth was organized at Camp Putnam, Marietta. A brief 
sketch of the services performed by this regiment will be found 
farther along in the additional military history of Athens County. 

SIXTY-SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Henry Strong and Samuel Rowley enlisted in the Sixty-sixth 
Ohio Volunteer Infautry; they marched with Sherman to the sea. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

In the One Hundred and Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry 
there were a few Vinton County boys. David W. Miller and Hi- 
ram Hawk, of Wilkesville, were among the number. 



1206 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

SEVENTEENTH UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS. 

Ed Arrington and four other men from Wilkesville Township 
went into the Seventeenth United States Colored Regiment and 
served till the close of the war. 

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Michael Strausbaugh and some others from Wilkesville, Knox 
and Yinton townships enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixteenth. 
As nearly as can be ascertained there were fifteen or sixteen men 
from Vinton County in this regiment. 

FIRST UNITED STATES VETERAN VOLUNTEER ENGINEERS. 

Charles L. White, present Auditor of Vinton County, and six or 
eight other Vinton County men enlisted in this regiment, Colonel 
William E. Merrill commanding. They were mustered into ser- 
vice in October, 1864. The regiment served until after the close 
of the war, and was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 30, 
1865. 

THIRTIETH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Five or six men from Knox Township enlisted and served in 
Company C, of the Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

ELEVENTH OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY. 

John Robbins and eight or ten other Vinton County men en- 
listed in the Eleventh Ohio Light Artillery, Captain Frank Sands 
commanding. This battery was in General Pope's army. It saw 
a great deal of service. 

SECOND OHIO HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Wallace E. Bratton and some other Vinton County men enlisted 
in the " Second Heavy" and soldiered in East Tennessee. 

THIRTY-FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

George Gaffney and about ten men from Swan Township en- 
listed in the Thirty-first Ohio, Colonel Moses Walker's regimen t.^ 
They were in the Army of the Cumberland. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1207 

TWENTY-SEVENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Arminens Gear, Henry Gear, Jacob Gear, Hiram Gear and Da- 
vid Gear, all from Wilkesville Township, enlisted in the Twenty- 
seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Hiram and David died in the 
service. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Dr. David V". Rannells, of McArthur, was commissioned as As- 
sistant Surgeon in August, 1862, and assigned to duty in the 
Fifth Ohio Cavalry. In October, 1864, he was commissioned as 
Surgeon, and remained with the same regiment until May 5, 1865. 

Dr. H. H. Bishop, of Wilkesville, was also a Surgeon in the 
Tennessee army. 

Dr. Charles French, of McArthur, was Assistant Surgeon of the 
Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

Rev. G. W. Pilcher, of Vinton County, was Chaplain of the 
Eleventh Illinois Cavalry. He being in Illinois in 1862 enlisted in 
that regiment and was commissioned as Chaplain. He remained 
in the service two years. 

Rev. John Dillon, of Vinton County, was Chaplain of the 
Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 

In addition to these commands and detachments Vinton County 
men went into various regiments and batteries, and while it is im- 
possible to trace them and give date of enlistment and discharge 
it is yet true that Vinton County sent out about 1,100 men in 
various commands to do battle for the country and the flag. 




CHAPTER XLV. 

ELK TOWNSHIP, INCLUDING CITY OF McARTHUR— THE PIONEER 
ORGANIZATION OF VINTON COUNTY. 

The Pioneer Township — The Pioneers of Elk — Personal 
Recollections of Mrs. C. E. Bothwell — Itemized — Schools 
— Church — Population by Decades — Mc Arthur — Location — 
Incorporation — Village Officers — Fires — Postoffice — Mo- 
Arthur in 1883 — Churches — Societies — Schools — Vinton 
County Bank — Town Hall — Railroad Statistics — Mills — 
Biographical. 

the pioneer township. 

Elk Township is the pioneer township of Vinton County, and 
the first settler was a Mr. Musselman. in the year 1S05. He was 
a miller by trade, and something of a geologist. He first discovered 
the fine burr stone in Elk Township, and started the first quarry 
in the spring of 1806. 

Elk Township is rich in coal and lies directly in the great coai 
measure of Southwestern Ohio. It is not a rough and broken 
township, but it is hilly. With the exception of Swan, which it 
fully equals, it is probably the best agricultural township in the 
county. The valleys arc fertile, being rich in an alluvial soil. Elk 
Township is also rich in iron ore and in fire-clay. 

The Elk Fork of Raccoon Creek waters its eastern portion. 
Little Raccoon runs through sections 1, 2 and 12, in the northeast 
section of the county, while Elk Fork passes through the center of 
the township, taking its rise in Swan and Jackson townships, and 
enters Elk in the northwest and north, flowing south through the 
center, turning east and thence southeast, leaving the township in 
that section. Puncheon Fork flows from the west central section 
of the township, just touching the village of McArthur on the 
south, and running east flows into Elk Fork. Little Raccoon Creek 
rises in the southwestern corner of the township, flowing south aud 
passing into Clinton and Richland townships. 

(1208) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1209 

ELK COMES TO THE FRONT. 

On March 7, 1S11, the commissioners of Athens County made 
the following order of record: 

" Ordered, That all that part of Alexander Township lying west 
of the 15th range, being townships 10 and 11, of range 17, and 
townships 9 and 10, of range 16, be erected into anew township by 
the name of Elk." 

SIZE AND BOUNDARY. 

For a number of years Elk Township retained her size, being 
composed of a trifle over one third of the present county of Vin- 
ton, but when Yinton was created a county she was shorn of her 
territory, and was made as she now is, a congressional township, 
bounded as follows: on the north by Swan Township, east by Mad- 
ison Township, south by Clinton Township, and west by Richland 
and Jackson townships, and is congressional township number 11, 
of range number 17. She has one town or village within her bor- 
der, McArthur, the county-seat of Vinton County, which is prin- 
cipally located on section 21. She also has a station called Vinton 
Station, on the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, 
located about three miles east and south of McArthur, on section 
26, but about on the section line between 25 and 26, and is the 
shipping point for the product of the Vinton Furnace, which is 
situated a little over a mile from the station in Madison Township. 

PIONEERS. 

Among the first settlers of Elk Township, were the Friend 
Brothers, who located on the present site of McArthur, but did 
not remain long. Levi Kelsey was the first permanent settler of 
the township, coming here with his family about 1802. Isaac 
Phillips came in 1806; John Phillips in 1807. A Mr. Cassill 
came in 1807 or 1808, and settled on section 26. His child, Sarah 
Cassill, was the first death in the township. Levi Johnson came 
in 1811. He put up the first horse-mill, and first still-house. He 
was the first Justice of the Peace, and performed the first marriage 
in the township. 

Jacob Shry came in 1811 and settled on section 25; his brother, 
Paul Shfy, settled on section 28. One of the most noted pioneers 
of Elk Township was George Fry, a soldier of the war of 1812, 
who came in 1S16. James and William Mysick came in 1815, and 



1210 HISTORY OF "HOCKING VALLEY. 

settled on section 25 and 26. Edward Salts, came in 1816 and 
entered the land upon which McArthur Junction now stands. 
Some of the later arrivals were Thaddeus Fuller, David Richmond, 
Rev. Joshua Green, Lemuel and Allen Lane, Joseph Gill and 
Isaac "West. 

The following condensed from the personal recollections of Mrs. 
Bothwell is worthy a place in this history : 

PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS OP VINTON COUNTY SIXTY 
YEARS AGO. 

BY CHARLOTTE E. BOTHWELL. 

McArthur, Ohio, July 5, 1874. — It is just sixty years this day 
since my husband and myself, with two children, started to move 
to Ohio. We had been married four years, and living at Silveys- 
port, Md., where we had moved from Fayette County, Pa., where 
I was born, Jan. 22, 1788. I was twency-six years of age; my 
husband was twenty-nine. We hired a man with a wagon to move 
us to Geneva, a town on the Monongahela River, about thirty miles, 
where we intended to go on a flatboat. This was before the dis- 
covery of steam-power. When we got there the river was so low 
the boats could not run. We waited ten days, but the water was 
till getting lower, and my husband bought a large pirogue and 
put our movables in it, and hired a man for a pilot at $2 
per day. My husband's brother came with us. We started on 
Thursday. We were not two hours on the water till both the chil- 
dren were very sick with vomiting. We stayed the first night in 
Brownsville; Saturday we got to Pittsburg, about an hour before 
sun-down. As the children were very sick we intended to stop with 
a family of old friends by the name of Brison. My husband and 
the other men went up into town, and left me alone with the 
children. 

We remained in Pittsburg till Wednesday, when, the children 
being much better, we started again. As soon as we were on the 
water the children got worse. We arrived at Marietta on Satur- 
day. The youngest child was very sick. My husband had a sister 
with her family that lived there. This sister was the grandmother 
of President Scott, of the Ohio University, at Athens. We stayed 
there till Wednesday, when we started again. On Monday morn- 
ing we arrived at Gallipolis. There came up a very great storm, 
and I took my children and hurried up in town. The first house 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1211 

I came to was a bakery. I went in, sat down with my children, 
called for a pint of beer and six cakes. 1 did not want them, but 
I wanted an excuse to stay. In the afternoon it cleared off, and 
my sisters husband, Isaac Pierson, came with his wagon to move 
us to' our journey's end. They put our movables in the wagon, 
and we stayed that night at the tavern. Tuesday morning we 
started; Thursday morning we took breakfast where the town of 
Jackson now stands. It was then a salt-works, a number of rough, 
scattering cabins and long rows of kettles of boiling salt water. It 
was nine miles to Mr. Paine's; that was the first house after we 
left the salt-works. About the middle of the day it commenced 
raining very hard and rained all that day; everything was soaked 
with water. My youngest child lay in my arms wet and cold, and 
looked more like it was dead than alive. Several times we stopped 
the wagon to examine the child to see if it was dead. But we had 
to go on; there was no house to stop at till we got to Mr. Paine's. 
It was more than an hour after dark when we got there, wet, cold, 
and still raining. We found Mrs. Paine one of the best and kind- 
est of women. If we had got to mother's or sister's we could not 
have been more kindly treated. After breakfast, on the next 
morning, we started and got to my brother-in-law's the evening of 
the 5th of August, where, four days afterward, our child died. 

We were just thirty-two days on the way. The weather was 
pleasant enough until we got to Gallipolis. From there here the 
weather and the roads were very bad — the bad roads of to-day bear- 
ing no comparison to them. In point of fact, there were no roads, 
but mere paths, and the men compelled to cutout roads with axes, 
and drive along side-hills, where it was all the men could do to 
keep the wagon from upsetting. 

My husband had been here the spring previous, entered 160 
acres of land — being the farm now owned by David Bay — and 
reared the walls of a cabin [upon it. When we got here it had 
neither floor, door, window, chimney nor roof. My husband hired 
two men to make clapboards to cover it and puncheons for a floor, 
we remaining with my brother-in-law until this was done. We 
then moved into our new house, to finish it up at our leisure. 
Isaac Pierson then " scutched " down the logs, my husband chincked 
it, and I daubed up the cracks with clay. There was no plank to 
be had, the nearest saw-mill being Dixon's, on Salt Creek, twenty 
miles away, and I hung up a table-cloth to close the hole left for 
the window 7 , and a bed-quilt for a door. The back wall of a fire- 



1212 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

place occupied nearly one whole side of the house, but the chimney- 
was not built on it, and when the wind blew, the smoke in the 
house would almost drive me out. We Jived in this way five 
months. I was not used to backwood's life, and the howling of the 
wolves, with nothing but a suspended bed-quilt for a door, coupled 
with the other discomforts of border life, made me wish many a 
time that I was back at my good old home. 

On the 14th day of January, 1815, the chimney was built; my 
husband had got some plank and a sash, and made the door and 
the window. The hinges and latches were of wood. Our cabin 
was the only one in the whole country around that had a glass win- 
dow. On the same day, while the men were working at the house, 
I finished a suit of wedding clothes for David Johnson, father of 
George and Benjamin Johnson, who still live here. I had the suit 
all done but a black satin vest when he came. I didn't know it 
was a wedding suit, and tried to put him off, but he would not be 
put off. The next day my third child, Catharine, who is the widow 
of Joseph Foster, and lives near Sharonville, Ohio, was born. 

My husband was a cabinet-maker and a painter, but bed-steads 
and chairs and painting were not in use here at that day, and his 
business was confined to making spinning-wheels and reels. He 
did not get his shop up until the first day of May. He had first 
started out here the previous May, and not worked any for a year, 
and consequently our little accumulated earnings were all spent. 
However, we were now comfortably fixed. I had got some pipe 
clay and white-washed the inside of the cabin, and some of our 
neighbors regarded us as very rich and very aristocratic — thought 
we put on too much style for this country! I had learned the 
tailoring business, and found plenty of work at it. There was not 
much money in the settlement, and I was more frequently paid in 
work than cash; but we wanted our farm cleared up, and there- 
fore needed work. It cost us about $10 an acre to clear the 
land, besides the fencing. Lands all belonged to the Government 
and could be entered in quarter sections, or 160 acres, at $2 per 
acre, to be paid in four annual payments of $80. 

When we first came here there were perhaps fifty families in 
and around this settlement, most of them quarrying and making 
millstones. There was no person making a business of farming. 
All had their patches of garden, but making millstones was the 
principal business. Isaac Pierson, the father of Sarah Pierson, 
of Chillicothe, had the most extensive quarry. Afterward Aaron 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1213 

Lantzand Richard McDougal had large quarries. A man named 
Musselman lirst discovered the stone in 1805, and employed Isaac 
Pierson to work for him in 1806. This was on section 7. There 
were no white people here at that time, and the two camped out, 
and worked that year. Musselman quit; but the next year Pier- 
son, having found the business to be very profitable, moved out, 
built the first cabin, and made the first permanent settlement. He 
employed hands to help him, and soon the settlement began to 
grow. The business was very profitable, and all engaged in it 
would have become independantly rich but for one thing — whisky. 
Most of them drank, and nearly every pair of millstones that were 
sold must bring back a barrel of whisky, whether it brought flour 
or not. If the flour was out they could grind corn on their hand 
mills; but they made it a point never to get out of whisky. 

Trading was done principally at Chillicothe. There was no 
store closer than Chillicothe or Athens. Everything we bought 
that was not produced in the country was very dear. The com- 
monest calico — such as now sells at 6 to 10 cents — was 50 
cents per yard; we made our own sugar; coffee, 40 cents; tea, 
$1.25. We made it a point, however, to buy as little as possible. 
Our salt we got at Jackson — gave $2 for litty T pounds of such mean, 
wet, dirty salt as could not find a market now at any price. All 
kinds of stock ran loose in the woods. Each person had his stock 
marked. My husband's mark was to point one ear and cut a V- 
shaped piece out of the other. I marked my geese by splitting 
the left web of the left foot. These marks were generally respected. 
There was good wild pastorage for the cattle, and hogs grew fat 
upon the mast. "When one was wanted for use it was shot with 
the rifle. 

A wilder country than this in early days it would be hard to 
imagine, with its great systems of rocks and hills, and intermin- 
able forests. Indians, wolves, wild game and snakes were more 
numerous than interesting. I remember distinctly, one time my 
son Thompson was a baby, I put him to sleep in his cradle one 
afternoon, and went out to help my husband in the field; he had 
an Irishman working in the shop. In the course of the afternoon 
he went in the house to get some tobacco. He came running out 
and holloed to us in the field: "Oh, Mon! Come quick; the 
devil is in the house!" We hastened to the house and found a 
large rattlesnake, which had been lying by the cradle. Our 
presence disturbed it and it ran under the bed, and my husband 
got a club and dragged it out and killed it. 



1214 * HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY 

ITEMIZED. 

The first marriage in Elk Township was that of Abraham Cassill 
to a young lady living with Mr. Jacob Shry, who came from Vir- 
ginia. 'Squire Levi Johnson was the officiating parson. This was 
in 1813. 

The first horse-mill in Elk Township was erected by Levi 
Johnson. 

The first death was a child, Sarah Cassill. 

The first preaching in the township was by Rev. Jacob Hooper. 

The first white settler in Yinton County was Levi Kelsy, who 
came in 1801. 

The first known cemetery was called Calvin's graveyard. 

The first church was one built of logs and was used as such for 
about twenty-five years. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school-house was on section 16 in the year 1820, close 
to the present residence of Ezekiel Robinett. It was a subscription 
school-house, being built by Mr. Levi Kelsy and others. William 
Clark, a son-in-law of Mr. Kelsy, taught the first school. The fol- 
lowing year another log school-house was erected on section 12, in 
which Mr. Clark again taught during the winter of 1821-'22. 
Elk Township has now nine school districts besides the McArthur 
school district, which has one graded school. Five male and 
eleven female teachers were employed in 1882. The total cost for 
the year for the township schools amounted to $2,143.02. There 
was a total enrollment of children of school age of 254, of which 
135 were boys and 119 girls. The average attendance was 71 per 
cent. There were 73 youths between sixteen and twenty-one 
years of age in the township. These figures are from the audi- 
tor's report for 1882, and show the advance made in this depart- 
ment. 

United Brethren Church was organized in 1843 with the fol- 
lowing constituent members: George Speed and wife, Nathan 
Robinett and wife, David Markwood and wife, Isaac Wescoat and 
wife, Charles Dowd and wife, Mr. Sherril and wife, John Bullard 
and wife, William Ervine and wife, William Colvin and wife, 
William Swaim and wife, Lewis Blackman and wife, William Mat- 
thews, Joseph Cayler, Sabina Fry and Tena Fry. 

At the organization steps were taken to erect a place of worship, 
and thev commenced at once a large church building near where 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1 2 1* 

the infirmary buildings stand, and it stood and was used in an un- 
finished condition for many years. It was finally taken down, 
and a new church, the present neat building, erected in its stead. 
The church is now in fair condition with encouraging promise 
for the future. 

POPULATION. 

The population of the township from 1830 to 1880, by decades, 
is as follows: in 1830, 922; in 1840, 1,261; in 1850, 1,645; in 
1860, 2,234; in 1870, 2,063; in 1880, 2,000. Up to 1860 her 
progress was rapid; since that time a gradual decline has taken 
place. 

m'aRTHUR, THE MINERAL CITY. 

This village, the county seat of Vinton County, is located nearly 
in the center of the county and but little south of the center of 
Elk Township. Its situation on a slightly oval surface between 
the two main branches of Elk Fork and near their confluence is a 
pleasant one, rarely surpassed in modest rural beauty. These 
streams are small, mere brooks, but for an inland village, this site 
is hardly equaled in all of Southern Ohio. This strip of land is 
considerably elevated, forming a small plateau, the edges of which are 
in some places deeply carved by the action of running water. 
Elk Fork, which has its beginning at the junction of the two 
smaller streams, embracing the site of McArthur, is a branch of 
Raccoon Creek, into which it flows in the southern part of the 
county. Of these two small streams the larger one comes from 
the north and the other from the northwest. 

Cabins of early settlers had made their appearance on this 
little plateau prior to the year 1815, while nearly all was yet a 
forest. But these, so far as can be learned, were only two in num- 
ber and occupied by two brothers, William and Jerry Pierson. 
About this time some burr-stone quarries in the northern part of 
the county were being worked, and the roads over which these 
stones were hauled from two of the quarries coming together at 
this place made it of some importance as a stopping place. 

ITS LOCATION. 

Its eligibility for the location of a town attracted the attention 
of men of capital who happened to see it. In 1815 Isaac Pierson, 
Levi Johnson, Moses Dawson, George Will, and John Beach — the 
two latter from Adelphi — forming a company, purchased the quar- 



1216 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ter section on which McArthur is situated, and laid out the town on 
the 25th of November in that year. The situation is the southeast 
quarter of section 21, of township 11, range 17, and at that time 
belonged to Athens County. As laid out at this time it contained 
112 in-lots and twenty-five out-lots. These lots were conveniently 
provided with streets and alleys crossing each other at right angles. 
Main street, running due east and west, is eighty-two and one- 
half feet wide, while North, High, Mill and South streets, all run- 
ning parallel to Main, are each sixty-six feet wide. Boundary 
alley, which was the western boundary of the original plat, is 
thirty-three feet wide at the southern end and forty-eight feet at 
the northern end. All the alleys within the in-lots are each six- 
teen and one-half feet wide. Main, Market and North streets are 
each continued through the out-lots. 

The dimensions of the in-lots are ten poles in length from north 
to south and four poles in breadth from east to west. In-lots Nos. 
63 and 64 were alloted for public ground and reserved for court 
and market house and jail. April 10, 1840, the first addition was 
made to the original plat by Aaron Lantz and P. and S. H. Brown of 
109 in-lots. In May, 1842, P. and S. H. Brown made another ad- 
dition of nine out-lots. August 7 and 8, 1844, David Rich- 
mond's addition was surveyed and laid out. B. P. Hewitt and 
Robert Sage made another addition in April, 1854, of eighteen in- 
lots, and Sept. 3, 1858, at the instance of Thomas B. Davis, another 
addition of twenty-four in-lots was made. 

The newly laid out-town was named McArthurstown in honor of 
Hon. Duncan McArthur, a prominent Ohio statesman at that time. 
The lots sold well at first, six or seven houses going up the first 
year. Stanbaugh Stancliff built the first house after the town was 
laid out. Stancliff was the grandfather of Judge Du Hadway. 
William Green was the first shoemaker who lived here, and his 
daughter was the first child born in the village. She was presented 
with a town lot by the town company. A Mr. Washburn was the 
first blacksmith to locate here. In 1 815 a Mr. Paffenbarger started 
a tan-yard just east of the graveyard. In 1816 Joel Sage built the 
first tavern in the village. His wife died in a year or so and he 
rented the tavern to Thomas Wren, who kept it for several years. 
It stood on the corner of Main and Market streets. In the same 
year the tavern was started John Phillips and Dr. Windsor started 
the first store. The store was owned by Phillips and Windsor, 
was managed by Windsor, and handled general merchandise. It 
stood where Dr. Wolf now lives. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1217 

Several years later J. K. Will started another store, and from 
that time on this business has held a steady sway. No lawyers 
lived here then as this did not become a seat of justice until 1850. 
The old tannery east of town continued to operate until about 1842 
when it was abandoned and another built on Mill street. The old 
one had been owned for several years by Sisson and Hulbert. 

In the earliest history of the town the only efforts toward relig- 
ion were made by the Methodists, who built a church on the old 
cemetery lot in about 1820. The Disciples, or JS"ew Lights, as they 
were then called, had meetings occasionally at a very early date, 
but no regular preacher. Before the Methodist, church was built 
the burying ground was on the hill just west of town, known as the 
Calvin burial ground. The first interment here was that of Eliza- 
beth, a young daughter of Pawley Davson. The first man buried 
here was James Stevens. The new cemetery just north of town 
was set apart for this purpose in 1873. 

Before the farmers of the county turned their attention so much 
to stock-raising, considerable wheat and corn was raised on the sur- 
rounding country and McArthur was made a market for some of 
this produce. The new and larger steam mill just east of town, 
which was built in 1856, for a time produced flour far in excess of 
the local demand and considerable was shipped to other points. 
Pork -packing was also engaged in on a small scale by some of the 
merchants of McArthur between 1840 and 1850. Before the con- 
struction of the M. & C. R. R. through the county, shipments to 
and from McArthur were made on wagons byway of Gallipoiisand 
Pomeroy on the Ohio, by Chillicothe, and alter the completion of 
the Hocking Valley Canal, some by Logan. The mail was carried 
through from Athens to Chillicothe on horseback. 

The tannery built on Mill street in about 1842 was run only a 
short time. It had been built by Jacob Waltz, and in about two 
years after he built the one now owned by John Seal, on High 
street. 

INCORPORATION. 

The census of 1850, the year before the incorporation, showed 
the population of the town to be 424. At that time there were 
four stores, and the only industries of any extent were to be found 
in the tannery and the old water flouring mill. In the year 1850 
Vinton was formed into a new county, when McArthurstown became 
the county seat. On the following Feb. 7, 1851, the town was in. 

77 



1218 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

eorporated by a special act of the Ohio Legislature and the name 
changed from McArthurstown to McArthur. With this action 
came the necessity for county offices, a court-house and a jail. The 
jail was built in 1852, and the court-house finished in 1856. After 
this became the county seat, and before the completion of the court- 
house, courts had been held in a private house for a year, and 
afterward in the Methodist or in the Presbyterian church. 
Section 1 of Act incorporating McArthur reads as follows: 
"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that 
so much of the territory in the township of Elk, in the county of 
Vinton, as is included within the original plat and survey of the 
town of McArthurstown, together with such additions as have been 
or may hereafter be made to said town, be, and the same is, hereby 
created a town corporate by the name of McArthur, and by that 
name shall be a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succes- 
sion." 

VILLAGE OFFICERS. 

McArthur was incorporated by special act of the General Assem- 
bly in February, 1851, and the name changed trom McArthurstown 
to that of McArthur. An election was ordered to be held the fol- 
lowing April for the election of corporation officers, and this was 
done April 5, 1851, with the following result: Mayor, J. S. Hawk; 
Clerk, L. G. Bort; Trustees, B. P. Hewett, Charles Brown, David 
Richmond, Joel A. Waldron and W. Swepston. 

The officers of McArthur for 1883: Mayor, Moses M.Cherry: 
Clerk, G. F. Gilbert; Marshal, II. K. Matteson; Attorney, Win. 
J. Rannells; Treasurer, Van R. Sprague; Justice of the Peace, 
Alex. Pearce; Councilmen, P. Horton, D. C. Gill, J. M. McVey, 
J. E. Sylvester, Win. II. King, J. W. Delay. G. F. Gilbert 
having removed from the city, the office of City Clerk was declared 
vacant. It was then filled by the appointment of J. Ira Bell, as 
City Clerk, May 28, 1883. June 4, 1883, Win. H. King resigned 
his position as Councilman, and Henry W. Coultrap was appointed 
to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. 

The following have served as Mayor of McArthur, since its in- 
corporation: 1851, J. S. Hawk; ls; ( 2- , 5: > >, no record; 1854-'57, 
L. G. Brown; 1858, J. C. Mackey; 1859 -'61, L. G. Brown; 1862, 
D. N. Kineger; 1863, S. C. Case; 1864, Parker Rankins; 1865, 
H. C. Jones; 1866, Joseph Kaler; 1867-71, William Mark; 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1219 

1872-'73, Henry Payne; 1874-75, Paris Hester; 1876-77, Robert 
Sage; 1878-79, L. D. Vickers; 1880- 81, Morris Evans; 1882-'83, 
Moses M. Cherry. 

In 1850 the population was 121; in 1860, 822; in 1S70, 861, and 
in 1880, 900. 

FIRES. 

McArthur has been remarkably conspicuous of later years for 
her devastating fires. Her three great fires occurring within the 
space of thirteen years have swept away the principal part of the 
heart of the town, so that when rebuilt the town will, in a 
measure, have lost its identity. These fires were apparently small, 
but one at least, the last one, was much larger in proportion to the 
size of the town than the great fires of Chicago or Boston in 1871 
and 1872. 

FIRE OF 1883. 

This was by far the most destructive fire ever visited upon 
McArthur. It swept the entire square on the north side of Main 
street, between Market and Jackson streets. It came in the 
night, breaking out about 11 o'clock p.- m. of Jan. 16, 1S83. Great 
efforts were put forth, aided by hook and ladder apparatus, but the 
buildings, with one or two exceptions, were old wooden shells and 
burned like tinder boxes. Following is a list of the losses : The 
Davis building occupied by A. R. Lantz, grocery; Farley & Harris, 
oyster saloon; H. K. Matteson, cigar shop; P. Matts, jewelry store; 
J. E. King, shoe shop, and the Armory of the Fenton Guards. 
This was the first building to burn, and was situated near the east 
end of the square. From this the fire moved rapidly toward the 
west, taking the buildings and dry goods store of C. M. Shively 
& Bro. ; H. P. Ambrose, saddle shop; J. II. King, shoe shop; Dan 
McKeever, saloon; Reynolds ife Clements, meat store; Geo. "W". 
Farley, barber shop; D. "Will cV: Bro.. dry-goods; Mrs. Leah Kaler, 
residence; J. J. Murphy, meat store; building owned by E. 1). 
Dodge; Mrs. Lyle, residence; J. P. Ankram, dry goods, and Masonic 
Hall building owned by D. C. Gill; D. C. Gill, residence; J. W. 
Delay's building on east end of square occupied by W. If. King, 
grocery; L. Pierce, drug store; Record printing office; C. W. 
Taylor, barber shop; E. A. Bratton, law office, and E. A. Brat- 
* ton's residence. The entire loss of this fire was estimated at 
upward ol $55,000, about $20,000 of which was covered by in- 
surance. 



1220 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The postoffice was first established at McArthurstown in about 
182S. Prior to this time the few inhabitants obtained their mail 
from Athens orChillicothe. Thomas Wren was the first Postmaster,, 
appointed by President John Q. Adams. The mail at that time was 
carried on horseback between Athens and Chillicothe and reached 
this place only once a week. After 1835 the trip was made twice a 
week. After the completion of the M. & C. R. R., in about 
1856, the town was accommodated with a daily mail. It was made 
a money-order office in the fall of 1867. 

The amount of business done by the office at the present time is 
shown by the stamp sales of last year (1882), which amounted to 
$1,560.32. The stamp sales for 1878 amounted to $1,002.28 
which shows a considerable increase of business in the last four 
years. 

The following is a list of the Postmasters from its first establish- 
ment to the present time : 

Thomas Wren, Sr., 1 82S to 1833; Nathan Lord, 1833 to 184S; 
James Allen, 1848 to 1853; Judson Caldwell, 1853 to 1861; J. 
N. McLaughlin, 1861 to 1866; Horace Redd, 1866 to 1867; Mrs. 
Higenbottom, 1867; J. N. McLaughlin, since 1867. 

M' ARTHUR IN 1883. 

McArthur now numbers nearly 1,000 population and has some 
very good buildings, notwithstanding her recent fire. The sur- 
rounding country is well adapted to grazing and is rich in iron 
ore and coal. It has four churches, a system of union schools, 
three newspapers, two hotels and one bank, three general stores, 
three hardware stores, three boot and shoe stores, two groceries, 
one jewelry store, one clothing store, one drug store, one cigar 
and tobacco store, two harness stores, one furniture store, one 
millinery store, one meat store and two saloons, two flour-mills, 
one woolen mill, one marble works, one tannery, one saw-mill, one 
tailor shop, one brick yard, one livery stable, one nursery, two 
wagon and carriage shops, four blacksmith shops and one barber 
shop, one iron and coal, one insurance, one Adams Express, one 
Western Union Telegraph and one sewing machine, eleven at- 
torneys, four physicians, one dentist, three ministers and three 
editors. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1221 

CHURCHES. 

The. Methodist Episcopal Church, of Mc Arthur, is probably the 
oldest church organization in the county of Vinton, having been 
first organized in 1814. Rev. Joel Havens was the first regular 
preacher. Services were held in the house of some one of the 
members, Isaac Pierson's being generally selected. McArthur 
having been laid out in November, 1815, the society soon after, or 
in the spring of 1816, changed their place of meeting from Isaac 
Pierson's to Benjamin Keiger's. Previous to this removal preach- 
ing was had occasionally from Jacob Delay, who lived near the 
salt works in Jackson County. He was represented as one of the 
most talented preachers of his time. The Paffenbarger tannery 
purchased by Benjamin Keiger, was used up to 1820 most of the time, 
but in that year the first church was built. Some have placed the 
erection of this church as early as 1S.1S, while others place the time 
even later, but undoubtedly it was the year first above mentioned. 
The church was built of logs, hewn, and presented quite a neat 
appearance. While belonging to the Methodists, all denomina- 
tions used it. 

The first preacher was Rev. Benjamin Keiger, followed by the 
Rev. Jacob Hooper. The first regular preacher was Rev. David 
Culverson. This church stood where the present cemetery is, and 
remained there until 1843, as their place of worship. In 1S43 the 
present brick church was erected some four or five blocks from the 
old one, a good substantial edifice which has served its purpose for 
forty years. It cost about $1,800, and is 42 x 50 feet in size. The 
■church has always advanced with the growth of the village, and at 
this time has a membership of seventy. Its present Pastor is the 
Rev. J. W. Williams. 

Church of Christ. — Many believers in the faith of this church 
lived in and about McArthur quite early in the town's history, but 
like most religious denominations in the early history of a country, 
this one was served but occasionally by ministers coming from 
some distant settlement or stopping as they traveled through. In 
1S61 the members of the denomination felt strong enough to 
undertake the erection of a church, and in the same year the cor- 
ner-stone of the present house was laid by Jonathan Brine. The 
church building was completed in the following year. Benjamin 
Franklin, then editor of the American Christian Eeviev\ con- 
ducted the dedicatory services. The church has met with varied 



1222 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

success, as is common with all churches. In 1871 there was con- 
siderable progress made, and a large increase to the membership. 
Numerous improvements were made to the church, among others 
the building of the cupola and placing in it the bell weighing 
upward of 500 pounds. H. D. Williams, the present Pastor, came 
in February, 1883. At present the pastor remains with the con- 
gregation continuously, preaching twice every Sabbath. Mr. Will- 
. iams is a young man belonging to an undergraduate class of Beth- 
any College, West Virginia, but he is an earnest worker and ably 
rills the position to which he has been temporarily called. 

The Trinity Episcopal Church held its first service in 1863, the 
Rev. Thomas J. Davis, of Philadelphia, Pa. , officiating. Service was 
occasionally held in the court-house by the Rev. Erastns Burr, D.D., 
of Portsmouth, Ohio, and others. The church became a regular mis- 
sion in 1868, and service was held every two weeks, and a Sabbath- 
school established. The service has been held in a room in the 
second story of a frame building, which has never been ceiled or 
plastered. This room has been known all these years as the Epis- 
copal Hall. The church has grown from three to eighteen mem- 
bers, and in 1882 they commenced the building of a church of 
brick, in gothic style, slate roof, costing, when completed, about 
$2,500, the size being 27 x 45 feet. The first service was held in 
it Sunday, June 24, 1S83. The Rector is the Rev. Jacob Rambo. 

Presbyterian Church. — Preaching by men of this denomination 
began in McArthur as early as 1838. For the first few years men 
came from Athens, generally from the University there. Meet- 
ings were held in the old school-house in McArthur, and in 
the Methodist church. In about 1849 Rev. Chauncey P. Taylor 
was secured to remain with the society as its regular Pastor. Very 
soon after this the church building was erected on the corner of 
High street and Boundary avenue, completed in 1851. Since 1878 
the church has had no regular preaching. About this time and 
prior to it the society had grown weak, owing to the removal or 
death of many prominent members, and a lack of harmony between 
those who were left. The church, a large frame building, still 
stands, but its doors are closed, and the society has practically 
passed out of existence, although it was once, and for a long time, 
one of the leading social institutions of the town. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1223 

SOCIETIES. 

Delta Lodge, No. 207, A. F. db A. 31.— The dispensation for Delta 
Lodge is dated July 21, 1851, and is signed and sealed by Win. B. 
Hubbard, Grand Master, who appoints L. S. Bort, Master; B. P. 
Hewitt, S. W., and Joseph Magee, J. W. 

The first meeting was held July 30, 1851, brethren being pres- 
ent as follows: L. S. Bort, W. M.; B. P. Hewitt, S. W.; Joseph 
Magee, J..W.; Jacob G. Will, Treasurer; W. M. Bolles, Secretary; 
E. D. Harper, S. D. ; E. B. Clark, J. D., and L. G. Brown, Tyler; 
visiting brethren, L. Hutchins, of Mingo Lodge, No. 171, and J. 
W. Caldwell, of Hebbardsville Lodge, No. 156. The petitions 
received were those of Silas D. Parker, Wm. H. Baird and Rev. 
S. Maddux. 

The Grand Lodge granted a charter dated Cleveland, Nov. 4, 185 1. 
The names on this instrument are: L. S. Bort, B. P. Hewitt, Joseph, 
Magee, J. G. Will,Wm. M. Bolles, E.B.Clark, Win. Carson and L. 
G. Brown. The first election of officers was held Nov. 8, 1851, result- 
ing in the election of L. S. Bort, W. M.; Joseph Magee, S. W. ; 
J. W. Caldwell, J. W.; J. G. Will, Treasurer; Wm. M. Bolles, 
Secretary; E. D. Harper, S. D.; L. W. Bort, J. D., and L. G. 
Brown, Tyler. Of these officers, only L. S. Bort, now of Logan,Win. 
M. Bolles, now of Portsmouth, and, probably, E. D. Harper, resi- 
dence unknown, are living at this writing. 

At the close of the year 1851 there were eighteen members, since 
which time abjut 200 have joined; but owing to the formation ot 
lodges at Hamden, Mt. Pleasant, Zaleski and Adelphi, in great 
part of members of Delta Lodge, and the consequent narrowing of 
the jurisdiction of the said lodge, together with the deaths, demits 
and expulsions, its present number of members is only sixty. 

March 24, 1882, its hall, leased for a term of years, and on which 
several hundred dollars had been expended, was consumed by lire. 
A new lodge- room was secured of D. C. Gill, and a considerable 
sum expended in fitting it formeetings of the craft, but Jan. 16 
it also was destroyed by fire. Meanwhile arrangements had been 
completed for a perpetual lease of premises owned by Messrs. James 
M. McGillivray and A. II. Dowd, on in-lotNo. 67, and the brethren 
pushed forward the work of constructing a new hall during the 
winter of 1882-'3 with such success that they were able to hold their 
meetings in it , in March, 18S3. The lodge, notwithstanding its 
misfortunes, is but little in debt, and may be reported in a flourish- 
ing condition. 



1224 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The following is a list of brethren who have served as Masters of 
Delta Lodge: L. S. Bort, 1351 and 1852; B. P. Hewitt, 1853 
to 1857; Alexander Pearce, 1858 to 1861; S. C. Case, 1362; E. B. 
Clark, 1863 to 1865; George Lantz, 1366; D. Y. Rannells, 1867; 
A. W. Ullom, 1868; E. L. Hawk, 1869; C. P. Ward, 1870; J. A. 
Felton, 1871 and 1872; O. T. Gunning, 1873; J. W. Delay, 1371 
to 1876; Alex. Pearce, 1877; W. J. Kennard, 1878-'79-'S0; J. W. 
Delay, 1881; H. C. Jones, 18S2 and 1883. 

McArthur Chapter, No. 102, R. A. M., was organized under a 
dispensation from George Rex, M. E. G. H. P., dated Jan. 7, 1867, 
issued to Companions Samuel Sayler, Alex. Pearce, George Lantz, 
Owen T. Gunning, Samuel C. Case, Jehiel A. Felton, A. W. 
Ullom, E. L. Hawk, James H. Leach, and Orlando Saylor. A 
charter was granted by the Grand Caapter of Ohio, dated Cincin- 
nati, Oct. 12, 1867, and at the first election thereunder, Dec. 2, 
1867, the following companions were chosen officers: Alex. Pearce, 
H. P.; George Lantz, K.; S. C. .Case, S.; J. A. Felton, C. of the 
H.; A. W. Ullom, P. S.; D. S. Dana, R A. Capt. ; O. W. Gill- 
man, G. M. 3d V.; D. V. Rannells, G. M. 2d Y.; H. C. Jones, 
G. M. 1st V.; E. L. Hawk, Treasurer; E. A. Hulbert, Sec- 
rotary; William Eckles, Guard. The last annual report exhibits 
the names of fifty -five members. The present H. P. is C. P. 
Ward, who was first elected in December, 1881, his only predeces- 
sors being Companions Samuel Sa} T lor, who presided from June 
to December, 1867, and Companion Alex. Pearce, who served from 
the latter date fourteen successive years. 

McArthur Lodge, No. 364, /. 0. 0. F., was instituted July 
3, 1861, by Grand Master Wm. F. Slater, and charter granted. 
The charter members were: John P. Spahr, Charles Brown, Jo- 
seph K. Will, John S. Hawk, Daniel Will, and H. P. Ambrose. 
The lodge elected the following as the first officers of the organi- 
zation: J. P. Spahr, K G.; H. P. Ambrose, Y. G.; Daniel Will, 
Secretary; Charles Brown, Treasurer. When the order was first 
established they held their meetings in what was known as the 
"Davis Building." This was destroyed by fire on the night of 
Jan. 16, 1833, and since then they secured the fine hall over the 
Vinton County National Bank. The lodge owns no real estate. 
Tiie order has been quite successful, has contributed much to 
charitable purposes, and now numbers fifty-six members. The list 
of Past Grands is here given: J. P. Spahr, H. P. Ambrose, J. 
D. Hawk, Daniel Will, C. J. Billinghurst, P. G. Mathias, J. W. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1225 

Delay, J. H.King, Aaron Will, B. C. Gibbon, S. B. Ulloras, A.W. 
Brown, A. M. Wright, H. C. Jones, M. R.Barnes, J. S. Will, Paris 
Horton, W. J. Rannells, 0. O. Dunlap. The present officers are: 
J. C. Pngh, N. G.; Santford LTllom, V. G.; J. W. Delay, Re- 
cording Secretary; A. Will, Permanent Secretary; J. S. Will, 
Treasurer; M. R.Barnes, Daniel Will, and H. P. Ambrose, Trustees. 

SCHOOL OF m'aRTHUK. 

The school of McArthur is a source of pride to her people, and 
there are perhaps few, if any, towns of its size in the State, having 
about 1,000 population, which has shown so much spirit in regard 
to their educational interests. The concentration 'at the county 
seat of intelligent and energetic business men may in a measure 
account for the advancement of all those interests which tend to 
promote culture and refinement. 

According to the oldest residents it was about 1818, or a few 
years later, that the first schools were taught in private rooms 
located at different places in the village. 

Among the first teachers was a Mr. J. Stanclift, who was a man 
ot more than ordinary ability for his day, teaching in a hut on the 
lot where Dr. Wolf's residence now stands, and the same lot has 
credit for containing the first store in town. 

Others of those pioneer teachers were: John Johnson, Anthony 
Burnside, John Dodds, who taught about five years, a Mr. Barney, 
George W. Shockey and the present famous temperance lecturer 
of Springfield, Ohio, " Mother Stewart," as she is now commonly 
known, who half a century ago lived in McArthur. 

The teachers above mentioned mostly taught in rented rooms, 
but in or about 1S2S lot No. 98 was bought and a very fair struct- 
ure erected, 20 x 24, mostly by subscription funds. The house 
answered for schools, church and township house a number of 
years. It was furnished with plank seats and desks, the teacher 
generally furnishing his own furniture — a splint-bottom chair and 
a half-dozen beach withes. 

The district was not set apart as an independent school until in 
1S53, after which the enumeration of the district cannot be obtained 
from county records until 1858, in which year it was: Males, 165; 
females, 159; total, 324. In 1870 there were: 317 white males, 
208 white females, 3 colored males, 4 colored females; total, 532. 
In lS81-'82 there were: 187 white males, 169 white females, 4 
colored males, 1 colored female; total, 361. The decrease is very 
large, but statistics prove it true. 



1226 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

As time advanced the school of JVIc Arthur increased in the num- 
ber of its pupils, and the same interest was manifested to meet the 
increasing demand for more room and for more varied and higher 
branches of education. 

The house on lot No. 98 was owned by the Board of Education 
until 1865 when it was sold to James Lantz. The Board of Edu- 
cation in the summer of 1859 bought two and one-fifth acres of 
their present school lot (since an acre has been bought and added 
to it), and the same fall commenced the brick work of the present 
building. It is a two-story brick, 62 x 66 feet, in the center of the 
lot of three and one-fifth acres in the northwest part of town, occu- 
pying a commanding site. The valuation of the McArthur school 
property is a little over $7,000. 

In the fall of 1860 J. P. Spahr took charge as superintendent of 
the first school taught in the new building, holding his position 
two years. He was energetic, well qualified, a good disciplinarian, 
but for some unexplained reason remained only two years. 

In September, 1862, W. H. Travis took charge, and the school 
under" his management advanced rapidly. Ill health, however, 
caused him to resign a position he had so nobly filled. His death 
occurred not long afterward. His unexpired term in the spring 
of 1864 was completed by W. A. Gage. 

In the fall of 1864 Edmund Sheffield took charge. His suc- 
cessor was John L.Hatfield, a man who stood high as an instructor 
and disciplinarian and taught by moral examples as well as pre- 
cept. He has since occupied the professorship's chair of Greek at 
the Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. 

The Rev. William Watkins followed, and though a man of fine 
attainments was not adapted to the profession of a teacher. He 
was followed by M. R. Barnes. Prof. Barnes was Superintendent 
for some twelve years, or until the close of the present school year, 
the term ending 18S3. His successor is Prof. AV. ft. Kelley, who 
opened the school in September, 1883. 

NORMAL INSTITUTE. 

This institution was first organized in the summer of 1867, under 
the name of the "Vinton County Teachers' Association." The 
officers elected were as follows : 

President, M. R. Barnes; Vice-Presideut, L. O. Perdue, J. S. 
Huhn and Frank Darby; Secretary, J. M. M. Gillivray; Treasurer, 
A. S. Asburv; Executive Committee, C. D. Gist, B. F. Albin, J. 
J. De Figh and D. 13. Zeiler. 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1227 

The Association held its first institute under its present organi- 
zation during the first week of September, 1S67, under the instruc- 
tion of Prof. E. T.Tappan and W. H. Young, ot the Ohio University. 
Fifty-five teachers were in attendance. Interesting meetings have 
been held each year since organization, eminent instructors being 
present, assisted by home teachers. 

Aug. 7, 1S82, the Teachers' Institute convened at Hamden, 
Ohio. This year, the first time that it had been removed from 
McArthur, where it had been held during all previous years, the 
Institute was conducted the same as in former - years, with an 
instructor, Prof. Harvey, assisted by our home teachers. A very 
interesting session was held, and it was agreed to hold the next 
session in McArthur. The officers elected for the coming year 
were: President, G. F. Gilbert; Yice-Presidents, 'T. S. Cox and 
Fletcher Hawk; Secretary, N. C. Darst; Treasurer, Jno. C. Pugh. 

The Vinton County Teachers' Institute has a constitution and 
by-laws, which controls its affairs and regulates its membership. 
The objects of this association are the improvement of the teachers* 
the advancement of the interests of education, and the cultivation 
of enlightened public sentiment regarding the public school system. 
The president and secretary with those other members appointed 
by the president constitute the executive committee, having power 
to control and direct the same, subject to the by-laws and instruc- 
tions of the institute. 

VINTON COUNTY NATIONAL BANK. 

Jan. 7, 1867, was organized Vinton County Bank, the following 
persons subscribing to the stock, each share representing $500: 
H. S. Bimdy, ten shares; H. F. Austin, ten; A. A. Austin, ten; 
E. D. Dodge, ten; D. V. Pannells, six; A. Wolt, six; Frank 
Strong, four; J. W. Delay, twenty; J. J. McDowell, ten; untaken, 
fourteen; total amount of stock $50,000. They elected J. J. Mc- 
Dowell, J. W. Dalay, A. Wolf, H. F. Austin and E. D. Dodge', 
Directors, J. J. McDowell being President, and J. W. Delay 
Cashier. 

The association continued in business without any change until 
Sept. 1, 1SGS. when there was an agreement effected with the bank- 
ing firm of Will, Brown & Co., doing business in McArthur, to 
consolidate (said firm having been organized and commenced busi- 
ness about the same time as did the Vinton County Bank). The 
two firms on that date consolidated under the firm name of the 



1228 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Vinton County Btnk, the capital stock being increased to $75,000, 
the following being the list of stockholders: H. S. Bundy, H. F. 
Austin, A. A. Austin, E. D. Dodge, D. V. Rannells, J. W. Delay, 
Andrew Wolf, Daniel Will, Charles Brown, Aaron Will, Thomas 
B. Davis. 

0,n Jan. 9, 1369, the bank elected the following Board of Directors: 
ChaSi Brown, Thomas B. Davis, Andrew Wolf, J. W. Delay, Daniel 
Will, David V. Rannells, E. D. Dodge. The Board of Directors 
organized by electing Daniel Will, President, and J. W. Delay, 
Cashier. The organization continued in business successfully 
until Oct. 1, 1872, when it was converted into and commenced a 
business as a National Bank, the title adopted being "The Vin- 
ton County National Bank, of McArthur, Ohio." The capital stock 
was $100,000, held by the following persons, each share represent- 
ing $100: Daniel Will, 270 shares; J. W. Delay, 130; Chas. Brown, 
125; E. D. Dodge, 12); Andrew Wolf, 100; H. S. Bundy, 100; 
D. V. Rannells, 50; A. Will, 35; Jacob G. Will, 30; Jacob S. 
Will, 30; T. B. Davis, 10. The stockholders re-elected as Direc- 
tors, Daniel Will, Andrew Wolf, Chas. Brown, IT. S. Bundy and 
J. W. Delay, and the Directors organized by electing Daniel Will, 
President, and J.W. Delay, Cashier. The Bank has since pursued 
a conservative and successful career without any change in its 
executive officers and but two changes in its Board of Directors, 
the first resulting from the resignation of H. S. Bundy, that vacancy 
being filled by the election of Aaron Will; the second troin the 
death of Charles Brown, the vacancy being filled by the election of 
Jacob G. Will. 

In November, 1878, it was deemed advisable by the Board of 
Directors to reduce the capital stock of the bank to $50,000 and 
surrender one-half of its circulation, which was accordingly carried 
into effect, and the stock remains at this date, July 1, 18S3, at 
$50,000, being held as follows: D. Will, 200 shares; J. W. Delay, 
105; E. D. Dodge, 60; A. Wolf, 50; D. V. Rannells, 25; Aaron 
Will, 20; J. S. Will, 20; J. G. Will (estate), 15; T. B. Davis, 5. 
The present Board of Directors are: Andrew Wolf, E. D. Dodge, 
J. S. Will, Daniel Will and J. W. Delay, the executive officers 
being Daniel Will, President, and J. W Delay, Cashier. 

THE TOWN HALL. 

The town or village of McArthur and the township of Elk uni- 
ted together for the purpose of erecting a town hall, the cost to be 
equally divided between town and township. This hall is now, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1229 

July, 1883, in process of erection, the basement and foundation 
wall to the floor of the first story being completed. The building 
is expected to be finished during the year. The basement will be 
used by the fire department; the first floor will be divided into fine 
large stores, and the second floor used for City Hall and offices for 
city and township officers. The building is to be two stories high, 
built of brick, and to be well finished. The contract was for 
$5,000, the hall to be completed September, 1883, but the cost will 
probably exceed that amount. The lot cost $1,000. 

RAILROAD AT M'ARTHUR. 

McArthnr became a railroad town on the completion of the Ohio 
& West Virginia road, Aug. 17, 18S0. This road passes through 
the center of the county from north to south, crossing the C. W. 
& B. R. R. at Mc Arthur Junction, about three miles directly south 
of McArthur. The amount of freight shipped from McArthur 
during the first year was 12,912,825 pounds, mostly coal and iron 
ore. For the year ending April 1, 1883, the shipment from this 
point was 13,169,156 pounds, an increase of 256,331 pounds over 
the first' year's business. The sale of tickets at McArthur during 
the year ending April 1, 18S3, amounted to $5,264.23. This road 
now belongs to the Columbus, Hocking Valley & Toledo system, 
and is locally designated as the River Division. 

THE FLOURING MILL 

of Gilman & Gold is located near the railroad in the east part of 
the town. It was erected in 1856 by Brown, Hawk & Co., with 
O. W. Gilman as contractor, who, on its completion, purchased 
one third interest, and since 1867 has held an equal interest with 
his partner. The building is a four-story frame, eighty feet long 
by thirty wide, and is furnished with four sets of burrs, with a 
capacity of about eighty barrels per day. It also has a 100 horse- 
power engine with a smoke stack seventy -five feet high. Messrs. 
Gilman and Gold own a coal bank near the mill from which they 
obtain the fuel with which to feed their engine. In 1878 they 
built an addition to the original building, 80 x 15 and two stories 
high, in which they placed woolen machinery for the purpose of 
doing custom work. The present valuation of the building and 
contents is about $18,000. 



1230 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

B. G. Attend er, bookkeeper for Star Furnace Company, Jackson, 
Ohio, was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov*. 18, 1832, the 
sixth of ten children of William and Sidney (Wilson) Allender. 
He is of German descent. His father was a native of Pennsylvania 
and settled in Vinton County, Ohio, in 1859, where he died in 1870, 
his wife dying in October of the same year. Our subject's early 
education was received in the common schools, and in 1S55 he 
graduated from Duff's Commercial College, of Pittsburg, Pa. In 
1S59 he came to Vinton County and clerked till 1864 when he 
went out as assistant sutler in the army under P. E. Phillips. He 
returned home in 1S65, and in 1866 was engaged by the Zaleski 
Furnace Company as bookkeeper, remaining with them till 1870. 
Jan. 1, 1871, he commenced keeping books for A. B. and A. P. 
Clark & Co., wholesale grocers, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was with them 
till 1881, thelast three years as traveling salesman. In May, 1881, 
he accepted his present position and moved to Jackson. In 1865 
he purchased land in Elk Township and now owns 160 acres in this 
county, forty of it lying in Eagle Township. Mr. Allender mar- 
ried Sarah, daughter of David Cooper, of Vinton County. They 
have one child — Mary E. 

Archibald Arnold, retired merchant, McArthur, is a son of Levi 
Arnold, who was born in Hampshire County, Va., and died at 
the age of forty-nine years. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Booker, 
native of Maryland, died in McArthur, Ohio, in 1858, aged about 
eighty-two. Of their nine children our subject is the eighth, and 
was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1814. He in 1833 came 
to Ohio, and located in Wesley Township, Washington County, 
where he worked at his trade, that of a blacksmith, and in October, 
1839, located in McArthur, where he continued his trade. This he 
followed until the fall of 185S, at which time he opened the first 
hardware store of the town, but, January, 1S63, he was succeeded 
by George Lantz and Francis Shades. He bought a farm in South- 
ern Indiana which he carried on until October, 1879, when he re- 
turned to McArthur and lived a retired life. He has been a mem- 
ber ot the Methodist Episcopal church since 1840. He was always 
willing to assist in furthering the interest of the church, and has 
served as Class-Leader, Steward, Trustee and Superintendent ot Sab. 
bath-school a number of years. Mr. Arnold was married in 1834 
to Tabitha Emily, daughter of Captain Thomas Fry. She died in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1231 

184:0 leaving three children, two still living. Mr. Arnold's second 
wife was Salome Brandenberry, whose maiden name was Aultman; 
she died in 1845. His third wife was Effie Taylor, whose maiden 
name was Aultman, a sister to his second wife. Her father, Will 
iam Aultman, was one of the first settlers of Columbus, Ohio. She 
died in 1877 leaving three children, two living. His present 
wife is Elizabeth Throckmorton, who was born and reared in 
Scioto County, Ohio. 

Prof. M. R. Barnes, Superintendent of Public Schools, McAr- 
thur, was born in Barnesville, Belmont Co., Ohio, June 12, 
1839. He received his early education in the Lafayette Academy, 
and later entered the Ohio University at Athens, and would have 
completed his collegiate course, but many of the students were 
from the South, and the approaching of the war in 1860 left the 
school almost studentless, and had quite an effect upon its opera- 
tions. During his collegiate life teaching at intervals was nec- 
essary to accomplish his desired end. In the midst of the late 
Rebellion he offered his services as a volunteer, but was rejected and 
soon after took up the study of medicine, but from dislike of the 
profession, in 1866 he withdrew and resumed teaching the follow- 
ing year, by taking charge of the schools in McArthur, where he 
has ever since been successfully engaged as Superintendent. The 
schools are in good condition, and he has now six assistants. 
"When he took charge of the schools they were poorly arranged, 
but he has gradually graded them and established a course that is 
creditable to the school and profitable to this community. Since 
here he has served about twelve years as County Examiner. 

Ezra P. Bothwell, McArthur, is a son of James and grandson 
of Alexander Both well. The latter was born in Scotland, but 
prior to his majority settled in Ireland, where he married, and 
where James was born, in 1785. Near the close of the eighteenth 
century Alexander, with a small family, came to America. Ee 
died near Winchester, Va. James, when a young man, made his 
home in Pennsylvania, where he married Charlotte, daughter of 
John Potter, of Fayefte County, who was born Jan. 22, 1788. 
In 1S10, soon after this marriage, they settled in Alleghany 
County, M d.,but in 1814 came to Ohio, locating in what was then 
Athens (now Vinton) County. When they came to Ohio they had 
two children, and nine were afterward born to them. Mrs. Both- 
well in early life learned the tailor's trade under Thomas William, 
of Geneva, Penn., and after coming to Ohio did much work in 



1232 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

that line for the few who chanced to want an extra job of tailor- 
ing done in the new colony. She was a zealous Christian, noble- 
hearted, always ready to assist in case of sickness, and was known 
for miles around for the outgrowth of her benevolence. Night 
was never made too hideous by the howling of the wild denizens, 
or dreadful by storm or cold, for her to bridle her old horse and 
ride almost any distance to perform a good deed for the sick or af- 
flicted. On coming to this vicinity they settled just west of the 
present site of McArthur. At the raising of their cabin all the 
neighbors for six miles around were invited, and all told were 
thirteen, including Mr. Both well. James Both well lived a life of 
usefulness to his family and to Southern Ohio when the great State 
was in her infancy, but death released him in 1S63. Of their fam- 
ily Ezra P. is the ninth and was born near McArthur, Ohio, Nov. 
3, 1825. He has always resided in this vicinity and has been 
extensively engaged in the agricultural pursuit, wine growing, and 
furniture manufacturing. lie now lives in McArthur and has a 
family of wife and several children. 

Hon. H. S. Bundy, Wellston, Jackson Co., Ohio, is a son of 
Nathan and Adah M. (Nichelson) Bundy, his father a native of 
Hartford, Conn., and his mother of Dutchess County, N.Y., where 
they were married, but soon after, in 1816, settled in Marietta, 
Ohio. Two years later settled near Athens where he leased college 
land, and took it from a dense wilderness to a good degree of im- 
provement, and then learned that the title was worthless. He was 
one of the pioneers of Athens County, coming here in 1S18. He 
was killed in 1832 by the falling of a tree. His wife died in Jack- 
son County, Ohio, in 18S0, aged eighty years, three months and 
nine days. Of their three children H. S. is the eldest and the 
only one who reached maturity, the others dying in infancy. He 
was born Aug. 15, 1817, in Marietta, Ohio. In 1834 he came to 
McArthur and soon after went to Wilkesville, where, in 1S37, he 
married Lucinda, daughter of Z^tmri Wells. In 1S39 they moved 
to McArthur, where Mrs. Bundy died in December, 1S42, leaving 
three children — William E., Sarah A., wife'of Major B. F. Steww- 
&efl, of AVashington, D. C, and Lucy J., now Mrs. J. C. II. Cobb, 
of Jackson County, Ohio. From 1839 to 1846 he was engaged in 
the mercantile trade in McArthur. In 1844 he married Caroline, 
daughter of Judge Paine, of Jackson County, and in 1846 moved 
on the Judge's farm, which he afterward bought and still owns, 
beiner his present beautiful residence. His second wife died in 



c-jX*-' 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1233 

1868 leaving two daughters — Julia P., wife of Judge J. B. Foraker, 
of Cincinnati, Republican candidate for Governor of Ohio, and 
Eliza M., wife of Harvey Wells. Mr. Bundy was married in 1876 
to Mary M. Miller. In early life Mr. Bundy attended a short term 
of private school under the tutorship of David Pratt, of Athens, 
but his educational privileges ceased when he was fourteen years 
of age. His natural talent and home study combined with his up- 
rightness of principles and enterprise have given him a place among 
the eminent men of Southern Ohio. Soon after locating on the 
farm, in 1S46, he commenced the study of law at home, and in 
October, 1850, was admitted to the bar. In 1848 he was elected 
to the State Legislature to represent the counties of Gallia and 
Jackson; during the term voted to repeal the "Black Laws." In 
1850 he was a candidate to represent the counties of Jackson, 
Gallia, Athens and Meigs, and was elected by an overwhelming 
majority. In 1855 he was elected to the State Senate from the 
district composed of Jackson, Pike, Scioto and Adams counties, 
where the Democratic majority of his predecessor was 1,800 and 
Buchanan's majority in 1856 was 2,500, and Mr. Bundy as a Re- 
publican was favored with a majority of 376. In 1860 he was a 
Presidential elector from his congressional district, and stumped 
the entire district. In 1862 he was a candidate for Congress, but 
was defeated by the Hon. W. A. Hutchins by a majority of 1,900. 
Two years later they were both again candidates in the same dis- 
trict, and Bundy received a majority of 4,000 to the Thirty-ninth 
Congress. During this Congress he voted for colored suffrage of 
the "District of Columbia" and the reconstruction measure adopted 
by that Congress which seemed to make it improper to be a 
candidate for re-election. In 1872 he was again a candidate from 
the same district for the Forty-third Congress, against the Hon. 
Samuel A. Nash, and received a large majority; while in this 
Congress he supported and voted for the "Civil Rights Bill," and 
was unanimously renominated for the Forty-fourth Congress, and 
was defeated by a majority of 1,900 by Colonel Vance. In 1842 he 
became a member of the Methodist church, and in 1S72 was one 
of the first two lay delegates for the Ohio Annual Conference that 
convened at Brooklyn, N.Y. He was again a delegate to the Gen- 
eral Conference that met at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1848 he bought 
his present farm and has since been extensively engaged in the 
furnace and mineral interest of his county, now owning the La- 
trobe and Keystone Charcoal Furnace with 10,000 acres of land; 
78 



1234 HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

also owns the Eliza Furnace with over 300 acres of the best of coal 
and ore lands. His son William E. first served three months in 
the late war; then in 1862 re-enlisted in the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, 
and on Dec. 14, 1863, was severely wounded near Bean's Station, 
Tenu. In January, 1864, he returned home, and after a severe 
illness he rallied and married. He became engaged in business, 
but Jan. 4, 1867, he died leaving a wife and one child." The former 
was killed by being thrown from a horse in 1868, and the child, 
William E., is now a bright student at Athens. 

M. M. Cherry, attorney and Mayor of Mc Arthur, is a son of Mo- 
ses R. and Sarah Cherry, both natives of Washington County, Pa., 
he of Scotch-Irish extraction and she of Irish. They were married 
in their native county about 1826, and two years later settled near 
Claysville, Guernsey Co., Ohio. In 1838 they settled in Washing- 
ton Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, where they now reside. From 
1828 to the time of coming to Hocking County he followed the 
tanner's trade but since then has been a farmer and land owner. 
Of their ten children our subject is the eighth, and was born in 
Hocking County, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1846. He matured to farm life 
and received a common-school education. He then attended the 
Muskingum College at New Concord three years. He commenced 
teaching very young and followed it for fifteen years. In 1876 he 
was elected Justice of the Peace in Swan Township, Vinton County, 
and soon after commenced reading law. In 1878 he moved to Mc- 
Arthur, and in June of the same } 7 ear was admitted to the bar, since 
which he has practiced his profession. His election to the Mayor's 
office dates from April, 1882. In 1869 he was married to Alice 
Payne, of Swan Township. They have two sons and two daughters. 

Abram Clark, farmer, section 5, located in this township in 1855, 
on the place where he now lives. He was born in Athens (now 
Vinton) County, Ohio, in 1842, and is a son of Robert Clark, an 
early settler in the above county. He was reared on the farm and 
obtained a common education in the district schools. At the age 
of twenty-one years he began life for himself. He enlisted as' a 
private in 1864 in Company C,One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio 
National Guards, three-months' service, and served nearly five 
months. The exposure of camp life disabled him physically, he hav- 
ing never been well since. He was discharged in 1864. Since his 
return he has followed the avocation of a farmer and stock-raiser. 
He owns 240 acres of land. He was married in 1864 to Emma, 
daughter of John L. Dillon, of this county. Their children 
are — Pearley, Martha J. and John R. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1235 

William Cottrill, ex- Sheriff and farmer, is a son of Henry and 
Mary (McLaughlin) Cottrill, both natives of Virginia. His father 
came to Ohio in 1824 and located in Lee Township, Athens 
County, where he married Rebecca Daily. They were the parents 
of five children. His wife died in 1834 and he then married Mary 
McLaughlin, daughter of Hugh McLaughlin. They had four chil- 
dren, William being the eldest. Mr. Henry Cottrill died in 
Meigs County in 1867. William was born in Lee Township 
Athens County, March 7, 1836. When he was a year old his 
parents moved to Meigs County, where he was reared and educated. 
He was married Aug. 16, 1856, to Caroline, daughter of Caleb 
Wood, who died in 1865, leaving four children. Mr. Cottrill 
afterward married Martha J. Gregory, a native of Vinton but 
reared in Meigs County. They have three children. In 1872 Mr. 
Cottrill moved to Vinton County and settled on his farm in Vinton 
Township, section 12, where he owns 312 acres, yielding both ore 
and coal. He was elected Assessor of the township in 1873, and in 
August of the same year was elected Justice of the Peace, to which 
office he was re-elected in 1876 serving until 1878. In 1875 be 
was elected County Commissioner, and at the expiration of his 
three years' term was honored with the office of County Sheriff 
in the fall of 1878, and the first of 1879 he moved to McArthur to 
fulfill his official duty. In 1880 Mr. Cottrill was honorably re- 
elected to the same office, which he filled with honor and intesrritv 

J © 

. John Coulter, farmer, residing on section 11, was born in 1800 
in Bedford County, Penn. He is a son of John Coulter, a native 
of Pennsylvania, who removed to Guernsey County, where he re- 
mained till death. Our subject lived on the farm with his parents 
till he reached his majority. He resided in Guernsey County till 
1848 when he bought his present farm containing 100 acres to 
which he has since added twenty acres. He has been very suc- 
cessful in his farming pursuits, at which he has been engaged most 
of his life. Formerly he was also engaged in stock raising. He 
was blessed with a family of twelve children, eight of whom are 
living — George W., Margaret A., John T., Rebecca E., Joseph 
C, Jane, Catherine, and Benjamin. Elizabeth, Sarah and two who 
died in childhood are deceased. Mrs. Coulter died in 1875 or '76. 
Two of his sons enlisted in the late war as privates. They served 
till the close of the war and received an honorable discharge. 

Henry IF. Coultrap, attorney, came to McArthur, Ohio, in 1871 ; 
read law under II. C. Jones. He was admitted to the bar in the 



1236 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

fall of 1874 and has since been practicing law in McArthur. He 
from early life lived in Vinton County, Ohio, where lie received the 
common-school education and subsequently graduated from Ohio 
University at Athens, Ohio. 

Daniel Cram, farmer, was born Aug. 1, 1815, in Hillsboro 
County, N. EL, a son of Azel and Lydia (Lewis) Cram, natives of 
New Hampshire, who lived and died in their native State. The 
former died in 1834 and the latter in 1832. Our subject was 
reared on the farm in New Hampshire where he lived till after his 
father's death. In 1837 he came to his present place, where, in 
spite of disadvantages and hardships, he has succeeded in life, and 
from a wilderness of forty acres he has made a good home, and at 
present owns a well-cultivated farm of 139 acres, where he is en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter. 
He was married in 1838 to Mary A., daughter of Moses Blackman, 
who settled here at the same time as Mr. Cram. They have had 
a family of ten children of whom six are living — James M., Axie 
J., George A., Frank, Elizabeth and Stephen S. Those deceased 
are — Charles, Lydia, and two who died in infancy. James M. en- 
listed in an Iowa regiment in the late war. 

George Crow, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in 1832, in 
Morgan County, Ohio, a son of Philip Crow, a native of West 
Virginia. He was one of the. pioneers of Morgan County, in which 
he became a permanent settler. Our subject was reared on the 
farm and resided in Morgan County till 1854, when he removed to 
Monroe County, Iowa. Three years later he removed to Decatur 
County, Iowa, living there till 1860. He then returned to his 
native county, remaining there till 1865, when he removed to his 
present farm, when he purchased 218£ acres, being mostly under 
a state of cultivation. He has a large number of sheep of the 
Spanish merino breed. lie has on his farm a comfortable dwelling 
and other substantial out-buildings. He was married to Julia Ann 
Bone, daughter of Samuel Bone, one of the early settlers of Mor- 
gan County. Twelve children have been born to them, nine of 
whom are living — Alice A., Ellen E., Samuel W., Elizabeth H., 
Ida B., Catherine, William H., Frank W. and Adda B. Hiram 
W., lone and Bruce E. are deceased. Himself and wife have been 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church a number of years. 

O. W. Dalton, agent of the C, H. V. & T. R R, at McArthur, 
Ohio, is a son of William Dalton, who is an early settler of Vin- 
ton County, now living in Swan Township. G. W. was born in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1237 

Hocking County in 1855. He was reared to farm life and received 
the rudiments of a common-school education. At the age of twen- 
ty-two he commenced to learn telegraphing at Zaleski,on the M.& C 
R. R., and while there lie learned the principles of general railroad 
office work. In 1878 he was employed to operate in an office for 
J. W. Bowen, of McArthur, who had a line of telegraphy to Ports- 
mouth, Ohio. Aug. 18, 1880, he took charge of the railroad office 
at Creola, and in October, 1881, was transferred to McArthur. 
Here he has charge of the ticket, freight, Adams Express and tel- 
egraphing. In 1881 he married Isabelle Alexander. They have 
one child. 

Nathan C. Durst, Deputy County Auditor, McArthur, Ohio, is 
a son of Andrew J. and grandson of Isaac Darst. The latter was 
for a number of years a farmer in Meigs County, Ohio, where he 
died soon after the close of the late war. Of his sons Andrew J. 
was the eldest, a native of Meigs County, Ohio, but in 1865, he, 
with his family, moved to Wilkesville, Vinton County, where he 
died in 1868. In early life he received a fair education, and while 
quite young commenced teaching, which he followed until his death. 
By this avocation he accumulated some means and became a land- 
owner, but having been unfortunate when a youth, sickness settling 
in his lower limbs, he was unable to walk, and he never cultivated 
his land himself. His wife was Belinda Lamberson, whose par- 
ents were from Pennsylvania, but she was a native of Ohio. After 
his death his wife married and now lives in Iowa. Her children 
by Andrew J. Darst were three — Nathan O, Frances E. and Will- 
iam D. The two } T oungest are living with their mother. Nathan 
C. was born in Meigs County, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1854, but from eleven 
years of age lived in Vinton County. He received his rudimentary 
education in the common-schools, which he improved at the Wilkes- 
ville Academy. By close application of study and stability of mind, 
he, at the age of seventeen, commenced teaching, which he followed 
until 1881,when he was appointed DepntyAuditor of Vinton County, 
Ohio, in which capacity he is now serving. In January, 1880, he was 
married to Miss Mary C. Schall, of German descent, but a native 
of Vinton County. They have two children — Lena M. and 
Thomas E. 

William Buckley Davis, the first child born in Mount Pleasant, 
Hocking (now Vinton) County, Ohio, Ourn June 17, 1844, is a 
living, wide-awake, successful merchant at Sacramento City, Cal. 
His great-grandfather, Thomas Davis, of Revolutionary note, 



1238 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

was at the taking of Lord Cornwallis, and his grandfather, 
"William B. Davis, a veteran of the war of 1S12, for whom he 
was named. He takes great pride in having been born in this 
quiet village of noted integrity and good morals, and in its never 
having had a saloon. Mr. Davis is a man of remarkable mind, 
being able to relate the minutia and details of business transactions 
of youth and early manhood with as much fullness and certainty 
as the trades of yesterday. He served as drummer boy of the 
Eighteenth Ohio Infantry from 1861. till 1865, re-enlisting prior to 
the expiration of his first term of service. 

Simeon P. Deaver was reared on a farm and educated at the 
common schools. He was born in Perry County, March 24, 1S25, 
and upon attaining his majority began life for himself with a capital 
of $250. He located in Swan Township, Vinton County, in 1850, 
living on a farm there till 1880, when he came to his present place 
on section 9, Elk Township, where he purchased 200 acres of ex- 
cellent land. He is also engaged in stock-raising and mines con- 
siderable ore, the red limestone being plentiful on his estate. He 
was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Milligan. They have had a 
family of seven children, three of whom are living — Emma P., 
Susan and George M. The deceased are — Hypatia, Sullivan D., !firi- 
eunis and an infant. Mrs. Deaver died in 1873, aged forty -six 
years; and in 1874 he married Cynthia (Aikin) Dunkle. Mr. 
Deaver has served as Trustee of Swan Township two consecutive 
terms. His parents, Jonas and Susanna (Hoover) Deaver, were 
natives of Baltimore County, Md., and Loudoun County, Va., re- 
spectively. The former came with his father, Jonas Deaver, to 
Ohio, in 1802, Henry Hoover locating with his family in the same 
county about that time. Jonas Deaver made a permanent home 
in Perry County and died July 4, 1871, at the age of eighty-five 
years. He was the father of thirteen children, three being deceased. 
Those remaining are — Misael, Jonas B., David H., Nancy, Eliza- 
beth, Simeon P., Martha, Mary, Hamilton H. and Lloyd T. Our 
subject's grandfather, Jonas Deaver, Sr., was a native of Wales 
and served in the war ot the Revolution under General Sullivan. 

Captain J. W. Delay, Cashier of Yinton County National Bank, 
is a son of Ambrose Delay and a grandson of Rev. Jacob Delay. 
The latter was born in Greenbrier County, Va., July 18, 1780, 
and died in Jackson County, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1845. His wife was 
Mary Crouch who survived him until Dec. 24, 1854, when she 
died at Berlin Cross-roads, Jackson Co., Ohio. Jacob Delay was 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1239 

extensively known throughout Southern Ohio as one of the pioneer 
Methodist ministers, and was remarkable for his great decision of 
character as well as his forcible and positive manner of preaching 
the gospel. Although he was a native of Virginia he was of Eng- 
lish extraction and became an early settler in Jackson County, 
Ohio. He was the father of eleven sons and one daughter, five 
sons still living. Ambrose was the seventh, and was born in Pick- 
away County, Ohio, in 1810, and died in Jackson County, Ohio 
(Berlin Cross-roads), April 1, 1861. His wife, Rebecca S. Whit- 
man, was born in Greenbrier County, Va. , in 1811, but died in 
Union County, Iowa, June, 1881. Their family consisted of six 
sons and four daughters, three sons and one daughter still living. 
J. W. Delay is the oldest and was born in Jackson County, Ohio, 
Jan. 10, 1839. As his father was a farmer J. W. devoted his sum- 
mers to the farm and his winters in school. At the age of seven- 
teen years he entered the Ohio University, where he spent two 
years, at which time he was tendered a clerkship in a store and ac- 
cepted, but two years later engaged at the Latrobe Furnace as 
bookkeeper. In this capacity he served until July, 1861, when he 
enlisted in the United States army, and Aug. 10 was enrolled in 
Company K, Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, mustered and appointed 
First Sergeant. June 6, 1862, he was promoted to Second Lieu- 
tenant, and Jan. 16, 1S63, to First Lieutenant. About this time 
he was placed on detached .service on staff duty in the subsistence 
department, in which capacity he served during the war, having 
been commissioned Oct. 24, 1861, by the President of the United 
States as Captain of United States volunteers, and brevetted Major 
July 10, 1865, just four years from date of first enlistment. He 
participated in the battles of Lewisburg, Va., within five miies of 
the settlement of his grandparents on both sides; the second battle 
of Bull Run,Va., and South Mountain, in 1862. During the follow- 
ing winter his regiment was in General Rosecrans's campaign 
from Murfreesboro, participating in the battles of Chickamauga, 
Mission Ridge and many incidental fights of that campaign. In 
the winter of 1863-'4 returned east and participated in the campaign 
of Generals Crooks and Hunter in West Virginia; subsequently 
in all the battles of the Shenandoah Valley under General Phil. 
Sheridan, serving until the war was ended. Upon his return home 
in July, 1865, he entered the firm of H. F. Austin & Co. at Buck- 
eye Furnace, Jackson Co., Ohio, and engaged in the manufactur- 
ing of pig-iron, where he remained until October, 1866, when> 



1240 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

together with Mr. Austin and others, he came to McArthur and or- 
ganized the Yin ton County Bank, but did not move his family 
until January, 1867. When the above bank was organized he was 
elected Cashier, and continued, by re-elections to hold the same 
position until the consolidation with the other bank in McArthur 
in 1872, forming the Vinton County National Bank, of which he 
was again chosen Cashier. During the late war, April 11, 1864, 
he was married to Miss Samilda J. Buck. They have four sons 
and three daughters, all living. 

Rev. J. F. Dickson was born in County Fermannah, Ireland, 
Nov. 21, 1836, a son of James and Margaret (Trimble) Dickson. 
When he was thirteen years of age he came to America with his 
elder brother and sisters. In 1S60 he came to Yinton County, 
Ohio, where in 1862 he married Mary R. Howell, a daughter of 
Joseph Howell, an early settler of Meigs County, Ohio. He 
moved to Yinton County in 1856, where he died in 1881, his 
widow still living, aged seventy-nine years. In early life Mr. Dick- 
son was desirous of obtaining an education but was obliged to 
rely on his own resources. He attended the Ohio University at 
Athens and subsequently taught in Jackson County, Ohio. He 
taught live years, preaching occasionally in the meantime, and in 
1860 entered the ministry of the Methodist church. He was on 
the Mt. Pleasant circuit two years, but the most of the time was 
in Meigs and Gallia counties. Since 1872 has been located in Elk 
Township and has superintended his farm. He has sixty-six acres 
of ore and coal land, the most of his livelihood being made from 
his coal. 

Rev. John Dillon, a member of the Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, was one of the best men that Yinton 
County ever contained. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 
27, a. d. 1815. His father was John Dillon, Sr., owner of the 
iron furnace and forge, mills, etc., of Dillon's Falls, one of the 
most indefatigable men that ever lived, and who by his industry 
and public spirit added largely to the wealth of the State. Rev. 
John Dillon received his education at the Ohio State University, 
at Atheus, and then studied law in Zanesville, under General C. 
C. Goddard. In 1838 he left Zanesville with Dr. Edwin II. Hughes 
to seek a fortune in the further west. He fixed upon Mt. Carmel, 
111., as the field in which to practice his chosen profession; but 
he had hardly commenced his promising career as a lawyer before 
he was converted at a Methodist camp-meeting and immediately 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1241 

commenced to preach. Returning to Zanesville he soon after 
joined the Ohio Conference and became one of its leading and most 
useful members. lie tilled various and important relations as 
Pastor and Presiding Elder, and was a member of the General 
Conference of 1 868. At the breaking out of the late war he entered 
the service of his country and was elected Chaplain of the Eight- 
eenth Ohio Volunteer Regiment, and for three years did brave and 
valuable service for his country. Mr. Dillon settled upon his farm of 
300 acres near Zaleski, Vinton County, in 1854. His uniform 
kindness and consistency of conduct won for him the love and 
esteem of all who knew him. He was a preacher of uncommon 
ability, and in the discussion of all law questions had few equals 
in discernment, skill and tact. His last illness was protracted and 
severe, doubtless the result of exposure and overwork of body and 
mind. He died in full triumphs of the Christian faith, Aug. 6, 
1876, in the 61st year of his age. His widow, Mrs. Ann Newell 
Dillon, with two sons, Washington M. and Asahel Dillon, and 
one daughter, Hannah M., still live on the farm three miles west 
of Zaleski. The eldest daughter* Mrs. Belinda G. Chase, lives in 
Salem, Oregon. Two sons, Edwin H., and Goodcelle B., live in 
Elmwood, 111., practicing dentistry, their sister Edith, living with 
them. Another son, John, is with his cousin W. M. Dillon, in 
Sterling, 111., all of whom are respected and beloved by all who 
know them. 

E. D. Dodge, hardware merchant, is a son of James and grand- 
son of Caleb Dodge who were both natives of Maine. In 1811 
Caieb,with his wife and two sons, James and Edward, leaving some 
of the older children in Maine, came through as far as Columbus, 
Ohio, where he died, but the widow and her two sons came on to 
what is now Vinton County and settled in what is Elk Township, 
on the waters of Raccoon Creek. Edward, the oldest son, soon 
bought property and erected a horse-mill and distillery, one of the 
first in the county. He became a patriot in the war of 1S12 and 
rose to the rank of Major, serving through the struggle. He then 
settled in Vinton County and endured the hardships of the early 
pioneer life, remaining until about 1835 when he with his wife and 
seven children moved to Missouri. James, the youngest brother, 
was born in Maine in 1802, but from 1811 lived in what is Vinton 
County, Ohio. He lived with his brother Edward until his marriage 
to Mary A. England. He then settled on a farm on Raccoon Creek 
as renter. He was a hard worker, close observer and endured many 



1242 HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 

hardships as a pioneer, but by all these exertions he accumulated 
a neat competency and cared for his mother until her death, at the 
age of ninety-three years. His early boyhood days were mostly 
spent in the distillery and mill, but from the time of his marriage 
he followed farming. He was a man of systematic principles and 
after he had once started would save a little at a time till he had 
$50, when he would enter forty acres. This he continued until he 
had 320 acres. In 1840 he moved to McArthur where he engaged 
in the trading of cattle, mules and horses, but in 1847 engaged in 
mercantile trade. He died in 1861 and his wife in 1862. Of their 
four children — Caleb (deceased), Edward D., Clarissa, and S. Yin- 
ton — Edward D. is the eldest livingand was born in Elk Township, 
March 16, 1827. He was reared through the pioneer days and had 
few school privileges, but his father moved to town mostly to edu- 
cate his children. Here Edward improved the opportunities and 
acquired a fair education, and in 1847 joined his father in business, 
since which his business life in Mc Arthur has been unbroken save 
a short time. In 1856 he married Sibilla, daughter of John 
Simpson, of Morgan County, Ohio. She had taught school several 
terms, was a practical woman and made a valuable assistant in the 
store, but died in 1863, leaving no children. Mr. Dodge was mar- 
ried July 4, 1877, to Catharine Liston, who was a native of Gallia 
County, Ohio. She received a good education and has taught a 
number of terms in the High School in McArthur. They have one 
child — Mary. When the banking business was started in McAr- 
thur, he was one'of the prime movers and devoted time to obtain- 
ing stockholders. He has been one of the stockholders as well 
as a director from the beginning. Mr. Dodge as a business man 
has been remarkably successful and now owns about 400 acres in 
Vinton County, besides Western land. His accumulations are to- 
tally the result of his own legitimate efforts together with that of 
his noble companions. 

Henry Dudleson is a son of William Dudleson, a native of Wyan- 
dot County, and Mahala (Dutcher) Dudleson, a native of Dela- 
ware County, Ohio. They were married in Wyandot County, 
and moved to Hamden, Vinton County, in 1838. Two years later 
they settled in Licking County, wherein 1841 our subject was born, 
and where both parents died in 1850, just one month apart. They 
had nine children, but our subject is the only survivor. Part of 
his boyhood was passed in Delaware County with his Grandfather 
Dutcher. In 1852 he went with his uncle, Jerry Dutcher, to Vin- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING YAXLEY. 1243 

ton County, Ohio, where he lias since resided. In 1862 he enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment, Company F, Ohio 
Volunteers, under Captain Karns. He was at Camp Circleville, 
Marietta, Memphis, Tenn., and from there transported to Vicks- 
burg. In the first attack on that city Mr. Dudleson was wounded 
in the hand, losing the index finger. He was wounded in the left 
knee also, by a rifle ball. He remained in the service until after 
the attack on Arkansas Post, when he was taken to the Pendacia 
Hospital, and from there discharged in 1863. In 1868 he married 
Eliza J. Dutcher (no relation), by whom he has had three children 
— William E., James H. and Nancy M. Mr. Dndleson's wife died 
in 1881. Since the war he has followed farming and stock-dealing. 
He is a Democrat, and in 1882 was elected County Commissioner 
by a handsome majority. He is a welhto-do citizen, willing to 
assist in all enterprises having for their object the benefit of the 
community. 

G 0. Dtmlap, M.D., Mc Arthur, Ohio. Through along line of 
genealogy the Doctor is a lineal descendant from Scotland or North 
of Ireland, where the name was spelled Dunlop. His ancestors 
emigrated to America prior to the Continental war, and settled in 
Pensley Ferry, N. J. The Doctor, on his maternal side, is grand- 
son of Judge Joseph Kaler and great-grandson of Frederick Kaler. 
On his paternal side he is a son of Samuel B. and grandson ot 
Joseph Dunlap. The latter was a native of New York, born in* 
1791; was reared there and married a Miss O'Neal. They finally 
settled in Chillicothe, Ohio, where he practiced dentistry until 
1868, when he was stricken down with paralysis and died in 1870. 
They had two daughters and two sons. The daughters both mar- 
ried professional men, one a dentist and the other a minister. The 
sons both became dentists. Of the family, Samuel B., the father of 
C. O., was the youngest, and was born in Chillicothe in 1829. lie 
was reared in his native town, where he is now practicing his pro- 
fession which he has followed about thirty years. His wife was 
Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Kaler, of McArthur. She died in 
April, 1860, leaving two children — C. O. Dunlap, and Ella F. (died 
in 1870). Samuel B. married for his second wife Amy F. Brown. 
They have three children. Dr. C. O. Dunlap was born in Pontiac, 
Oakland Co., Mich., July 12, 1856. The next year his parents 
came to McArthur, but later moved to Carlinsville, 111., where his 
mother died as above stated. From that time the Doctor was 
under the jurisdiction of his grandfathcr,fJudge Kaler, of McAr- 



1244 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

thur. Here he received his literary education. He then took up 
the study of medicine under Dr. D. V. Rannells, his present part- 
ner. In February, 1878, he graduated from the Columbus Medical 
College, and immediately entered upon his profession in McArthur 
where success has attended his deserving efforts. He was married 
Feb. 28, 1881, to Alice, daughter of Henry S. Hamilton, of Mc- 
Arthur. 

John !P. Foreman, ex-County Auditor, McArthur, is a son of 
David Foreman and was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1847, but 
his parents in 1854 became residents of Swan Township, Vinton 
County, where he was reared to farm life and received a common- 
school education. He took a selected course in the Ohio Univer- 
sity at Athens, where he completed his study. From 1871 to 1875 
he was engaged as teacher. During 1875 he was elected 
County Auditor, and entered upon duty in November of the same 
year. Two years later he was re-elected. During his first term 
the State Legislature passed a bill for Auditor's term to cover a 
period of three years, hence his second term was accordingly. As 
an officer he was zealous and much esteemed. While residing in 
the county he was a member of the Elk Township Board of Trus- 
tees, and since in McArthur has been identified with the Town 
Council. In 1868 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity 
in which he has filled various official capacities. His wife was 
•Cynthia A. Gustin, of Vinton County. They have three children. 

0. W. Gilman, born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., is a son ot 
JohnT. and Mary (Fenton) Gilman, natives of New Hampshire and 
Connecticut, now living in Buffalo, N. Y. His mother is eighty-four 
and his father eighty-seven years of age. They have lived together 
since 1818. Of their seven children our subject is the fourth and 
was born in 1S30, and from six years of age lived in Buffalo, 
where he received the common-school privileges and also learned 
the trade of millwright, beginning at fourteen years of age, complet- 
ing when twenty-one. In 1852 he took a trip by Panama to 
California where for three years he followed his trade together with 
operating mills sixty miles above San Francisco, in Bodaga Red 
Woods. In 1855 he returned to Buffalo and engaged in contract- 
ing, but in 1856 came to McArthur under contract to build the 
steam mill here, of which he now owns a half interest, elsewhere 
mentioned. The same year he married Mary, daughter of Aaron 
Lantz. Mr. Gilman is a practical miller, and in 1868 with C. P. 
Ward bought the water mill now owned by Gilman & Gold. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 1245 

Since in this county he has contracted and built the County In- 
firmary in 1872 and 1873, a number of the largest bridges in the 
county, furnishing the plans for nearly all of them, and is still a 
practical architect and draftsman. He and wife have had five 
children, four now living. 

W. D. Gold, miller, McArthur, Ohio, is of German extraction. 
His grandfather, Conrad Gold, was born in Germany but came to 
America and married. They subsequently settled in Fairfield 
County, Ohio, and finally in Pickaway County, where they both 
died. William, the father of our subject, was the third son of the 
above, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1816. He was reared 
in his native county and married, but in 1851 moved into Hock- 
ing County, locating on Pine Creek, Benton Township. In 1853 
he moved to Vinton County and engaged as engineer at the Vinton 
Furnace. There he remained until his election to the Sheriff's office 
of this county, entering upon his official duty Jan. 1, 1857, serving 
one term. He was subsequently appointed to serve out the unex- 
pired term of Archibald Norris. At the expiration of this term 
he resumed his trade, blacksmithing, together with fruit-growing, 
which he followed until 18S1 when he moved to Missouri. While 
he was living at Vinton Furnace, in 1855, he buried his wife, 
who left four sons, all now living. He afterward married Lydia 
D. Lowell. Three daughters have been born to them. Of the 
sons above mentioned our subject is the youngest and was born in 
Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1841, .but since a youth has been a 
resident of Vinton County. Here he received a common-school 
education. In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirteenth Ohio Regimental 
Band and served in military duty a little over a year. He was 
during this time in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. He returned 
home and engaged in the sutler business with his brother. Fifteen 
months later he returned to Ohio and married. Then engaged 
in the mercantile trade in Illinois, but in 1866 he settled in Mc- 
Arthur where he has since been engaged in the milling busi- 
ness and is now an equal partner of O. W. Oilman in the two mills 
of this place. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, both the blue 
lodge and chapel. He and his wife have two daughters. Mrs. 
Gold is Eliza A., daughter of J. C. P. Brown, and was born and 
reared in Vinton County. Her mother is Mahala, daughter of 
Isaac B. Lottridge. She was born in Athens County and has al- 
ways lived near Athens and McArthur. 



1246 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

David Hawk was born upon the old home-place in 1828 and is a 
son of Jacob Hawk, Jr. In 1857 he was married to Sarah L. Bar- 
ker and afterward located upon his present farm. He owns 161 
acres of land in the homestead and 170 acres in Swan Township. 
He farms largely in grain and stock, keeping a flock of 200 sheep. 
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawk, three of whom are 
liyjno- — Cynthia A., Cora A. and Sarah E. The deceased were — 
Louisa, Dora M. and Mary E. Mrs. Hawk died Jan. 21, 1883, 
aged forty-four years and eleven months. 

Joseph F . Hawk, a son of Jacob and Anna (Switezer) Hawk, 
was born Sept. 27, 1820, in Elk Township, where he has always 
resided. He and his sister Rebecca own 320 acres of well-improved 
land. His father was born in Pocahontas County, Ya., and is a 
son of Jacob Hawk, Sr. , of German descent. The Hawk family 
settled in Athens County (now Vinton), two miles west of McAr- 
thur, in 1816. Here Jacob Hawk, Sr., died in 1849 and his wife, 
in 1853. They were among the successful and enterprising pio- 
neers of the county. They had a family of fifteen children — John, 
Abram, Isaac, William, Henry, Samuel, Reuben, James, Eli, Da- 
vid, Jacob, Rebecca, Sarah, Christina and Nancy. Jacob, Jr., was 
married after his parents came here, and in 1818 located on the 
land where Joseph F. now resides. He had a family of eight chil- 
dren — Sarah, Joseph F., Jacob B., John S., George (who died in 
infancy), Rebecca, David and Allen. Jacob Hawk, Jr., died at the 
old homestead Jan. 14, 1873, aged seventy-eight years, three months 
and twenty-three days. His wife died March 12, 1870, aged seventy- 
eight years, six months and ten days. 

Voss Hoffhines, farmer, postoffjce McArthur, is a son of William 
and Mary (Coon) Hoffhines, his father of German parentage and 
his mother a daughter of George Coon. His father was a soldier 
in the war of 1812. His parents were married in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, and in 1819, with four children, came to Vinton 
County and settled on section 33, Elk Township, where his father 
entered eighty acres of land, but gradually increased his possessions 
until he had quite a tract, which he divided with his children. He 
donated an acre for a cemetery, the first burial being a child of Nel- 
son Hoflhines. In 1823 he erected a tannery on section 33, and 
manufactured the leather for his own use, having but little to sell. 
Of his six children Voss was the fifth and was born Oct. 16, 1820. 
He was reared to the farm life of the pioneer days. He received 
a limited education, and was obliged to walk a distance of two 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1247 

miles to school. Mr. Hoffhines started in life for himself in 1842, 
marrying that same year Polly Casseli, daughter of Abraham Cas- 
sell. She died leaving two children. He afterward married Mar- 
garet, daughter of William Creamer. They have two children. 
Mr. Hoffhines still lives on the farm where he settled in 1842. He 
has 400 acres of fine land and raises mostly wheat, corn and stock. 
He has as yet never examined his land for mineral. 

Paris Horton, manufacturer of and dealer in furniture, Mc- 
Arthur, is a son of Nathan, and grandson of Nathan, Sr., and Sa- 
rah Horton. Nathan, Sr., was a native of New York and his wife 
of Pennsylvania. He came to what is now Yinton County, Ohio, 
in an early day and died here; his wife subsequently died in Iowa. 
Of their six children Nathan, Jr., the father of our subject, was 
the third child. He was born in Pennsylvania and came to what 
is now Yinton County, Ohio, in minor life, where he married Arete, 
daughter of Isaac White, and ever after lived in the vicinity of 
McArthur. He was by occupation a millstone cutter and farmer. 
He was a member of the Methodist church and died in 1855. His 
widow is still living. She was born in Elk Township, now Yinton 
County, Ohio, in 1821 and has thus far always resided in the county. 
Her father, Isaac White, was born in Maine and reared in Massa- 
chusetts. He married Mary, daughter of John Dunkle. They 
were early settlers of Yinton County, where they both died. He 
was by occupation a millstone cutter. Of their six children four 
are living, Mrs. Horton being the eldest. Paris and his twin 
brother Tyrus were born near McArthur, Aug. 31, 1840. He was 
reared and received his education in his native county. At the 
age of eighteen he commenced learning the cabinet-maker's trade 
and completed it in 1864. He has devoted his time to that occu- 
pation ever since. In 1867 he became proprieter of his present 
establishment, succeeding E. P. Bothvvell, where he has made 
some additions and is now doing a good business. His wife is 
Augusta, daughter of Rev. A. M. Alexander, of Licking County, 
Ohio, where she was born. They have seven children. Mrs. 
Horton is a member of the Methodist church. He belongs to the 
I. O. O. F. and has filled all the offices up to and including Repre- 
sentative of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio. 

W. S. Hudson, attorney and school examiner, McArthur, Ohio, 
is a son of S. B. and Abigail (Atkinson) Hudson, both lineal 
descendants of England, and now living in Morrow County, Ohio. 
The subject of this biography w r as born in Monroe County, Ohio, 



1248 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in 1851, but from early life matured in Vinton County, where his 
parents lived until 1882. His early or minor life was devoted to 
agricultural pursuits, devoting his winters to school. At the age 
of nineteen he entered the Ohio University at Athens, and gradu- 
ated in. 1875, haviug during his collegiate life taught more or less, 
by which he maintained himself. Subsequent to his graduation 
he taught four years. During this time he took up the study of 
law under H. C. Jones, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, and 
in 1882 was appointed School Examiner, to succeed Professor M. 
R. Barnes. 

Homer C. Jones, attorney at law, Mc Arthur, was born Oct. 17,1834, 
a son of David and Maria (Bothweli) Jones. His father was the son 
of Moses Jones, and was born in Eoss County, Ohio, May 10, 1804. 
He came to McArthur in 1823. In 1832 he bought eighty acres 
near what is now Vinton Station. He added to his first purchase 
until in 1855 he had 500 acres. He was extensively engaged in stock- 
raising, and was one of the first in the county to take an interest in 
improved stock. In 1855 he sold his farm and purchased the Both- 
well homestead. He at one time owned one-fourth of the Cincin- 
nati (now Richland) Furnace, and superintended the building of it. 
He and Dr. A. Wolf were afterward in partnership in the raising 
of fine sheep, and were the first men to bring Vermont merino 
sheep to Vinton County. David Jones was at one time quite a local 
politician, and in 1836-'37 represented Athens and Meigs counties 
in the State Legislature. He died in 1866, and his wife died the 
following year, leaving a family of seven children — Charlotte, now 
Mrs. J. W. Rannells; Homer C; James K., a Captain in the Nine- 
tieth Ohio Infautry v now living in Missouri; Eliza A., now Mrs. J. A. 
Felton; Mordecai B., of Missouri; Cidna M., now Mrs. Elijah 
Rockhold, of Bainbridge; and David Warren, an attorney of Gal- 
lipolis. Homer C. Jones was educated in the Ohio University at 
Athens. In 185S he was elected County Surveyor of Vinton 
County, and served till 1860. While holding that office he read 
law with the late Judge J. P. Plyley. In 1S61 he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant. While in camp at Athens he was admitted to the bar 
by the District Court of Athens County. In the spring of 1862 
he was detailed for duty in the signal corps, and having attended 
camp of instruction was assigned to duty on the staff of Brigadier- 
General T. J. Wood, Sixth Division, Army of Ohio, and with this 
command was at Shiloh. In September, 1862, Colonel Stanley had 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1249 

liim return to the regiment to serve as Adjutant, but a few weeks 
later General Negley selected liim as Aid -de-Camp. He retained 
this position till after the reorganization of the army under Gen- 
eral Rosecrans, when he was assigned to duty on the field-staff of 
General George II. Thomas. He acted as Aid-de-Camp to General 
Thomas at the battle of Stone River, and was then assigned to duty 
as Inspector General of the Fourteenth Army Corps, during the 
illness of Colonel Yon Schrader. General Thomas presented him 
with the Brigadier- General shoulder straps worn by him at Mill 
Springs, Shiloh and Stone River, which he now values very highly 
as a souvenir of General Thomas and the late war. He remained 
in the signal service on the staff of General John M. Palmer, who 
succeeded General Thomas, until the reorganization of his regi- 
ment as veterans in 1863, when, at the earnest solicitation of Colo- 
nel Stanley and the men of his compan}', he returned to his regi- 
ment and took command of the company. He was mustered out 
Nov. 9, 1864. On returning home he opened an office and has 
since been engaged in the practice of law. Captain Jones has 
always taken an interest in political matters. He was an alternate 
delegate to the National Convention at Philadelphia in 1872 that 
nominated General Grant to the Presidency, and was an Elector 
for the Eleventh District on the Republican ticket that year. In 
1876 he was a delegate to the National Convention at Cincinnati 
that nominated President Hayes. In 1877 he was elected to repre- 
sent the district composed of Meigs, Lawrence, Gallia and Vinton 
counties in the State Senate. His majority was only ten, and his 
seat was contested by Mr. Onderdonk upon the ground that he had 
received more colored votes than his majority, and the Senate 
being largely Democratic, Mr. Onderdonk won the day. In 1879 he 
was elected to the Senate by over 1,900 majority. lie is now a 
member of the Republican State Central Committee. Captain 
Jones was married in 1861 to Lou F. Hawk, daughter of John S. 
Hawk, of McArthur. They have live sons. 

John II. King, shoemaker, McArthur, is a son of John S. and 
grandson of Sehlon King, both born in Orange County, Va., where 
Seldon died. John S. was the only child and was brought up in 
iiis native State. He married Isabelle, daughter of William At- 
kins, of Orange County, Ya. In 1S35 he with his wife and five 
children removed to Washington, Guernsey Co., Ohio, subsequently 
to Muskingum County, Ohio, and finally to Columbus, Ohio, where 
he resided until his death. He was by occupation a shoemaker. 
79 



1250 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

John II. is the eldest of thirteen children, and was born in Orange 
County, Va., Jan. 29, 1827. At the age of twelve years he com- 
menced learning his trade with his father. When twenty-one he 
commenced business for himself as a journeyman, and seven years 
later opened a boot and shoe store in McArthur where he has been 
a practical mechanic ever since. A short time after opening his 
store he lost his entire stock by fire, and in January, 1883, he was 
again burned out. In 1S62 he enlisted in Company E, Eighty- 
eighth Ohio Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Bratton, 
and was Sergeant-Major. At the expiration of his three months 
he returned home, and in May, 1864, enlisted in Company C, One 
Hundred and Forty- eighth Ohio Infantry, serving 100 days as 
Color-Sergeant. July 3, 1861, he became a member of the I. O. 
O. F. lodge, and has gone through all the different degrees of and 
filled the different offices in the subordinate lodge. In 1867 he 
joined the Masonic lodge and has taken all the degrees in that 
subordinate lodge. His wife was Sarah D. Owen. They have 
three children — Mary, wife of A. L. Brown; William E., manager 
of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Qnincy, 111., and 
Elmer, telegraph operator at Quincy, 111. Mr. and Mrs. King are 
both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

David Lantz, stock dealer, McArthur, Ohio, is a brother of 
George Lantz, mentioned in this chapter. He was born in Vinton 
County, Ohio, in 1837. When an infant his parents settled in 
McArthur where he has since resided. He received the rudi- 
ments of a common-school education, and when a youth learned 
the tinner's trade, but has not followed it for a number of years. 
He has been for a number of years engaged in trading in stock, 
but now devotes the most of his time to fine milch cows, real 
estate and general brokerage. He was married to Margaret Bot- 
tonfield, of Antioch, Monroe County, Ohio, where she was born 
and reared. They have three children — Archie, Mabel and 
Maud. 

George Lantz, Esq., hardware merchant. Among the early and 
representative families of Yinton County, Ohio, there are perhaps 
few whose entering the primeval forest, braving the dangers of such 
a task, dates earlier than the Lantz family. George, the subject of 
this sketch, is the son of Aaron and grandson of George Lantz; 
the latter was born in Germany, where he married a French lady. 
Soon after this they embarked for,America and settled in Sussex 
County, 1ST. J., where they had born to them eight children, four 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1251 

sons and as many daughters. About 1811 he, with his family, 
settled four miles west of the present site of McArthur. For 
some cause he only remained until 1818, when he, with his three 
married daughters and their families and two sons (Moses and 
Yandall), settled near Batesville, Independence Co., Ark. In 
the same year George, the eldest son, settled in Williams County, 
Ohio; Jesse, the youngest, in Wheeling, Ya., where he was for a 
long time extensively engaged in the manufacturing of the French 
burr millstones. Aaron Lantz. the twin brother of Moses and the 
lather of our subject, in 1818 married Leah Claypoole and settled 
three miles west of McArthur, where he engaged in manufactur- 
ing the Raccoon burr millstone, which at that time was exten- 
sively used over Ohio and Indiana, and at the same time he car- 
ried on farming on the pioneer style by which a livelihood was 
obtained. In 1838 he moved to McArthur and engaged in the 
mercantile trade, which he conducted until his death, March 3, 1843, 
aged forty-eight. He left six children — George, the subject of this 
sketch; Henry, now in Scioto County, Ohio; Elizabeth, David, 
Mary and Anna. All are married and have families, and all save 
one in Vinton County. George was born in what is now Yinton 
County, Ohio, March 6, 1828. In connection with his birth there 
is a remarkable coincident we deem worthy of mention: George's 
father, Aaron, his eldest brother, George, and George, the grand- 
father of our subject, were all born on the sixth day of March. He 
reached the age of ten years on the farm where he was born, but 
at the above age his father moved to McArthur, and George's boy- 
hood days were then mostly spent in driving cattle over the mount- 
ains to Lancaster and Baltimore. In May, 1851, he married 
Amanda, daughter of Isaac B. Lottridge, by whom lie has five 
children living. In 1857 he was elected Clerk of the Court of 
Yinton County by the Democratic party, and in 1860 a re-election 
to the same office followed, but at the expiration of this term he 
retired from public life. Owing to the ill-health of his successor 
in 1865 Mr. Lantz was appointed to his former position and in 1865 
elected, which term expired in February, 1870. In the centennial 
year he was elected Probate Judge. His term expired in 1879; since 
then he has devoted his time to the mercantile trade, with which 
he has been identiiied more or less since 1861. 

Isaac M. Lantz, dealer in stoves and tinware, McArthur, Ohio, 
a son of George Lantz, was born in McArthur, Yinton Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 7, 1855, and has always resided in his native town. In his 



1252 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

boyhood days lie received such an education as the facilities of his 
own town afforded. At the age of nineteen he engaged in learn- 
ing the tinner's trade, which he still follows in connection with the 
handling of stoves and such articles as are usually found in that 
class of stores. He at the same time makes a specialty of roofing 
and spouting. Mr. Lantz is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and stands well in the business as well as social circles of Mc- 
Arthur. He was married Jan. 13, 1878, to Fredora B. Parrott, ot 
Monroe County, Ohio, where she was born and reared. 

1. JV~. Lottridge, McArthnr, Ohio, is of lineal German descent 
on his paternal side. His great-grandfather, John Lottridge, was 
born in Germany; his mother was a distant descendant and rela- 
tive of Henry IV., King of Holland. John matured in his native 
laud and married Miss Bratt. They came to America prior to the 
Revolutionary war and settled near the town of Hoosick, N. Y., 
where they both died. He was by occupation a farmer. Of his 
ten children, Barnadus, the grandfather of our subject, was the 
second, and born near Hoosick, N. Y., in 1779. There he lived 
till maturity and married Abagail Bull, of English extraction but a 
native of New York State. In 1803 they moved to West Vir- 
ginia, and one year later to Ohio, to what is now Carthage Town- 
ship, Athens County, where they both died, having through life 
followed farming. He became a large land owner and transformed 
many acres of it into open and productive fields. When they 
.settled in 1 lucking Valley the country was new and night was 
made hideous by the howling of the wild denizens of the forest. 
They had twelve children, Isaac B.,the father of onr subject being 
the eldest, lie was born in New York, Jan. 13, 1S02, but from 
infancy lived in Athens County, Ohio, where he married Experi- 
ence R. Cross, whose father, Dewy Cross, had settled in the vicin- 
ity of Athens when this was yet a Territory. They with their family 
came to McArthnr in February, 1830, where they lived and died. 
He was a man of strong mind and sound judgment, and in 1S32 
was elected to the State Legislature but declined the position, lie 
operated a carding mill about fifteen years alter coming to Mc- 
Arthur. At the time of his death he left his second wife a widow. 
by whom he had four children, and six by the first. Of the entire 
family Isaac N. is the second son and was born in Athens County, 
Ohio, Nov. 16, 1828. He received a common-school education in 
McArthur, where he was reared. He was from a youth handy 
with tools, and his younger life was somewhat varied, but the last 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1253 

decade he has been engaged in the carding mill and woolen factory. 
He was married in 1S53 to Lydia A. Gaston, of Virginian birth, 
who from infancy had lived in Ohio. They have two children — 
Melvin M. and Eunice V. 

J . M. Lowry, farmer, postoffice McArthur, is a son of Canada 
Lowrv, who was born in Washington County, Pa., and in the lat- 
ter part of the last century, with his parents, settled in what is now 
Athens County, near the town of Athens, where his parents died. 
Canada from youth lived in Athens County, where he married 
Sarah Rose, who was also born and reared in Pennsylvania. He 
and wife subsequently settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, where 
she died in 1831, and he in Logan, Ohio, in 1856. He was through 
life a farmer, hard worker, and reared a large family, of whom our 
subject is the fifth, and was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 
September, 1809. He was reared on the farm; received a very lim- 
ited education in the pioneer log school-house three miles from his 
home. He married Elizabeth Frontz, who is a native of Vir- 
ginia. In 1840 they settled near Logan, Mocking Co., Ohio, in 
the dense unbroken forest, where he bought and cleared up a farm. 
In 1854 he moved to McArthur and bought the water grist-mill, 
which he operated until 1861, when lie became proprietor of the 
steam mill. Subsequently sold this and bought 156 acres of land, 
of which he still owns apart, and now lives almost retired. He and 
wife have the following family — Sarah, Felton, Grafton, Mary, 
Austin, William, Martha, Rebecca and Milton. Mr. Lowry at one 
time served as Deputy United States Marshal, also Marshal ot 
McArthur. 

Thomas A. Martin, McArthur, Ohio, is a son of Lewis G. and 
Frances (Mclnteer) Martin, natives of Virginia. Of their four 
children Thomas A. is the eldest, and was born in Stafford County, 
Va., Sept. 12, 1809. He was reared in Virginia, but in the fall ot 
1830 settled at Wheeling, and in 1832 removed to Lancaster, Ohio, 
where he married Julia Fritter. One year later he settled in Roy- 
alton; thence in 1842, to Logan, where he was a produce dealer 
until 1848, when he came to McArthur and engaged in merchandis- 
ing. In 1S49 he was instrumental in originating the movement 
for a new county to become Vinton, in honor of Hon. Samuel F. 
Vinton, then an ex-Congressman of this district. Another object 
Mr. Martin had in view was to make McArthur a county seat. 
After a severe struggle, assisted by Judge Joseph Kaler, who then 
resided in McArthur, he having been a member of the Legislature, 



1254 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

though at that time J. K. Will was the Representative, in 1850 
the bill was passed and the organization of the county granted with 
402 square miles. He, soon after coming to McArthur, buried his 
wife. His second wife is Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Shockev, 
who is a native of this vicinity, born in 1826. He and wife have 
had six children, three daughters (deceased), and three sons, of 
whom two are living — L. D., Postal Clerk on the B. & O. R. R., 
and Charles E. S., of Bainbridge. 

Arthur E. McGrath, Clerk of the Court of Vinton County, was 
born in Wilkesville in 1852. His grandfather, Thomas McGrath, 
was a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, and when a young man came to 
America, locating ultimately in Wilkesville, Vinton Co., Ohio, 
where he died. His wife is now the widow of James Greathouse. 
Of their four children Martin E., the eldest, was born and grew 
to manhood in Wilkesville, but is now living in Gallia County, 
Ohio. He married Amanda, daughter of Hon. Almond Soule, who 
died leaving four children, three sons and one daughter. He then 
married Rebecca Vanseyoc. They have two children. Arthur 
E. McGrath was educated in his native town and in 1S68 com- 
menced teaching. He taught twelve terms and was then engaged 
in the tire insurance business till his appointment to fill an unex- 
pired term as Clerk, Nov. 2. 1880, and in the fall of 1881 was 
elected to his present office. March 15, 1871, he married Clarissa 
Chapman, a native of Meiirs County, Ohio, born Sept. 1, 1854, and 
a (laughter of T. S. Chapman. They have two children — Nellie 
L., born Jam 13, 1872, and Maude X-, born Sept. 10, 1874. 
James M. McVey. — Mr. McVey was burn in Morgan County, 
Ohio, Oct. 23, 1833. His parents subsequentl}' removed to Swan 
Township, Vinton Co., Ohio, where he spent his youth and the 
principal part of his life. Mr. McVey was twice married. He 
leaves by his first marriage a daughter, Mrs. Mary Crooks, who 
resides with her husband in Zanesville, Ohio. Mrs. Crooks's 
mother's name was Sarah Sands. His second marriage was with 
Nancy Stevens, Nov. 7, 1858; she survives him. Alter his second 
marriage he kept hotel where the Kaler House formerly stood, after 
which lie engage 1 a while in firming. Returning again to McAr- 
thur he engaged in running the hack line from this place to McAr- 
thur station. In the course of time he bought a farm in Benton 
Township near Bloomingville; this still forms part of the estate. 
He was on this farm several years when he again went to McAr- 
thur and purchased the property he owned at the time of his death, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLE5T. 1255 

the McVey House. He was conducting the hotel under his name 
when his life was terminated by a wound received in a conflict with 
L. D. Vickers. He died May 10, 1883. Mr. McVey was a genial, 
whole-souled man and very popular, and the community will ever 
regret the sad manner in which he came to his death. 

George Paffenbarger was born in 1813 in Adelphi, Ross Co., 
Ohio, a son ot John Paffenbarger, a native of Pennsylvania, who 
located in Ross County about 1809. He served in the war of 1812 
and died in Ross County at the age of seventy-seven years. Our 
subject was reared on the home farm till attaining his majority 
when he began life for himself. He lived in Ross Count}\ and 
afterward spent eleven years in Pickaway County on rented land. 
In 1847 he located on his present farm, purchasing at that time 
113^ acres. He farms largely in grain and is also engaged in 
stock-raising, having a number of the finest sheep in the county. 
He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 
1837 and has held the positions of Trustee and Steward many 
years. He was married Nov. 22, 1835, to Betsy Day mouth, a native 
of Pennsylvania. They have had eleven children, nine of whom 
are living — John W., Alfred, Henry P., Charles "W., Andrew, 
Mary, Catherine, Susan and Libbie. Lydia and Rebecca are de- 
ceased. Our subject's grandfather was a native of Germany and 
immigrated to this country when a young man and served during 
the Revolution. His wife, Catherine (Will) Paffenbarger. was also 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Paffenbarger has given 
his children a good education, six of whom have become successful 
teachers. Alfred is a lawyer and editor residing in Oregon, and 
Andrew is a dentist in Zaleski, Ohio. Alfred and Henry served 
in the three months' service in the late war. 

Henry Payne was born in London, England, Sept. 4, 1817. His 
father, Robert Payne, was born at Cherry Valley, X. ^ .. in 1794. 
When he was a young man he went to England and there married 
an English lady named Ann Hall. A short time alter the birth oi 
Henry his lather returned to the United Slates and brought with 
him the first machine introduced into this country for making our 
common pins. The machine, however, was invented in England 
by a Massachusetts man. Mr. Payne located at Taunton, Massa- 
chusetts, and was there employed in the manufacture of these ma- 
chines. In the spring of 1833 he moved with his family to Ohio 
and settled in the woods of Hocking County, Swan Township, now 
Vinton Oomitv. His death occurred Aug. 29, 1855. He was a 



1256 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

natural mechanic and could turn out the most difficult specimens 
of mechanical ingenuity. His wife died in the spring of 1861. 
She was born in London, England, May 15, 1784. They had a 
family of thirteen children, of whom five lived to maturity. Henry 
Payne, the subject of this sketch, is the only living representative 
of the family. He was employed in his father's machine shop 
from the age of twelve to sixteen, and then worked on his father's 
farm until he was twenty-eight years old. He then engaged with 
T. B. Davis, at Mount Pleasant, Hocking County, in the tobacco 
trade for five years, part of this time, however, being at McArthur. 
On the formation of Vinton County in the spring of 1850 Mr. 
Payne was chosen as the first County Treasurer and served in this 
capacity seven years. In 1864 and 1865 he was Assistant Revenue 
Assessor for Vinton County, resigning on the accession of Andrew 
Johnson to the Presidential chair. For the next two years Mr. 
Payne was Justice of the Peace in Elk Township. He was after- 
ward in the mercantile business for three years with John S. Hawk, 
but since then has lived a retired life, a resident of McArthur. He 
was married in 1856 to Priscilla Taylor, of Somerset, Perry County. 
They have had four children, of whom two areliving — Joseph Trim- 
ble, of Columbus, and Ann Eliza, now Mrs. Latayette W. Hays. Mr. 
Payne is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Religiously he 
inclines to the Episcopal church. Mrs. Payne is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

Captain Alex. Dearce, ex-Legislator, McArthur, is a native of 
Bainbridge, Ross Co., Ohio, born in 1828. He received his educa- 
tion in the schools of his native town, where he remained until 
eighteen years of age. He then went in the printing office at 
Portsmouth. From 1850 to 185-t he was editor and publisher ol 
the Portsmouth Inquire?', and during this period he published the 
first daily paper of that city, known as the Daily Dispatch. It had 
been started by Cleveland & Miller, but Pearce succeeded Miller. 
He was for two years engaged in other business, but in the spring 
of 1856, while visiting at McArthur, purchased the McArthur 
Democrat. This he successfully operated until 1861 when he sold 
to B. P. Ilewet, as he was serving at the time his first term in 
the State Legislature for the district composed of Vinton and Jack- 
son counties. In 1861 he volunteered in Company D, Eighteenth 
Ohio Infantry, and was discharged Nov. 9, 1S6L He was gradu- 
ally promoted until he reached the position of Captain. He par- 
ticipated in some of the severest battles in Middle Tennessee, and 



$5s?j3s^. 



mi 




af&& 



O^^KroSC 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1257 

many others of less importance. After his return from the army 
he was appointed Assistant Assessor of general revenue, which he 
turned over in 1869. In that year he associated himself with 
George Lantz in the hardware trade, forming the firm of Lantz & 
Pearce, and in 1875 Mr. Pearce became sole proprietor, but in the 
fall of 1880, his health being very poor, he desired to free himself 
from business and sold his place of business to Lantz, and is now 
Clerk of the Recorder's office. Fie was married in 1858 to 
Amanda, daughter of Benjamin Ward. Six children have been 
born to them, all now living. The eldest is operator of Nelson- 
ville and the second eldest son is operator at Me Arthur Junction. 
C. B. Pilcher is a son of James and grandson of Stephen Pilcher. 
The latter was a native of Virginia, where he married and reared 
a family. In 1800 he settled on a farm near Athens, Ohio, where 
he spent the remainder of his life. James, the father of our subject, 
and the fifth son of the above, was born April 7, 1777, in Virginia',, 
where he matured to farm life and married Nancy, daughter of 
Samuel Sage. In 1800 he emigrated to Ohio with his father's fam- 
ily, but not liking the country near Athens he settled at Zaleski, 
Vinton County. In a few years his farm was overflowed by Rac- 
coon Creek, and he went to the farm where the infirmary now 
stands. This was about the time of the breaking out of the war of 
1812. Here he remained until 1840 when he settled on section 22 r 
where his death occurred not many years after. His wife also died 
here. He was a man who preferred the quiet routine of farm life, 
and never aspired to office though repeatedly holding the office of 
Township Trustee. Politically he was a Democrat. ' His wife bore 
him eighteen children— Lenecy, Edward, Nancy, Charlotte, Har- 
riet, Ann Maria, Samantha, James, Henry, Amanda, Samuel, Mi- 
nerva, Melissa, Columbus P>., George W., Hiram, Eliza and Ar- 
minda. Two sons and five daughters are yet living. Columbus 
B., the elder son and the subject of our sketch, was born Nov. 14, 
1826, on the infirmary farm, Vinton County, Ohio. He received 
a common-school education, and started out in life empty handed. 
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Gill. Mr. Pilcher fol- 
lows farming and sheep-raising and is now the owner of 260 acres 
of land in Elk Township. His land is underlaid with a rich vein of 
coal five feet thick. He is also the owner of the farm and old home 
formerly belonging to his wife's father. Mr. Pilcher and wife have 
had eight children, six of whom are living— two in Missouri, one 
in Columbus and three are at home unmarried. 



1258 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

E. B. Pugh, Esq., wagon-maker, McArthur, is a son of William 
and Bashaba (Johnson) Pugh, his mother a daughter of Benjamin 
Johnson. He is a grandson of John Pugh, who with Benjamin 
Johnson crossed the Ohio Kiver at Wheeling, Va., in 1792. John 
Pugh had served five years as a teamster in the Revolutionary war. 
Johnson and Pugh both settled in what is now Harrison County, 
Ohio. There they farmed until their death. William Pugh was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania and his wife of Maryland. They were mar- 
ried in Ohio. He died in Harrison County, Ohio, and she in Grant 
County, Ind. She was at the time of her death the wife of John 
Heaflin. William Pugh was through life a farmer. He and wife 
had seven children, five sons and two daughters, E. B. being the 
sixth and only son living. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 
Oct. 18, 1819. He received a fair education and at the age of four- 
teen commenced his trade, serving five years. He then followed 
journey work until 1843 when he opened a shop in Morefield, Har- 
rison County. In March, 1846, he married Casandra Selfridge and 
in 1851 came to McArthur where he has ever since lived save four- 
teen months in Holmes County, Ohio. He is now the only wag- 
on-maker in town. He and wife have three children, all living — 
John C, Martha A. and Helen L. 

John C. Pugh, attorney and County School Examiner, McAr- 
thur. emanates from Wales, and is a lineal descendant from the 
Pughs of Philadelphia, Pa., and is a son of Ellis B. and Cassie 
Pugh. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1848, but 
from 1851 was reared in Vinton Count} 7 . His education was 
mostly received in this count} 7 and by his own unceasing efforts. 
In 1868 he commenced teaching; subsequently taught one year in 
Tennessee. In 1870 he commenced reading law under the tutor- 
ship of J. M. McGillivray. He jointly pursued this with teaching 
until 1879. when he was admitted to the bar and has since been 
practicing in McArthur. He is one of the school examiners of the 
present board, in which capacity he has served five years. In 
1881 he married Alice Hanning. They have one daughter — 
Georgiana. 

D. V. Rannells, M. D., is a son of Samuel J. Rannells, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, who when a young man went to Kentucky 
with a flat-boat of provisions, and while there raised a company of 
men for the war then in progress, and was in the battle of JS'ow 
Orleans. He subsequently drifted to Louisiana and soon after 
married Rachel Hughes, a native of Orangeburg District. S. C, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1259 

but a resident of Louisiana. In after years with a family of four 
children they came to Ohio and settled on a farm in what is now 
Swan Township, Vinton County, where Mr. Rannells died in 1856, 
his wife surviving him fourteen years. While in Louisiana Mr. 
Rannells represented East Feliciana Parish District in the State 
Legislature two terms, and also represented his district in the 
State Senate. He was Register and Receiver of the land-office at 
the time Andrew Jackson took his seat as President, and on ac- 
count of his Whig principles he was removed from the office. He 
was always a Whig and Republican, and was an officer in the elec- 
tion of 1856 when Fremont ran for the Presidency. D. V. Ran- 
nells is the second of his children and was born in St. Helena 
Parish. La., in 1831, but has been a resident of Ohio since ten 
years of age and of Vinton County since 1847. His education 
was received in the common school and of his father. He followed 
teaching a few years, and when twenty-one years of age began the 
study of medicine with Dr. Wolf, of McArthur. He graduated 
from Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1858, 
and became a partner of his preceptor. In August, 1862, he en- 
tered the army as Assistant Surgeon of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, 
and in 1861 was promoted to Surgeon of the regiment, serving 
till the close of the war. He was with Sherman and was captured 
and confined in Libby Prison. After the war was ended he re- 
turned, to McArthur and resumed his practice. He lias been a 
student of his profession and has gained an enviable reputation 
among the medical men of Southern Ohio. Dr. Rannells adheres 
to the political faith of his father. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and has been Master of his lodge, lie married 
Lydia M., youngest daughter of Dr. Andrew Wolf, of McArthur. 
They have five children, four daughters and one son. The eldest 
daughter, Eliza H., is a graduate of the Cleveland Female Sem- 
inary and is now a teacher in the McArthur High School. The 
second daughter is a teacher of music and a student of the Cincin- 
nati Conservatory of Music. 

Captain Win. J. Rannells was born in Washington, Mason 
Co., Ky., Jan. 21, 1840. His father, Samuel J. Rannells, was 
born in Washington County, Pa., in 1791, and married Rache. 
Hughes, who was born near Columbia, S. C, in 1806. There re- 
sulted from this marriage ten children, five of whom are dead, and 
five — Mrs. Mary Taylor, Dr. D. V. Rannells, Win. J. Rannells, 
Dr. C. S. Rannells, and Mrs. Cora Poston, are living. His 



1260 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

father served his country in the war of 1812 as a Lieutenant in 
Major Clarkson's battalion of Kentuckyans, and among other en- 
gagements took part in the battle of New Orleans. He was also a 
soldier in our war against the Seminole Indians. He owned a 
plantation near Port Hudson, and served two terms as a member 
of the Louisiana Legislature. His paternal grandfather, David 
Rannells, was born in Virginia. His maternal grandfather was 
Joseph Hughes, and great-grandfather was James Hughes, a sol- 
dier of the Revolutionary war, and a member of the gallant and 
daring band of Francis Marion. He was betrayed to the cow- 
boys by one of his servants,- and was killed by them while sitting 
with his family at breakfast. His paternal ancestors are of Scotch- 
Irish descent, and emigrated to this country from the north of Ire- 
land about the close of the Revolutionary war. His maternal 
ancestors are of Huguenot parentage. The exact date at which 
they came to America is not known, but it was a long time before 
the war of the Revolution. Captain Rannells's parents moved from 
Mason County, Ky., to Guernsey County, Ohio, when he was one 
year of age, and a few years later came to Vinton County, Ohio, and 
located on a farm a few miles north of Mc Arthur. His father died 
in 1856, at the age of sixty-five. The family continued to reside 
on the farm until William was a boy of sixteen, when they came to 
McArthur, Ohio, where his mother died in February, 1873, at the age 
of sixty-seven. His education was received in the common schools 
with the exception of a term of six months at Vermillion Institute, 
Ashland County, Ohio, just prior to the breaking out of the war of 
the Rebellion. When the dark davs of disunion dawned upon our 
nation in 1861. he was the first man, but one, who enlisted in Vin- 
ton County in her defense. When the news of the fall of Fort 
Sumter was flashed across our country, the martial spirit of his 
ancestors was aroused within him, and he with the assistance of J. L. 
Eakin, Esq., at that time a prominent attorney of McArthur, pre- 
pared a muster-roll, which each of them signed, and which Captain 
Rannells circulated. Two days after the fall of Sumter, by his 
efforts, Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, first three-months' 
service, was enlisted. He entered this regiment and served with it 
in its campaigns in West Virginia throughout his enlistment as 
a private. Alter being mustered out of the first three-months' 
service he returned home, where, Nov. 4, 1861, he re-enlisted 
as a private, under Lieutenant II. B. Lacey, in a company that 
was intended to form a part of the Seventy-ninth Ohio Infantry,. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1261 

which was being organized at Camp Wool, by Colonel R. A. Consta- 
ble. After remaining in Camp Wool awhile, the four companies were 
sent to Camp John McLean, near Cincinnati, and consolidated with 
the Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry, the company to which he belonged 
taking the name of Company I. After about three months 1 service 
.as a private in this regiment, he was promoted to the rank of 
Second Lieutenant. Captain Rannelis was with his regiment in 
the battles of Monterey, Bull Pasture Mountain, Franklin, W. Va., 
Strasburg, Mt. Jackson, Woodstock, Harrisonburg, Cross Keys, 
Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Rapidan, second Bull Run, Fred- 
ericksburg, Ohancellorsville, Gettysburg, John's Island, Jackson- 
ville, Fia., Gainesville, Pocotaligo Bridge, Three Mile Run, near 
Jacksonville, Fla. On the third day of the second battle of Bull 
Run he was captured by the rebels, while endeavoring to save the 
life of a comrade, and taken to Libby Prison, from whence, by vari- 
ous routes, he was taken to Columbus, Ohio, under parol, where he 
was exchanged. October of 1862 found him again with his regi- 
ment, when he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. At 
Gettysburg he was dangerously wounded near the left hip-joint, 
his clothes were pierced by a number of bullets, his sword scabbard 
bent, and his sword hanger cut off by the leaden missiles. His 
wounds were received on the first day's fight, July 1, 1863, and he 
was captured and taken from the battle-field to the rebel field hos- 
pital. July 4, when the Union forces had driven the Confeder- 
ates back, he was taken to his corps hospital, where, after a few 
days, his brother, Dr. C. S. Rannelis, came and brought him home. 
He remained at home until the 1st of November, 1863, when he 
rejoined his regiment at Folly Island, S. C, where he was mus- 
tered as Captain of his company, for which he had received a com- 
mission for meritorious conduct at Gettysburg. After the battle of 
Gainesville, where 150 of the regiment were surrounded by 1,400 ol 
the enemy, he with Colonel Morgan and twelve men cut their way 
out on one street, others cutting their way out on other streets, and 
were captured by the rebels thirty miles from Gainesville and 
taken to Macon, Ga., and from there to Charleston, S. C. After 
being in prison at Charleston awhile, they were started on their 
way to the prison at Columbia, S. C, but while en routi for the lat- 
ter place he escaped by jumping from the train, but was recapt- 
ured the next day and taken to Columbia. On the night of Nov. 
2, 1864, he with three others escaped from prison. They traveled 
by night and' hid in the cane-brakes in day time. After a perilous 



1262 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

journey in an open boat of sixteen nights, they arrived at the 
mouth of the San tee Kiver, and were picked up by the U. S. sloop 
of war Canandaigua and sent to Hilton Head, S. C. There he 
asked for orders to rejoin his regiment, where he arrived about the 
22d of November, 1864. Five companies of the regiment were 
now mustered out of the service, their term of enlistment having 
expired. Those of the regiment who veteranized were organized 
into two companies, A and B, forming what is known as the Sev- 
enty-fifth Ohio Yeteran Battalion, and was placed in command of 
Captain Wm. J. Rannells. The Yeteran Battalion did arduous duty 
about Jacksonville, Fla., and at one time, while out with forty of 
his men, he encountered McCormicks's (Second Florida) cavalry, 
600 strong, and after a gallant fight were forced back through the 
swamps to Jacksonville. In this engagement he lost twenty men. 
July 26, 1865, the Yeteran Battalion was mustered out at Hilton 
Head, S. C, and were brought to Columbus, Ohio, by Captain Ran- 
nells, where they were paid off and disbanded. Captain Rannells 
has a record as a soldier that any man might be proud of; he had 
the confidence of his superior officers and the esteem of the men 
under his command. He was noted for his courage in battle, and 
was in every battle and skirmish in which his regiment was engaged 
with the exception of Fort Wagner, which battle was fought while 
he was at home convalescent from his Gettysburg wounds. Four 
months after he was mustered out of the service he with his 
brother, Dr. C. S. Rannells, went to Desha County, Ark., to en- 
gage in the lumber business, which venture was not successful, and 
he returned to McArthur. He began the study of law in the 
office of Hon. H. C. Jones, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. 
In 1872 and 1873 he was Second Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of 
the Ohio Senate. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Yinton 
County in 1873, on the Republican ticket, by a large majority, and 
has since been engaged in the practice of his profession at Mc- 
Arthur. June 4, 1874, he was married to Miss Ida Brodt, 
daughter of J. F. Brodt, Esq., of Nelson ville, Athens Co., Ohio. 
Two daughters have been born to them — Rachel L. and Mary T., 
.seven and five years of age respectively. Captain Rannells is 
a lawyer of high standing at the Yinton County bar, a man of 
sterling worth, and politically a Republican of unquestionable 
integrity. 

Henry Reynolds, ex-County Treasurer and ex-County Auditor, 
is a son of Benjamin and grandson of James Reynolds. The 
family was originally of Scotch-Irish descent, but James was a 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1263 

native of Maryland, where he married Nancy Harrison In 1819 
they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Perry County, where they 
died. Of their eight children four became residents of Ohio viz- 
Benjamin, Jane, Nancy and Nellie, all deceased save Benjamin' 
He was born in Maryland, Aug. 22, 1790. April 23 1811 he 
married Susan Shriver, who was born in Maryland, June 2, 1793 
Her lather, Henry Shriver, was a native of Germany. In 1817 they 
with tour children emigrated to Ohio and settled in Perry County 
but in 1830 came to Hocking (now Vinton) County, and settled in 
1831 where they now reside, in Swan Township, aged respectively 
ninety-threefand ninety years. They have had fourteen children 
thirteen st.ll living-Henry, Anna, Mary, Elizabeth, .Rachel (de- 
ceased), George, Lucinda, Isaac, Sarah, Susan, Maria, Cordelia 
Lydia, Samuel. Lucinda, Sarah and Samuel live in Iowa, Isaac 
lives in Kansas, and the rest live in Ohio. Henry, the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Berkley County, Va., March 14, 1812, but 
since 1817 has been a resident of Ohio and since 1830 of what is now 
Vmton County. He has voted fifty consecutive years in the vicinity 
of McArthur, almost universally Democratic. " His judgment and 
ability have given him rank among the leading citizens and in 1859- 
he was elected County Treasurer; was re-elected serving two terms. 
In 1869 he was elected Auditor. He was married to Belinda Wil- 
son, who died in 1875, the mother of seven children six of whom 
are living. He married for his second wife Savilla Patterson, and 
again he married Sarah, widow of John Red, who was born in 
Nelsonville, Ohio, but reared in Yinton County. 

James L. Roll, farmer, section 5, located upon his present farm 
in 1873, purchasing at the time 240 acres of land— 200 acres in Elk 
Township and forty adjoining in Swan Township. His land with 
the exception of about forty acres is well improved. He is en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising. He was born in Washington 
County, Pa., in 1809, and is a son of Samuel and Dorcas (Ried) 
Robb, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Muskingum County, 
Ohio, in about 1819. She died in the latter place, after which he 
went to Hardin County, Ohio, where he died. Our subject was 
reared on the farm and lived in Muskingum, Guernsey and Perry 
until his removal to his present place. He was married in 1837 to 
Nancy Leach, of Guernsey County, by whom he has had nine chil- 
dren, seven of whom are living— Harriet, Samuel, Nancy, Odessa, 
Sarah, William and James; the deceased were Matthew and Dorcas.' 
Matthew was a soldier in the late war, enlisting from Perry County 



1264 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in 1862 in tlie Sixty-second Regiment, Company H, and served 
until his death in 1863. Samuel enlisted in 1863 in Company A, 
Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, from Perry County, and served until 
the close of the war, passing through a number of hard-fought 
battles. He was disabled bj' sickness contracted by exposure. 

Ezekiel Robinett, farmer, was born March 25, 1823, in Water- 
loo, Athens Co., Ohio, a son of Nathan and Drusilla Robinett, 
natives of Athens County. He was married to Sarah J. Brown, 
who has borne him six children, five of whom are living — Sylves- 
ter, Lydia, Samantha, William C. and Mary. Levi is deceased. 
He owns eighty-three acres of well-cultivated land. Mrs. Robi- 
nett died Feb. 20, 187-4. Ezekiel and Katie Robinett, grandpa- 
rents of our subject, came from Pennsylvania to Athens County, 
Ohio, previous to 1800. They located in Waterloo Township where 
he bought a large tract of land near Marshfield. After a resi- 
dence of many years they removed to Hocking County, where they 
spent the remainder of their life and died at an advanced age. 
They were the parents of fifteen sons, of wdiom the following 
grew to maturity — Lemuel, Moses, George, Stephen, Lewis and 
Israel. Nathan Robinett was married to Drusilla, a daughter of 
Jeremiah Robinett. After his marriage he made his home in Lee 
Township, remaining there many years, after which he located in 
Elk Township, where he died at the home of his son Ezekiel, Jan. 
24, 1865. His wife died Dec. 25, 1866. To them were born 
twelve children — Ezekiel, Mary Ann, Mercy, Jeremiah, Lydia, 
Susannah, Nathaniel and Levi, and four who died in childhood. 

A. W. Salts, Judge of Probate Court, Mc Arthur, is a son of 
Edward Salts, Jr., who was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1812, 
and died in Vinton County, Nov. 17, 1S54, from injuries received 
some time previous at a barn raising. He was brought by his 
parents to where Mc Arthur Junction now is in 1816. He was 
through life mostly a farmer, although the latter part he kept a 
grocery store where the old McArthur station now stands. He 
was a man of industry, economy and good principle, and accom- 
plished a fair competency. He married Clarissa, daughter of 
Harry Cassil, who died about 1810. She was the mother of three 
children, two of whom were twins and died in infancy. John, the 
other, married and died in Minnesota, leaving one child — Clara 
Salts. The second wife of Edward Salts, Jr., was Matilda, widow 
of George Morrison, whose maiden name was Lively. She was 
born in Virginia in 1822 and died in Vinton County, Ohio, Dec. 



HISTORT OF HOCKING VALLEY. X265 

22, 1877 where B ],e had lived since 1830. She had one child hv 
her first husband-Martha J., and by Edward Salts she had five 
children; by her third husband, William Landman, no. Her 
cMdren by Edward Salts were-Olara, now Mrs. Jos ph Wa.lfc 
of Cherokee County, Kas.; Bebecca, wife of Joseph Seay, of Mis' 
Imlrew W 8 r S ° Mare iDTint - County. Of thinuml, 
tlZ ■ n \ th ;iT geSMnd W3S b0 ™ iD Vi » to » County, Feb 
6 1853. He had the benefit of a common-school education, but by 
close apphcat.on of study, and stability of mind, at the age of 
seventeen was prepared to teach, which he followed seventeen 
terms, together with farming. I„ 1SS0 he was elected Justice of 
the Peace of Richland Township, and in the fall of 1881 was 
elected by the Democratic party to his present position, Probate 
Judge, and at the time, was the youngest man ever elected to that 
position ,„ the State of Ohio. He was married Sept. 4, 1873, to 
Maggie Buskirk, of Richland Township, but a native of Mus- 
kingum County, Ohio. She received a liberal education and 
taught several terms. Tlmy have four children-Herbert L., Clara 
J.V1., ±t,clna M. and Harry H. 

Conrad Schmidt, grocer, McArthur, a son of Michael Schmidt 
was born in Baden, Germany, Oct 15, 1822, and in 1847 came to 
America and settled in Sandusky City, and in 1854 came to Vinton 
County. In 1864 he bought a farm near McArthur of 118 acres 
on section 27, but in 1882 sold his farm, and in December of the 
same year opened a grocery store in McArthur, where he carries 
a full hue of all articles kept in a grocery store. His first wife 
was Mary A Myers who was born and reared in Germany. She 
was the mother of ten children, eight now living. He married his 
second wife Fannie (Sprouse) Tracewell, in 1878. She was born 
in Albemarle County, Ya./.Sept. 4, 1837, but since 1869 has lived 
in Vinton County, Ohio. She had five children by her first hus- 
band, two living-Cora Ann and Charles J. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt 
are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, though Mr 
Schmidt was born and reared a Catholic. 

Stephen W. Sherwood, farmer, McArthur, is a son of David 
and Anna Sherwood, and was born in Fairfield County, Conn 
June 4, 1818. He was reared in his native county on the farm and 
acquired a common-school education. At the age of twenty he 
entered upon ocean life which he followed five years. Darin* this 
time he visited England, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Africa, 
New Zealand, China and Holland. In 1845 he came West and 
o0 



1266 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

spent some time in Missouri and other Western States and returned 
East to New York, but in 1851 came to Vinton County, Ohio, and 
in 1853 married Sarah A. Aikins. His first purchase of land was 
in 1852, and he now owns 400 acres and also some town property. 
This accumulation is mostly the result of his own legitimate efforts. 
His land is richly underlaid with coal and ore, while the surface is 
good [agricultural and grazing land. He makes a specialty of 
breeding fine sheep and cattle. He and wife are members of the 
Presbyterian church. Mrs. Sherwood was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, in March, 1832, and is a daughter of Eobert and 
Elizabeth Aikins, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, but 
finally became residents of Vinton County, Ohio, and in 1874 of 
McArthur, where he died in March, 1881, and his widow still lives. 
Of their eight children six are now living, all in Vinton County. 
George W. Shockey was born near McArthur, Athens (now 
Vinton) County, Ohio, May 5, 1822. At the age of eight years his 
father put him on his own resources financially. He did such 
work as he could get to do, and in that way got his clothing and 
education. He worked nights and mornings for his board, and by 
close application and hard study made considerable advancement in 
his studies, and in ( 1844]was, under the new school system established 
by law in the State of Ohio, by a 'Board of School Examiners, granted 
a certificate to teach school, and taught his first school in McAr- 
thur in 1844. He taught in Vinton County many years, the last 
term in the winter of 1869. As a teacher he was well appreciated. In 
1848 he studied law with T. A. Plants, a prominent lawyer in 
Pomeroy, Ohio, and afterward reviewed with Judge Hewitt, of Mc- 
Arthur, Ohio. Instead of going into the practice of law he went into 
the mercantile business with fair success. His health failing he 
was obliged to give up this business, and resumed teaching. June 
3, 1852, he married Harriet Howell, of Harrisonville, Meigs Co., 
Ohio. They lived in McArthur until 1869, when they removed to 
Washington, D. C, where they now live. To them was born only 
one child, a daughter — Lucy M., born in Meigs County, Ohio, 
July 9, 1853, and married in 'September, 1880, to Benjamin F. 
Shaw, of Washington, D. C. Mr. Shockey was 'elected Township 
Clerk several times, and during his administration, through his 
influence and economy, the township was financially in a healthy 
condition. He was a member of the Town Council of McArthur 
for several terms, and of the Board of Education several terms. 
He was appointed by the Court of Common Pleas on the first Board 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1267 

of School Examiners, in Vinton County, and served about fifteen 
yeras in that capacity. He also took an active part in organizing 
the first Sunday-school, in 1837, in Mc Arthur, and taught the first 
class in the school. He was appointed to a position in the United 
States Treasury Department, at Washington, I). C, in 1869, which 
he has honestly and faithfully filled, always ready to do his duty in 
whatever work is assigned to his desk. He has been twice exam- 
ined by the Civil Service Board, and holds a certificate of appoint- 
ment, efficiency and promotions, and has thus far discharged his 
duties to the satisfaction of the officers and the Secretary of the 
Treasury. His first vote was cast in favor of the old Whig part}', 
in 18±3, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican 
party. Mr. Shockey believes in advocating the teachings of the 
Bible. In all his dealings with community he has been strictly hon- 
est, endeavoring to do by all as he would have them do to him. 
He has made it a point to pay all his debts, and his word is as good 
as his note. 

Jacob Shockey, an early settler of Vinton County, Ohio, was 
born in Morgan County, Va., Feb. 15, 1801. He and his young 
wife emigrated to Ohio and settled on a piece of land about one 
mile east of McArthur, Vinton County, in 1821. His family con- 
sists of seven children born in this county, three boys and four 
girls, all married and have families. George W. and John J. are 
politicians and hold responsible positions. William M., the 
youngest son, was a minister of considerable talent and ability, 
and died in McArthur, April 21, 1860, in the thirty-second year of 
his age. Mary Ann, the oldest daughter, died in 1862, in the 
forty-third year of her age. Mr. Shockey was well respected and 
well beloved, strictly honest, and a leading spirit in the community, 
an honest man and a leading and active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church about fifty years. He assisted and took an active 
part in building the first church in McArthur, and perhaps the 
first church in Vinton County. He believed in the teachings of 
the Bible and the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church, 
and had strong faith in the divinity of Christ. He was a licensed 
Preacher, Exhorfer, Class-Leader, and a man of more than ordinary 
ability; had a good strong voice, was a sweet singer, and was very 
powerful and able in prayer. He was a man of even temper and 
amiable disposition, kind and affectionate in his family, loved by 
his children and his neighbors. He married Elizabeth Snyder in 
Virginia, Aug, 3, 1S19. They lived together nearly fifty years, 



1268 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and after their children all married and left the old homestead 
death separated them. He took considerable interest in politics; 
voted for General Jackson for President in 1828. He became dis. 
satisfied with the Democratic party and supported the Whig party 
until 1852. He believed that slavery was a sin and ought not to 
be tolerated by the Government; and when the Republican party 
organized in 1856, he adopted its platform, and cast his votes with 
his party as long as he lived. By occupation outside of his relig- 
ious work he was a farmer and miller. He did much toward clear- 
ing np the heavy timbered land and assisted in chopping the timber 
out of Main street in McArthur. He cleared off the ground and 
built a tent for the first Methodist camp-meeting in Yinton County 
on the spot where the new brick school-house in McArthur now 
stands. He owned and ran a saw and grist mill one mile east of 
McArthur, on Elk Fork of Kaccoon — known in early days as the 
Dawson Mills. He resided in Yinton County from the time of .his 
first settlement in 1821 till his death, which took place at his resi- 
dence in McArthur, Nov. 21, 1868, in the sixty-ninth year of his 
age, in the full faith of Christianity and the hope of a blessed 
immortality. 

John J. Shockey, ex-Sheriff, McArthur, Ohio, a son of Jacob 
Shockey, whose sketch appears above, was born in what is now 
Yinton County, Ohio, July 22, 1824, on section 27, of Elk Town- 
ship. He was reared to farm life in the primeval forest, helping to 
clear it up. It was in the days when schools were few, hence the 
most of his education was obtained by self-exertions. In 1810 he 
engaged to learn the tailor's trade in McArthur, under David Hum- 
mer, and subsequently devoted eleven years to that vocation, and 
from 1845 to 1850 was the principal tailor in the town. In 1S51 
he engaged in the grocery trade which he followed successfully 
until 1861, when he saw the necessity of defending our na:ion's 
flag and entered the service as leader of the band of the Fifty- 
third Ohio Yolunteers, and remained in the service irntil May, 
1862; was present at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. After 
his return he followed teaming two years, when, in 1864, he was 
elected Sheriff of Yinton County, and in 1866 was 're-elected to the 
same office by the largest majority of any one on the Democratic 
ticket. He was an able officer and discharged his duty with fidelity 
and honor to himself as well as county. Since 1S69 he has been 
variously engaged in grocery business, hotel-keeping, etc. During 
Sheriff Cottrill's term lie served as Deputy Sheriff four years, but 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1269 

now lives rather retired. He was married March 16, 1852, to 
Phoebe, daughter of Elijah Porter. Thirteen children were born 
to them, of whom nine are living, two married and seven at home. 
Mr. Shockey possesses a musical talent of which his children par- 
take largel}'. 

Isaac Shry, farmer, section 13, was born in Virginia, near Park - 
ersburg, in 1807, and is a son of Jacob Shry, an old settler in this 
county. Our subject, when a child, came with his parents to Ohio, 
where he was reared upon a farm, and when old enough helped his 
father to clear up the farm. He received only a limited education 
in the subscription schools, and after attaining his majority he 
began life for himself, and for eight years lived with, his father. 
He located upon his present place in 1840, containing at that time 
eighty acres in the woods. He purchased afterward seventy acres 
more, and now owns 150 acres of land, which is well improved, and 
is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married in 1S28 
to Sallie, daughter of Israel Bobo, one of the early settlers in this 
county. To Mr. and Mrs. Shry six children have been born, five 
of whom are living — Melissa, Lorania, Phoebe, Sylvester and Flo- 
retta. The son was a soldier, serving in the Second] j Virginia 
Cavalry three years and three months. Mrs. Shry is a member 
of the Christian church. Mr. Shry has been successful in life, and 
through hard work and the assistance of his wife he has made a 
good home, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. 

G. W. Sisson, druggist, McArthur, Ohio, is purely of English 
stock, as several brothers emigrated to. America many years ago. 
G. W. is a son of Daniel A., who was born near Fall River, Mass., 
about 1795. His parents both died when he was but a child. lie 
remained in his native State until about 1818, when he came to 
Ohio, settling in what is now Elk Township, Vinton County, be- 
coming one of the pioneers and frontier woodsmen. He in 1820 
took a trip up the Missouri River as far as Council Bluffs, but 
came again to Ohio in 1S24, when he married Miss Fannie Fuller. 
He in an early day devoted considerable time to making the Rac- 
coon Mill burr. His wife was born in IS03 in Maine, and was the 
daughter of Thaddeus Fuller, a Revolutionary soldier who died in 
Vinton County, Ohio, just prior to the war of 1812. He was a 
land owner and resident of Maine, but owing to the probabilities 
of an invasion by the British he left the farm with a part of his 
family and settled in Vinton County where both died. 



1270 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

William Snook, deceased, was a son of Mathias and grandson of 
John Snook. The latter was an early settler in what is now 
Clinton Town ship, Vinton County, where he followed blacksmithing 
and farming. He died near McArthur Junction. Mathias was 
reared in Clinton Township, where he followed the trade of a 
stone-mason, but died in the prime of life. His wife was Sarah, 
daughter of William Craig, who also died on section 31 in Elk 
Township. Of their three children John was the eldest and was 
born in Clinton Township, what is now Vinton County, Ohio, Aug. 
2, 1821, and died July 11, 18S2. He was reared to farm life and 
received a common-school education. He was a man very decided 
in his opinion and strict in the command of his children, yet kind 
and agreeable to his family. He was a stout, hearty man, but 
died at the age of sixty-one. His political affiliations were Dem- 
ocratic. His wife was Martha, daughter of William Sinclair. She 
was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1S30. Her father, 
William Sinclair, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife, Jane 
Dawson, of Ohio. They in 1859 came to section 31, Elk Town- 
ship, and bought a quarter section which he cleared and improved, 
living here till their death. Mr. and Mrs. Snook had nine chil- 
dren, six now living. 

Rachel Snyder, widow of T. Smith Snyder, McArthur, was born 
in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 18, 1809, and is a daughter of George 
Shry, a pioneer of Elk Township. She from seven years of age 
has lived in and about McArthur. In 1829 she married T. Smith 
Snyder, son of Fred Snyder, also a pioneer of Elk Township. He 
was born in Frederick County ,Va., in July, 1S00, and from 1821 to 
his death, March 1, 1870, was a resident of Vinton County. In 
single life he worked as farm hand, but after he was married com- 
menced building and operating saw and grist mills, which he fol- 
lowed until feeble health compelled him to live a retired life. Mr. 
and Mrs. Snyder had ten children; five are now living — Isaac H., 
Ephraim, Christena, Harriet W. and Sanford. The latter lives 
in McArthur and is a mechanic and a leading member of the I. O. 
O. F. 

John Stanley, Sheriff of Vinton Count} T , is a son of William, 
and grandson of Joseph Stanley. His great-grandfather was born in 
England, came to America prior to the Revolutionary war and 
settled in the town of Philadelphia, Penn., and carried on his 
trade, butchering, to which he had served a seven-years' apprentice- 
ship, but when the Continental war began he was patriotic and of- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1271 

fered his service to the American army. After his military career 
of seven years he settled in Pennsylvania, where he died. Of his 
children, Joseph was one of the eldest, and was born about the 
time of the above war in Pennsylvania. He grew to maturity and 
was married in Pennsylvania, and in 1839 he and his wife and 
family of six children came to Ohio and settled in Athens (now 
Vinton) County, where both died, he in Madison Township and 
she in Knox. At the time of coming to Ohio William, the el- 
dest son, was nineteen, and has been a resident of Yinton County 
ever since, following farming as did his father before him. He is 
now a landholder of about 300 acres, which he has mostly cleared 
and improved, having been a stout and. hearty man. He married 
Prudence Pichey, of Muskingum County, Ohio, who died in Sep- 
tember, 1881. She was the mother of seven children, of whom six 
are now living, and the eldest^ son is John, the subject of this 
sketch, who was born July 27, 1816. He was reared to farm life 
and received a common education. He devoted the falls of about 
fourteen years to threshing, which he fully understood, having the 
reputation of being a first-class thresher. In September, 1871, he 
married Mary L. Dickson, of Lee Township, Athens County, 
where she was born and reared. Five children are born to this 
union. For the past few years Mr. Stanley has devoted his time 
to saw and grist milling. In the fall of 1882 he was elected 
Sheriff of Yinton County, which position he took charge of Jan. 1, 
18S3. During his residence in Knox Township he has held the 
office of Treasurer several times. 

Hon. Frank' Strong, Legislator and stock-dealer, McArthur, is 
a son of Silas and Clarissa (Cook) Strong, and was born in Meigs 
County, Ohio, near Wilkesville, Aug. 7, 1828. His youthful days 
were spent on his father's farm, and he received such an education 
as the facilities of the common schools afforded. At the age of 
twenty-eight years he married, and at once engaged in fanning for 
himself. In 1857 he became a land-owner near his birthplace, but 
in 1865 he sold out, and the following year moved to McArthur, 
where he has since resided. Soon after coming here he engaged in 
the general mercantile trade, which he conducted about eight 
years, with which he extensively engaged in handling wool. This 
pursuit he still continues, together with dealing in cattle and sheep. 
His jurisdiction and ability gave him rank among the leading citi- 
zens of the county, and in the fall of 1SS1 he was (as Republican) 
elected a member of the State Legislature in a Democratic County. 



1272 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Durino- the second terra of his career he has served as chairman on 
the Committee of Agriculture; also served second on Committee 
of Reform Schools for girls and boys, and Committee on Mining. 
Mr. Strong was married to Miss Eva Temple, of Newport, Ky. 
They had a family of three children. One died in infancy. Cora 
died, aged eighteen, when just blooming into womanhood, and the 
youngest, Edward, is now living in Mc Arthur. 

Anthony Trimmer, farmer, postoffice McArthur, is a son ot 
Anthony and grandson of Paul Trimmer. His grandfather was a 
native of New Jersey, and for twenty years was a sailor on the 
ocean. While he was at sea his brother Anthony came West and 
was never afterward heard from. A half-brother, Isaiah Fairolove, 
died in New Jersey. His wife was Jane McUlwaine. They, with 
seven children, finally settled in Washington County, Perm., 
where both died. Their three sons, Anthony, Thomas and Sam- 
uel, and one daughter, Mrs. Nancy Ravencraft, died in Washing- 
ton County. Of the others, Mrs. Polly Myers died in Ross 
County, Ohio, and Mrs. Rebecca Miller and Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, 
in Coshocton County. Anthony married Jane Manning in New 
Jersey. She died in Washington County, leaving eleven children, 
of whom the subject of this sketch is the ninth. Mr. Trimmer then 
married Margaret Hunt, who was born and reared in Washington 
County, Penn., and died in Vinton County in the fall of 1876. 
Anthony, Jr., was born in Washington County, Penn., March 22, 
1814. When a boy he commenced to learn brickmaking, a trade 
he followed till thirty years of age. At about that age he married 
Lucinda Miller, a native of Washington County, but at that time 
a resident of Coshocton County, Ohio. She died in 1877, leaving 
eight children, all now living — David, Rebecca J., John, Eliza A., 
Paul, William, Lucinda and Mary. In 1864 Mr. Trimmer came 
with his family from Coshocton County to his present farm on sec- 
tion 32, Elk Township. He has 123 acres which he cultivates in 
corn and wheat. 

S. H. Trimmer, brother of the above, the fifth child of Anthony 
and Margaret (Hunt) Trimmer, was born in Washington County, 
Penn., Jan. 31, 1834. His father died when he was seven years 
old, and he was reared to the lite of a fanner under the jurisdic- 
tion of his mother and step father. When sixteen years of age he 
commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade in Pennsylvania. In 
1858 he came to McArthur and opened a shop, working at his trade 
till 1S75. He was very successful, and in ls73 bought the farm 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1273 

ot 117 acres on sections 31 and 32, Elk Township, where he now 
resides, which he has since improved and now has under good state 
of cultivation. lie moved to the farm in 1S75, and now has a good 
home surrounded with all the comforts of life. There is a five-foot 
vein of tine coal on section 31; four veins of ore, two feet down, 
- v excavated, and a good quality of blue limestone and black 
band ore. The land produces good crops ol corn and wheat. Mr. 
Trimmer is now devoting considerable time to fine stock, and is 
turning his farm into pasture. Ho was married to Rebecca J. Bot- 
tomfield, <.>i Monroe County. They had ten children, rive now liv- 
e deceased were buried in one grave, all dying of the 
mea> - 

IT. Wa . - .-a of George Waxier, who was born and 

1 in Virginia, came ;en about twenty-two years 

old ai S sannah Ashton. They settled in Muskingum 

County, Ohio, near Zanesville, on a farm, where they lived until 

.. He died in 1S6"\ dropping dead from heart disease; and 

his wife t. L8S0. He was a farmer through life, and hav 

-- start with nothing. 

Of their fifteen c _ is the fourth child and was born 

M - . _ io, Jan. 14. 1832. He was reared in 

his ni la common-school education, and at 

ty-two he married and si fe tor hims 

His ' - Henriett . 3 Virginia, born in 1 ~ _ 

tildren, four now living. Inl866Mr 

it for 
party but in 1873 _ ' 

— ore an I - lime- 

. producing about L, tons tore 

and coal for his - stone annn 

He is g considerable 1 sing French merino 

._ _ a year, his ] is - eing 

_ 186: A. 

.1 and T - Captain 

Jose - the close of the war, 

■ ■ " - - 

565, § tssed _ var uninjured. He now 

ogs to 1 ' 

Nathan j - sides in It 

be has had 1 
has 



1274 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

and is the present incumbent. He owns the old homestead and is 
engaged in stock-raising to a considerable extent. He and his 
wife are members of the United Brethren church and take much 
interest in religious matters. Philander Wescoat, our subject's 
father, was a son of Isaac Wescoat, who settled in this township 
about 1815 and died in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1849. Philander 
was married to Margaret Brewer and soon after settled where his 
son Nathan now resides. He was the father of eleven children — 
Isaac, John, Amos, Orrin, Clarissa, Margaret, Triphena, Louisa, 
Samantha, Nathan B. and one who died in infancy. The eldest 
son, Isaac, served in the three-months' service in the late war, and 
afterward from 1864 till the war closed. Amos Brewer, father of 
Mrs. P. Wescoat, was a native of North Carolina. He settled in 
Boss County, Ohio, in 1805, and in 1810 located in this county near 
the present site of Zaleski. He was a soldier in the war of 1S12. 
He and his wife, Jane (Graves) Brewer, died at an advanced age. 
C. L. White was born at Barbarsville, Cabel Co. , W. Ya. , Oct. 
29, 1840, the second son of Samuel L. and Rebecca W. (Masterson) 
White, and a grandson of Christian and Elizabeth White, who em- 
igrated from Germany about the year 1750 and settled in Lancas- 
ter and afterward Berks County, Pa., subsequently moving to 
Shenandoah County, Va., and from thence to Leesburg, Washing- 
ton Co., East Tenn. His^father moved to Ohio with his family in 
1845 and settled in Gallia County, near Centerville. He came to 
Wilkesville in 1848 and from thence to Ewington in 1850. Being 
a hatter by trade his business did not afford ample means for his large 
family of eight children, consequently was not able to furnish his 
son even moderate advantages of schooling. Therefore young White 
was early thrown upon his own resources. At the age of fourteen 
years, in the spring of 1855, he with his brother, Dr. John F. White, 
chopped 200 cords of wood at Keystone Furnace, Jackson Co., 
Ohio, and in the spring of 1856 they cut and split 3,000 rails for 
different parties in the neighborhood, and in the fall of the same 
year were again engaged in chopping wood and splitting rails, at- 
tending school during the winter of 1856-'57. He progressed so rap- 
idly that he and his brother resolved to change their avocation to 
that of teaching, whereupon he borrowed $25 and commenced 
attending the academy at Ewington, Aug. 7, 1857. School 
closed some time in the fall of the same year and -young 
White walked to Gallipolis, a distance of twenty miles, to the ex- 
amination of teachers, obtaining a certificate for twelve months, and 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1275 

commenced teaching his first school at Harrisburg, Gallia Co., 
Ohio, Nov. 23. 1857. He attended school at Ewington Academy 
through the summer and taught during the winter in the counties 
of Jackson and Gallia until the spring of 1861. He then attended 
Gallia Academy at Gallipolis, Ohio, finishing his academic course 
at Ewington Academy, June 20, 1863. Nov. 12, 1863, he was 
married to Eliza N. Bussard, of Jackson County, Ohio. Removing to 
Wilkesville in the spring of 1861 lie worked at the tanning business 
until the fall of the same year, when he volunteered in Company I, 
First United States Volunteer Engineers, serving until Sept. 30, 
1865. After being mustered out he again taught in the common 
schools of the county until September, 1873, when he took charge 
of the Union Schools atZaleski, Yinton Co., Ohio, as Superintendent. 
Jan. 31, 1876, he resigned his position. Having studied law while 
teaching he was admitted to the bar Sept. 8, 1871, and was elected 
by the Democracy of his county State's Attorney in October, 1875; 
re-elected to the same office in 1877 — he was the first Prosecuting 
Attorney who had ever been re-elected in the county. He gave 
such satisfaction to the people of his county that he was elected 
Auditor in 1SS0, in which position lie is now serving. Mr. White 
possesses peculiar talent and temperament, never yielding to dis- 
couragements, and always appearing in fine humor. He has won- 
•d< rful tact in the management of men and seems by intuition to be a 
natural politician, possessing force of character, energy of purpose, 
tact in management, and shrewdness in thought that make him 
at once a leader of no small magnitude. He is recognized by both 
friends and foes as one of the best and foremost politicians of South- 
eastern Ohio. Mr. White was a successful laborer, pupil and teacher, 
receiving the highest wages and employed nearly all his time 
when so engaged. He is one of the most successful prosecutors 
his county ever possessed, and has so far given such entire satisfac- 
tion as an executive official that there seems to be a world of praise 
for him in the management of his present official duties. Mr. 
W r hite is yet in the prime of life, and with his usual health and for- 
mer success in life bids fair to reach many positions of honor and 
trust within the gift of a generous and confiding people, and cer- 
tainly has set an example for the young men of to-day to imitate. 
Mr. and Mrs. White have had three children born to them — Car- 
rie L., Charles Norwood and James Edgar. The second child died 
in infancy. Mr. White resides with his wife and children at Mc- 
Arthur, Ohio, where he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all. 



1276 HISTORY OF HOCKIXG VALLEY. 

./. P. Whitlatch, ex-County Treasurer, McArthur, is a son of 
Charles Whitlatch who was born in Monongahela County, Pa., but 
in early lite settled with his parents in Adams County, Ohio, where 
he married Eva Wisecup. of German extraction, born in Pennsyl- 
vania, but reared in Adams County, Ohio. They subsequently 
settled in Lawrence County, Ohio, where they remained until 
1856, when they came to Vinton Furnace, Yinton Co., Ohio, 
where he died in 1870. His widow died April 14, 1883, in Mc Arthur , 
Ohio. He was for the greater part of his life a carpenter and 
wagon-maker. Of his children Joseph P. is the seventh and last 
child; was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, in 1840, but since six- 
teen years of age has resided in Vinton County. His youthful 
days were spent at hard manual labor together with improving 
the winter months in school. In 1871 he engaged as clerk or coal 
receiver for the Vinton Furnace, for Bancroft & Rader, and thus 
continued until his election in 1874 to the office of County Treas- 
urer. He was re-elected in the fall of 1876. At the expiration of 
this term he engaged as clerk or ore receiver for J. R. Buchtel & 
Co. Jan. 26, 1881, he was married to Lydia M., daughter of 
Edmond Wolfe. They have one child — Eva M. 

Wm. Whitlatch, Superintendent County Infirmary, McArthur, 
Ohio, is a brother of J. P. Whitlatch. He was born in Lawrence 
County, Ohio, June 11, 1838. He came with his parents to Vin- 
ton County, Ohio, in 1855 or 1856, where he matured and 
acquired a common-school education. He was reared to public 
works until his appointment to his present position in 1S76. His 
care of property, judicious management of his trusts, and econom- 
ical transactions for the county's institution, is only to be compre- 
hended by knowing that he has been reappointed six years and is now 
serving his seventh term. He superintends the county farm of 320 
acres, mostly under cultivation, pleasantly situated one and one half 
miles north of McArthur. His knowledge of agriculture and care to 
fertilize the soil succeeds in supplying the vegetables and wheat 
consumed, so that the out-lay by the county is mostly for groceries, 
dry-goods and medicine. He spares no pains applying his indi- 
vidual time on the farm, always taking the'lead. The farm contains 
about 300 maple trees, producing annually considerable syrup. The 
house of forty-seven rooms is located on the southern part of the 
farm, a two-story brick with neat and comfortable surroundings. 
The rooms are well cared for by Mrs. Whitlatch, who devotes her 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1277 

entire time to that department, and promoting peace and order 
within. They have now a capacity of about seventy-five inmates, 
and at present, April, 1S83, there are fifty-three in the institution — 
eighteen males and thirty-five females. Mr. Whitlatch married 
Miss Ellen J., daughter of Conrad Wolf, of Pennsylvania birth, 
but of German parentage. They have eight children of which 
seven are living. Mr. Whitlatch makes a specialty of merino sheep 
and Poland China and Chester White pigs. Of the latter he makes 
a specialty of breeding, and stands high among stock-breeders of 
the county. 

Daniel Will, President of the Vinton County National Bank, 
was born in Hocking County, Ohio, in 1832, and since nine years 
of age has been a resident of McArthur. In boyhood his educa- 
tional advantages were limited. In 1850 he engaged to assist in 
driving stock to Harrisburg, Pa., at a salary of $11 per month, 
returning as he went, on foot. That fall he taught a term of school, 
and the following spring became a clerk in his Uncle Joseph K. 
Will's store, remaining with him three years at a salary of $125 
per year. At the end of that time he went into partnership with 
his uncle, remaining till 1858. He then withdrew from the Mc- 
Arthur store and opened a store in Zaleski, soon after taking his 
father as a partner. After a time lie opened a general store in Mc- 
Arthur, on purely a cash system, baying and selling for cash, thus 
being able to buy at large discounts, and sell lower than the general 
market price. His brothers, Jacob and Aaron, commenced to clerk 
for him, and in 1865 became partners, the firm still existing. In 
1S67 the bank of Will, Brown & Co. was established, and Sept. 1, 
1868, was consolidated with the Yinton County Bank, and D. Will 
was chosen President. In October, 1872, the bank was incorpo- 
rated with $100,000 capital as the Yinton County National Bank. 
Mr. Will has always dealt largely in real estate, and now owns 
nearly 1,200 acres of land, the most of it in Yinton County. He 
started in life with no capital, but energy and industry, which, 
coupled with good business principles, has won for him a success- 
ful business life. Mr. Will is a member of the I. O. O. F., of 
McArthur. He has never married. George Will, Sr., great-grand- 
father of Daniel Will, came from Germany to America when the 
latter was under English rule, and fought for American indepen- 
dence in the struggle to free the colonies from England's tyranny. 
He died at Adelphi, Ross Co., Ohio. His son, George Will, Jr., 
was born in Berks County, Pa., July 3, 1774. At that time edu- 



1278 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

cational advantages were very meager, but, either by inheritance 
or from having it instilled by example, he possessed true patriot- 
ism, and in 1795, though but a boy, offered his services to defend 
the country from the French and Indians. At that time he could 
not write, but, desiring to keep a diary, he madejextraordinary 
efforts, and the reports of his army service are still extant. We 
copy the following, written April 25, 1798: 

"Detroit, 25th April, '98. 

" This day opens with the pleasing idea of my being my own 
master, and may the Almighty God that gave me existence and 
preserved me through the perils I underwent heretofore conduct 
me with prosperity in my future station. Finis." 

In 1806 he removed to Adelphi, Ross Co., Ohio. In 1812 he 
again enlisted, and for his soldierly conduct was given a Captain's 
commission. Upon his return home he resumed his mercantile 
business which, in his absence, had been carried on by his wife. 
About 1827 he assisted his son, Joseph K., in business in Mc Ar- 
thur, but never became a resident of Vinton County, although as 
early as 1814 he had entered land where the southern town of Mc- 
Arthnr now stands. He died in 1845. His son, Jacob G., was 
born in Somerset County, Pa., in the early part of 1806. He mar- 
ried Sarah Swinehart, of Adelphi, born in 1806. Soon after his 
marriage he settled in Salt Creek Township, Hocking County, and 
seven years later in Hallsville, Ross County, where he carried on 
the mercantile business. In 1841 he came to Mc Arthur, but in 
1846, having met with severe losses by shipping pork, he resumed 
farming. In 1858 he opened a store in Zaleski, and soon after- 
ward was appointed Postmaster, holding that position until he 
resigned in 1881. He was a man weighing 250 pounds, strongly 
built, and equal to all emergencies that pressed themselves upon 
him. He had a family of ten children — Joseph B., who died Oct. 
19, 1881, being at the time of his death Clerk in the Sixth Audit- 
or's office of the Treasury Department at "Washington, having been 
appointed by Salmon P. Chase; George L., of Arkansas; Daniel, 
of McArthur; Susan E., wife of A. J. Dunkle, of Des Moines, 
Iowa; Caroline, died in infancy; Jacob S. and Aaron, merchants, 
of McArthur; Mary A.; Clarissa, wife of George D. Reah, of 
Zaleski, and Henry C, of Columbus, Ohio. Jacob J. Will died 
in Zaleski, Dec. 19, 1882. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1279 

Andrew Wolf, M. D., Mc Arthur, Ohio, is a son of Christopher 
and grandson of Andrew Wolf, Sr. The latter was a native of 
Germany where he matured, but soon after his majority came to 
America and married a lady who was also of German birth. They 
both died in Westmoreland County, Penn., where they had settled 
soon after marriage. He was by occupation a fanner and died, 
leaving his second wife a widow. Of Andrew, Sr.'s children 
Christopher, the father of our subject, was the eldest and was 
born in Westmoreland County, Penn. When only a youth he 
with his brother George came to Ohio and settled in Ames 
Township, Athens Co., Ohio, where they after resided. Here 
they were frontier woodsmen and pioneers, possessing energy, in- 
dustry and perseverance. Christopher possessed some of the 
characteristics of Lewis Wetzel, and in consequence had a number 
of chases with wild animals. He subsequently married Rhoda 
Dorr, a native of Connecticut and a daughter of Captain Dorr. 
The Dorr family were early settlers at Marietta where Rhoda was 
often protected from the red intruders by the block-house. The 
Dorr family subsequently became early settlers in Athens County, 
Ohio, where Captain Dorr and wife both died. Rhoda and hus- 
band, Christopher Wolf, settled in Athens County, Ohio, where 
they ended their days. They were early and noble pioneers of 
Hocking Valley and endured many privations that would be diffi- 
cult to describe by those who have not passed through them. 
They had ten children — William, Lydia, Andrew, Matthew D., 
Barak D., Rhoda (died young), Edmond D., Joseph, Jonathan D. 
and Elizabeth. Of the ten, six are now living, of which our sub- 
ject is the second eldest and was born in Athens County, Ohio, July 
19, 1810. He matured to farm life and had few educational priv- 
ileges. In early life he, by natural talent, selected for his future 
the profession of medicine, which his father assisted hiin to com- 
plete in maturer years by sending him East to read medicine under 
Dr. Jonathan Dorr, of Cambridge, New York. He graduated 
at the Medical College of Castleton,Vt.,in the fall of lS34and soon 
after married Eliza Lottridge, of Rensselaer County, 1ST. Y. In 
November of the year he graduated he returned to Athens County, 
and in April, 1835, came to McArthur, where he has since 
lived and practiced his profession, and is now the oldest resident 
physician of the county. In August, 1859, he buried his wife 
who was the mother of four children — Sarah M. (deceased), Anna 
D. (deceased), Charles B. (deceased), and Lydia M. (now Mrs. 



1280 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



Dr. Rannells, of Mc Arthur). Dr. Wolf's second wife was Pauline 
Bryan, of Rensselaer County, N. Y. The Doctor has practiced in 
McArtliur for nearly half a century and experienced many changes 
in the profession, as well as seeing Yinton County grow from a 
wilderness to a well-developed county. His deserving efforts as a 
practitioner have been favored with success, and he has also accom- 
plished a neat competency. He has at all times in life been enter- 
prising and liberal toward all movements tending to make society 
better, educate the rising generations and establish law and or- 
der. His self-denial and resolutions to accomplish/whatever he 
undertakes, integrity, correct habits, and enterprising spirit pre- 
sent to the struggling youth of to-day' an example worthy of imi- 
tation. The Doctor, in his old age is somewhat relinquishing his 
practice and devoting his time partially to that of sheep-raising. 




CHAPTER XLYI. 

MADISON, KNOX AND BROWN TOWNSHIPS, CONTAINING ZA- 
LESKI, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY. 

Madison Township - Original Organization - Surface and 
Drainage-The Pioneers-Population-Mjneral-Schools and 
Churches-Assesor's Returns, 1883-Zaleski-Its Religious 
Educational and Business Interests-Lodges-Manufactories 

Knox Township-Identical With Madison-Kame and its Ori- 
gin-Soil and Topography -The First Arrivals-Stock and 
its Assessment-Only Postoffice-Schools and Churches- 
JMills — Population. 

Brown Township-How it Became a Township-Metes and 
Bounds— The First Settlers-Its Water Supply-What Us 
ually Happens -Religious Denominations-Population - 
Transpcrtation-New Plymouth-Its Stock Returns for 
lbSd-KEMARKS— Agricultural and Mineral- Value as a 
Stock Township— Biographical. 

madison and its capital city. 

When first settled this township belonged to Athens County 
and was a part of the municipal township of Alexander which was 
prior to 1818, nearly as large as the whole of Vinton County It 
afterward formed a part of the original Brown Township of Athens 
County, which comprised the townships of Brown, Madison and 
Knox. On the organization of Hocking County, in 1818 this 
township was divided and the present Brown Township set over 
into Hocking County, while the present Madison and Knox formed 
Brown Township of Athens County. This relation remained until 
the organization of Vinton County in 1850, when the two Brown 
lownslnps were again thrown together, not to be merged into 
one again, but to help form a new county, and were designated as 
JNorth Brown and South Brown Townships. Dec. 2, 1850 Knox 
Township was formed from South Brown and Lee Township of 
Athens County, and March 2, 1852, in compliance with a 'pe- 
tition from the inhabitants to the county commissioners the latter 
81 (1281) 



1282 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

changed the name of the township from "South Brown" to "Madi- 
son." As left at this time, and as it still remains, Madison Town- 
ship is two thirds the size of a congressional township, being six 
miles north and south by four miles east and west. It is bounded 
on the north by Brown, east by Knox, south by Yinton, and west 
by Elk Township. 

SURFACE AND DRAINAGE. 

The surface of this township is very much broken and irregular. 
The soil is thin with the exception of the valleys, which are nar- 
row but remarkably fertile. The uplands consist for the most part 
of bluffs interspersed by deep ravines, many of them quite rugged 
and bare with the exception of a feeble growth of trees. Some 
portions of this township are, however, more available to cultiva- 
tion and grazing, more especially the latter. The drainage of the 
entire township finds its way to Raccoon Creek, some from the 
southern part through Elk Fork, but mostly through smaller 
branches directty to the main creek, which flows through the north- 
western corner of the township. A peculiar feature in the drainage 
of this township which shows the remarkable irregularity of its sur- 
face is the winding and irregular course of some of its streams. 
One of them, called Wheelabout Creek, rises in the northeastern 
part of the township within half a mile of Raccoon, but starts in an 
almost opposite direction, and after a course of about six miles, em- 
bracing between it and the main creek an area of at least ten square 
miles, returns and empties into the latter. Although grazing and 
agricultural pursuits are carried on to some extent the township is 
principally valuable for its minerals, coal and iron, both of which 
are taken from the hills. With the outlet furnished by the C, W. 
& B. R. R. (late M. & C.) which passes through the northern 
part of the township along the valley of Raccoon Creek, mining 
comprises one of the chief industries of the inhabitants. 

The first settler to make his home in this township was Joseph 
Wallace; then followed Abraham Bryson, William Fee, John Hal- 
dren and Abraham Johnson. 

The first census after the township had a separate organization 
was taken in I860, and showed the population to be 782. In 1S70 
it was 1,623, and in 1880, 2,217. The greater part of the inhabit- 
ants live in the northeastern half of the township, which in places 
is quite thickly settled. Almost all of the real estate in the west- 
ern half of the township and all of the southern row of sections 



HISTORY* OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1283 

are owned by large mining corporations and as a consequence have 
but few residents. Zaleski, the only town of consideration in the 
township, and in fact the largest town in Yinton County, is in the 
northwestern corner of this township, on sections 35 and 29. It is 
on the main line of the C.,W. & B. E. R., which enters the town- 
ship from the west, near the northwest corner of section 34, and 
runs in a northeasterly direction along the valley of the Raccoon 
Creek, through sections 35, 29 and 30, leaving the township a little 
west of the middle of the north boundary line. 

THE MINERALS. 

Coal, iron ore and fire-clay are found in abundance in the town- 
ship, especially the first and last. The coal vein at Zaleski is about 
four feet in thickness, with two clay partings, one of three inches 
and the other one inch, the widest vein being two feet ten inches. 
There are other veins above and below this, and also in other parts 
of the township. The iron ore has not been mined extensively, as 
some of the ore first found did not prove satisfactory. 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 

There are in this township eight schools outside of the town of 
Zaleski. According to the enumeration of 1883 there were 3-13 
pupils in the township — 174 males and 169 females. In 1882, 258 
pupils were enrolled, the average attendance being 160. The total 
value of the school property in the township outside of Zaleski is 
$3,453. There are but two churches in the township outside of 
Zaleski. 

assessor's returns, 1883. 

The returns of the assessor June 1, 1883, give the valuation of 
personal property in Madison Township at §7,5,685. The same re- 
turns report the number of heads of stock as follows: Horses, 
201, valued at $9,380; cattle, 562, valued at $9,937; sheep, 1,185, 
valued at $2,575; hogs, 324, valued at $1,400. 

zaleski. 

On a rise of ground above the west bank of Raccoon Creek, 
which at this point runs nearly north, lies the pleasant village of 
Zaleski. It was named in honor of Peter F. Zaleski, a native of 
Poland, as the name indicates, and a leading member of the Za- 
leski Mining Company, who still own large tracts of land in the 



1284 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

vicinity. The town was laid out on this company's land in 1856, 
the survey and plot being made by H. B. Robison. Important 
additions have since been made by J. F. Heseltine and R. Thomp- 
son, and one in 1S78 by John F. Sands. For many years it was 
simply a mining town in which the houses were owned by the 
mining company, occupied by their employes, and in which the 
mercantile business was confined to the same proprietors. Zaleski, 
however, has grown gradually, and much of the property having 
passed into the hands of private, citizens she has, in a manner, 
lost her identity as a mining town. In 1870, after sixteen years 
of existence, the town had 690 inhabitants, and in 1880, 1,175. 
The mineral outlook at this place once seemed so good that 
proprietors looked ahead with hope that Zaleski should soon 
expand into a flourishing city. But the ores proved less rich than 
was anticipated, and the deep wells bored for oil only produced gas 
and water. Near the town one of these wells was sunk to a depth 
of 900 feet, from which a constant flow of water still issues. 

THE POSTOFFICE 

was established about the time the town was laid out in 1S56. 
John D. Yanderford was appointed first Postmaster. He held the 
office about four years when John Walsh became his successor. 
Jacob G. Will succeeded Walsh and held the office several years, dur- 
ing which it was made a money-order office. Mr. Will was followed 
by J. P. Kinkead, who held the office but a short time when W. H. 
B. Sands, the present Postmaster, was appointed. The leading 

BUSINESS INTERESTS 

of Zaleski at the present time are as follows: Zaleski Company, 
general store; Hulberttfe Robinson, general store; S. McISTamara 
& Co., general store; J. G. Will & Co., general store; E. Wag- 
oner, general store; Thomas Kinney, dry goods; Mrs. John Gilli- 
lan, millinery, and 'J. P. Cauty, hardware. It has also one hotel, 
two physicians and two resident ministers. Two newspapers have 
had existence in this little town, but neither acquired sufficient 
strength to endure " the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," 
and so passed in succession off the field of action. The first was 
the Zaleski Herald, established in 1865. At the end of one year 
it changed hands and the name was changed to the Zaleski Echo. 
Under this name it was run up to 1869, when it was discontin-ucd. 
The Raccoon Navigator was started in 1S67, but was published only 
a few months. The Zaleski 







s % "- 






UMJbb 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1285 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

have been gradually improved until now the system is well organ- 
ized, comprising six departments, which are taught by a superin- 
tendent and five assistant teachers. The original school building 
was erected in 1S72, to which a large addition has since been 
attached. The enrollment tor 1882 was 325, the average attend- 
ance 225. In the first ten years of the school's existence, ending 
in 1882, the average attendance increased from 160 to 225 pupils. 

CHURCHES. 

The M. E, Church of Zaleski was organized in 1861 by Rev. 
John Steward. It has been a flourishing church society ever since 
its organization, having at present a membership of about 100 per- 
sons. The present Church Trustees are Robert Thompson, J. D. 
Brown, T. L. Watkins, J. E. Spicer, J. F. Higgins, J. P. Kinkead, 
R. G. Freeman, J. G. Will and John F. Sands. The church has an 
active working Sabbath-school, superintended by R. Thompson. 
The present neat church building was erected in 1S81, at a cost of 
about $2,500. It is 80x40 feet in dimensions. 

The Roman Catholic Church at this place was permanently 
established in about 1860. Irregular meetings had been held at 
private houses since 1857. The first meetings were held in this 
year by Father John Tearney at the house of Mr. Graham. In 
1863 steps were taken toward building a church edifice which 
resulted a few years after in the completion of their present fine 
church at|a cost of about $6,000. A few years later the rectory 
adjoining the church was built at a cost of about $2,000. The suc- 
cessive priests in charge have been: Fathers McMann, Tearney, 
Kaurtsan, McSweeney, O'Riley, O'Brien, Hagen and Sleven. 

The Mission Baptist Church was organized here in January, 
1881, by Rev. E. W. Lloyd. He came at the request of seven 
resident members of this denomination and held a series of meet- 
ings whichfresulted in raising the membership to seventy-four at 
the end of three months after organization. The membership at 
the present time numbers about 100. This society has a church 
building 28x42 feet in dimensions and a resident minister. In 
connection with the church is a good and well-attended Sabbath- 
school. 



1286 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

LODGES. 

Zaleskl Lodge, No. 472, A. F. & A. M., was chartered October, 
1873, and incorporated December, 1S80. The charter members 
were: A. W. Ullom, Kobt. Thompson, T. Knauss, Frank Knauss. 
Geo. Calvery, Jacob Senger, C. Stocklin, Geo. Frank, J. G. Will, 
£. Fischer, D. Pinney, Geo. Walters, J. A. Pntz and G. B. 
Smidley. 

The present G. M. is Robert Thompson. The membership at 
the present time numbers about fifty. The lodge owns a hall, a 
fine new building, 36x70 feet in size and three stories high. 

T. It. Stanley Post, No. 223, G. A. B., was established at 
Zaleski in May, 1882, by Frank Towsley, of Athens. Its charter 
members numbered twenty-three, of whom J. E. Spicer held the 
office of P. 0.; E. S. Morgan, S. Y. C. ; A. P. Brewer, Adjutant, 
and John To well, Q. M. The post has at present seventy-six 
members, has a regular hall for meetings and a fund on hand 
of 8250. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The Zaleskl Flouring Mill, the property of A. Robinson, was 
built in- 1S63, at a cost of about $6,000. The building is a frame 
structure, 24 x 60 feet, and three stories high. The motive power 
is a fine thirty-six horse-power engine. The mill produces a good 
article of flour and meal and does a large custom work. 

C, W. & B. Car Shops. — These shops were built by the M. & C. 
company in 1S6- and for many years constituted the leading indus- 
trial feature of the town. Previous to September, 1874, 240 men 
were constantly employed in these shops. But at this time, Sept. 
9, 1874, all the buildings except the foundry and round-house were 
burned to the ground, making a loss to the company of S75.000. 
They were at once re-built so as to begin work again the following 
year, but not as extensively as before, employing but 100 men. 

KNOX TOWNSHIP. 

ONCE A PAST OF ATHENS COUNTY. 

This township was organized as a separate body Dec. 2. 1850. 
Its history prior to this time is identical with that of Madison 
Township, as they together formed a part of or the whole of the 
same body. Both wore at first a part ot Alexander Township. 
Athens County, afterward a part of Brown Township, Athens 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1287 

County; still later the two together formed Brown Township of 
Athens County, then South Brown Township of Yinton County, 
and finally were divided, as they now stand, into Madison and 
Knox townships of Yinton County. As a result of a petition 
presented to the county commissioners of Yinton, signed b} T David 
Y. Benjamin and forty others, the following order was made by 
that body Dec. 2, 1850: 

"That the two tiers of sections which formerly belonged to Lee 
Township in Athens County, and which was now attached to the 
township of Brown in this county, and the two tiers of sections 
which formerly belonged to the township of Brown in Athens 
County, forming originally the east end of that township, be 
erected into a new township to be known by the name of Knox." 

The name of Knox was given in honor of General Knox, the 
name having been suggested by Jeremiah Martin. 

It is two thirds of a congressional township. It is bounded on 
the north by Brown Township and Athens County, on the east by 
Athens County, on the south by Athens County and Yinton Town- 
ship, and on the west by Madison Township. 

SURFACE AND DRAINAGE. 

The surface of this township is very rough with the exception of 
a narrow strip of bottom on the banks of Raccoon Creek, which 
runs through the center of the township from north to south. 
Nearly the entire area is made up of a s} T stem of rugged bluffs. 

Raccoon Creek with its small tributaries drains the township. 
This creek enters the township from the north near the northwest 
corner, flows southeasterly and south in a winding course through 
the center of the township, leaving it near the southeast corner of 
section 31. 

OLD SETTLERS. 

Joseph Yaughn was born in what is now Lee Township, Athens 
County, in 1808. His parents were David and Mary Yaughn, for- 
merly residents of one of the New England States. "While a young 
man Joseph Yaughn settled in the Raccoon Yalley, only a few 
miles from the place of his birth, in what is now Knox Township. 

John Haklren was another old settler reared in this township, 
who lived to the extraordinary age of nearly 100 years. 

Moses Quick was another of the earliest settlers in the township. 
He was born in 1S03, came to the township whea young man, 



1288 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

where he spent the remainder of his life. He raised a family of 
seventeen children. 

This township, if remarkable in nothing else, has a splendid 
record for large families. One old gentleman still living here is 
the father of twenty-eight children, and an old lady, still living, has 
108 descendants in children, grand-children and great-grand -chil- 
dren. 

Coal and iron ore are known to exist in the hills of this township 
but as yet they have not been developed to any extent. A number 
of coal banks have been opened in the northeastern part of the 
township but only for local use. 

STOCK AND ASSESSED VALUATION. 

Knox Township assessors' returns to June 1, 1883, gives the 
assessed valuation of the personal property of the township at $44,- 
705. The stock returned was: 227 horses, valued at $11,495; 515 
cattle, valued at $9,810; 2,607 sheep, valued at $5,690; 361 hogs, 
valued at $1,386. 

THE ONLY POSTOFFICE 

in Knox Township is at Bolen's Mill. This is in the south central 
part of the township, on section 32. The office was established in 
about 1842, when John L. Smith was appointed first Postmaster. 
He was succeeded by Jacob Lentler, who held it until his death, 
when his son, R. W. Lentler, was appointed. He held the office 
for a number of years when he resigned, and the office was discon- 
tinued. It was again revived in 1878, when John Stout, present 
Postmaster, was appointed. 

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. 

There are seven schools in Knox Township, the property of 
which is valued at $1,200. The average schooling in the township 
has been twenty-four weeks out of the year. The average wages 
paid to teachers in 1882 was to males $25 and to females $22 per 
month. 

Madison Free-Will Baptist Church is situated on the northeast 
corner of section 32. It was organized in 1868 by Revs. Tewks- 
berry and Robinson. The building is an old and much dilapidated 
log hut, 20 x 24 feet in size. It has an active Sabbath-school, with 
an average attendance of twenty-five. Near the church is a beauti- 
ful little cemetery. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1289 

Harkins Chapel is situated near the western border of the town- 
ship, on section 8. A church had existed in the vicinity since 
1870, but in 1879 the members divided, forming two societies, one 
holding to the old faith of the United Brethren and the other becom- 
ing a Methodist Protestant society. The United Brethren branch 
built the present Harkins Chapel at a cost of about $1,300. The 
present membership is about thirty-eight. The present Pastor is 
Rev. Mr. Lewer. 

Bethel Church is situated on the bank of Raccoon Creek, on sec- 
tion 35. The building was started by a lodge of the patrons of 
husbandry, but being left unfinished was bought by this Methodist 
society and completed in 1879. The society has always been a 
small one, but by the persevering and faithful energy of its few 
members the society has been kept alive and prospering. It has 
at present fifteen members. Their present Pastor is the Rev. Mr. 
Schire. 

MILLS. 

The old Bolen Mills were built in about 1845 by "William Bolen,. 
who owned and ran them until 1868 when they passed into the 
hands of their present owner, Robert Skelly. The mill is situated • 
on the bank of Raccoon, on section 32. The building is a large 
frame, two stories high, and contains two sets of burrs and a saw- 
mill. The mills were originally run by water-power, but an engine 
has been placed in the building to use in case the water-power 
should be too low. 

The Foster Mills, a grist and saw-mill combined, is situated on 
the bank of Raccoon Creek, on section 35. They were originally 
built in 1830 but were again thoroughly rebuilt in 1872. The 
building is a large three-story frame, 10 x 50 feet in size, and is now 
owned by Aaron Martin and John Stanley. There are two sets of 
burrs and a saw-mill, all run by water-power. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Knox Township was first given in the census 
report of 1860 at 475; in 1870 it was 559, and in 1880, 947, and 
it has now about 1,000. 

BROWN TOWNSHIP. 
HOW IT ORIGINATED. 

It lies in the extreme northeast corner of Vinton County. At the 
time of its settlement it belonged to Athens County, and then to 
Hocking County, for when Hocking County sprang into existence 



1290 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Brown was given to it, and upon the formation of Yinton was con- 
tributed to enlarge her domains. In early days it was also apart of 
Starr Township, which embraced a large territory in this locality, 
but was afterward divided and that portion lying in township 11 
and range 16 was called Brown. It is bounded on the north by 
Hocking County, on the east by Athens County, on the south by 
Knox and Madison townships and on the west by Swan Township. 
Its general appearance is hilly, rough and broken, and much of its 
surface is hardly suitable for cultivation and is only valued for the 
deposit of minerals which it contains. 

ITS WATER SUPPLY. 

The township is well watered in the north and west portion by 
Little Raccoon Creek and Two-Mile Run, and in the southern and 
eastern part by Raccoon Creek and Big Sand Run. These, with 
several smaller tributaries, give to the land a natural drainage, 
and along their several bottoms are to be found some excellent 
farming lands. 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

John Wright was the first settler and built his cabin in the north- 
west part of the township, near where New Plymouth is now lo- 
cated; then came Francis Bartlett and family. Isaac Lash came 
soon after and settled on section 35. 

The first school was kept in the house of Francis Bartlett, and 
the first teacher was Mrs. Everetts. The first school-house was 
built of logs in about 1824, about one-half mile northeast from 
where New Plymouth now stands. The first sermon was preached 
by the Rev. Lindley, from Athens. The first church was built by 
the Presbyterians in New Plymouth. The first and only mill ever 
in the township is owned by Peter Reasoner and is now used to 
crack corn. There are seven schools in Brown Township, all well 
attended. The school-houses are substantial frame buildings. 

CHURCHES. 

Presbyterian Church, of Hocking County, was organized Sept. 
1, 1829, by Rev. George Warner, assisted by Rev. John Spaul- 
ding a committee of the Athens Presbytery for that purpose. The 
first Elders were Solomon and Sylvanus Finney and John A. Butin. 
Rev. George Warner was the first stated supply. The church at 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1291 

the time of its organization consisted of about twenty members. 
The present Pastor is Rev. Stevenson. Their present house was 
built in 1878 and cost about $3,000. It has at the present time 
a membership of about 100. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at New Plymouth was organ- 
ized in about 1855 in the building now occupied by J. G. Egleston 
& Co., as a store. They built their church in about 1859. The 
first Pastor was Rev. E. V. Bing. Their present membership 
numbers about twenty members and the pastorate is in charge of 
the Rev. Wilson Dick. There is also another Methodist Episcopal 
church at a little placa called Coalmont. Taey worship in the 
school-house at that place. 

United Brethren. — This church is located on section 29, and was 
organized at a very early day. They still worship in the old log 
church and have a respectable membership. 

POPULATION. 

The population of Brown Township in 1860 was 874, and in 
1870 it had reached 1,297. The census of 1880 shows a decrease 
of even more than the natural increase, the population being 
only 1,241. 

NEW PLYMOUTH 

was laid out at an early day and took its name from Plymouth, 
Mass., from which the first settlers came. It has at the present 
time about 150 inhabitants and its business interests consist of 
two general stores. There are two blacksmith shops and one 
harness shop, a postoflice, two churches and one school. 

The first postoflice was established in Brown Township in 1850 
at New Plymouth with H. S. Brinkley for its first Postmaster. 
The present Postmaster is J. V. Egleston. There is also a post- 
office at Hope Station, on the M. & C. R. R., with S. D. Egleston 
as Postmaster at that point. 

The township officers for 1883 are: Trustee, Alvin Finney; Clerk, 
W. W. Scott; Treasurer, J. V. Egleston; Justices of the Peace, J. 
W. Poland, W. W. Scott; Assessor, J. M. Saverly. 

Among the pioneers of this locality were Abraham Bryson, 
William Fee, John Haldren and Abraham Johnson. 

BIOGRAPHICAL MADISON AND KNOX. 

O. A Atkinson was born in Southampton County, Va., July 9, 
1842. He is a son of James and Margaret (Scharbrough) Atkin- 
son, now living in Putman County, W. Va. Mr. Atkinson moved 



1292 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

from Virginia to Belmont County, Ohio, when he was four years 
old, and from there to West Virginia in 1850. In 1852 he moved 
back to Ohio, Athens County, and in 1856 came to Vinton County, 
where he has since lived. He enlisted Sept. 30, 1864, and served 
one year. He was in Sherman's raid through Georgia and was 
discharged June 30, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. Jan. 26, 1864, he 
was married to Sarah M. Keller, who died April 1, 1872. They 
had five children, of whom four are yet living — Charles E., Calvin 
E., Lydia E. and George. Nora died at the age of three years and 
eight months. Aug. 22, 1873, Mr. Atkinson was married to Acha 
A. Reynolds. They have four children — Helas L., Estella, Homer 
V. and Jennie V. Mr. Atkinson joined the Masonic order some 
time ago and soon afterward became a Master Mason. He is also 
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, No. 223, and is 
Quartermaster of the same. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- 
pal church. 

Morris Allbaugh was born in Harrison County, Ohio, March 
20, 1823, the son of Morris and Elizabeth (Stone) Allbaugh. His 
father died in 1855 and his mother in 1857. His boyhood days 
were spent on the farm in the summer and in going to school in 
the winter until he was about sixteen years old. He then moved near 
Prattsville where he lived until 1873 when he came to Zaleski. 
He has lived to be sixty years old and has never voted out of the 
township in which he now lives, and has always voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket. He has been Township Trustee twenty-five years, 
holding the office for a period of eleven consecutive years. He 
held the office of Land Appraiser one term, and in 1866 was elected 
to the office of County Commissioner. In 1844 he was married to 
Fanny England, daughter of William and Mary England. Mrs. 
England is yet living with Mr. Allbaugh at the age of seventy- 
nine years. They are the parents of ten children, seven now liv- 
ing — Sarah E., William A., Christiana A., Mary E., Harvey H., 
Homer D. and George J. A daughter died in infancy. Alsinus 
M.. died with consumption in the fall of 1870, and Morris V. was 
killed in the coal mines in the spring of 18S2. Mr. Allbaugh is a 
member of the Masonic order. 

I. V. Brewer was born June 30, 1837, in Vinton County, Ohio, 
and is the son of Nathan and Sarah (Fee) Brewer, who were resi- 
dents of Vinton County. His father came from North Carolina 
and was o ne of the old pioneers of this county. Jan. 2, 1865, Mr. 
Brewer was married to Nancy Brison, a daughter of Abraham and 



VALLEY. 

- ~ere among the old settle 

- - Mrs. ] eight 

*., Sai - .. - " .' C - L.. Abraham F.. 

• Mr. I on a 

farm and or.". the public 

straggle to g .. bat be: 

mar. : . t .rough the 

man. In 1882 
- 

- - " 
- 

len a 
ts of 1 Frederick 

_ 
schools o1 

- mem- 
a 
that His 

rroml fc 1843 to Vint 

$76. 27, 1818, t 

Koglen. - . 

—John 30 - [r.] 

■ E 
- 
.". J 1 is born Jan. ] i • 

through] to Z 

- 
si - 

■ ■ . - - - ■ . 

. _ 
I 

He 
- 
t* Adam .. - ': 



1294 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

of six children, five of whom are living — William, Philip, Fred, 
Mollie and Lenora. Catharine, a lovely little daughter, died at the 
age of seven years, three months and sixteen days. 

John A. Putz was born April 14, 1832, in Germany, a son of 
John J. and Sophia Putz. He came to this country with his par- 
ents in 1846 and settled in Milwaukee, Wis. In 1864 he came to 
Ohio, locating in Chillicothe, where he took charge of the paint 
shops for the M. & C. R. R. Co. HVcame to Zaleski in 1871 and 
has since been general superintendent of the paint-shops here. 
Mr. Putz was educated in Germany, where he graduated in the- 
scientific course when he was about sixteen years old. He after- 
ward took a theological course in Milwaukee and Chillicothe, where 
he was prepared for the ministry, and in 1867 was ordained in the 
Old School Presbyterian church. He is a very fine scholar and a 
fluent speaker. He was married on Feb. 15, 1851, to Miss Matilda 
Esslinger, a daughter of George Esslinger, who lived in Wiscon- 
sin. They are the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are 
living — Ida, Augustus, Iddo, Oscar, Matilda, George, Charles, 
Frank and Edward. Monroe died at the age of five, and Johnny 
at the age of two years. 

O. S. Rannells, M. D., was born April 28, 1844, in Guernsey 
County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel J. and Rachel (Hues) Ran- 
nells. Mr. Rannells's parents came in 1850 to what was then Hock- 
ing County but soon afterward became Vinton County, being an 
early settler of this county. His father was a very prominent law- 
yer in his time. He practiced a number of years, but had to give 
it up on account of his health. After he gave up the practice of 
law he bought a farm where he lived until his death in 1856. 
C. S*. Rannells was educated in the Union schools at Mc Arthur un- 
til he was nineteen years old, when he enlisted in the army in Com- 
pany L, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Cavalry. He entered the- 
army as a private, but was soon promoted to Orderly Sergeant and 
was soon afterward promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and 
after a year was again promoted to First Lieutenant which po- 
sition he held until he was mustered out in November, 1865, at 
Camp Chase, Ohio. He was in the battle of Mt. Sterling, Ky., 
against John Morgan, and at Marion, Va. He was in an action 
against John C. Breckenridge, and a number of other battles of 
less importance. He was in the company that pursued Jeff Da- 
vis from Charlotte, N. C, to Georgia, where he (Davis) was capt- 
ured by AYilson's men. He began the study of medicine in 186-7 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1295 

and graduated in Starling Medical University in 1871, and began 
the practice of his profession in McArthar, and four years later 
came to Zaleski, where he has built up a large practice. lie was 
married June 23, 1875, to Mary L. Hawk, a daughter of John 
S. Hawk, who lives in Hamden, Ohio. They have one child — 
Cora F. 

Levi Robinett was born Aug. 4, 1S35, in Athens County, Ohio, 
and 'is a son of Amos and Sarah Robinett, who were born and 
reared in that county. His father died in the army at Huttons- 
ville, Va., in 1862, at the age of fifty-one years. His mother died 
Feb. 4, 1883, at the age of seventy-live years. Mr. Robinett was 
reared on a farm, and like most other boys received only a com- 
mon education in the public schools. He lived in Athens County 
until he was thirty-three years old, when he came to Vinton 
County, where he now lives. Nov. 9, 1856, he was married to 
Julia A. Cottrill, born April 2, 1837, a daughter of Andrew and 
Eliza Cottrill, who were residents of Athens County. Mr. Cottrill 
died April 1, 1870, at the age of sixty-six. Mrs. Cottrill is yet liv- 
ing, at the age of seventy-five. Mr. and Mrs. Robinett are the 
parents of three children— F. M., Roda J. (who is the wife of 
Henry Sockel), and Mary V. Mr. Robinett belongs to the Masonic 
order, Lodge No. 156, at Albany, Ohio, and is a Master Mason. 
His son, F. M. Robinett, is also a Master Mason. Mr. Robinett is 
a man that takes great pride in fine stock, and has some of the best 
Durham cattle, Chester hogs, merino sheep, Lexington horses and 
shepherd dogs in the county. He owns 148 acres of line land. He 
has served five years as Township Treasurer. 

Allen Robinson was born in Scott County, Ky., Nov. 27, 1845, 
a son of Alfred Robinson, who is a farmer and stock-raiser, and is 
yet living at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. Robinson moved from 
Virginia, where he was engaged in the oil business, to Ohio, in 
1870, and is now engaged in the mercantile business. He was 
educated in Frankfort, Ky., until he was about fourteen years old. 
He is one of the leading business men of Zaleski, a partner in the 
firm of Robinson & Hubbert. They carry a full line of goods and 
have an average sale of about $35,000 a year. Mr. Robinson was 
married Oct. 14, 1866, to Amanda C. Day, lyy whom he has three 
children — Wirt, Buenavista and Homer. Mr. Robinson is one of 
the best business men in the town. In addition to his interest in 
the mercantile business he is engaged in milling, being the pro- 
prietor of the Zaleski Steam Flouring Mills. He has been Justice 
of the Peace nine years. 



1296 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLET. 

John F. Sands, son of Jo3hua and Betsey (Call) Sands, was born 
in Elmira, N. Y., Feb. 7, 1841. His parents came to Hocking 
County, Ohio, in 1851. His educational advantages were limited, 
and he obtained the most of his knowledge of books by studying 
after his day's work was done. June 23, 1863, he married Sarah J., 
daughter of Joseph and Julia A. Lange. They are the parents of 
six children, five now living — Frederick A. , John E., William Pea- 
body, Julia A. and George 1ST. Clarissa died Dec. 25, 1866, aged 
three years and seven months. Mr. Sands's father was born March 
7, 1802, a son of John Wilkes, and grandson of Nathaniel Sands, 
who came to America from England, between 1725 and 1750, set- 
tling on Long Island. He was a railroad contractor, and at the 
time of coming to Ohio was engaged to construct the Scioto 
& Hocking Valley, now known as the River Division of the Colum- 
bus, Hocking Valley & Toledo Railroad. He has seven children, 
five sons and two daughters — W. H. B., Postmaster at Zaleski; 
A. C, conductor; James W., track superintendent; Frank C, 
clerk, and John F., station agent and telegraph operator for the 
M. & C. R. R. Amelia M., now Mrs. Mark Horth, resides in Sal- 
amanca, N. Y., and Clarissa A. B. is a missionary of the Baptist 
church, now in Yokohama, Japan. Mr. Sands has been superin- 
tendent of the C.,W. & B. depot at Zaleski twenty-six years. 

Robert Skeliy, the proprietor of the Bolen Mills, was born 
Nov. 1, 1S10, in Pennsylvania, but came to Athens County when 
he was very young, and has since made his home in this part of 
Ohio. In 1S35 he was married to Almira Porter. They were the 
parents of eight children — Rlioda B., Eliza A., Elizabeth E., Rod 
nev, Axey, Rhoda, Lee and Harriet. His second marriage was to 
Mrs. Annie Chime, by whom he has four children, three now liv- 
ing — Jasper, George and Jane. One died in infancy. Mr. Skelly 
is a very prominent citizen of Vinton County. He has been Town- 
ship Treasurer for about five years. 

\n E. Spicer was born in Jackson County, Ohio, April 11, 
L8 B, and is a son of G. W. and Rachel Spicer. who were born in 
Culpeper County. Va.. in 1814 and 1816. Mr. Spicer moved to 
Vinton County in 1S57. where he has lived nearly all the time since. 
a the call was made for volunteers he was among the first to 
and enlisted in^the Twelfth Ohio Infantry, June 19, 1861. 
lie served until Jan. 1. 1864, when he re-enlisted in the same reg- 
iment, which was afterward consolidated with the Twenty-third 
vard known by the latter name. He was in 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1297 

one of the first battles of the war (battle of Scary Creek) in West 
Virginia, where he was wounded in the left arm. Aug. 27, 1S62, 
he was in the second battle of Bull Run, and was taken prisoner 
there, but was afterward paroled. After this he was in the bat- 
tles of Antictam and South Mountain, in September, 1862. In 
1863 he was in the battle of Fayetteville, W. Ya., and several oth- 
ers of less importance. In the battle of Cloyd Mountain, W. Ya., 
he was wounded and taken prisoner, May 9, 1864, and remained 
in prison until December, 1864. He was in the prisons in Ander- 
sonville, Savannah and Millen, Ga. On account of his wounds and 
disability he was discharged March 1, 1865, when he came home, 
and as soon as he was able to attend to business was appointed 
Postmaster at Oak Hill, Jackson Co., Ohio, which office he held four 
years when he resigned, and took the position as general mana 
ger of merchandise at Maybee's, Jackson Co., Ohio. Two years 
later he accepted the position as engineer of the railroad shops 
for the M. & C. R. R. Company, which he held four years. During 
the panic of 1873 he went into the hardware business in Hamden, 
Ohio. Shortly after that he became a member of the firm of Clay- 
ton & Spicer, in Zaleski, Ohio, which business he continued in a 
year and withdrew. In 1875 he began work for the Zaleski Compa- 
ny as coal-weigher, and continued as such for two years, when he was 
promoted to the general superintendency of the Zaleski Company's 
store. Feb. 5, X865, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma 
Ileggins, daughter of W. D. and Martha Heggins, who now live 
in Zaleski. Mr. Heggins is Mayor of the town. They have three 
children — Clarence M., Ida M. and Minnie B. Mr. Spicer is a 
member of the Blue Lodge, No. 472, Zaleski, Ohio, and McAr- 
thur Chapter, No. 102, Royal Arch Masons. lie is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal church, and Assistant Superintendent of 
the Sunday-school. He is also a member of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, T.[ R. Stanley Post, No. 223. He is Post Com- 
mander. 

M. C. Winget, a resident of Madison Township, was born Feb. 
28, 1826, in Greene County, Pa., and is a son of Caleb and Martha 
Winget. His mother died when he was quite young, but his 
father is yet living, aged about seventy-nine years. In 1841 Mr. 
Winget moved from Pennsylvania to Knox County, Ohio, where 
he lived eight years. He learned the stone mason and plasterer's 
trade, serving an apprenticeship of three summers. From there 
he moved to Meigs County, Ohio, where he lived three years, and 
82 



2298 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

from there came to Yinton County. He was married in December, 
1844, to Nancy Berry, daughter of John and Jane Berry. They 
had nine children, six now living— Henry, Margaret J., Sophro- 
nia, Stephen F., Isaac C. and James. Rholden died June 17, 1868; 
Mary R, July 28, 1854, and Emily, Aug. 1, 1856. Mrs. Winget 
died April 18, 1873. Feb. 5, 1880, Mr. Winget married Judith 
Clewell, daughter of John and Lydia Clewell. They are the 
parents of one child — Elmira C. Mr. Winget is a member of the 
Protestant Methodist church and has been a local preacher for twenty 
years. He was an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
church three years. Although he only had the advantage of a 
common-school education and that being limited to a great extent, 
he is a man of more than ordinary talent. As an example of his 
ability, we add the following composed by him while meditating 
upon his boyhood days in Pennsylvania: 

" Far, far away from here on the high and lofty plains of the 
great Keystone State, in peace and content I passed the days of my 
childhood. It was told me in life's summer day that pleasure 
streams did flow along the thorny path of life. I did not find it so. 
The reminiscences of the past are now present with me as the busy 
hum of population died away on the distant sinking and swelling 
forest. The songster in the arbor pouring forth his vesper song of 
praise on the topmost twig of the tall arch tree, as if he thought 
the nearer he could make his perch to heaven the sweeter his voice 
would sound. The mourning dove with wings all covered with 
silver and feathers of shining gold had fled away to the nightly 
bower. The star that melted away in the light of heaven when 
the brighter sun rose on the world was gleaming through the night- 
fall gloom. The sun had spent his fury amid the golden clouds of 
the Western skies. Then stationing his red sentinels in the West- 
ern hemisphere amid his own departing glory gone to shine on 
other lands. I stood on the rising ground looking far away the 
distance of forty miles upon that blue ridge called Laurel Hill, and 
as the evening shades prevailed the little firefly lit up the swamps 
as pleasant as the air of a summer evening when it floats among 
the trees. Those juvenile days and years have long since receded 
and passed away, and on this beautiful month of May, eighteen 
hundred and eighty-three, my meridian sun is shining bright and 
I trust will still continue until I shake off this mortal coil and step 
down into the packet of death and put on the wardrobe of the skies 
to join the lookout angel standing on the hill of Zion." 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1299 

BROWN. 

J. A. Ankram, born in Yinton County, Ohio, June 18, 1859, is 
a son of J. P. and Jemima (Ewing) Ankram, his father a native of 
Vinton County and his mother of Jackson County, Ohio. He is 
the eldest of a family of seven children. He was educated in the 
schools of McArthur. He began his business life as a clerk in his 
father's store at McArthur, and afterward came to the branch store 
at New Plymouth, where he clerked till June 1, 18S2. At that 
time he purchased the stock and is now doing a good business, 
having a complete stock of general merchandise, dry-goods, boots 
and shoes, notions, groceries, etc. May 18, 1882, he married Ab- 
bie Townsend, a native of Meigs County, Ohio, born Feb. 28, 
1860. 

Sylvanus Bartlett, carpenter, was born in Athens, Ohio, Jan. 9, 
1827, but was reared in New Plymouth, Vinton County, and early 
learned the carpenter's trade. March 7, 1850, he married Ma- 
hala Withrow, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born Jan. 17, 1834. 
Ten children have been born to them, only six now living — Eliz- 
abeth, Alvin, Catherine, Harriet, Ruth and John. Aug. 12, 1861, 
Mr. Bartlett enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, 
and served one year as private. He was then promoted to First 
Lieutenant. At the expiration of his term of service he enlisted 
in the First United States Veteran Engineers and served over a 
year, being discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in November, 1865. 
He has held the offices of Township Trustee and Township Asses- 
sor. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. 

William L. Bartlett, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the 
house where he now lives, on section 36, Brown Township, Feb. 4, 
1839. His father, Sylvanus Bartlett, was born in Plymouth, 
Mass., in 1799, and died Sept. 29, 1849. His mother, Amanda 
(Bingham) Bartlett, was born near Athens, Ohio, July 10, 1798, 
and died Dec. 2, 1881. Mr. Bartlett is one of a family of nine 
children, five now living, four of whom were in the late war. He 
enlisted Aug. 12, 1861, in Company B, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, 
and served three years. At the battle of Chickamauga he was 
wounded, a minie-ball hitting him in the right breast and coming 
out of the left breast, breaking tiie breast-bone. After his recovery 
he was placed in the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was in "Wash- 
ington the greater part of the time till his discharge. Upon his 
return home he resumed his former occupation, and at present is 
making a specialty of merino sheep, having 185 head. He has 



1300 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

320 acres of land, residing on section 36. Oct. 24, 1866, he married 
Mary M. Graham, of Washington County, Ohio, born Oct. 24, 
1846. They have five children — Ella, Henry, Mary, Jane and 
Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett are members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

James Briggs was born in Tioga County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1817, 
and when four years of age came with his parents to Ohio, locating 
near his present residence. His father, Simeon Briggs, was boin 
in Freetown, Mass., in 1777, and died in 1859. His mother, Re- 
becca (Pitts) Briggs, was born in Taunton, Mass., in 1787, and 
died July 30, 1869. James was the youngest of nine children. 
He received his education in this county, being reared to the life 
of a farmer. He has 318 acres of good land, residing on section 
33, Brown Township. He makes a specialty of stock-raising. 
He was married in June, 1842, to Lucinda Tinkham, a native of 
Massachusetts, born in 1814. She died in 1869, leaving a family 
of seven children, five now living — Simeon, now living in Macon 
County, Mo.; Volney, in Montana: Deborah, in Nebraska; Mary 
A. and William James, in Kansas. Feb. 15, 1871, Mr. Briggs 
married Mrs. Permelia Gould, a native of Edmonson County, Ky., 
seven miles from the Mammoth Cave. 

Dr. William C. Cline was born July 20, 1825, in West Vir- 
ginia, and when twelve years of age came with his father to Meigs 
County, Ohio, where he remained three years. At the age of 
fifteen he went to the college at Albany, Athens County, which he 
attended till 1847. He then commencedhis study of medicine, and 
• graduated at the Medical School, at Columbus, Ohio, in 1850. In 
the same year he located at Wilkesville, where he still follows his 
profession with much success, and is now classed among the 
wealthiest citizens, of Vinton County. He at one time owned 1,400 
acres of valuable land, butatpresent has but 700 acres. In 1879- 
'80 he represented his district in the State Senate. The Doctor 
was married in 1851 to Miss Virginia Althor, who was born in 
Greenbrier County, W. Va. They had one child — George W., 
born Dec. 12, 1853, who died April 23, 1881, mourned by a large 
number of friends. He was married to May P. Brown in 1873. 
He was one of the live % business men of this county. George W. 
Cline, the father^of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1797, and 
died in 1850. His mother, R. V. (McCann) Cline, was born in 
Virginia in 1799 and died in 1844. W. C. was the seventh of 
their ten children. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1301 

S. C. Eggleston was born in New York, Sept. 30, 1814, a son 
of A. and Levin a Eggleston, his father a native of New York aud 
his mother of Switzerland, lie catne to Ohio in 1829, and has 
made his home in Hocking and Vinton counties. In his early 
life he followed farming, and then spent twelve years at the cabi- 
net-maker's trade. For the past nineteen years he has been in the 
mercantile business. He was married in 1337 to Lucinda Can- 
well, a native of Canada, born in 1814. She died in 1849 leaving 
three children — Levina, George and Rosalie. March 7, 1S50, Mr. 
Eggleston married Susan Ilaynes. She died June 19, 1854, leav- 
ing one child — Watson. He afterward married Jane Gould, a native 
of New Wellsburg, Va. They have three children — Jerry B., 
born Aug. 5, 1856; James G., Aug. 1, 1858, and Clara J., March 
3, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston are members of the Presbyterian 
church. 

Lemuel Fuller was born in McArthur, Vinton County, April 
1, 1837, and on March 10, 1859, he was united in marriage with 
Amanda Reasonor, who was born in Grundy County, Ohio, Jan. 9, 
1840, and died March 17, 1830. Their family consistoi of four 
children — Josiah, Celesta, Irene, and Celia Ann. Mr. Fuller has 
been a resident ol Vinton County all of his life, and at present 
owns a good farm of eighty acres on section 23, Brown Township, 
where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. On 
March 15, 1865, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and 
Ninety -fourth Ohio Infantry, in the late war, and served until its 
close. Mr. Fuller has been a member of the United Brethren 
church for eighteen years. 

Lorenzo D. Fuller, farmer, was born in Vinton County, Ohio, 
April 27, 1842. He was reared a farmer and now has 353^ acres 
ot good land, his residence being on section 29. He is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was married in 
1862 to Melissa Lillabridge, a native of Hocking County, Ohio, 
born in 1845. She died in 1865, leaving one child — Bluebe M., 
born June, 1863. In 1869 Mr. Fuller married Elizabeth Swift, a 
native of Athens County, born in 1S48. They have six children 
— Rhoda Jane, born in 1S72; Mary E., in 1873; William F., in 
1876; John S., in 1878; Lemuel F., in 1879, and Flora B., in 1881. 
William Full,)' was born in New Hampshire, Sept. 7, 1814, 
and came with his father to Ohio in 1817, locating near McArthur, 
Vinton County, where he was reared and educated. He now has 
a farm of L80 acres on section 23, Brown Township, and is engaged 






1302 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of the latter. In 
1837 he married C. C. Lista Lane, who was born in 1815, and 
died in 1842 leaving two children — Lemuel, born in 1837, and 
Lorenzo D., born in 1842. In 1S47, Mr. Fuller married Phoebe 
Gray, a native of Pennsylvania, born March 7, 1S21. They have 
no children. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are members of the United 
Brethren church. 

Washington Keeton was born April] 24, 1820, in what is now 
Brown Township, and has lived in the same locality all his life. 
He was united in marriage with Matilda P. Benjamin, June 14, 
1845. They have had twelve children, whose names are — Mahala 
C, George W., Daniel J., Isaac S., Nathan B., A brain, Mary A., 
Esther A., Eliza E., Prudence E., Ada E. and Emma. Mr. Kee- 
ton has a good farm of 321 acres, where he is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising. He has held the office of Director of the School 
Board for the last twenty years, and has also served as County 
Commissioner for four years, beside being Constable and Town- 
ship Trustee for a number of terms. Mrs. Keeton is a native of 
Athens County, Ohio, being born there March 7, 1826. She is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Keeton's father, 
George Keeton, was born in Virginia, July 25, 1779, and departed 
this life in 1870. His mother, Esther (Fee) Keeton, was also born 
in Virginia, June 17, 1795. She died in 1872. They were the 
parents of twelve children, but only three survive — Anna, Wash- 
ington and Isaac. 

Henry C. Kreppel was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, Feb. 14, 
1835. He came to the United States in 1863, landing in New York; 
remained there three months and then went to Rome, Ind., re- 
maining there six months. From there he went to Cincinnati, 
and a year later to Zaleski. May 3, 1872, he came to New Ply- 
mouth where he now has a tannery and is also carrying on a harness- 
making establishment. His work will compare with the best in 
the country, and he is doing a good business. He owns forty acres 
of good land in Washington Township, Hocking County. April 3, 
1866, he married Louisa Ronk, a native of Harrison, Ind., born 
Sept. 24, 1851. They have a family of seven children — John W., 
born May 16, 1868; Charles G., Feb. 10, 1870; Anna M., Oct. 20, 
1871; Katie L., March 8, 1876; Maggie C, March 1, 1878; Sam- 
uel E., June 13, 1880; Frank H., Nov. 13, 1882. 

Isaac Zash, farmer, was born in Brown Township, March 8, 
1839, and received his education in this county, his home having 
always been in this township. He has a good farm of 150 acres, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1303 

his residence being on section 29. His land yields a good quality 
of coal and he now has three veins open. Nov. 3, 1861, he mar- 
ried Mary Ann Swift, a native of Athens County, Ohio, born Sept. 
22, 1842. They have seven children — Mary F., born April 11, 
1865; Elizabeth J., Dec. 15, 1867; Isaac G., Sept. 20, 1870; John 
E., Jan. 7, 1873; William S., June 27, 1875; Christena A., Dec. 
26, 1878; and Parthena I., Sept. IS, 1881. 

Thomas Magee, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Washing- 
ton County, Penn., Jan. 22, 1828. His father came to Ohio in 
1831 and located in Guernsey County, coming to this county seven 
years later. Mr. Magee has a fine farm of 939 acres on section 34, 
Brown Township. He is extensively engaged in stock-raising, 
making a specialty of Spanish merino sheep. Nov. 11, 1853, he 
married Mary Ann Trout, a native of Perry County, Ohio, born 
Feb. 22, 1832. They have two children— Franklin P., born in 
July, 1854, and Elizabeth Ann, in July, 1856. Mr. Magee has 
held the offices of County Commissioner and Township Treasurer, 
the latter for eleven years. 

George Mc Daniel, a native of Bedford County, Penn., was born 
Nov. 5, 1834. In 1840 he left his native place for Ohio, settling 
near Millfield, in Athens County. Two years later he removed to 
Sugar Creek, three miles from Athens, where he remained ten 
years. He then removed to Waterloo Township, but after two 
years he came to Brown Township where he has resided since 1854. 
Mr. McDaniel has followed farming for a great number of years, 
and now is the possessor of a good farm of 240 acres on section 
12, Brown Township. In 1862 our subject was married to Sarah 
Ann Allen, who has borne him eight children whose names are: 
Julia A., Charles W., Marshey, George, Thomas N., Mary, Frank 
and Hannah. Mr. McDaniel enlisted in the late war in Company 
G, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio National Guards; served 100 
days, returning to his home in 1864. He and wife are members 
of the Bible Christian church. Of his eight brothers and sisters 
only two are living at present, viz.: Joseph and George. James 
McDaniel, our subject's father, was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 11, 
1793. He lived with his son George until his death, which occur- 
red March 23, 1873. His mother, Hannah Williams, was also a 
native of Pennsylvania, being born there May 27, 1793. She died 
in Ohio, Oct. 9, 1848. 

Joseph McDaniel ', section 12, Brown Township, Vinton Co., 
Ohio, was born in Bedford County, Penn., Sept. 1, 1832, a son of 
James McDaniel, a native of the same county. Our subject came 



1304 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

with his parents to Athens County, Ohio, in 1S40, and a few years 
later came to Vinton County, where he has since resided. He fol- 
lowed threshing for nine years, bought and shipped stock five 
years, but now is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was 
married in the fall of 1859 to Eliza Thompson, daughter of Ezra 
Thompson. They have had seven children, six living — Sarah E., 
George W., Arie Jane, Asa S., Olive B. and John W. Mr. and 
Mrs. McDaniel are members of the Bible Christian church at Mt. 
Zion, in Starr Township, Hocking County. 

Catherine Reasoner was born in Allegheny County, Pa., Oct 11, 

1815. At the age of thirteen she accompanied her father, Win. C. 
Tucker, to Ohio, where she has ever since resided. In 1839 she 
was married to John Reasoner, who was born in Ohio, Sept. 25, 

1816, and died June 25, 1870, and is buried at Plymouth. To this 
union have been given seven children, of whom Peter Craig, Celia 
Ann and Phoebe C, now Mrs. Win. Lillab ridge, are living. Mrs. 
Reasoner has a fine farm of 236 acres of land on section 23, Brown 
Township, Vinton County, where she raises sheep, cattle, grain, 
hay, etc. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. 

P. M. Reasoner, farmer, was born in Westmoreland Township, 
Guernsey County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1844, and when four years of age 
came to Vinton County, where he was reared and educated. He 
owns a fine farm of 143 acres on section 30, Brown Township. He also 
has a steam saw-mill at New Plymouth, where he does a good busi- 
ness. June 17, 1868, he married Richel M. Weed, a native of 
Vinton County, born May 31, 1844. They have a family of seven 
children — Mary T., Maggie E., Laura M., Eugene P., Sela A., Ada 
E., Myrta A. Mr. and Mrs. Reasoner are members of the Presby- 
terian church. 

Thomas M. Stevenson was born in Muskingum Cuunty, Ohio, 
Feb. 19, 1828. In 1851 he graduated from the Muskingum Col- 
lege at New Concord, Ohio, and the following year was Principal 
of West Carlisle College, Ohio. He was then appointed Superin- 
tendent of the Dresden, Ohio, public schools, remaining there four 
years, when he went to McOonnelsville to superintend the schools 
there. He remained there till the breaking out of the Rebellion, 
and in 1861, enlisted in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry, and 
was appointed Captain of Company E. In 1862 he was appointed 
Chaplain of the regiment, and served in that capacity till the close 
of the war. Afcer his return home he agiin assumed thesuperinten- 
dency of the McOonnelsville schools, occupying that position three 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 



1305 



years, and at the s;une time preaching for the churches of Bristol 
and Deerticld. In 1868 he was called to the Presbyterian church, 
of New Plymouth. In 1877 he went to Hopkinton, Iowa, and was 
Pastor of the Presbyterian church two years. From there he went 
to Greenfield, 111., and in July, 1880, returned to New Plymouth. 
lie was married in August, 1857, to Mary V. McGraif. She died 
Aug. 19, 1864, leaving two children — Charles W. and Robert E. 
Sept. 10, 1807, Mr. Stevenson married Mary L. Cresap. They 
have no children. 

S. T. IPMwas born in Tioga County, Penn., July 22, 1832. 
lie removed from there with his father at the age ot five years, 
and came to Ohio, locating on section 29, in Brown Township. 
Here he remained until he was twenty-three years of age, when he 
married Sarah Jane Gillabridge, Oct. 28, 1855, who was born June 
5, 1837, in Vinton County. Their children are: Sarah Melissa, 
Mary J., Eli D., Hester A. and Joseph L. Mrs. Weed is a mem- 
ber of the United Brethren church. Mr. Weed has a farm of 140 
acres on section 23, Brown Township, Vinton County. He has a 
fine vein of coal on his place. 

Jacob White was born Dec. 19, 1844, in Athens County, Ohio, 
where he remained until 1SG9. He then came to Vinton County, 
where he has resided almost ever since. In October, 1S73, he was 
married to Jennie Coil, a native of Morgan County, Ohio, being 
born there in 1853. Mr. White has followed the saw-milling busi- 
ness for some time, but at present is engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, lie has eighty acres of excellent land on section 12, in 
Brown Township, and may be classed among the rising young men 
of the township. 




CflAPTER XL VII. 

SWAN AND JACKSON TOWNSHIPS— WHAT HOCKING LOST, 
WAS VINTON'S GAIN. 

Swan Township — Boundary — Early Settlers — First Events — 
Postoffices — Business — Minerals — Township Officers — 
Assessment and Stock. 

Jackson Township — When Changed from Eagle to Jackson — 
Its Water Courses — Early Settlers — Some Facts — County 
Honors — Population from 1840 to 1880 — Postoffices — Schools 
— Stock Keturns, 1883 — Assessed Valuation — Biographical. 

SWAN. 

Swan Township is bounded on the north by Hocking County, 
on the east by Brown Township, on the south by Elk Township, 
and on the west by Jackson Township and Hocking County. 

The surface is generally hilly, yet is not rough and unbroken. 
The soil is very productive and some of the best farms in Vinton 
County, are located in Swan Township. 

Among the first settlers were David Johnson, Frederick Kaler, 
David, Peter and John Kenders, Peter, Jacob and David Haynes. 

The first child born in Swan Township is believed to have 
been Hon. E. II. Moore, now of Athens, Ohio. 

The first death was a child of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Collins. It 
was buried in the cemetery near the residence of David Johnson. 

The first Justice of the Peace was Peter Haynes. 

Dr. Jesse Cartlich was the first practicing physician. 

The first church was built in 1830 at New Mt. Pleasant, although 
there was one commenced but never finished in the south part of 
the township at an earlier date. 

The first religious society formed was the Methodist Episcopal, 
which organized in 1818, at the residence of David Johnson. 

The first preacher was Rev. Coston, who was succeeded by the 
Pev. Gillruth, familiarly known as the giant preacher, as he 
was the strongest man in this section of the country, his strength 
being equal to the combined powers of two ordinary men. 

(1306) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1307 

The first school-house was built by David Johnson, Mr. Kaler 
and three brothers by the name of Hass. 

The first school was taught by a Mr. Hill, and the second by 
Marker Shoemaker. There are now ten school districts, all sup- 
plied with comfortable school-houses. 

The first mill was built in 1S23 by John Rager on little Rac- 
coon Creek, although there had been horse-mills previous to this, 
but these were considered too slow, so water-power was brought 
into requisition. 

^ Swan Township is the abiding place of the oldest man in Vinton 
County, Wm. Large, who was born in Hunterdon County N 
J., Feb. 23, 1789, and is past 94. 

POSTOFFICES. 

Swan Township has six within her borders. They are: Swan 
Creola, Hue, Orland, Siverly and Cintra. 

Swan postoffice was established in 1843, and its first Postmaster 
was Geo. W.Johnson. It is located at New Mt. Pleasant, and 
its present Postmaster is S. D. Sain. 

Creola postoffice was established in 18S0, and is located in the 
village of the same name. Its first and present Postmaster is Mr 
Bray. 

Hue postoffice was established in the fall of 1S82, and is located 
on section 6. Mrs. Sarah Clark is the Postmistress. 

Orland postoffice is located at Swan Station, on the Ohio & West 
Virginia Rail] oad. It was established at the time the railroad be- 
gan running. Lucius Payne is the present Postmaster. 

Cintra postoffice is located at Johnson's Siding, a small fla* sta- 
tion on the railroad. It was established in 1882, and the present 
Postmaster is John R. Prose. 

Siverly postoffice is located on section 18, and was established 
about 1877. John S. Witherspoon is the Postmaster. 

BUSINESS. 

The principal business interest in Swan is agriculture. Among 
some of the prominent farmers are: George W. Johnson, Benson 
l>unkle Andrew, George and Charles Shurtz, James and Nathan 
Steel, Joseph Cox, John Bray, Simeon Morgan and William and 
Ihomas Rannells. 

At Swan Station is located the only flouring mill in the town- 
ship. This is owned and operated by Smith & Son, and is run by 
steam-power. 



1308 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

At New Mt. Pleasant is a store in which general merchandise is 
sold by M. P. Turner, and one near Siverly postoffice, kept by S. S. 
Albin. At Creola there are^two stores, one operated by Buchtel 
& Co., and the other by Bray & Son. There is also at this point 
one blacksmith shop. The above includes the business interests of 
Swan Township with the exception of the mineral interests. 

NEW MT. PLEASANT 

lies principally in Hocking County, yet a part of it lies in Swan 
Township, and it is here people of the northern part of the town- 
ship get their mail, do their trading and go to church. 

IRON ORE. 

This ore is found in large quantities in Swan Township. The 
principal deposits are along what is known as Potter's Ridge and 
near the village of Creola. Years ago, before the inhabitants knew 
the nature of this ore, it was called " Nigger heads " and was sup- 
posed to be worthless, and it was principally used to fill up ruts and 
mud holes in the roads. Later years its value has become known 
and companies are interested in its further development, and large 
quantities are shipped from Creola. 

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 

The township officers for 1883 are: Trustees, Thomas Ellis, 
Cyrus Shurtz and Robert Hayes; Clerk, Win. S. McClannalian ; 
Treasurer, Thomas Johnson; Justices of the Peace, George W. 
Johnson and John E. McYey; Constables, Andrew Clark and 
James O'Harro. 

The population of Swan Township in 1840 was 759, and the cen- 
sus of 1850 gave her 1,154. In 1S60 it numbered 1,281, and in 
1870, 1,062. The census of 1880 shows a population of 1,095. 

ASSESSMENT AND STOCK. 

The assessor's returns, June 1, 18S3, give the value of the per- 
sonal property of Swan Township at $99,640. This township 
ranks third in the county in the value of its personal property, be- 
ing only exceeded by Clinton and Elk. In the return of stock 
Swan had: Horses, 320; heads of cattle, 857; heads of sheep, 7,145; 
heads of hogs, 363. It was the second in horses, only being exceeded 
by Richland; second in sheep, Elk Township being first; fourth in 
cattle and sixth in hogs. a 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1309 

JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 
EAGLE IN 1S25 — JACKSON, 1831. 

This township was first a part of Eagle Township, being organ- 
ized from Eagle, Dec. 6, 1831. It is bounded on the north by 
Hocking County, on the east by Swan and Elk townships, on the 
south by Richland Township, and on the west by Eagle Township 
and a portion of Hocking County. 

It is, like all the mineral country, broken and hilly, with few 
valleys, they being narrow, but it has coal and iron ore in abun- 
dance. It is a well-watered township, having the Middle Fork of 
Salt Creek with several small tributaries in the southern part, and 
in the west and north Pretty Run and the head waters of small 
branches give it enough for stock purposes. Numerous springs 
are found which feed these tributaries. 

Among the first settlers was JohnTilton, Eli Hill, Isaac Hawks, 
Enoch Dixon, Win. Burns, Thos. Colwell, Archibald Drake, Peter 
Milton and Jacob and Wm. Arkson, Frederick G-arrick, Joseph 
Wyatt and Sarah Darby. 

The first church built in this township was the " Locust Grove " 
church, and was first constructed of logs, but a large frame building 
now occupies the same foundation. The first sermon was preached 
by Rev. K Redfern. 

The first store in the township was opened by James Ankram 
on the Middle Fork of Salt Creek, on section 27. This is the only 
store ever kept in the township. 

The first mill was erected on section 27 by Jacob Ankram. This 
is a saw and grist mill combined, and at the present time does much 
toward supplying the wants of the people of Jackson in flour and 
lumber. 

The first Township Clerk was James Honnold. 

The first Justice of the Peace was Thomas Colwell. 

COUNTY HONORS — POPULATION. 

James Darby, of Jackson Township, was elected County Com- 
missioner in 1881, and Henry Dudleson in 1882. 

The population of Jackson Township in 1840 was 472 ; in 1850, 
835; in 1860, 1,228; in 1870, 1,294, and in 1880 the census showed 
a population of only 1,288, having lost even its natural increase, 
being only sixty more than it had in 1860. 



1310 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

POSTOFFICES. 



In Jackson Township there are two postoffices, both established 
in July, 1880. One is located near Locust Grove church and is 
designated as Stella, with Mrs. Walker as Postmistress. The 
other was established at the same time and was called Ural. This 
office is under the official control of Mrs. Rucl. These offices are 
on the mail route which extends from New Plymouth in Brown 
Township to Vigo in Ross County. 



SCHOOLS. 

Jackson has nine school districts, in each of which are comfort- 
able, modern school-houses. The number of pupils in attendance 
in the [schools of this township during the year of 1882 was 414, 
and the total expenditures for the year in the school department 
of the township for the same year was $2,231.37. 

VALUATION AND STOCK. 

While Jackson Township but slightly increased its population it 
lias more rapidly, increased its wealth. The assessment for May 
31, 1883, showed its personal property to amount to $73,495, of 
which $4:2,845 was the valuation of its horses, 308; of its cattle, 
613; its hogs, 368 and its sheep, 6,4,03; the number of mules 
not mentioned. In sheep it is the third township in the county, 
Elk and Swan only having a greater number; the third also in 
horses, the fourth in hogs and the sixth in cattle, and the sixth in 
the total assessed valuation of personal property; and not counting 
mineral products it is probably the third in agricultural wealth, 
being only exceeded by Elk and Swan. 

BIOGRAPHICAL — SWAN. 

Samuel Albin was born Aug. 8, 1830, in Guernsey County; 
lived there till he was about twenty-one years old when he removed 
with his father to Vinton County, Ohio. He was married April 
17, 1856, to Rebecca Reed, a native of Perry County, and a daugh- 
ter of Colonel John Reed. He bought a farm adjoining his father's 
place where he has lived ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Albin have 
four children — Thomas B., Ezra, Nanny and Cora, all living at 
home except Ezra, who married Iantha Rineheart and is living in 
Jackson Township. Politically Mr. Albin has followed to a certain 
extent the principles of his ancestors and adheres to the old Demo- 
cratic party. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 13 [J 

William Albin, b^rn in Hardy County Va., Oct. 4, 1793 was a 
son of James and Barbara (Hoover) Albin, his father a native of 
Virginia, near Wilmington, and his mother of Maryland They 
had a family of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters 
William being the fifth child and eldest son. His father had two 
sons by a former marriage. When he was ten years of a-e his 
parents moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, where they both °died 
his mother at the age of eighty-six years and his father at the a~e 
ot sixty. Mr. Albin was married in 1S14 to Nancy Clark, a na- 
tive of Greene County, Pa., born Aug. 13, 1799. April 13 ' 1S52 
they came to Vinton County and located in Swan Township on 
the Earnheart farm, where he still resides. They had a family of 
twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all but one now living- 
seven in Ohio-one son in Hocking County, two are in Koss County ' 
one son and two daughters are in Vinton County; one son is in 
Texas; one in Missouri; a daughter in Iowa, and one daughter, the 
eldest child, in Kansas. 

Sollis P. Beery was born in Benton Township, Hocking Co 
Ohio. His father, Emanuel Bjery, was a native of Fairfield 
County, Ohio, born Sept. 19, 1823. His grandfather, Abraham 
Boery is an old settler of Hocking County, is now a resident of Lo- 
gan where he has for many years served as Vice-President of the 
Peoples Bank. When Emanuel Beery was a small boy his father 
moved to Hocking County. He was married about the age of 
twenty-one years to Malinda Harsh, a native of Hocking County 
born April 20, 1825, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Harsh who 
were 1 ennsylvanians and came from there to Hocking County at 
an early date. At the time of Emanuel's marriage his father 
moved to Logan, while he remained on the old home farm in Falls 
lownsup about three years. He then purchased a farm in B jnton 
lownship, and there spent the remainder of his life. He had 270 
acres of land which is now in the possession of his widow. He was 
a member of the Old School Baptist church. His death occurred 
Aug. 12, 1867, after a long and painful illness. To himself and 
wite ten children were born-Caroline, wifeof John Shotwell, of Jack- 
son Township, Vinton County; Elizabeth, widow of Joseph Eno-le 
residing on the homestead; Ezra D., deceased; Lafayette W., read- 
ing at home; Mary, wifeof David Rose, of Jackson Township; Hol- 
hs P, Wilham S., Eden J., Harriet (deceased), and Amanda J., 
wife of Charles Barclay, of Washington Township, Hocking County 
Mollis P. Beery was born Sept. 20, 1853. He remained at home 



1312 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

till he was twenty-one years of age, and during this time attended the 
district schools of his neighborhood. He was married Nov. 26, IS 74, 
to Maria Fee, who was born in Brown Township, Vinton County, 
April 20, 1854, a daughter of William and Mary (Cline) Fee. Af- 
ter his marriage Mr. Beery lived in Swan Township, Vinton County, 
till 1878, when he bought a farm in Falls Township, Hocking 
County, where he lived two years. In the spring of 1880 he sold 
his farm and purchased 169 acres in Swan Township, where he is 
now residing. Mr. and Mrs. Beery have two daughters — Mary F., 
born Oct. 4, 1876, and Leotia, born Feb. 28, 1879. 

John Bray was born in Ferry County, Ohio, in the little town 
of Hobeth, July 28, 1820, son of John and Rebecca (Kelley) Bray, 
both natives of Delaware. They were married in that State, 
and about 1819 moved to Ohio and settled in Perry County, 
making the entire journey overland in wagons. In 1837 the 
family came to Hocking (now Vinton) County and located in 
Swan Township, on a farm containing 240 acres. This land was 
almost an unbroken wilderness, only a small clearing cut, in which 
stood a small log-cabin, which they called home. With strong 
hearts and a firm purpose they began clearing the land and prepar- 
ing it for farming. John Bray died April 30, 1868, in the eighty- 
first year of his age. His wife died Jan. 6, 1871, in the eightieth 
year of her age. They reared a family of seven children — Mary and 
Henry, deceased; John ; Susan, deceased ; William, residing in Col- 
well County, Mo. ; James, in Pawnee County ; David, deceased. The 
latter son served three years in the late war, in the Seventy -fifth 
Ohio Regiment. John Bray remained with his father till he was 
past twenty-one years of age, and Jan. 16, 1841, "was married to 
Catharine Byerly. Mrs. Bray was born in Swan Township, Vinton 
County, Oct. 18, 1824, a daughter of Jacob Byerly, one of the first 
settlers of the township, coming here about 1820. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Bray moved to his farm, adjoining that of his father, 
where he has since made his home. He first moved into a hewed- 
log house with a shingle roof, and after living in this rude struct- 
ure seventeen years built his present residence in December, 1858. 
Politically he is a Republican, as was his father. He served three 
years during the war as Township Trustee, while his father, during 
his life-time, for several years held the office of Justice of the Peace. 
In October, 1846, he and his wife united with the Methodist church, 
and for three years before any church building was erected relig- 
ious services were held in his house. Mr. and Mrs. Bray have six 



HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1318 

living children, ancTone deceased — Susan R, born Jan. 31, 1842; 
Jacob, born Dec. 21, 1814, died Oct. 31, 1870, leaving a wife and 
two children; Nancy, born Feb. 6, 1847; Daniel, Oct. 22, 1855.; 
Mary A., Oct. 1, 1857; John M., Oct. 28, 1859; Parley, Oct. 23, 
1867. Mr. Bray's father was a soldier in the war of 1812. 

Joseph Cox was born in Cumberland, Md., Jan. 24, 1815, a son 
of Jonathan and Susanna (Bailey) Cox, natives of Maryland and 
Winchester, Ya., respectively. Jonathan Cox was born in 1748. 
He was the first hotel keeper, the first Postmaster and the first Jus- 
tice of the Peace in Cumberland, Md. He was appointed to fill 
the last office by the % Governor and Council of the State of Mary- 
land, and served in that capacity for fifty consecutive years, till his 
death, in 1832. There were six sons and six daughters in his fam- 
ily, Joseph, our subject, being the youngest child, and the only one 
living at the present time. After the death of Jonathan Cox his 
widow and family moved to Ohio in the fall of 1835, and located 
on the farm now owned by James and Theodore Stone. Mrs. Cox 
died in 1842 and the family became separated. Joseph was mar- 
ried in 1838 to Sarah L., daughter of David Johnson, and sister of 
George W. Johnson, a prominent citizen of Swan Township. They 
have a family of three sons and four daughters. One son — George — 
was a volunteer soldier in the Union army. He enlisted in the 
Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, and died at Lexington, Ky., in August, 1864, 
with typhoid fever, resulting from exposure on the battle-fields. Two 
years after his marriage Mr. Cox bought a farm in Swan Township, 
on which he resided thirty-three years. In 1873 he purchased his 
present farm, containing 130 acres, on sections 9 and 10. In pol- 
itics he was a Whig till the Republican party became established, 
since which he has affiliated with that party. At present his sym- 
pathies are with the Prohibitionists. 

Martin B. Crow is a native of Vinton County, born Oct. 17, 
1S48. His father, Jacob Crow, was born in Lower Sandusky, 
Ohio, where he was reared. He moved from there to this county 
and located in Jackson Township where he bought eighty acres 
of land. He married Mary Chamberlin, a native of that township, 
daughter of William Chamberlin, an early settler of that locality. 
Mr. Crow afterward sold his farm in Jackson and bought in Swan 
Township, where he was a resident for at least thirty years. He 
is now living in Elk Township, having sold his place in Swan to a 
mineral company. They had seven children, three sons and 
four daughters — William, deceased; Jane, deceased; Margaret, 
83 



1314 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

wife of Joseph Forraan; Martin B.; Emily; Andrew, married Sa- 
mantha Vest; Lucinda, wife of S. V. Karns— all living in Yinton 
County. Martin B. Crow was born in Swan Township where he 
has always lived. He remained at home till he was twenty-six 
years old. He was married Oct. 22, 1868, to Sarah Ann Steel, 
who was born in Swan Township, Dec. 15, 1850, a daughter ot 
James W. Steel. Mr. Crow has had considerable experience in the 
working of ore mines and has hauled many a ton ol it from the 
mines to the point of shipment. For eighteen months he ran a 
portable saw-mill. In January, 1876, he purchased his present 
farm containing sixty acres, where he has since resided. Mr. and 
Mrs. Crow have three children — Jacob W., born June 19, 1870; 
George W., born Sept. 13, 1876; Charles F., born Nov. 17, 1879. 
They have lost one daughter — Nancy Jane, who died Nov. 13, 1S82, 
aged eight years and seven months. 

James Faulkner, deceased, was born Dec. 11, 1821, in Loudoun 
County, Ya., a son of Kemp and Elizabeth Faulkner, both natives 
of that State. They reared a family of six children, of whom 
Elizabeth, wife of Leonard Shull, is the only living representative 
of the family. The children were — Lucy Ann, Sarah, Thomas, 
James, William and Elizabeth, born in Virginia. Two other chil- 
dren were born in Ohio but died in infancy. In 1831 Kemp Faulk- 
ner with his family moved to Ohio and located in what is now 
Vinton County. He purchased land in Swan Township in the 
woods, and in a short time had a log cabin erected, a part of which 
is still standing. It is now in the possession of James Faulkner's 
widow. Kemp Faulkner was born July 1, 1795, and died March 
14, 1875; his wife died about nine years previous. Thomas died 
in Swan Township; Sarah, James and William died on the home- 
stead, and Lucy Ann died in Missouri. James Faulkner took the 
principal charge of his father's place and remained with him till 
his death. He was married Sept. 27, 1861, to Mary Elizabeth 
Kaler, who was born in Hocking County (now Vinton), July 28, 
1810, a daughter of Samuel and Amelia (Slaughterback) Kaler. 
The Kalers are old settlers in this region. Of a large family but 
four daughters are now living in Vinton County; four sons are 
living in the West. Mr. and Mrs. Faulkner had a family of seven 
children — Elizabeth Ann, wife of Joseph Linn; Sarah Jane, wife 
of Eli Sonders; Ephraim, married Lydia Anderson; William, de- 
ceased; Amelia C, Lucy Florence and Irene V., all living in 
Vinton County. Mr. Faulkner died March 16, 1878. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1315 

William JBee is one of Swan's most worthy citizens, and the larg- 
est land-owner in the township. He was born in Gallia County, 
Ohio, six miles from Gallipolis, Sept. 16, 1821. His father, 
Thos. Fee, was born Sept. 14, 1782, and was nearly grown when he 
with his father, John Fee, came across the Ohio River from Virginia 
into Ohio, and located in Gallia County. He was marriedAug.il, 
1803, to Sarah Collins, who was born Dec. 24, 1788, in Greenbrier 
County, Penn. Her father, Jesse Collins, was an early settler in 
Gallia County. In September, 1827, Thos. Fee moved hig family 
to Hocking County, and located in what was then Starr Township, 
but is now Brown Township, Yinton County. His brother, Wm. Fee, 
was then living in Hocking County, and the brothers traded farms, 
Thomas coming into Hocking County and William going to Gal- 
lia County. Thos Fee made this farm his home till the time of 
his death, Aug. 11, 1S46. His wife survived him a number of 
years and died at the residence of her son, Wm. Fee, Sept. 5, 1865. 
They reared a family of seven children — Mary, John, Margaret, 
Jane, Sarah, Christinia and William. Wm. Fee was six years old 
when his father came to this county. He was married July 7, 
1842, to Clarissa Johnson, who was born in Jackson County, Feb. 
12, 1826. She died Oct. 24, 1849. They had a family of four 
children — John V., born July 24, 1S43, died in infancy; Thos. 
Jackson, born June 17, 1S44; Sarah Jane, born March 8, 1846; 
and George M., born Nov. 24, 1847. July 25, 1850, Mr. Fee married 
Mary Engle, who was born Feb. IS, 1820, in Hocking County, 
Falls Township. To them the following children were born — 
Elizabeth, born May 9, 1851'; Maria, born April 20, 1854; Mary, 
born March 22, 1857, died April 17, 1861; Jacob, born Oct. 8, 
1860, and Wm. Sanford, born June 28, 1863, died Aug. 29, 1865. 
Mr. Fee moved to the farm where he now resides November, 1855. 
He owns 1,211 acres of land, all but 209 acres in Swan Township. 
Politically he has always adhered to the Democratic party. He 
has served four years as County Commissioner. The tirst year was 
appointed to fill vacancy caused by his brother John resigning to 
take a representative position. 

Isaac Hawk, deceased, was born in Pocahontas County, Va., 
Dec. 26, 1790, a son of Jacob and Sarah (Bumgardner) Hawk. In 
1814 he came to Ohio, making the trip on horseback, and located 
in what is now Yinton County. His brother John Hawk preceded 
him to Ohio, entered land, married and settled on his place where 
he lived till his death. Isaac Hawk entered land in Jackson Town- 



1316 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ship. His farm contained 309 acres, which with the exception of 
forty acres purchased afterward, was entered in the beginning. On 
this place he resided nearly fifty-three years. In the fall of 1816 
he was married to Sallie Swisher, a native of Virginia, born Jan. 
16, 1796. In 1809, when she was thirteen years old, her father moved 
to Gallia County, Ohio. Isaac Hawk was a hard-working man. 
Coming into an almost unsettled country, he made his home with 
his brother, John Hawk, a few years, and in 1820 erected his log 
cabin on his land, and moved into it. On this place he reared eight 
children out of a family of eleven — Mary, Rebecca, fignes, 
Mahalia, Christina, Eli, Catharine and Elizabeth. Two daughters 
and one son died in childhood. A few years after Isaac settled 
here his parents came and entered and bought land in Elk Town- 
ship. There were fifteen children in Jacob Hawk's family, eleven 
sons and four daughters; five of the sons married in the Swisher 
family. At the time of Jacob Hawk's death, Feb. 18, 1870, at the 
age of ninety-one years, he had 110 grandchildren and twenty- 
two great-grandchildren. Six of his children are living — Mary, 
Rebecca and Catharine are living in this county; Christina 
in Missouri; Iagnes in Kansas; Mahalia in Illinois. Rebecca 
Hawk, of whom this sketch is obtained, was born Jan. 27, 1820. 
She was married in 1851 to Robert Smith. The latter was born 
in Pennsylvania, where Pittsburg now stands, March 4, 1814. His 
parents were natives of Ireland. In 1850 he came to Vinton from 
Muskingum County, and the following year was married. His 
death occurred Jan. 18, 1S61. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had two chil- 
dren — Sarah and William. 

Robert A. Hays was born in Richland Township, Aug. 7, 1845, 
and lived with his parents till his twenty-fifth year. He was mar- 
ried Oct. 19, 1870, to Erminia Deaver, w T ho was born May 27, 
1853, in Vinton County, a daughter of Simeon and Elizabeth 
(Milligan) Deaver, residents of Elk Township. Mr. Hays has 
lived in Swan Township since he was married, and in 1876 bought 
his present farm on section 26, containing 160 acres. He is one 
of the substantial young farmers of Vinton County, and is every- 
where recognized as a young man of good judgment and decision 
of character. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have two children — Almonta 
D., born Jan. 16, 1872, and Lizzie E., born Nov. 1, 1874. In May, 
1864, Mr. Hays enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty- 
eighth Ohio National Guard, and was in the service six months; 
discharged Dec. 15, 1864. He entered the 100 days' service. 



HISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY. 1317 

bat did not get borne till six months after. His father, William 
Hays, an old settler of the county, was born in Pennsylvania, 
May 27, 1819, and when a young man he came with his parents, 
David and Edith Hays, to Ohio, and located in Guernsey County, 
but a short time after came to Vinton County. He married Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Aiken, a native of Muskin- 
gum County, Ohio. After his marriage Mr. Hays located in Rich- 
land Township, in the neighborhood of his present residence. His 
farm contains 200 acres where he has lived upward of thirty-six 
years. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of McArthur, 
and has been connected with this denomination for twenty-five 
years. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as Trustee 
of Richland Township. He has generally taken an active part in 
political matters. He has been a delegate to the Republican State 
Convention two or three times, held at Columbus. He was a juror 
in the Supreme Court at Cincinnati in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Hays 
reared a family of eleven children, ten now living — Elizabeth, 
Robert A., Lafayette (married to Anna Payne), David H. (married 
to Mary Anderson), Edith J. (wife of J. J. McCleland), Samuel W., 
Sarah A., Ella, Mary and Taylor. William died at the age of 
eighteen years. 

David Johnson, one of the first settlers of Swan Township, was 
born in Rutland, Vt., Oct. 3, 1790; emigrated to New York 
State at an early age, where he grew to manhood; came to Ohio in 
1811, to live with his brother Levi, who had preceded him, and lo- 
cated at what is now called the old Jones' farm, near McArthur. 
His father was an Englishman and one of the Revolutionary 
fathers. David Johnson had three brothers — Truman, who died 
in New York State, and Levi and Amos, who came to Ohio and 
died, and one sister, Lodema B., who died in New York. David 
Johnson enlisted in the war of 1S12 and obtained a commission to 
recruit a brigade of teams and pack-horses, which he did and be- 
came master of trains and pack-horses under General Harrison, 
in which capacity he rendered much valuable service to the Gov- 
ernment, enduring untold hardships and having many miraculous 
escapes from the scalping knife of the savages. He was ordered 
by General Harrison to remove all the arms and supplies from 
Fort Stephenson which he did, excepting one six-pound cannon 
which they had no room to load on the wagons and such supplies 
as were left to Colonel Crogan, who had orders to follow immedi- 
ately and join General Harrison. Johnson conducted his train 



1318 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

safely through the enemy's lines, but Colonel Crogan delayed, his de- 
parture a little too long and was surrounded. At the close of the 
war Johnson returned to his home near McArthur, and on the 15th 
day of January, 1815, married Miss Elizabeth Will, daughter of 
George Will, of Adelphi, Ohio, and moved the same year to Swan 
Township where he remained till his death, Feb. 12, 1870. He 
opened the first wagon road that was made in Swan Town- 
ship, introduced the first iron pitchfork, the first cast-iron 
plow, the first wagon and the first fanning-mill for cleaning 
grain. He organized the first school in the township, was 
one of the first justices, and was elected three times by the 
Legislature to serve as Associate Judge of Hocking County. He 
was a man of iron nerve and determined will. Though a far- 
mer, he dealt extensively in stock, the cattle ranging upon the 
commons most of the year during the first periods of his settle- 
ment here. He met the privations of frontier life, and though at 
times well nigh borne down with adversity, he was never known 
to falter, but through all the purturbations of his life, whether as 
farmer, trader, soldier, justice, or judge, he bore the character of a 
faithful friend, an honest man and a merciful judge. He was a 
Whig in politics, a devoted friend to Henry Clay, Webster, Harri- 
son and that school of politicians, and latterly a zealous friend of 
the Republican party. He was for some years before his death a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in full expec- 
tation of a better inheritance. His wife was a woman of iron 
constitution; though but fifteen years old when married, she met 
the privations and hardships incidental to a change from village 
to backwoods' life with that fortitude and courage becoming a truly 
devoted woman. She was the mother of eleven children, two boys 
and nine girls. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
church from early life until her death Jan. 19, 1882. Seven of the 
girls are dead, only two of whom left any heirs. Susannah Cox left 
a son, George W., who died in the army during the Rebellion, and 
a daughter, Eliza, who married Wesley Barger, of Pike County, 
Ohio, and is now residing there. Martha M. Robinson left a son 
now eighteen years of age, residing in Kansas. Clarissa E., the 
youngest daughter living, is the wife of Rev. J. R. Prose and 
the mother of four children. The eldest daughter living, Sarah L., 
is the wife of Joseph Cox, of Swan Township, and the mother of 
seven children. B. F. Johnson, the youngest son, lives in Swan 
Township, is an extensive stock-dealer, an ultra Republican, owns 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1319 

farms in Vinton and Pickaway counties, and is looked upon by 
all parties as a rather sagacious politician. He married a Miss 
Hitt, of this county, and has four children. George W. Johnson, 
the eldest son, is a quiet farmer, living at the old original home- 
stead in Swan Township. He married a Miss Sain, formerly of 
Rushville, Ohio, and has six children. He, too, is a zealous Re- 
publican and a temperance man of the true type, and at present a 
Justice of the Peace in his township. He owns about 500 acres 
of land in Swan Township, and has acquired lands in Kansas and 
West Virginia, which he has conveyed to his children. Judge 
Johnson had acquired about 1,200 acres of land which he deeded 
to his children before his death. Through the influence of Mr. 
Johnson the mail route between Athens and Adelphi was estab- 
lished forty years ago. 

Cornelius Karns, deceased, one of the early settlers of this part 
of the county, was born in Greenbrier County, Va., Aug. 28, 1801. 
His parents were Nicholas and Lanah Karns. Cornelius was 
reared in Virginia and when in his thirty-second year came to Ohio. 
He landed in Hocking County, Jan. 10, 1833, bringing his father 
and mother with him. They both died at his home, the former 
March 13, 1844, and the latter July 20, 1850. Cornelius Karns 
purchased a farm in what is now Swan Township, Vinton County, 
and during his residence here accumulated considerable property. 
He was married May 30, 1833, to Christina Switzer, who was born 
in Gallia County, Dec. 31, 1808. They reared a family of six chil- 
dren — John S., Mary, Catherine, Rebecca Ann, George W. and 
Samuel Vinton, all living in Swan Township with the exception of 
the oldest son who is a resident of Adams County, Iowa. During 
the war Mr. Karns raised a company of volunteer soldiers and was 
commissioned its Captain and assigned to the One Hundred and 
Fourteenth Regiment as Company F. The regiment went into 
camp at Circleviile and was mustered into service at Marietta. 
From this point they went to Nashville, and thence to Vicksburg. 
Captain Karns participated in some important engagements, and 
many men from his company were killed or died from sickness* 
On account of failing health he was compelled to abandon the ser- 
vice and resigned in February, 1863. His death occurred Jan. 12, 
1881, after a long and severe illness, occasioned by an injury re- 
ceived in being thrown from a wagon fourteen months previous. 
His wife died Sept. 22, 1869. Captain Karns was a highly respected 
citizen of the community, and a man full of enterprise. He was 



1320 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

a member of the Methodist church and many years ago threw 
open the door of his house for the people to hold services in 
"before any church was built in this locality. 

Samuel Vinton Rams, born Sept. 27, 1854, in Swan Township, 
Yinton Co., Ohio, is the son of Cornelius and Christina Karns, the 
youngest of a family of eight children. The most of his edu- 
cation was received during the winter months, his time in the sum- 
mer being largely devoted to the duties upon his father's farm. He 
was married March 12, 1874, to Lucinda Crow, who was born Dec. 
26, 1855, in Swan Township, a daughter of Jacob Crow. After 
his marriage Mr. Karns began life for himself. He had ninety-seven 
acres of land which he paid his father $1,000 for. It was situated 
in the southern part of the territory on sections 27 and 28. In 
1879 he sold his farm and in 1880 bought another one on section 
33, and in 1882 bought an addition on section 34, having at the 
present time eighty-one acres of farm land and six town lots and 
four dwelling-houses. Politically Mr. Karns was reared a Republi- 
can and has always adhered to the principles of this party. Mr. 
and Mrs. Karns have three children — Emmie Christina, Jacob 
Walter and Cornelius Garfield. 

Alexander McClannalian was born in "Washington County, Md., 
June 28, 1813. He was reared in Ferry County, Ohio, and March 
12, 1837, he married Nancy Ann Davis, born in Fairfield County, 
Nov. 25, 1817, a daughter of James M. and Catherine SinifT Davis. 
Their children are — "William S; Catherine Jane, wife of John M. 
Huff; Matilda Ann, wife of Andrew W. Shuch; Mary Emily, wife 
of Erastus Fouch (the last three reside in Hennepin County, Minn.), 
and Harriet Elizabeth. The year after his marriage he and his 
father-in-law bought a piece of land together, and seven years later 
the laud was deeded to Mr. McClannalian. He left Perry County in 
1851 and settled in Elk Township, Yinton County, where he bought 
ninety acres and lived five years. He then sold out and came 
to Swan Township where in 1S56 he purchased his present farm of 
eighty acres which to-day contains 162 acres. He was formerly a 
"Whig in politics and now is a Republican. He has been Treasurer 
of Swan Township several years and Township Assessor one 
year. His parents, Alexander and Nancy (Miller) McClannalian 
were natives of Maryland. In 1819 they located in Perry County, 
Ohio, where they died, he in the fall of 1851 and his wife in the 
spring of the same year. They reared a family of thirteen children, 
ten sons and three daughters, our subject being the second son. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1321 

William S. McClannahan, son of Alexander and Nancy Ann 
McClannahan, was born in Perry County, July 25, 1838. April 
19, 1861, he enlisted in the three-months' service, in Company D, 
Eighteenth Ohio Militia, and was discharged Aug. 26, 1861. He 
then enlisted in the three-years' service March 25, 1862, in Company 
D, Second West Virginia Cavalry. He participated in several bat- 
tles, among which were the battles of the Shenandoah Yalley, 
Winchester, Cedar Creek, Waynesborough, Five Forks and Saylor's 
Creek. He was present at the surrender of General Lee, April 9, 
1865, and was discharged at Wheeling, W. Va., July 5, 1865. He 
was married Jan. 11, 186-1, while home on a thirty-days' furlough, to 
Rachel Reed, born in Perry County, Ohio, July 30, 1838, a daugh- 
ter of John and Eleanor Reed. The latter moved from Perry 
County to Vinton Count} r after her husband's death. Mr. McClan- 
nahan has resided on his father's farm attending to the farm duties 
since his return from the war. Sept. 4, 1869, he was appointed 
Clerk of Swan Township to fill a vacancy, which position he has 
since held bv re-election. Mr. McClannahan has one daughter — 
Ida. 

Simeon Morgan was born in Westmoreland County, Penn. He 
was reared on a farm till eighteen years of age, and in 1839 came 
with his parents to Ohio. He was married Nov. 20, 1811, to Anna 
Bay, born Aug. 16, 1812, near Cumberland, Guernsey Co., Ohio. 
They have eight children living — Buena Vista, wife of Eli W. 
Sonders; Henry Milton, married in 1871 to Maggie Hughes, who 
died in August, 1879, leaving three children, — Frank, Herbert, 
and Charles Milton, — when Henry Morgan again married Alice 
Broiling; Eliza D., wife of James L. Hughs, of Vinton County; 
Anna, wife of Marion Chedister, of Labette County, Kan.; John- 
son C, Hilas F., Carrie M., and U. S. Grant. After his marriage 
Mr. Morgan settled in Guernsey County where he lived two years, 
when he moved to Muskingum County and purchased 160 acres of 
land, where he lived six years. He then came to Vinton County 
and bought 360 acres near Zaleski, Madison Township. About 
four years after he purchased his present farm in Swan Township, 
there being 497 to which he has since added eighty acres. He has 
one of the best farms in the county and makes a specialty of stock- 
raising, the average amount of which is said to be about $3,000 annu- 
ally. In 1869 he built his fine brick house at a cost of $6,000. In 
politics Mr. Morgan is a Republican. His father, Morgan Mor- 
gan, was a native of Pennsylvania, of Welsh descent. He mar- 



1322 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ried Nancy Cicily, of Fayette County,* Pa., and in 1839 moved 
with his family to Guernsey County, Ohio, where he purchased 
240 acres of land and resided there seven years. The following 
five years he lived on a quarter of a section of land which he had 
bought in the same county. He then sold out and moved to Mus- 
kingum County where he bought 140 acres, residing there till his 
death in 1*804. His wife died in 1842. Of their nine children 
five only survive — Simeon (our subject), Johnston, Calvin, Mor- 
gan, and Nancy. Mrs. Morgan's father, Robert Bay, was born 
Jan. 16, 1777, in Pennsylvania. He was a Colonel in the war of 
1812. He was married in 1811, in Ohio, to Phoebe Lindly, born 
Oct. 22, 1790, in Pennsylvania. They had six children of whom 
Mrs. Morgan was the youngest. Colonel Bay moved to Vinton 
County about 1853 and died there in 1856, his wife having died 
many years previous. 

George Payne, deceased, was born April 17, 1815, near London, 
England, a son of Robert and Anna Payne. His parents emi- 
grated to America about 1828 and located in Massachusetts where 
our subject lived till twenty years of age. In 1835 the family 
moved to Ohio, and settled in Hocking County, where his parents 
died. They had a family of five children — Elizabeth, George, 
Henry, Sarah and Charles. George Payne was married March 7, 
1842, to Anna Lee, a native of Pennsylvania, born Sept. 14, 1813. 
They have been blessed with a family of six children — Alice (wife 
of M. M. Cherry, of McArthur), Lucius, Cassius, Harriet, Hen- 
rietta (wife of A. Murphy), and Marcellus. Mrs. Payne's parents 
were James and Hannah Lee. They came to Ohio in 1816, and 
Hocking County, then Athens County, where they entered three 
quarters of a section of land. They had a family of nine sons and 
two daughters. They are both deceased. Mrs. Payne was reared 
by her grandfather, James Lee, with whom she lived till his death. 
The estate was divided among the heirs, and Mr. Payne purchased 
100 acres of the home place. He was a successful business man, 
and at the time of his death, Nov. 15, 1863, owned 260 acres of 
land. Mrs. Payne has in her possession at present 445 acres. 
Politically Mr. Payne was a strong Republican and in former days 
was a Whig. He was Clerk of Swan Township from his twenty- 
first year till his death, and for twenty-two years previous held 
the office of Justice of the Peace. His son, Lucius Payne, was 
born March 17, 1846, in Vinton County, then Hocking County. 
At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company L, Twelfth Ohio 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1323 

Cavalry, in August, 1864, and came home in June, 1865. In 1869 
be went West— to Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska— and remained 
there three years, working on a farm and herding cattle. He re- 
turned home in 1872 where he has since resided. In August, 1880, 
he was appointed to his present position, as station agent of the 
C, H. V. & T. K. R, at Swan Station. 

Rev. John R. Prose was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 
1821, where he was reared and educated at the common school. 
He also attended the Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio. He 
came to Hocking County in the fall of 1818, and was married Nov. 
26, 1849, to Clarissa E. Johnson, a native of Hocking County, born 
Feb. 28, 1828, daughter of David Johnson. Their children are- 
Harriet Ann, Benjamin H., Joseph Benson and Oliver Edmund. 
In October, 1847, he entered the ministry of the Methodist church, 
and has since been an itinerant minister of that denomination. In 
1865 he purchased his present farm, then containing ninety-five 
acres, but now has 185 acres. His father, Daniel Prose, was born 
in October, 1791, in Greenbrier County, W. Va., and came to 
Ohio when about twenty years of age. He was drafted into the 
war of 1812 for six months under Colonel Kobert Safford, and re- 
turned home in the spring of 1812. He was married in Gallia 
County about 1819 or 1820 to Catherine Rodomor, a native of 
Rockingham County, born in 1793, a daughter of Jacob Rodomor, 
of German descent. After his marriage he remained in Gallia 
County, where he bought land and died in July, 1867. He was a 
Magistrate of the township eight years. There were six sons and 
two daughters in his family, of whom two sons are deceased. Our 
subject's grandfather came from Denmark and located in Pennsyl- 
vania. 

Joseph Watson Rannells, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bay) 
Rannells, was born in Cumberland, Guernsey Co., Ohio, July 18, 
1825. His mother died in June, 1838, and his father in July,' 
1848. In 1S39 he' came with his father, brother and sister to 
Vinton County. He was married April 10, 1849, to Charlotte, 
daughter of David and Maria Jones. She was born June 16, 1831, 
in this county, where Vinton station now stands. April 25, 1S49, 
they moved to the farm of 360 acres which his father had bought 
for him. He afterward, by his good management and industry, 
increased his possessions, and at his death had 600 acres. He 
was universally respected, and was very prominent in political 
circles. He was a strong adherent of the Republican party and 



1324 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

none worked harder than he at the polls. He died Dec. 12, 1877, 
after a lingering and at times painful illness. Mrs. Rannells was 
the administratrix and is now manager of the estate. Four chil- 
dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rannells — Sarah M., now Mrs. 
George Kahler, of Athens; Elizabeth F., now Mrs. T. E. Knauss, 
of Nelson ville; Charlotte E., now Mrs. F. H. Craig, of Mc Arthur, 
and Frank Mc, residing at home. 

Thomas Rannells, born in Cumberland, Guernsey County, Ohio, 
is a son of Josepii and Elizabeth (Bay) Rannells. His grandfather, 
David Rannells, was born in Virginia not far from Winchester. He 
was married in his native State and moved from there to Washington 
County, Penn., about 1776, where both he and his wife died. 
There were seven children — William, David, Sallie, John, Joseph, 
Jane and Samuel. William moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, a 
short. time after Joseph Rannells; David Rannells went to Ken- 
tucky and was a teacher in the Academy at Washington; Sallie was 
also a teacher in the Washington Academy and died near St. 
Louis, Mo.; John died in Washington County, Penn., when lie 
was eighteen years old; Jane died near New Plymouth, Ohio; 
Samuel died in Swan Township, Yinton County. Joseph Rannells 
was born in Washington County, Penn., July, 1784. He was mar- 
ried there in Cross Creek Village, in 1812, to Elizabeth Bay. She 
was born in Washington County, Penn. (not more than a mile from 
her husband's birthplace), Oct. 27, 1784, a daughter of Thomas and 
Elizabeth (Blackburn) Bay. Both the Blackburn and Bay families 
were from Virginia. Thomas Bay, grandfather of Thomas Ran- 
nells, in his younger days was a hunter and went South on a hunting 
expedition and remained seven years. At one time he was pur- 
sued by the Indians and was obliged to swim a river to get away 
from them and lost his gun. He lived on deerskins thirteen days, 
all that he could get to eat as the Indians had his gun. He moved 
from Virginia to Washington County, Penn., just after his mar- 
riage, and about the same time the Rannells family moved there. 
In 1812 Thomas Bay and Joseph Rannells came with their families 
to Guernsey County, Ohio. Thomas Bay and his wife died in 
Guernsey County. He bought sixteen or seventeen quarter-sec- 
tions, apart of it still in the possession of his heirs. The town of 
Cumberland was laid out on his old farm. They reared a family 
of nine children, all born in Washington County, Penn. — Benja- 
min, Robert, William, Thomas, Elizabeth, Samuel, John, James and 
Archibald. They all died in Guernsey County except John, who 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1325 

died on the Ohio river twenty miles below Gallipolis, and James, 
who died in the eastern part of Illinois, Aug. 28, 1839. Joseph 
Rannells came to Vinton County and bought land which at that 
time was in Hocking County. He died July 1, 1848. His wife 
died in Cumberland in June, 1838. They reared five children — 
Thomas, Sarah, Samuel, David and Joseph Watson. Thomas 
Rannells was born April 12, 1813. He was reared in Guernsey 
County and came with his father to Yinton County. He was 
raised to hard work and commenced helping his father clear his 
farm in Guernsey County as soon as he was old and strong enough 
tojhandle an ax. He was married in Guernsey County, near Con- 
cord, April 6, 1S41, to Mahalia McCreary, who was born near New 
Concord, April 11, 1S20, a daughter of Alexander and Leah 
(Hughes) McCreary. After the death of his father the homestead 
farm passed into his hands, the deed bearing date 1846, two years 
before his father died. The place has since been in his possession 
until the past few years when Mr. Rannells's health failing him and 
not being able to carry on the duties of the farm it was transferred 
to his children. Mr. and Mrs. Rannells have nine children — Mary 
E. (wife o.f William Vance, of Kansas), Joseph A.,Hylas B., Leah 
J. (wife of Vernon Stiers, of Swan Township, Vinton County), Sarah, 
A. (wife of Eugene Cable, of Nelsonville, Athens County), Thomas 
M., James W., David V. and William S. 

George W. Rickey was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Jan. 25, 
1S36, a son of Benjamin F. and Mary (Morgan) Rickey. He is 
the second son of a family of nine children. When he was six 
months old his father moved to Athens County, where he still re- 
sides, at an advanced age. Mr. Rickey's early life was spent on the 
farm, and his education was received at the district schools, also at 
the Atwood Institute, Albany, Athens County. His intentions 
were to fit himself for a teacher, and during the time he was at- 
tending school he taught three winter terms in the district. At 
the close of his studies he was given a school, and for the next nine 
years he taught winter schools, and during the summer months 
worked for his father on the farm. Mr. Rickey was married Jan. 
23, 1870, to Susan R. Bray, a daughter of John Bray, and a woman 
of many estimable qualities. Mrs. Rickey was born Jan. 31, 1842, 
in Hocking County, now Vinton County. A short time after his 
marriage Mr. Rickey purchased eighty acres of land in Swan Town- 
ship, and afterward made additions to it, having at present 131 
acres. June 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-seventh 



1326 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Ohio Infantry, for three months, and was discharged at Camp 
Delaware, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1862. He participated in the battle of 
Harper's Ferry and in that battle was taken prisoner. The brigade 
was endeavoring to hold the ferry but were surrounded by the 
enemy and cut off from recruits. The conditions of the surrender 
were that they receive three days' rations and set back in their own 
lines. Aug. 9, 1863, he enlisted in the Ohio National Guards for 
five years and was assigned to Company H, Thirty-sixth Regi- 
ment. In May, 1864, when the call was made for 100-days' men, 
he was transferred from the National Guards and mustered into 
the United States service, through which he served, and was dis- 
charged Sept. 3, 1864, and from the " Ohio National Guards " in 
May, 1866. In 1860 he united with the Protestant Methodist 
church at Albany, Athens County, and upon his removal to Vin- 
ton County transferred his membership to the Methodist Episco- 
pal church, situated near his residence. His wife is also connected 
with, and in her religious faith was reared in, this church. Politi- 
cally he has associated himself with the Republican party. Mr. and 
Mrs. Rickey have five children — John A., born Oct. 15, 1871; Har- 
ley F., born Jan. 17, 1875; Lester, born May 23, 1877; Mary C, 
born April 24, 1879, and Orra A., born Dec. 10, 1880. 

John Schlotterbaok, born Oct. 11,1847, in Swan Township, Vin- 
ton County, is the sixth child of Henry and Mary Ann (Reynolds) 
Schlotterback. In 1861, although young in years, he enlisted in 
Company I, Seventy-fifth Ohio Infantry. They went to Cheat 
Mountain, and thence to McDowell, where they encountered the 
enemy in a skirmish, and remained in camp about a week. The 
next move was across the Shenandoah Mountains and there re- 
ceived an attack from the enemy and fell back to Monterey. At 
this place they had a fight; were overpowered and fell back to Frank- 
lin, Va. During this time the regiment was under command of 
General Milroy, of Indiana. At Franklin General Fremont joined 
them with his army and took command. From this place they 
marched to Strausburg, in the Shenandoah Valley, and followed the 
rebel General Jackson up the valley to the Kenoyeway Valley. 
They had a fight at Cross Keys, which resulted in the defeat of Jack- 
son's army, which retreated across Shenandoah River and burned 
the bridge. From that place Fremont fell back to Middleton and then 
went into camp, remaining two months. At this camp Fremont 
resigned and General Pope took command. The next move was 
across Blue Ridge to Sperrysville, in Rappahannock County, where 



HISTORY." OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1327 

the army lay in camp about three months. From Sperrysville they 
marched to Cedar Mountain, and reached there in time to wind up 
the fight, with General Banks, against the rebels under Longstreet 
and Jackson. The following day the entire army under Banks 
marched to the Rapidan River. The rebels had burned the bridge 
and the army went into camp about three weeks. From this place 
they marched back to Sulphur Springs on the Rapidan, thence on 
the next day a forced march of twenty-five miles to Freeman's 
Ford. At this place the field artillery was called into action. The 
next day one brigade of General Blinker's division crossed the 
river and made an attack while Mr. Schlotterback's company was 
holding guard over the ford. The brigade that crossed was obliged 
to fall back, which brought Mr. Schlotterback's company into action 
with the rebels, during which two of their men were killed — Wash- 
ington Bnrtnett and William H. Earnhart, of Vinton County. From 
this place they marched up the river to Bull Run. On the last day 
of the engagement at this place the Seventy-fifth Ohio was called 
into it, during which Mr. Schlotterback received a severe wound 
from a minie-ball through the left leg. For four days he lay upon 
the field where he fell, without anything to eat or drink. He was 
then taken to the hospital on the battle-field, where he lay four 
days longer, and then went to the Columbian College Hospital at 
Washington, where he lay about a month, during which time his 
leg was amputated. He remained at this hospital about three 
months, and was discharged and came home about Feb. 1, 1863. 
Mr. Schlotterback remained at home about a year, when he went to 
Indiana and remained there a year. He then returned home, and 
in March, 1S65, was married to Delia Wing, who was born in Chil- 
licothe, Ohio, May, 1848. Mr. Schlotterback then settled down 
and has resided in the county since, following the occupation of a 
fanner. Mr. and Mrs. Schlotterback have seven children — H. E., 
born Jan. 10, 1866; Buena Vista, born Feb. 18, 1868; Philip S., 
born Dec. 23, 1871; Ellenora, born Feb. 6, 1873; Hollis B., born 
May 18, 1875; Lizzie N., born Sept. 20, 1877; Estella M., born 
Feb. 22, 1880. 

Andrew Shurtz was born Oct. 31, 1825, in Muskingum County, 
Ohio. He remained with his father till his death, and after that, 
when the estate was settled, he bought all the heirs' claims and now 
has possession of the home property. He was a Whig in politics, 
and afterward a Republican. He served as Assessor of Swan Town- 
ship in 1864-'65, and was one of the Township Trustees about foHr 



1328 HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

years. His grandfather left his native country (Germany) to avoid 
being drafted into the German army, and upon reaching this, 
country was sold to pay his passage, and after working five years 
at the weaver's trade was set free. He died about 1796. John 
Shurtz, father of Andrew, was born in Northumberland County, 
Pa., March 6, 1790. In 1801 he came with his mother, Mary Shurtz, 
to Ohio, and settled in Muskingum County, where he was reared to 
manhood. At the age of twenty-three he married Elizabeth Stone, 
a native of Pennsylvania. She died in 1831 leaving a family of 
four sons and two daughters, of whom the four sons are still living. 
Mr. Shurtz was afterward married to Doretta Louisa Yogeley, a 
native of Germany. They were blessed with two sons. and one 
daughter, of whom one son and the daughter survive. In 1837 he 
moved with his family to Hocking County (now Vinton County), 
and settled on the place where Andrew Shurtz now resides. Here 
he bought 210 acres of land. Mr. Shurtz's death occurred Aug. 2, 
1852, and his wife died Sept. 12, 1875. He was Township Trustee 
for several years. In politics he always affiliated with the Whig 
party. 

O. L. Shurtz, born June 16, 1811, in Swan Township, Yinton 
County, a son of John and Louisa (Fogeli) Shurtz. He is the 
youngest of their three children. Henrietta is the widow of Sam- 
uel Wilson; Philip, deceased, entered the army in the One Hun- 
dred and Fourteenth Ohio Regiment; was taken sick from exposure 
at the siege of Vicksburg, came home shortly after his discharge 
and died. G. L. Shurtz, the subject of this sketch, was reared on 
the homestead farm now owned by Andrew Shurtz. He was mar- 
ried May 25, 1875, to Kate Specht, daughter of John and Catha- 
rine Spechr, formerly old citizens of this township. A short time 
previous to his marriage he bought his present property, contain- 
ing 160 acres on sections 10 and 11, afterward adding to it eighty 
acres. He also owns 160 acres on section 11, which has been in 
his possession since 1860. His fine stone residence, which was 
erected in 1882, at a cost of between $5,000 and $6,000, is one of 
the finest in Yinton County, situated on the main road, command- 
ing a fine view from all directions. Politically he is a Republican. 
Mr. and Mrs. Shurtz have three children — Ira, Minnie and Kie. 
Mr. Shurtz is one of the successful farmers of the county. When 
he began life for himself he had $300, and by his own good man- 
agement, backed up by an indomitable will and energy, has raised 
himself to the present prosperous position he now enjoys. 



HISTOKY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1329 

E. E. Wallar, son of William S. and Sarah A. (Camp) Wallar, 
was born Feb. 9, 1842, in Guernsey County, Ohio. He moved to 
Yinton when eleven years old where he lived with his father till 
he was eighteen. He married Cordelia, daughter of Benjamin Rey- 
nolds, an old pioneer of Yinton County. They have two daughters 
— Yiola D., born March 21, 1867, and Susan L., April 14, 1868. 
Mr. Wallar enlisted in the Union army in Company F, One Hun- 
dred and Fourteenth Ohio Infantry, Aug. 19, 1862. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Chickasaw Bay, Arkansas Post, Champion 
Hills, siege of Yicksburg and others. He was mustered out of ser- 
vice at Houston, Texas, Aug. 18, 1865. After the close of the war 
he bought 200 acres of land, being the old homestead of his father, 
upon which he lived till 1871, when he sold ifand bought 240 acres 
in Swan Township, where he lived ten years. In October, 18S0, he 
purchased his present farm on section 22 containing 160 acres, on 
which, in 1881, he erected a fine dwelling at a cost of $1,500. With 
the exception of $950 received from his father his success in life is 
due to his own efforts; he now owns one of the finest farms in Swan 
Township. Politically Mr. Wallar is a Republican. He has been 
a member of the Board of Township Trustees for a number of years 
until 18S3. William S. Wallar, father of our subject, was born in 
Loudoun County, Ya., Oct. 20, 1809. He was reared in Guernsey 
County, Ohio, and Aug. 8, 1828, he married Sarah A. Camp, born 
Aug. 12, 1810, in Guernsey County, and daughter of Robert Camp. 
They had a family of seven children, four still living — Jasper N.; 
E. H., our subject; Sythia A., wife of Thomas B. Phillips; Mary 
L., wife of A. J. Yest. William S. bought a farm of 120 acres 
near Claysville where he remained about twenty-three }^ears. In 
1851 he sold his farm and resided in Clinton Township, Yinton 
County, for seven years. He then bought 230 acres in Swan Town- 
ship, on section 9, where he died Aug. 18, 1860. His wife died 
March ,12, 18S1, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Thomas 
Phillips. John Wallar, father of William S., was a native of Vir- 
ginia, of Dutch-Irish descent. He moved with his family to Guern- 
sey County, Ohio. He died in Cambridge City, Ind., about 1840. 
Stephen H. Willis, deceased, was born in Greenbrier County, 
Ya., Sept. 14, 1804, a son of Ammill and Mary (Hix) Willis. He 
lived in Greenbrier County till he was about twenty-three years 
old. From the time he was ten years of age he was obliged to 
work, and aside from his immediate necessities would give his 
84 



1330 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

earnings to his parents. His father was afflicted so as to be unable 
to work and was somewhat dependent upon his children. There 
were twelve children in their family — James was killed in Virginia 
by the falling of a tree; John, Jonathan, Stephen, Samuel, Will- 
iam, Hannah, Margaret, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth and Ammill. 
About 1827 Stephen Willis left his home in Virginia and came 
to Ohio, locating in Athens (now Vinton) County. He went 
to work for Aaron Lantz (who married a cousin of Mr. Willis) and 
remained with him for some time after his marriage. He was 
married March 31, 1829, to Hester Stevens, who was born near 
Chillicothe, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1811, a daughter of James and Re- 
becca (Webb) Stevens. When Mrs. Willis was a small child her 
parents came to this county. In 1834 Mr. Willis bought a farm of 
eighty acres in Elk Township where they lived about four years. 
In 1838 he entered the present homestead place. The first entry 
was forty acres, and after a few years sixty acres more were bought, 
there being now 100 acres in the farm. There were eight children 
born to them, all of whom are still living — James, Mary Ann, 
Rebecca, George, Parcels, Hamilton J., Margaret J., Wm. A. 
James is a resident of Brooklyn, Schuyler County, 111.; Mary Ann, 
is in Central City, Merrick County, Neb.; Rebecca, on. the home- 
stead; George, in Brooklyn, 111.; Parcels, in Hamilton, and Marga- 
ret J., in Hamilton County, Neb., and Wm. A., on the home- 
stead. Mr. Willis died May 5, 1864. He was a prominent mem- 
ber of the Methodist church; was a Class -Leader in the church 
and an exhorter and devoted several years of his life to preaching. 
Mrs. Willis is still residing on the homestead. 

Captain John Siverly Witherspoon, son of John and Mary 
(Siverly) Witherspoon, was born in Oil City, Venango. Co., Penn., 
Dec. 4, 1836. He was reared in Pennsylvania, and in the summer 
of 1859 came to Vinton County, Ohio, and the following winter 
taught school in Zaleski, Ohio. He spent the summer of 1860 at 
school in his native State, and in the fall of that year returned to 
Vinton County, where he has since resided. He was one of the 
first to enlist in the three-months' service in 1861, and went out in 
Company D, Eighteenth Ohio Militia. At the expiration of his 
term of service he continued reading law at McArthur, which study 
he had commenced some time previous. In July, 1862, he enlisted 
in the three-years' serviee,in Company B, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, 
lie was commissioned First Lieutenant, and remained with this 
company nine months. April 14, 1863, he was commissioned Cap- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1331 

tain of Company I, which he commanded till he left the service. 
He received a wound in 1864 at Kennesaw Mountain which unfit- 
ted him for duty, and his resignation was accepted Feb. 14, 1865, 
at Huntsville, Ala. He left the army on the 27th of that month 
and reached home March 2, 1865. He was married while in the 
service, Oct. 13, 1861, to Delilah E., daughter of William and 
Nancy Albin. They have had a family of five children, four of 
whom are living — John Plyley, William Franklin, Ianthe Ellen, 
Charles Henry. Mr. Witherspoon's early life was spent around 
furnaces in the mining districts of Pennsylvania, his education till 
he was twenty -two years of age being very limited. Since that age 
he has devoted himself to study and now holds a five-year certifi- 
cate to teach. In 1861 he purchased his present farm and moved 
to it March 20, 1865. Since then he has been engaged in farming 
and teaching. Since 1867 he has taught during the winters with 
the exception of the winter of 1881, and has also taught select 
schools three summers, at which he has been very successful. In 
politics he is a Republican. In the fall of 1865 he was elected 
Justice of the Peace to fill a vacancy, which office he held two 
years when he resigned it. John Witherspoon,our subject's father, 
was born near Pittsburg, Allegheny Co., Pa., and his wife, Mary 
(Siverly) Witherspoon, is a native of Masonville, N. Y. They had 
eleven children of whom only two sons and two daughters sur- 
vive, eight having been reared to maturity. Two sons, David 
P. and William V., enlisted in the late war, in the Seventy-fifth 
Ohio Infantry, Company I. They gave up their lives in defense 
of their country at Gettysburg, July 2, 1863. Mr. Witherspoon 
died in the spring of 1S52. Mrs. Witherspoon is still living and 
resides with our subject, John S., in Swan Township, Vinton 
County. 

JACKSON. 

Harry Bishop was born in England, Feb. 18, 1S32, and the same 
year he came to America with his parents, Samuel and Mary Ann 
(Balstone) Bishop, also natives of England, who settled in Beaver 
Township, Noble Co., Ohio. Harry was reared on a farm and ed- 
ucated in the common schools. July 4, 1854, he married his first 
wife, Elizabeth A. Mercer, daughter of Joshua and Ann (Burr) 
Mercer. They were the- parents of eleven children; of these the 
following are living — G-eorge W., Amanda E., Samuel J., Mary 
A., Margaret E., Julia C, David F. and Annie E. His wife 
died Feb. 22, 18S0, and he was married to Susan J. Dolison, 
daughter of James and Mary Dolison. One child, Josie B., has 



1332 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

been sent to bless this union. Mr. Bishop is a prominent farmer 
of Yinton County and possesses 160 acres of good land. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also 
four of his children. Politically he is a Republican. 

John S. Haivkin, one of the prominent farmers of Jackson 
Township, was born in Elk Township, Vinton Co., Ohio, July 18,. 
1823. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the 
common schools of the country. Feb. 5, 1856, he was married to 
Miss Catherine Appleman, born in October, 1833, daughter of Levi 
and Savilla (Tatmun) Appleman, natives of Pennsylvania and 
Maryland respectively. They have been blessed with eight chil- 
dren — Jasper, Allen, George W., Abraham L., Rebecca, Mary, 
Oliver and William. Mr. Hawkin has by his industry and energy 
accumulated a good property, having at- the present time a fine 
farm of 163 acres highly cultivated on which is found plenty of 
iron ore of the best quality. In politics Mr. Hawkin is a Repub- 
lican. His parents, Jacob and Ann (Svvitzer) Hawkin, were na- 
tives of Virginia and came to Ohio in a very early day. 

Dr. George Rineheart was born in Greene County, Penn., Jan. ly 
1832, a son of Steven and Sarah (Wyscarver) Rineheart, who were 
natives of Pennsylvania. He came to Noble County, Ohio, in the 
fall of 1811. He was reared a farmer and educated in the common 
schools. He was married Aug. 11, 1854, to Miss Annie Bishop, 
born June 6, 1837, a daughter of Samuel and Mary A. (Batstone) 
Bishop, who were natives of England and came to the United 
States in 1832. They have had five children — Samuel (deceased, 
Feb. 14,1880), Enson, lantha (married Israel Albin). George and 
Lolo. He bought a farm of 160 acres in Vinton County, and by 
adding to it is at the present time owner of 418 acres of excellent 
land. He has practiced medicine during his life but to no great 
extent. He has a large tobacco warehouse and a well-stocked 
farm, and has about 400 head of sheep. He is a member of the 
Masonic order and a Republican in politics. 




CHAPTER XL VIII. 

EAGLE, HARRISON AND RICHLAND TOWNSHIPS-IN AGRICULT- 
URE, POOR-IN MINERAL DEPOSITS, FAIR. 

Eagle— When Organized— Divided by Hocking— First Elec- 
tion, May 9, 1818, and in 1850 Gave Remainder to Vinton— 
Area and Location— The Old Pioneer— Religion and Educa- 
tion — Stock and Valuation. 

Harrison Township— A Part of Ross Township in 1798— To- 
pography— Well Watered— A Part of Jackson in 1818— 
Then Again of Ross— Population— Rapid Gain— Churches, 
Schools — Stock and Valuation. 

Richland Township— The Largest Township-Some Good Land- 
Its Assessed Valuation— Stock Report— North Part Good 
Farming Land— South Part, Minerals, Iron Ore and Coal— 
A Partial List of Settlers— Churches, Schools and Mili- 
tary — Biographical. 

EAGLE. 

AN INDEPENDENT MUNICIPALITY. 

Eagle Township was a portion of Hocking County when that 
county was organized April 25, ISIS. At that time it included the 
present township of Jackson. Dec. 2, 1831, Jackson was taken off 
of Eagle. 

The first election in Eagle Township was held May 9, 1818, at 
the house of Moses Dawson. 

June 2, 1834, the Commissioners of Hocking County cut off 
the north tier of sections from Eagle Township and added them to 
Salt Creek Township of Hocking County, leaving Eagle Town- 
ship but five miles north and south by six east and west. The fol- 
lowing winter what remained of it was transferred by special 
act of the General Assembly to Ross County where it remained 
until Vinton County came into existence in 1850. It was then, 
with Harrison, transferred to Vinton County to make up her re- 
quired territory. Thus Eagle Township had been some sixteen 
years a part of Hocking County and almost sixteen years a part of 
Ross. 

(1333) 



1334- HISTOET OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

LOCATION, AKEA, ETC. 

The township is located in the northwestern part of the county, 
and is bounded on the north by Hocking County, on the east by 
Jackson Township, on the south by Harrison Township, and on the 
west by Ross County. It has been well timbered and it has water 
in abundance. 

Salt Creek runs diagonally through the township, from north- 
east to southwest, with several tributaries, and Pike Run rises in 
the northwest corner and runs south along the western border 
about a mile from the Ross County line and flows into Salt Creek 
about one mile before the latter stream passes over the line into 
Ross County. Pretty Run, on the east side, about one mile from 
its northeast corner, running south through the east side of sec- 
tion 13, and then turning southwest, after a course of nearly three 
miles empties into Salt Creek on section 22, passing through sec- 
tions 24 and 23. 

FIKST SETTLERS. 

Among the first settlers of Eagle Township were Moses Dawson, 
John Ratcliff, Lawrence Rains, Jonathan Francis, Joshua Pickens, 
William Vanderford, Sr. These pioneers with their families nearly 
all settled on Salt Creek and Pretty Run between the years 1812 
and 1820. 

The first mill was built by Lawrence Rains in about 1813. It 
was located at the mouth of Pike Run, on Salt Creek. Another 
was shortly after erected on Pretty Run by Solomon Cox. 

The first postoffice was established in 1859 at Eagle Mills (from 
which it took its name), through the efforts of Miles Ratcliff, who 
was appointed first Postmaster. Another postoffice was established 
in 1882 on Pike Run, with E. H. Bennett the first and present 
Postmaster. 

The first church was built by the Christians on Pike Run, and 
near by was erected the first school-house. 

CHURCHES. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church, located on section 22, was 
erected in 1879, through the efforts of 'the Rev. William Ricketts, 
who has since been in charge of its pastorate. Its original mem- 
bers were very few but it now has a good membership which in- 
cludes many of the best citizens of Eagle Township. In 3 879 the 



HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1335 

people erected a church on section 21 which is of no particular de- 
nomination-Union church, open to all. It has no regular pastor 
and is used mostly by the Disciples. This denomination has a 
church in the northern part of the township which was the first house 
ot worship within its borders. 

SCHOOLS. 

_ The educational facilities of the township have kept pace with 
its growth, and it has at the present time six schools within its lim- 
its. There are also six school-houses, which are all comfortable 
frame buildings. Eagle Township had, June 1, 1883, an assessed 
valuation of personal property amounting to $44,055. There are 
neither towns nor furnaces in the township, and this is mostly of 
farm product and stock. It had of the latter at the date of its last 
assessment, 188 horses, 317 cattle, 805 sheep and 319 hogs within 
the township. There are two other townships which have a smaller 
personal property valuation. The township has some coal within 
its border, but not so filled as the townships lying east, 

HARRISON TOWNSHIP. 
IT ONCE BELONGED TO EOSS. 

Harrison Township lies in the southwest corner of the county 
and is in area six miles square, with the exception of two sections 
in the northwest corner, which belong to Eagle Township. The 
maT °l H i arrison is ve T hilly and broken. It is well watered by 
Middle Fork of Salt Creek and Pigeon Fork, also by numerous 
branches in the different parts of the township, which, taken together 
with its excellent grazing land, afford ample resources for sheep- 
raising, which is one of the industries of the township, together 
with general farming. 6 

Harrison Township is bounded on the north by Ea»le, on the 
east by Richland Township, on the south by Jackson County and 
on the west by Ross County and Eagle Township. 

PIONEEES. 

Among the Pioneers of Harrison Township were: James Brad v, 
Morris Humphrey, Solomon Wilkinson, Joseph and William Dixon 

m-!?£ ^^ and J ° lm Nicho]as - Thes ° "early all settled on 
Middle Fork of Salt Creek and on Pigeon Fork 



1336 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

In 1840 the population was 63 1; in 1850, 580; in 1860, 780; in 
1870, 782, and in 1880, 1172. Thus it will be seen that Harrison 
has not been behind her sister townships in her growth. The citi- 
zens of Harrison Township depend entirely upon the agricultural 
products for their sustenance as there are no other business inter- 
ests in the township with the exception of two small stores, one 
kept by Mr. Gibson and the other by II. II. Thacker, the latter at 
Eaysville. 

There are in Harrison Township eight school districts, each pro- 
vided with comfortable school-houses. 

CHURCHES. 

Harrison Township has only two churches, one Disciples and 
one United Brethren. The Disciples were the first to erect the 
church, which is known as Corinth, in 1870. It is located on section 
35, a short distance from Raysville. The first preacher was Rev. 
T. M. Pinkerton, and the pastorate is now in the charge of the 
Rev. A. J. "Waltz. At the present time the membership numbers 
about 100, including many of the best citizens of Harrison Township. 
The United Brethren built their church soon after, and have a 
good membership, and are in a nourishing condition. 

STOCK AND ASSESSED VALUATION. 

The assessor's returns for June 1, 18S3, gives 229 horses, 495 
head of cattle, 1,554 head of sheep and 329 hogs. Of the two 
latter the farmers should have quadrupled the number. Its assessed 
valuation of personal property is the smallest in the county, and 
foots up only $32,025. 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 
IN RESPECT TO SIZE AND QUALITY. 

Richland Township is the largest in area of all the townships in 
the county. It contains forty-two full sections, or 26,880 acres, 
most of which is excellent land. It is drained by various small 
streams, of which the most important is the Middle Fork of Salt 
Creek. This enters the western edge ot section 7, and meanders 
through sections, 7, 6, 8, 5 and 4, leaving the township from the 
northern side of section 4. The land is adapted both for grazing 
and for agriculture, and there is also a good store of minerals, both 
coal and iron, especially in the southern part. Richland Furnace, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1337 

in the southern part, on section 4, produces iron in large quanti- 
ties and of a good quality. Richland is bounded on the north by 
Jackson Township, on the east by Elk and Clinton townships, on 
the south by Jackson County, and on the west by Jackson County 
and Harrison Township, of this county. No railroad runs through 
the heart of Richland, but the Cincinnati, Washington & Balti- 
more (formerly the Marietta & Cincinnati) touches its southern 
border. 

The assessed valuation of the township, June 1, 1883, that is of 
personal property, footed up the snug amount of $96,530. Its 
stock as returned by the assessor numbered in horses 381:; there 
were 095 head of cattle, 5,250 head of sheep, and of hogs 32-4. It 
ranks fourth in sheep and fifth in cattle, and the first in horses. 
The northern part is better for agricultural productions than the 
southern part which, while grasses seem to thrive and it would be an 
excellent cattle range, is too rough and broken except in small patches 
of valley to do any large amount of farming work. The iron and 
the coal, however, will fully make up what it lacks in agricultural 
facilities. 

Richland Township was organized in about the year 1821, as a 
portion of Ross County, to which it then belonged. Upon the 
organization of Jackson County it became a part of that county, 
and when in 1851 Vinton County was formed Richland was cut 
off from Jackson County and attached to the new county. 

The following is a partial list of the old settlers of Richland 
Township: Henry, John, Abraham, Job, William and Joseph 
Cozacl and their families; John A. Swepston, James and Solomon 
Redfern, Robert Clark, Levi Davis, Samuel Darby, Enoch Dixon, 
John Loving, George Claypool, Philip Waldron, George Waldron, 
Nathan Cox, Jeremiah Cox, Samuel Cox, Samuel Graves, James 
Graves, William Graves, Henry Graves, Nathan Graves, Jonathan 
Graves, Joseph Graves, Thomas Graves, William Graves, Jr., 
John Graves, Eli Graves, "William Hutt, Charles Ilutt and Lem- 
uel Hutt. 

Henry Cozad entered land adjoining Allensville, which lie laid 
oft in 1837 and named in honor of William Allen. Mr. Cozad 
was the first merchant in Allensville, and also the first Postmaster. 
The second merchant was Marcus Miller. The postoffice was estab- 
lished in 1839, before which time there had been an office one mile 
east of Allensville, called Riley. James Redfern was the first 
Postmaster at this point. 



1338 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The first school-teachers were: Thomas Johnson and Solomon 
Eedfern, who were followed by Brittun Stephen and John Dar- 
ley. 

The first preachers were: Solomon Redfern and Harvey, 

of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Noah Clark, Jonathan 
Bryan and John Swim, of the Christian church. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was built about the year 1848. 
The first members were: Solomon Eedfern and wife, Archibald 
Drake and wife, and William Clark and wife. 

The Christian Church was built not 'long after the Methodist 
church. Before the erection of church buildings meetings were 
held in the school-house, and before that in private dwellings. 

Pleasant Chapel was organized in 1867 with fourteen members. 
They commenced the erection of a church the following year, 
which was completed about the close of the year. It cost $1,200 
and was dedicated Feb. 22, 1869. Its first Pastor was the Rev. 
Sollers. The church is an off-shoot of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

The first and only mill in the township — a grist-mill with saw- 
mill attached — was built in 1843 or 1844 by Benjamin Rains. 

In the early days of Richland Township a military company was 
maintained, composed of members from Harrison and Richland 
townships. The company consisted of 100 men, with Nathan 
Graves as Captain. They had regular " training days," and many 
interesting reminiscences of those meetings were often recalled by 
the older residents. 

BIOGRAPHICAL — EAGLE. 

E vastus II. Bennett was born in Morgan County, Ohio, Feb. 21, 
1838, the son of John and Sarah (Beaver) Bennett, his father a 
native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. He was reared 
on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and for 
the past sixteen years has taught during the winter. He enlisted 
Feb. ,22, 1865, in Company D, Fifty-eighth Ohio Infantry, and 
served till September of the same year. He was married March 
10, 1859, to Sarah M. Burgoon. They were the parents of five 
children, three now deceased. Mrs. Bennett died in 1866. May 
30, 1868, Mr. Bennett married Mary Ellen Poling. They have 
had a family of four children. Mr. Bennett was elected Justice of 
the Peace Jan. 26, 1883. He has held the same office two terms 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1339 

in Hocking County. He owns three acres in this and seventy-five 
in Hocking County. He has a store of general merchandise and is 
Postmaster at Pine Run. He and his wife are both members of 
the Methodist church at Mt. Carmel, Hocking County. 

Samuel G. Darby was born in Jackson Township, Vinton County, 
Sept. 9, 1851, a son of Steven and Margaret (Grams) Darby, natives 
of this county. He was reared a farmer and educated in the com- 
mon schools with the exception of one term spent at Wilmington 
College in Clinton County, Ohio. Sept. 21, 1S73, he was married 
to Miss Eby E. Stevens, born Nov. 28, 1853, a daughter of John 
and Mary (Lonkester) Stevens. This union has been blessed with 
the following children — [da May, born June 4, 1874; Del van D., 
May 12, 1876; John S., Sept. 29, 1882. Mr. Darby was elected 
Township Clerk April 2, 1877, holding the office ever since with 
the exception of one year. He has ninety-seven acres of land on 
section 22 and is one of the prominent farmers of Eagle Township. 
He and his wife are members of the Christian church. 

Robert Kidnocker, merchant and Postmaster at Eagle Mills, 
was born Jan. 11, 1834, in Morgan County, Ohio, a son of Good- 
lief and Lucinda (Miller) Kidnocker. His father was a native of 
Germany and came to the United States when about twenty years 
old and has resided in Morgan and Hocking counties, Ohio, ever 
since. He died April 16, 1883, aged over seventy-one years. Mrs. 
Lucinda Kidnocker was born in the State of Ohio in 1809. She is 
still living and quite active considering her age. Robert, our sub- 
ject, worked on a farm till sixteen years of age when he followed 
the business of steam-bolting till he was twenty-one years old. He 
then returned to his home in Hocking County remaining there one 
year, and was there married, April 23, 1856, to Sarah, daughter of 
Daniel and Louisa (Moody) Eveland. They have been blessed with 
five children, three of whom still survive — Claracie, Annie and 
Ellsworth. Those deceased are Belle and an infant. Mr. Kid- 
nocker has accumulated a large property. In 1876 he purchased 
the Eagle Mills on Salt Creek, Eagle Township, and also runs a 
large dry-goods and grocery store at this place. On March 11, 
1883, he bought the Gamble's Grist-Mill, on Buck Creek, in Indi- 
ana. He also owns property in Adelphi,Ross County, and inVinton 
County, and ten acres of land where he resides. 

Nelson Lee was born in Hocking County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1826, 
a son of James and Hannah (Barttson) Lee, natives of Pennsylva- 
nia, who came to Ohio in 1814 and settled in Swan Township, then 



1340 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

in Hocking County, but now in Yinton. He was reared in this 
county receiving his education in the primitive log school-house. 
When twenty -four years of age he went to work at the carpenter's 
trade, but in April, 1859, bought 102 acres of land in Jackson 
Township and went to farming. In 1866 he sold this farm and 
bought 200 acres in the same township where he only remained a 
year. He now owns eighty acres in this township. For the past 
eight years he has been a preacher of the gospel. He was married 
Nov. 11, 1858, to Rachel Jordan, daughter of James and Sarah A. 
(Bolener) Jordan, who was born Oct. 10, 1839. They are the par- 
ents of six children — Sarah R., born Jan. 26, 1860, died Nov. 23, 
1874; John, born Aug. 21, 1861; Hannah E., born July 29, 1863; 
Pinkney W., born Jan. 4, 1875; Charles S., born April 15, 1877, 
and James H., born Feb. 10, 1881. 

William Ratcliff, born in Eagle Township, Vinton Co., Ohio* 
Feb. 16, 1857, son of Jeremiah and Ruth (Brown) Ratcliff, who 
were natives of Ohio. He was reared on a farm and received a 
common-school education. Oct. 6, 1878, he married Mellie Graves, 
born April 23, 1857, and daughter of Nelson and Marina (Peecher) 
Graves, natives of Virginia. They were blessed with one child — 
Clifford J., born March 9, 1880. Mr. Ratcliff has followed farming 
all his life. He has held several offices of the township and at 
present is Road Supervisor. He and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church at Concord. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican. 

Joshua J. Speakman was born in Eagle Township, Sept. 29, 
1832, a son of Joshua and Mary (Wyckoff) Speakman, his father 
a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Virginia. His father 
came to Ohio in 1808 and located in Ross County. In 1812 he 
came to Vinton County and settled where his son now lives. Joshua 
J. Speakman was reared to the life of a farmer and has always fol- 
lowed that occupation, and now has a tine farm of 203 acres. He 
was married Dec. 13, 1S55, to Fannie, daughter of David and De- 
lilah White. Seven children were born to them — Samantha J., 
born Sept. 26, 1856, married David Burgood in September, 1875; 
Samuel V., born Oct. 21, 1857, married Ida Miller in March, 1880; 
Simon E., born July 13, 1860; Sarah L., Nov. 29, 1862, married 
William Crider in 1879; William David, born Jan. 2, 1865; Eliza- 
beth E., March 9, 1867, and Albert N., Feb. 16, 1869. Mrs. Speak- 
man died in August, 1870. In October, 1S71, Mr. Speakman mar- 
ried Matilda J. Ramey. They are the parents of seven children — 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1341 

Cora B., born July 26, 1872; Charles W., May 7, 1874; Mary A., 
born Nov. 28, 1875, died Oct. 2, 1876; Calvin L., born July 4, 
1877; George K., born June 7, 1879, and an infant, born Sept. 14, 
1881, died Dec. 23, 1881. Mr. Speakman is a member of the 
United Baptist church at Mt. Zion. 

William R. Yaple was born in Ross County, Ohio, Oct. 17, 
1833, the son of Samuel and Maria (Thompson) Yaple, the former 
a native of New York and the latter of Virginia. He was reared 
on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married 
Nov. 29, 1869, to Elizabeth A., daughter of William and Mary 
(Vincent) McDonald. They have had five children, four now liv- 
ing — "Wallace D., Albert S., Mary A. and Ara E. Arthur died 
May 8, 1874. Mr. Yaple came to this county in 1840. He has 
320 acres of good hill land, well improved. He has held the office 
of Township Treasurer since 1867. In 1863 he was in the Kirby- 
Smith raid through Kentucky, which was the only part he took in 
the Rebellion. 

HARRISON. 

Isaiah H. McCormick was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, a son 
of James and Mary A. (Savage) McCormick, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania and the latter of New Jersey. His parents were 
married in 1832, and had a family of seven children, six of them 
sons, Isaiah H. being the second. All these sons were in the late 
war, and I. H. was the only one wounded. He enlisted in Com- 
pany A, Fortieth Illinois Infantry, July 27, 1861. He was in a 
number of engagements, and was wounded twice at Shiloh. He 
was mustered out as Captain of Company E, One Hundred and 
Forty-eighth Ohio Infantry, Sept. 18, 1864. He was married 
March 18, 1864, to Rachel L. Walker, daughter of Marcus H. and 
Harriet L. (Ratcliff) Walker, who was born Nov. 22, 1842. They 
have had four children, only three now living — Charles E., Cora 
E. and Elley.W. Annie L. died Aug. 4, 1870. Mr. McCormick 
educated himself by his own labor. He taught school and thus 
obtained the means to enable him to attend Otterbein University 
at Westerville three years. He is now the principal merchant at 
Raysville, carrying a stock of general merchandise, valued at 
$3,000. He at one time owned 1,100 acres of fine land, and at 
present owns 1,000 acres. When he returned from the army 
he had $300, and in 1867 began business in Raysville. He is a 
Knight Templar Mason, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Grand 



1342 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Army of the Eepublic, the Koyal Arcanum and the Knights of 
Honor. Mr. McCormick is worth about $40,000, and carries 
$16,000 life insurance. He has held various offices of trust in Yin- 
ton County, but of late years, though often solicited, refuses to 
accept any office. He is a member of the Christian church at Rays- 
ville. 

Benjamin W. Thacker was born in Wilkes Township, Yiuton 
County, March 30, 1853. His parents, Thomas and Anne (Vaughn) 
Thacker, natives of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1831, and settled in 
what was then "Wilkes Township, Gallia County, but is now part of 
Vinton. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and edu- 
cated in the common school, and also attended one term at Leba- 
non. Jan. 5, 1875, he was married to Maggie Wellman, born Sept. 
20, 1859. Her father, James Wellman, was killed while serving 
his country in the late war. This union has been blessed with nve 
children — Stella I., Charles P., Annie L., Wendell P. and Harry J. 
Mr. Thacker owns seventy acres of land, besides a saw-mill, valued 
at $1,500. At present he is engaged in the lumber trade. He and 
his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Fairview. 

RICHLAND. 

W. W. Belford, merchant and Postmaster, was born in 1839, in 
Marshall County, Va. He received a good practical education, and 
began teaching when almost twenty-one years of age, in which he 
has achieved success. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Eight- 
eenth Ohio Infantry, and served as a private during his term of 
enlistment. He was married in 1864 to Anna, daughter of Daniel 
Cozad, by whom he had three children — William R, Franklin F. 
and Martha A. Mrs. Belford died in 1869, aged twenty-three 
years. He was again married in 1870, to Mary L. Cozad, his first 
wife's sister. This union was blessed with two children — Ma- 
tilda M. and Alice A., deceased. Mr. Belford commenced his 
present business in 1875, and carries a full line of goods. He does 
a business of $7,000 per annum. In 1864 he was elected Clerk of 
Richland Township, and served nearly seven years. He was elected 
Auditor in 1871, and re-elected in 1873. In 1876 he was elected 
Treasurer of the township, and in April, 1880, Justice of the Peace, 
serving in the latter capacity one term. In 18S0 he was appointed 
to his present position as Postmaster. His parents, Benjamin and 
Mary Belford, were natives of Pennsylvania. They located in 
Monroe County, Ohio, in 1846, and in this county in 1848, where 
they died. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1343 

Robert Clark was a native of North Carolina, and settled with 
his family here about 1812. He located in what is now this town- 
ship, where he lived permanently. His wife's name was Rachel 
Graves, who bore him the following children — William, John, 
James-, Henry, Daniel, Isaac and Robert, Jane Margaret, Amy 
and Hannah. His children became citizens of the county. He 
died in 1836, and his wife died about 1835. 

Abraham N. Cozad, a son of Henry and Margaret (Clark) Cozad, 
was born in 1827 in Richland Township. His early life was spent 
on a farm and attending the subscription schools. In 1847 he was 
married to Anna Graves. To them have been born six children — 
Elizabeth J., John J., Margaret A., Charles A., Mary L., and Char- 
ity A. After his marriage he engaged in the mercantile business in 
Allensville, which he followed till 1860, when he abandoned it till 
1865, and since then has been engaged in merchandising at inter- 
vals. He took a regular course of study of law and was admitted 
to the bar of Ohio in 1874. He has served as Justice of the Peace 
eighteen years and was County Auditor from 1863 to 1865, Township 
Treasurer three terms and Clerk one term. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, McArthur Lodge. Politically the 'Squire is a 
Democrat. 

Henry Cozad was born in New Jersey, and was a son of Job and 
Catherine (Fink) Cozad. He was married four times, first to Jane 
Law, by whom he had four children — William, Elizabeth, Daniel 
and Catherine. His second wife was Margaret Clark, and the chil- 
dren by this marriage were — Abraham N., Job W. and John J. 
For his third wife he married Mary Gregg, and his fourth and last 
wife was Scytha (Darby) Fry. He served in the war of 1812, and 
was with Hull at the surrender of the Michigan frontier. He died 
in 1860, aged sixty-eight years. -His parents were natives of New 
Jersey and Pennsylvania, who settled in Ross County about 1800. 
They were the parents of eight children, six of whom were sons. 
He was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and one of the first preach- 
ers in this section of Ohio. He died in 1823, while filling an ap- 
pointment near McArthur. 

James Hawkins was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1822. 
He was reared on a farm in his native county until 1856 when he 
moved to Hocking County, and in 1872 purchased 316 acres where 
he now resides. His farm at that time was in a poor condition, but 
through his labor he has now one of the best kept farms in the 
township. Besides farming he is engaged in stock-raising and at 



1344 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

present has a flock of 260 sheep, among them being a number of 
line merinos. He has been Trustee of Richland Township two 
terms. During his residence in Hocking County he held that posi- 
tion nine years. He has been twice married, his first wife being 
Amanda Tidd, whom he married in 1844. She bore him two chil- 
dren — William Q. and one who is deceased. Mrs. Hawkins died 
in 1848. He was again married to Lavina Ensbery. This union 
has been blessed with five children — El wood D., James O., John 
C.j Thomas E. and Charles O. Mr. Hawkins and wife have been 
members of the Methodist Episcopal church for some time. 

James A. Martlndill was born in 1825 in this township. He 
was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of that 
day. He was married March 16, 1848, to Sarah Shreck. Nine 
children have been born to this union, five of whom are living — 
Arminda, Edith B. C, Eliza M. and Sarah V. Jasper, Douglass, 
Delila and Ida B3II are deceased. After his marriage he located 
in this township, where he has since resided. He was elected in 
1862 Justice of the Peace, which office he held continuously till 
1880. Several years previous he served as Clerk of the township. 
He owns 248 acres of well-improved laud and is engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising. He and family are members of the Christian 
church. 

Moses Martlndill was born Oat. 9, 1803, in Greenbrier County, 
W. Ya. Was a son of James and Margaret Martindill, who located 
in Gallia County, Ohio, about 1808. Our subject grew to man- 
hood in Gallia County and after his marriage settled in what is 
now Swan Township, but after several years returned to Gallia 
County. In 1831 or '32 he settled in this township, where lie 
remained till his death in 1849. He held some of the minor 
offices of the township. He belonged to the United Brethren 
church and contributed much to its welfare. By his first wife, 
Miss Butler, he had no children. His second wife, Matilda 
Claypool, bore him ten children — James A., Caroline, Andrew 
J., Amanda, Samuel, Moses, Jr., Margaret, Joseph, Matilda A. 
and Sarah E. Mrs. Martindill died Feb. 3, 1875, at the age 
of seventy-one years. Mr. Martindill came to the county a poor 
man but during his life he accumulated a good propertj 7 . 



CHAPTER XLIX. 

WILKESVILLE, VINTON AND CLINTON TOWNSHIPS— A TRIO THAT 
CONTAINS IMMENSE MINERAL DEPOSITS. 

WiLKESVILLE TOWNSHIP In THE MlNERAL BELT IRON Ore AND 

Coal — Wilkesville Tillage — Churches — Township Schools — 
Lodge — Hawk's Station — Minerton — Valuation and Stocks. 

Vinton Township — Name — Metes and Bounds — Early Settle- 
ment — When Organized — Schools — Population — Radcliff 
Station — Mineral Development — Stock — Personal Property 
Valuation. 

Cltnton Township — Boundary — Formerly of Athens County — 
Then of Jackson County — Once a Part of Elk Township — It 
is Rough and Broken — Its Living Waters — When Settled 
— Local History — Hamden— Postoffice — Lodges — Churches — 
Dundas Village — Educational Facilities — Population — Val- 
uation — Stock Report — Biographical. 

WILKESVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

GREAT MINERAL RESOURCES. 

Wilkesville Township is the southeastern one of Vinton County, 
and was taken from Gallia County, which it adjoins, when Vinton 
County was formed, in 1S50. It lies directly in the great mineral 
belt of Southern Ohio, and its hills are rich in coal and iron. The 
greater part of the surface of the township is hilly and adapted for 
grazing, but fine crops of corn and wheat are raised along the val- 
ley of the Raccoon, which runs through the township from north 
to south. Wilkesville was organized as a separate township in 1815 
when a part of Gallia. 

The population of Wilkesville has had a haalthy and constant 
growth, being in 1840, 738 ; 1850, 1,037 ; 1860, 1,316 ; 1870, 
1,472, and in 1S80, 1,812. 

VILLAGE. 

The village of Wilkesville is in the eastern part of the township, 
half a mile from the Meigs County line. The land on which the 
village stands and a large part of the surrounding country was 
purchased by an Eastern gentleman named Wilkes, about 1807. 
85 (1345) 



1346 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Iu the year 1810 Henry Due, the agent of Mr. Wilkes, came on 
to the ground, and on the 10th day of June laid out the town, 
naming it Wilkesville in honor of the owner. During this year 
five families settled in the township. The first was that of Isaac 
Hawk, who moved from Greenbrier County, Va.,in 1S07, to the 
lower part of Gallia County, Ohio. In January, 1810, he came to 
this township, where he remained until his death, in 1862. The 
first sermon preached in Wilkesville was at his house, by Reverend 
Mr. Dixon, a Methodist minister. William Humphreys, Henry 
Jones, Rufus Wells and Mr. Terry came about the same time. 
The first child born in Wilkesville was Clara Jones, and the second 
was Henry Hawk. Mr. Due had offered a land warrant to the first 
child that should be born in Wilkesville. Mr. Due brought his 
family from Middletown, Conn., in the spring of 1812. About the 
same time Mr. Chitwood, another Eastern man, moved to the farm 
now owned by Able Wells. He kept a store iu his house, and was 
the first man that ever kept goods to sell in Wilkesville Township. 

WILKESVILLE BUSINESS. 

The first store in the village of Wilkesville was kept by a man 
named Richmond. In 1828 James Edmiston and William Stowell 
were competitors for the trade. They were followed by Harvey 
Brown and Hiram G. Daniel. The present business firms of 
Wilkesville are Cline & Miller, general store; J. Strong & Son, gen- 
eral store; M. P. Carr & Son, general store; B. F. Williams, notions 
and postoffice; Misses Cline & Hays, millinery; W. C. Cline, drugs; 
Louis Keltenbach, wagon-shop; Cyrus Devault & Sons, wagon and 
blacksmith shop; George Patten, blacksmith shop; Hawk & Strong, 
furniture; George Wetherholt, furniture; William Thompson, hard- 
ware; John Muholland, blacksmith shop; James Reisinger, wagon- 
shop; George Currey, tannery; J. J. Cline, harness shop; John 
Caywood, hotel; Henry Grady, shoe shop; Robert Hurd, shoe shop. 

The oldest house in Wilkesville is the brick dwelling on High 
street, now occupied by James Lyons. It was built by Henry 
Due, about 1816. 

Wilkesville once had a newspaper, the Reporter, issued July 25, 
1872, by Charles B.Taylor and Vinet E.Taylor. It supported 
General Grant for the presidency, but died soon after the campaign 
closed. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1347 

CHURCHES. 

First Presbyterian Church. — The first Presbyterian sermon ever 
preached in Wilkesville was at the house of Henry Due, by Rev. 
William R. Gould, who was then laboring at Gallipolis, under the 
auspices of the Connecticut Missionary Society. The church was 
organized by Mr. Gould in October, 1821, receiving seven persons, 
two men and five women. They were John Strong, Henry S. Duc> 
Lucy Due, Mary Due, Betsey Davis, Sadai Strong and Mabel 
Strong. The first ministers were Rev. William R. Gould, Rev. 
Augustus Pomeroy and Rev. Hiram R. Howe, the last of whom 
was the first regular supply here. 

The Methodist Episcopal was the pioneer church in Wilkesville, 
the first religious services in the village having been held by Rev. 
Mr. Dixon. He was followed by Rev. John Brown, who formed a 
class about 1814. The house of worship used by the society is 
large and commodious, and the church is in a prosperous condi- 
tion. The present Pastor is Rev. Mr. Rice. 

The Roman Catholic Church has about 300 members, including 
all baptized infants. Their house of worship was destroyed by fire 
in 1873, and'a new one has been erected at a cost of over $8,000. 
It is well supported and increasing in both membership and influ- 
ence. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first school in Wilkesville was taught by Mrs. Crooker, in 
1818. A school-house was built where the present one stands about 
1833. Miss Isham, sister of Dr. Isham, first taught in it. Besides 
the public schools there were occasional select schools. Major J. 
C. H. Cobb taught an excellent school for some two years, and 
Mrs. E. D. Shaw also taught for a time. Just after the close of 
the war Rev. Warren Taylor taught a select school in the Presby- 
terian church. A number of returned soldiers attended. In the 
spring of 1866, at a meeting of a few leading citizens, called by 
Rev. W. Taylor, the building of Wilkesville Academy was deter- 
mined upon. The money was nearly all raised in the vicinity. This 
school has been a great benefit to Wilkesville, having attracted 
students from abroad and furnished the surrounding country with 
some excellent common-school teachers. 



1348 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

SOCIETY. 

Orphan's Friend Lodge. No. 275,F. & A. M., is the only secret 
society in Wilkesville. A lodge of Freemasons was^ organized in 
1829, named Orphan's Friend Lodge, No. 100. The first officers 
were Job Phetteplace, W. M.;E. McMillen, S.W.; Cushing Shaw, 
J. W., T. P. Fogg, Treasurer; N. B. Purinton, Secretary; Seth 
Thompson, S. D.; A. Saunders, J. D.; Royal R. Althar, Tyler. 
This lodge ceased work in 1844. It was resurrected under the 
name of Orphan's Friend Lodge, No. 275, with the following 
charter members: John H. Cay wood, D. H. Smith, R. C. Grant,. 
H. H. Bishop, Job. Phetteplace, Jeremiah F. Davis, F. Rowley, G. 
Underwood, T. P. Fogg and Cushing Shaw. The lodge has a beau- 
tiful, well-furnished hal), and is in a prosperous condition pecuniarily. 

HAWK'S STATION. 

Hawk's Station is a young settlement, principally built up since 
the railroad was built through the township. Near the station is 
Hartley's mill, the history of which extends back over half a cent- 
ury. It was originally built by one Houdasheldt, probably as 
early as 1825. It is situated on Raccoon Creek, in the northwest- 
ern part of the township. Houdasheldt ran the mill for some 
twenty or more years, and then sold to Benjamin Hawk. From 
him it passed to David Westf'all, who owned it several years. It 
was burned down in 1848, and rebuilt by Mr. Westfall. In 1855 
or 1856 he sold it to John Berkheimer, from whom it was pur- 
chased in 1858 by George Hartley. He died in May, 1S81, 
since when the mill has been in the hands of Amos and E. A. 
Hartley, his sons. The mill is valued at $5,000. It is run by 
water-power, contains two run of stone, and has a capacity of ten 
bushels per hour. 

Among the early settlers in this vicinity were Peter Starr, a 
relative of Houdasheldt, and who came with him, and was last 
heard of in West Virginia; Isaac Hawk and bis son, Benjamin 
Hawk, who settled in the northern part of the township in 1842 (Isaac 
Hawk died in 1863,at the age of sixty -seven; Benjamin Hawk died 
in 1865) ; Michael Carpenter, Ivory Thacker, Thomas Thacker, 
Holman Thacker, James McNeal, Louis Dowell, Malachi Dorton, 
Dennis McGinnisand AVed. Knapper, were also among those early 
arrivals. The last three were drowned at Hartley's mill in 1857* 
by the upsetting of a canoe in which they were rowing. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 134:9 

The postoffice was established in 1880. Casimir Hawk is the 
first and present Postmaster. The principal industry at Hawk's is 
the mining and shipping of coal, which business is controlled by 
William Comstock. 

MINERTON. 

Near the point now called Minerton was built the Quinn Mill, 
which is nearly as old as Hartley's mill. The Catholic church at 
this point was built nearly forty years ago, and among the early 
priests were Fathers Rapp, Kelly, O'Meilly and Thinpont. The 
priest in charge at the present time, Father Louis Grimmer, has 
been at Minerton for about four years. The congregation includes 
about ninety families. The church, originally frame, was burned in 
1S72, and rebuilt with brick, at a cost of, $3,000. The store at 
Minerton was opened in 18S0 by the present owner, John Lawler, 
who is also railroad agent and Postmaster. The population of 
Minerton is about fifty. 

United Brethren Church. — Besides the church at Wilkes ville, 
there is one other church in the township. It is of the United 
Brethren denomination, and is situated in the north-central part 
of the township. It is of frame, built in 1873, at a cost of $1,000, 
and will seat about 150. Tiie Pastors have been Revs. John Zim- 
merman, Louis Simmons, John Miles, Mr. Burnworth and Mr. 
Loer, the present Pastor. The membership is about thirty-five. 

The village of Wilkesville was incorporated Aug. 12, 1881. 

Wilkesville Township is bounded on the north by Yinton Town- 
ship, on the east by Meigs County, on the south by Gallia County 
and on the west by Jackson County. 

There are two voting precincts known as Eastern and Western. 
The East Precinct had 128 horses, 433 head of cattle, 2,813 head 
of sheep and 117 hogs. The West Side had 154 horses, 617 head 
of cattle, 2,373 head of sheep and 336 hogs, which gave a decided 
preponderance except in sheep. The East Side, however, shows the 
greatest valuation in personal property. The east has $60,661, 
and the west $52,415. It had 5,216 sheep, the township being 
fourth in that regard. 

There is only one stream of water in the township of any note, 
Raccoon Creek, which enters on section 24 of its north tier of sec- 
tions and meanders, first south, then southwest, then southeast, 
east, and southeast and south and leaves the township on section 
two, about one and a half miles east of the Meigs County line. 



1350 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

VINTON TOWNSHIP. 

"Vinton Township was named after Hon. Samuel F. Yinton, after 
whom also the county was named, on its formation. It is watered 
by Kaccoon Creek, Elk Fork of Kaccoon Creek, and their numer- 
ous small tributaries. It is bounded on the north by Madison and 
Knox townships, on the east by Meigs County, on the south by 
Wilkesville Township, and on the west by Jackson County and 
Clinton Township. 

The land is mostly owned in large parcels, the Eagle Furnace 
Company, the Lincoln Furnace Company, the Yinton Coal and 
Iron Company, and several private parties owning large tracts. 
The farms are generally larger than usual in this part of the State. 
The township contains agreatvariety of lands. Someofitisasgood 
agricultural land as exists anywhere, but the surface is very rough 
and hilly, especially along Raccoon Creek. Most of the land is 
well adapted for grazing, and stock-raising could be made profitable. 
The township is also rich in minerals, and in the western part coal 
and iron are found in abundance. It may be generations hence 
ere these resources are fully developed, but their presence assures 
lasting wealth to Yinton Township. 

OFFICERS AND OLD SETTLERS. 

The following are the names of the old settlers of Yinton Town- 
ship who came before 1825: George Eotsler, William Pierce, Will- 
iam Mark, Paul Mas, Royal R. Althas and James Read. Other 
early settlers were: John Booth, the oldest settler living in Yinton 
Township, who came from Harrison County, Ya., in 1831, and now 
lives at Radcliff's Station; Jonathan Radcliff, Jonathan Bloer and 
Stephen Aiken ; all came in 1826 and 1827, the latter a miller by 
trade. 

The first school taught was in 1827, near the graveyard on frac- 
tion 19. There are now five schools — one on section 8, one on 
fraction 19, one on section 25, one on section 33, and one in the 
northern part of the township. 

There are now four cemeteries in Yinton Township. The oldest, 
on fraction 19, was used before 1830. Another very old cemetery 
is on section 19, near Campbell's Place. There is a cemetery near 
John Mas's, in the northern part of the township, and another near 
Thomas Bowen's place. 

The first religious services in the township were conducted by a 
Methodist circuit rider. It is not known at what date the first 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1351 

class was formed, but occasional preaching was had as early almost 
as the township was settled. Tnere is at present but one church in 
the township — Aiken's Chapel, in the northern part. It is a frame 
church, and has been built about fifteen years. It is in fair condi- 
tion, having about thirty members. The present Pastor is Rev. 
Noah Lohr. 

Vinton contains two mills, both ran by water-power, and situ- 
ated on Raccoon Creek. The oldest one was built by Stephen 
Aiken about fifty years ago. About 1879 the mill was purchased 
by Henry Gear, the present proprietor. It contains two run of 
stone. It was burnt and rebuilt in 1864. Yale's mill is an old 
mill, though not built so early as Aiken's mill. It was built by 
Gabriel JBowen in 1838 or '39, and by him run for a long term of 
years. He sold, some time before the war, to James Hawk who, 
after a time, sold to Samuel Yale. It now belongs to John Q. A. 
Yale, nephew of Samuel Yale. Mr. Yale is also the Postmaster at 
this point, which is known as " Yale's Mill." 

SCHOOLS. 

Yinton Township has eight school districts and has a good frame 
school building in each. The total school population of the town- 
ship is 411, of which 207 are boys and 204 are girls. There are also 
in the township thirty-six youths between the ages of sixteen and 
twenty-one years. Last year, 1882, the eighth building was erected, 
costing $540. The value of school property in the township is 
assessed at $3,040. Of the number of pupils enrolled 159 wore 
boys and 189 girls, and the per cent, of attendance was sixty -three. 
The schools are kept up six months in the year, and the educational 
department of the township is a progressive one, with a promise 
of increased usefulness. The population of Yinton Township in 
1840 was 227; 1850, 460, and 1860 it was 807. The war reduced 
it to 656 in 1870. In 1880 it recovered and gained rapidly, hav- 
ing 1,131. 

Hadcliff's Station, in the southern part of the township, has 
been built up entirely since the completion of the railroad. 
The first store here was opened in 1880 by R. D. McManigal. He 
sold out to William Burton and William Campbell, and Mr. Bur- 
ton retiring recently Mr. Campbell now conducts the business 
alone. Seth Norton has been in trade here for some two years 
past. The postofrice was established about three years ago. Will- 
iam Burton was Postmaster the first year, since when Seth Nor- 



1352 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ton has had the office. The first station agent here was Ephrann 
R ad cliff, who remained till the fall of 1882, and then went to Ne- 
braska. William Burton was the agent till the spring of 1883, 
when Oliver Harpell was placed in charge. Considerable quanti- 
ties of coal, iron ore and lime are shipped from Radcliff's. Popu- 
lation of Radcliff's, seventy-five. 

£agle Furnace is over thirty years old, and is northwest of Rad- 
cliff's, in the western part of the township. The furnace was built 
by Messrs. Bentley and Stanley a number of years ago. There is 
a postofnce at this point. Population about fifty. The develop- 
ment of its mineral resources has done much to retard its agricult- 
nral productions, and the mineral lands are held in large bodies 
and are not cultivated. 

Raccoon Creek and its main branch, Elk Fork, has some splen- 
did bottom land, but the valleys are narrow. The hills are full of 
coal and it is found from three to nine feet in thickness. In its as- 
sessed valuation for 1883, June 1, it had of personal property, 
$37,192. It had June 1, 1883, 156 horses, 579 cattle, 1,207 sheep 
and 184 hogs. 

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, 

formerly a part of Alexander Township, Athens County, and then of 
Elk Township, is situated in the southern part of "Vinton County. It 
is bounded on the north by Elk Township, on the east by Yinton 
Township, and on the south by Jackson County, and on the west by 
Jackson County and Richland Township, of Yinton County. Its sur- 
face is usually very rough and better adapted for grazing than for 
agricultural purposes, and yet there is some very good farming land, 
and good crops of corn and wheat are raised on many farms. The 
mineral resources of the township are almost inexhaustible, and 
will be a source of wealth and prosperity for ages to come. Both 
coal and iron are found in abundance, and considerable quantities 
are mined and shipped. Hamden Furnace is situated on the 
south half of section 21, and the Furnace Company own several 
whole sections of land in the township, besides other large tracts 
less than a township in size. Several large bodies of land are also 
owned by the Eagle Furnace Company, and by the Yinton Fur- 
nace Company. The farms in the township average rather large. 
The surface is drained by the Little Raccoon Creek and several 
small tributaries, and three or four different streams have their 
beginnings in Clinton Township, which is on a rather high plane. 
Wolf Creek, in the northeastern portion, flows northward through 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1353 

sections 11 and 2. Little Raccoon Creek has a general southerly 
course through the western part of the township, which it enters on 
the west side of section 7, flowing through sections 7, 18, 20 and 
29, besides touching sections 19 and 30, and leaving the township 
on the southern edge of section 29. Tiie highest parts of the town- 
ship are in the center. 

The first settlements in Clinton Township were made about 1811 
by Nathaniel Richmond, David Paine, Robert Elders, Downy 
Read, Robert Ward, Thomas McGrady, William McGrady and 
Abraham Wilbur. These were soon followed by Charles Robbins, 
William Craig, Jonathan Dempsey, James Detnpsey, John Frazee, 
John Johnson, Ephraim Frazee, Jehiel Frazee, Augustus Frazee, 
Patrick Murdock, Joseph McKinnis, John Farr, Edward Salts, 
Patrick Shearer, — Morrow, John Rankin, John Snook, John 
Sullivan, William Hoffine, William McCumtnell, Jonathan Win- 
ters and Daniel Hollenshead. 

The timber of the township has been cut down to a great extent, 
but has been of good quality for building and other uses. It con- 
sists principally of hickory and oak, though there is plenty of yel- 
low poplar, elm and maple. 

The first religious services were conducted by that pioneer denom- 
ination, Methodist Episcopal, though it was not long ere the advo- 
cates of other creeds were busily at work throughout the country. 
Among the first preachers were Reverends David Dutcher, Elisha 

Wright, Jacob De Zay, Roe and Feree. None of these 

were stationed here permanently. They belonged to that pioneer 
class called "circuit-riders," and their services in forwarding and 
promoting morality among the pioneers can scarcely be over-esti- 
mated. 

The population of Clinton has had a steady, healthy increase 
from its settlement to 1870, due to the natural growth and to immi- 
gration; but for the last thirteen years or more the pjpulation has 
been about stationary, many of the younger men leaving, going 
West to the promising new countries — Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas 
and elsewhere. The census of 1870 gave the township a popula- 
tion of 1,724, and in 1880 the returns footed up only 1,608. 

HAMDEN. 

The land upon which the village of Hamden was laid out was 
entered by Nathaniel Richmond in the year 1820. It afterward 
became the property of Charles Robbins and J. K. Wilson, who 



1354 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

laid out the village in 1834, the survey being made by O. M. 
Tyson. It is situated in the southern part of section 19 and a part 
extends over into section 30. Charles Robbins owned the land on 
the east side of Main street and Mr. Wilson that on the west side. 

The first merchants in Hamden were William Burlegin and Augus- 
tus Frazee. Jervis Leach kept the first hotel. The first teachers 
were Polly Ward, Thomas and Thompson Leach, John Keenan and 
Thomas Hagins. Samuel Tarr and Samuel Washburn built a tan- 
nery in an early day, which they soon after sold to George and 
Christian Yager, afterward erecting another. In 1853 and 1854 
the foundry was built by a joint stock company with a capital of 
$5,000. 

Hamden was first named Charleston, in honor of one of its 
founders, Charles Robbins, and this name it retained till about 
1852 or 1853, when it was christened Hamden. 

The first postoffice in Clinton Township was kept one. mile north 
of the present town of Hamden and was called Reed's Mill. It 
was in the course of time removed to Hamden, which name it as- 
sumed and retained for a time. It was then named Hamden Junc- 
tion (its present name) to avoid confusion with another place in the 
State bearing the same name. 

Hamden has a very neatly built city hall, constructed in 1882 at 
a cost of $2,200. It is a two-story brick. The school-house was 
built in 1861, at a cost of $2,000. 

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES. 

The Presbyterian Church was built at this village in 1871 and 
1872. It is a frame structure and was erected at a cost of $2,400. 
The church was organized by Rev. Dr. Tenney three or four years 
previous to the construction of the church edifice. The first Elders 
were John B. Rayer and William Burten Shaw. The present Elders 
are Jeremiah Driggs, Bennett R. Paine and W. A. Faulkner. The 
Sabbath-school, organized soon after the church, has been regularly 
maintained and is now in a thriving condition. 

The Disciple Church, of Clinton Township, is a brick structure 
of good size and was built in 1866, at a cost of $2,000. The society 
itself was organized in 1846 by Rev. Daniel Parkinson, with the 
following members: John Yager and wife, Patrick Reed and 
wife, John Robbins and wife, Mrs. Mary Murdock, Mrs. Mary 
Rankin, Edward Salts and wife, Mary Salts, Edward Salts, Jr., 



HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1355 

and wife, Levi "Wyman and wife, Stephen Salts and wife and 
Mrs. Nelson Hoffhine. The first church building was a frame 
structure on the same site as the present place of worship. It was 
organized under the auspices [of the old New Light church about 
1833. Jonathan Bryan was one of the organizers of this church. 
The building was burned by an incendiary in 1866. The church 
is at present in a good condition financially, has a membership of 
fifty and supports a good Sabbath-school. Services are held once 
a month. The cemetery adjoining the church is one of the oldest 
burial sites in the township. The first interred person was Mrs. 
John Johnson. 

Mineral Lodge, F. & A. M., was organized Oct. 26, 1854, with 
the following charter members : D. D. T. Hord, John Arnold, 
Franklin Redd, James H. Leach and J. M. Keenan. Of these only 
Mr. Hord is living. The first officers were: John Arnold, W. 
M.; D. D. T. Hord, S. W.; Franklin Redd, J. W. The lodge 
has prospered in numbers and brotherly zeal. 

Hamden Lodge, No. 517, was organized July 17, 1872, with the 
following charter members: James Yeley, B. W. Kelch, John J. 
Smith, John U. Ervin, John M. Dye, William S. Heskit, George 
Caine, James McKinney, John L. Wortman, W. A. Dallas and S. 
W. Monahan. Dr. Monahan was the first Noble Grand; B. W. 
Kelch the first Secretary. The lodge is now in good working con- 
dition and has a membership of twenty-nine. 

m'aethue junction. 

The junction of the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore, and 
the Ohio & West Virginia, occurs in the northern part of the 
township, on section 4, at a point called Dundas. 

village of dundas. 

The Junction is about one-fourth mile from the village, and the 
name of the village is Dundas. ' There is no business done at the 
Junction, the station, railroad eating house and a saloon being the 
amount of its business interests. At the village, a quarter of a 
mile away, are two general stores and one saloon. One of the 
stores is owned by John R. Stout and the other by Latsler & Win- 
ters. The land on which Dundas now stands was owned by 
Stephen Salts. The Postmaster is George Winters. They only 
have one church denomination, the Catholic, who have a small 



1356 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

frame church put up at a cost of some $600. Rev. Father J. J. 
Slevin is in charge, his home being Zaleski. Dundas has a popu- 
lation of about 75. 

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 

The educational facilities of the township consist of seven com- 
modious frame school-houses, the last one erected last year (1882) 
at a cost of $599. In these seats of learning school is taught 
thirty weeks in the year at a cost in 1882 of $3,516.20. There are 
in the township 710 children of school age, of which 331 were 
boys and 329 girls. The school property of Clinton Township is 
valued at $7,090, and with the exception of the towns of Zaleski 
and McArthur is the most valuable of any township in the 
county. 

POPULATION, VALUATION AND STOCK. 

The first census of the county, by townships, at hand is that of 
1840. Clinton was then a municipal division of Jackson County. 
The census of that year gave her a population of 824. In 1850 
she had been joined to Yinton, but only five tiers of sections were 
transferred to Yinton instead of a full congressional township. 
The census that year gave 8S6 as the number, but if she was a full 
congressional township while a part of Clinton her small increase 
can be accounted for. The next ten years Clinton nearly doubled 
her population, the figures being 1,544. In 1870 they were 1,724, 
and in 1880 a falling off was reported which left her with a popu- 
lation of 1,608. Since then, however, she has recovered from her 
stagnation and is once more advancing. 

In the assessed valuation of personal property, as returned by 
the assessor June 1, 1883, Clinton Township ranks second in 
wealth in that department of assessed values in the county, only 
being exceeded by Elk. The returns were to the amount of $148,- 
010. Her stock report was made at the same time, and the fol- 
lowing are the returns and valuation: Horses, 196, valued at 
$8,842; cattle, 1,419, valued at $25,030; sheep, 3,135, valued at 
$6,710; hogs, 531, valued at $2,150. 

BIOGRAPHICAL — WILKESVILLE. 

James Barnes, farmer, was born Nov. 1, 1829, in Columbiana 
County, Penn. He came to what is now Gallia County, Ohio, in 
1848, where he remained a short time, when he came to where he 
now resides in 1858. He has between 700 and 800 acres of good 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1357 

land and a residence, on section 14, Wilkesville Township. He 
was married Sept. 3, 1857, to Cynthia Curry, born in Vinton 
County, Dec. 31, 1831. They have four living children — Mary, 
Alice, John Curry and George. Mrs. Barnes's father was born in 
Greenbrier County in 1803, and died 1882. Her mother was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1805, and is still living. They were the parents 
of nine children, seven of whom are living, Mrs. Barnes being the 
third child. 

Dr. H. H. Bishop was born April 1, 1818, in Harrison County, 
Ohio, where he lived till he was twenty-four years of age. At the 
age of twenty he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Jacob 
Hannon, and at twenty-four commencsd to practice. After prac- 
ticing four years he graduated at the Starling Medical College, 
Columbus, Ohio, and in 1864 graduated at the Nashville, Tenn., 
Medical College. The same *year he returned to Ohio, where he 
has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1863 
he was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the One Hundred and Tenth 
Ohio Infantry, but failing to be mustered in he went in acting as 
Assistant Surgeon in Hospital No. 2, first at Louisville, Ky., and 
later at Nashville, where he graduated a second time. He left 
there March 16, 1865, and returned to his home in Wilkesville 
Township, where he has 111 acres of good land, well improved. 
He was married Jan. 31, 1S41, to Mary Ann Cutehall, who was 
born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 7, 1819. They have been 
blessed with four children — John C, born Feb. 18, 1843; Naomi 
C, May 19, 1846; Mary, July 2, 1848; Fannie L., Dec. 28, 1S60. 

Jennie Curry is a native of Yinton County, Ohio, where she was 
reared and educated. Her father, John Curry, was born in Green- 
brier County, Va., May 1, 1803, and came to Ohio when quite 
young. He owned the mill, now known as the Wells Mill, in 
Wilkesville Township. It was first built by Mathias Croy, the 
grandfather of our subject. Her father sold the mill in 1858, and 
moved to the farm, where he died April 6, 1882. The farm con- 
tains 320 acres of good land and a residence on traction 36, Wilkes- 
ville Township. John Curry was married about 1824, to Mary 
Croy, born in Wheeling, W. Va., in February, 1S05. They were 
the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living — 
Mathias, Cynthia, Mary, Susan, George,' Nannie and Jennie, our 
subject. Mrs. Curry, Nannie and Jennie are members of the 
United Brethren church. 



1358 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Joseph L. Devault, farmer, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, 
was born March 8, 1837. At the age of twelve years he came to 
Vinton County where he has since made his home. When thir- 
teen years old he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade at which 
he has been engaged more or less since 1878, since which he has fol- 
lowed farming and makes the raising of fine sheep a specialty. He 
has a fine farm of 257 acres on fraction 24, Wilkesville Township, 
lie enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in July, 1862, in Company 
B, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battles of Per- 
ry ville and Stone River, Tenn., after which he was placed in the 
Pioneer Corps, and served with the Engineer Corps at the close of 
the war. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., when he re- 
turned to his home in Vinton County. June 3, 1867, he was mar- 
ried to Eveline S. Hawk, born in Vinton County in 1846. She 
died in October, 1882. They were, the parents of six children — 
Ulysses, Lizzie, John, Homer, Flora and Frank. He was married 
a second time on April 18, 1883, to Anna Morrison, born in Gallia 
County, Ohio, April 22, 1838. She is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal church and Mr. Devault belongs to the Presbyterian 
church. 

Dr. George K. Ewing was born in Gallia County, Ohio, Nov. 
13, 1858, and lived in that county till 1879 when he went to Wilkes- 
ville, QoH*tty. In 1877 he commenced the study of medicine and 
attended the Ohio Medical College in 1878-'79, and in the same 
year, 1879, commenced the practice of his profession. In 1882 he 
went to Baltimore, Md., and graduated there at the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons. He was married Dec. 24, 1879, to Elizabeth 
Jones, born in Meigs County, March 8, 1862, and daughter of W. 
T. Jones, of Meigs County. They have one child living named 
Edgar L., born March 5, 1S82. The Doctor and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. 

W. W. ^Fierce is a native of Athens County, Ohio, born Jan. 28, 
1840. He received his literary education at Valparaiso College, 
Indiana. He left the college in 1862, and Aug. 9 of the same year 
he enlisted for three years in Company H, Eighty-seventh Indiana 
Infantry. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Hoover's 
Gap, Tullahoma and Chickamauga, and all the skirmishes on to 
Tullahoma, Tenn. During the war he contracted rheumatism ot 
the heart and was obliged to leave the service. He was finally dis- 
charged at Louisville, Ky. He then returned home and a year later 
commenced the study of medicine. He took one course of lectures 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLE7. 1359 

at the University in Michigan in 1865, and graduated in medicine 
and surgery from the Cincinnati Medical College, after which he 
practiced his profession in Bloomfield, Iowa, lor three years. In 
1874 he came to Wilkesville where he has practiced most of the 
time since then. Jan. 16, 1868, he was married to M. Josephine 
Bishop, a native of Wilkesville, Ohio, born July 1^-1^50. They 
have one child — Manila M., born Jan. 11, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fierce are members the Presbyterian church. lie is a member of 
the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 23, at Bloomfield, and is Commander 
of the Grand Army ol the Republic, Fearing Post, No. 179. 

Edward Fletcher was born Jan. 22, 1826, in Pennsylvania. He 
left his native State in 1839, and came to Athens County, Ohio, 
with his father, where he lived on a farm for three years. The fol- 
lowing five years he was engaged in farming in Lee Township, near 
Albany. He then moved to Wijkesville Township, Yinton County, 
then Gallia County, living on section 4 for seven years. In 1855 
he moved to his present farm, situated on section 10, Wilkes ville 
Township, Vinton County, where he has 298£ acres of good land. 
May 20, 18-18, he was married to Malinda Liston, born in Jefferson 
County, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1821. They have had five children— Will- 
iam E., born May 30, 1819; Thomas, born Dec. 8, 1850, and died 
Sept. 6, 1882; Elmer H., born Aug. 3, 1852; George W., May 12, 
1854; John J., Feb. 28, 1856. Mr. Fletcher and wife are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal church. His parents, Edward and Dor- 
othea Fletcher, were natives of Ireland. They came to America 
and settled in Wilkesville Township, Ohio, where they died. They 
had ten children, onr subject being the fourth child. Ebenezer 
Liston, the father of Mrs. Fletcher, was born in the State of Dela- 
ware in 1777 and died in 1852. Her mother, Mary Frazy, was 
born in New Jersey in 1787 and died in 1868. Mrs. Fletcher was 
the ninth child of a family of fifteen children. 

Thomas Fletcher was born in Greene County, Penn., Feb. 18, 
1S32, but left there with his father at the age of four years, for Al- 
exander County. After living there three years he went to Lee Town- 
ship, New Albany, and remained for five or six years. His next 
move was to Wilkesville Township, Gallia County, now Vinton 
County, where he has resided since 1845. He has 182 acres of 
well-cultivated land and makes stock-raising a specialty. His res- 
idence is on section 11. He was married Aug. 29, 1858, to Nar- 
cissa Filkil, born in Morgan County, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1835. He and 
wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Edward Fletcher, 



1360 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

father of Thomas, was a native of Ireland, being born JSTov. 17, 1781. 
He died April 17, 1868. The mother of Thomas was Dorothea 
Fletcher, also born in Ireland, April, 1797. Her death occurred 
in 1857. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom 
are living — Mary, Eliza, Edward, Isabella, Thomas and Sarah. 
Perrin Gardner, M. D., was born May 11, 1828, in Gallia 
County, Ohio, where he attended a country school until 1845 
and in the winter of 1845-'46 he taught school. He then went 
to Gallipolis, Ohio, where he remained till 1849 and engaged as 
a school-teacher during the winters. In the winter of 1849-'50 
he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, grad- 
uating in 1851. He then practiced in Gallia County until the 
fall of 1853, when he came to Wilkesville and established a drug 
and general dry-goods store with Dr. Cline. In the fall of 1855 
he returned to Starling Medical College remaining there during 
the sessions of 1855-'56, when he located at Gallipolis and en- 
gaged in the practice of medicine, remaining till October, 1860, 
when he removed to Cheshire where he lived till July 19, 1862. 
He was commissioned Assistant Surgeon, First Virginia Cav- 
alry. He was in the second battle of Bull Run, "August, 1862, 
and all the intermediate engagements till December of the same 
year when the battle of Fredericksburg was fought, after which 
he was granted leave of absence on account of ill health. On 
his return in April, 1863, he was appointed acting Assistant Sur- 
geon at Fairfax Court-house, where he had exclusive control of em- 
balming the officers and soldiers, which he did by a method of his 
own which has always given satisfaction wherever employed. July 
1, 1863, he was assigned the charge of the hospital at Hanover, Pa., 
where he remained until Aug. 14, 1863, when he was released from 
hospital duty and reported to his command under General Kilpat- 
rick, remaining on duty with his regiment till Dec. 11. The regi- 
ment was then ordered to Wheeling Island, W. Va., to reorganize 
and recruit as a veteran regiment. During the summer of 1864 he 
accompanied General W. W. Aurill in his famous campaign through 
the mountains of West Virginia, acting as Surgeon and chief of 
division hospitals until the reorganization of the cavalry corps. 
He was assigned to the staff of General Custer and accompanied 
the command of General Custer until they reached Washington 
City, and was present at the grand review of the army of the Poto- 
mac, May 24, 1865. On June 16 following, his division was sent 
to Wheeling Island, W. Va., where they were mustered out of ser- 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1361 

vice and discharged July 8, 1865, when he returned to his home in 
Pine Grove, Ohio, in a state of broken-down health. He then re- 
sumed his practice, devoting himself almost entirely to operative 
surgery. In April, 1879, he resumed business with Dr. Oline at 
Wilkesville with whom he remained till March, 1883, when he re- 
opened his present office in Gallipolis, March 15, 1856. Mr. Gard- 
ner was married to Louzette Walker, a native of New York State. 
He is a member of Fearing Post, No. 79, G. A. R. He was a del" 
egate to the Encampment at Cincinnati in 1882. 

Charles E. Hawk, undertaker, a native of Vinton Count} 7- , was 
born Oct. 20, 1839. He has always been a resident of the county. 
He lived on a farm till he was twenty-one years old when he learned 
the carpenter's trade which he has followed more or less ever since. 
He, in company with Mr. H. B. Strong, commenced his present 
business in 1879. Feb. 22, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Third 
Ohio Infantry, and served till June 13, 1865, when he was mus- 
tered out at Gallipolis, Ohio. He then returned home, since when 
he has been engaged in his present business. He was married 
Sept. 13, 1860, to Christine Barger, a native of Harrison County, 
Ohio. They have been blessed with seven children — Arminda, 
Yiola F., Orestus G., Docia, Emerson M., Michael and Jennie M. 
Mr. Hawk and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, as 
are also the three eldest children. He is a member of the G. 
A. R. 

Fletcher Hawk, teacher, is a native of Wilkesville Township, 
Yinton County. He received his education in the township, and 
at the age of seventeen years commenced teaching, which he fol- 
lowed witii success for a number of terms. He has been a corre- 
spondent for the Hamden Enterprise for the past three years, and 
Dec. 4, 1882, was appointed to fill the vacancy of Village Clerk, 
caused by the removal of W. H. Lucas. This expired May 3, 1883. 
Mr. Hawk is a strong advocate of the Temperance cause. He in- 
tends for the future to follow the profession of school-teaching. 
Jonah Hawk, his father, was born in this township about 1826, and 
has followed farming and still resides on the place where he was 
born. Matilda Hawk, mother of our subject, was born in Ireland 
about the year 1826. They had three children, viz.: Fletcher (our 
subject), born April 8, 1857; Dora, born Sept. 28, 1860, and Ella, 
born Aug. 26, 1866. 

86 



1362 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

J. II. JR. Hawk, farmer, was born in Gallia (now Vinton) 
County, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1826, and is living at present in his native 
place, where he has 287 acres of good land on section 5, Wilkesville 
Township. He was educated in the county and learned the car- 
penter's trade, at which he worked three years, but not agreeing with 
him he <|iiit it and followed farming. He was married March 9, 
1856, to Matilda Fletcher, a native of Ireland, who died May 25, 
1875. They were blessed with three children — Fletcher, Dora and 
Ella. He enlisted Feb. 7, 1874, in Company D, One Hundred and 
Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry, and served nine months. He was dis- 
charged at the end of the war. He was married a second time, Jan. 
22, 1879, to Mrs. MaryBowen,a native of Meigs County ,Ohio, born 
Aug. 5, 1842. They have one child— Morato, born Feb. 13, 1882. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hawk are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. Thirty-three of his relatives served in the late war at the 
same time. His grandfather, Isaac Hawk, a native of England, 
deserted the English army and came to America and fought in the 
Revolutionary war. lie lived to be 115 years old; was buried in 
Greenbrier County, W. Va. His wife was also a native of Eng- 
land, where she remained till after the Revolutionary war when she 
joined her husband in America. She died at the advanced age of 
117 and was buried in the same graveyard. 

Oscar F. Hawk, a native of Wilkesville Township, Yinton Co., 
Ohio, was born Feb. 22, 1847. He was educated in a common dis- 
trict school, and attended college a short time in Athens. In the 
late war he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regi- 
^ment of the Ohio National Guards, and served four and a half 
months. He re-enlisted March 6, 1864, in Company D, One Hun- 
dred and Ninety-fourth Ohio Regiment, and served nine months. 
Since his return home he has been engaged in farming and burn- 
ing charcoal. He has also been engaged in the saw-milling busi- 
ness, and at the present time owns a share in a saw-mill. At pres- 
ent he is making a specialty of raising sheep. He was married 
Feb. 21, 1869, to Mary E. Miller, born in Wilkesville Township, 
Vinton County, Aug. 25, 1850. Their children are — Edgar, born 
Dec. 24, 1870; Lucella, Dec. 6, 1872; Mittie C, March 27, 1875; 
Maud, Sept. 10, 1877; Marion, April 10, 1880. Mr. Hawk has 450 
acres of good land and a residence on section 30, Wilkesville 
Township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1363 

Daniel Lawler, farmer, was born in Ireland, Aug. 26, 1814. He 
came to America, May 21, 1810, landing at New Fork, and remained 
in the State two years. Oct. 16, 1842, he went to Pittsburg, Penn., 
staying in that place till 1853, when he came to Ohio and settled 
on his present farm on section 34, Wilkesville Township, Vinton 
County, where he has 160 acres of land. He has also seventy acres 
in Jackson County. He was married Sept. 25, 1845, in Pittsburg, 
to Ellen Shearlock, a native of Scotland. They have eight chil- 
dren living — John L., James T., Mary E., Ellen M., Francis P., 
Michael S., Edward S. and Catherine B. Mr. Lawler and family 
are members of the Catholic church. 

Michael Mc Clary, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1818. He came to America in 1837, and landed 
at Philadelphia, where he remained one year, when he went to 
Pittsburg, Penn., remaining there for thirteen years. He then came 
to Ohio and settled in Wilkesville, Vinton County, where he lived 
four years, after which he lived at Buckeye Furnace, Jackson 
County, five years. In 1860 he came to his present farm on section 
19, Milton Township, Jackson Co., Ohio, where he has 250 acres 
of land. He has also eighty-three acres near Buckeye Furnace, 
eighty on section 35, Wilkesville Township, Vinton County, and 
200 acres in Shelby County, III. His land contains coal, iron and 
limestone in large quantities, and is well improved. He had a 
large two-story frame building erected in 1876. His farm in Illi- 
nois and part of his Ohio land is for sale. Any one wishing to 
purchase may call on or address Michael McOlary, Hawks P. O., 
Ohio. He was married in 1848 to Alice Harman, a native of Cam 
bria County, Pa. They have had four children — Mary, Patrick, 
Margaret and John H. Mr. McClary is a member of the Catholic 
church. 

Lorenzo D. Phillips was born about 1828, in Jackson County, 
Ohio, now a part of Vinton County. When twelve years of age 
he moved to St. Joe County, Ind., and at the end of two years re- 
turned to Ohio. He lived in Jackson County till 1881, when he 
moved to his present farm on section 11, Vinton Township. He has 
185 acres of good land, which is worth $5,000. He was married 
to Susan Martin Oct. 15, 1845. She was born in Jackson County, 
and died in 1877- They were blessed with eleven children — Mary, 
Delila, Harvey, Eliza, Becca, Isaac, John, Samira, George, Mag 
and Sherman. Mr. Phillips has been a member of the United 
Brethren church for twenty-nine years. 



1364 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

J. II. Reisinger, wagon-maker, a native of Ohio, was born in 
Columbiana County, April 30, 1829. At the age of ten years he 
left his native place and came to Gallia County, living there till 
1871. He then moved to Pike County, lived there live years 
when he went to Gallia, staying till 1878. He next moved to 
Wilkesville, Vinton County, where lie still resides, engaged in the 
manufacture of wagons and buggies. On Jan. 16, 1851, he was 
married to Helena Bord, who was born in Columbiana County, 
Ohio, Sept. 27, 1827. They have been blessed with nine children 
whose names are — Sarah E., Lydia M., Henry A., Thomas M., 
John C, George S., Luther D., Lucinda E. and William J. Mr. 
Reisinger is a member of the Christian church. His father, Peter 
Reisinger, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1851. His mother, 
Barbara (Shaner) Reisinger, was also a native of Pennsylvania. 
She died April, 1848. They had thirteen children, eleven of whom 
are living. 

Almond Soule, born in Kennebeck County, Maine, Nov. 19, 
1799. In 1817 he left his native place with his father and came to 
Marietta, Ohio. From 1820 to 1837 he lived in Meigs County, 
Ohio. In 183S he moved to Wilkesville, and in 1851 he left for Jack- 
son County, where he was engaged in manufacturing pig iron. He 
returned to Wilkesville in 1861, since when he has been engaged 
principally in farming. lie was married in 1819 to Dollie 
McClure, born in Maine in 1799. She died Feb. 11, 1881. There 
have been nine children sent to bless this union, only two of 
whom are living — Susan, born March 5, 1823, married to George 
Watson; Hazen Emerson, born April 25, 1841. Mr. Soule has held 
the office of County Commissioner several terms. He has rep- 
resented the county in the State Legislature in 1870-'7l. 

Margaret A. Steel, born Dec. 30, 1828, in Mercer County, 
Penn., and June 3, 1847, she was married to John Steel. March 
28, 1850, they moved to Ohio and settled in the place where she has 
since resided with the exception of two years. She has a farm of 
170 acres and a residence on section 8, Wilkesville Township. 
This union was blessed with six children, three of whom are living 
—William A., born March 4, 1848; George M., Jan. 2, 1858; Ru- 
fusP., June 22, 1861. Mr. Steel died June 30, 1864. Mrs. Steel 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. II er son George 
is living on the farm with his mother. He was married to Emily 
Tannehill, a native of Gallia County, born April 29, 1861. They 
have two children — Dora May, born May 29, 1881, and George, 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1365 

Oct. 18, 1882. Mrs. George Steel is a member of the Christian 
church. Thomas Allen, the father of our subject, a native of 
Pennsylvania, died in his native State in 1874. Her mother, 
Sarah (Dundy) Allen, was also a native of Pennsylvania. She died 
May 24, 1874. They had eight children, our subject being the 
second child. 

Joseph Strausbaugh, farmer, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, 
was born March 22, 1819. He lived there till 1849 and followed 
farming, after which he came to Wilkesville Township and settled 
on section 12, where he lived till 1870. He then moved to his 
present farm on section 6, which contains sixty six acres of well- 
improved land. He was married Feb. 28, 1845, to Rebecca De- 
vault, born in Harrison County, Ohio, June 24, 1828. They have 
seven children — Caroline, Ephraim, Almond, Rachel, Hiram, Syl- 
vester and Emma J. Mr. Strausbaugh and wife and three of their 
children are members of the Presbyterian church at Wilkesville. 
Mary Strausbaugh, a native of Vinton County, Ohio, was born 
March 30, 1844. She was married Oct. 6, 1869, to Valentine 
Strausbaugh, born in Adams County, Penn., May 30, 1807. 
They were the parents of two children — Ellsworth, born Sept. 12, 
1870, and died Nov. 30, 1870 ; James V., April 25, 1879. Mr. 
Strausbaugh died Nov. 13, 1881. James McGaughlin, the father 
of our subject, was born in Harrison County, Va., Nov. 20, 1816, 
and died Dec. 30, 1873. Her mother, Delilah Gregory, was born 
in Greenbrier County, Va., Nov. 23, 1818, and died June 20, 1877. 
They had seven children, our subject being the third child. 

Peter Strausbaugh, farmer, was born Feb. 7, 1806, in Adams 
County, Penn. He came to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1816, 
where he lived till 1846 when he moved to what is now Vinton 
County, then a part of Gallia County. In 1860 he settled on his 
present farm on section 6, Wilkesville Township, Vinton County, 
where he has 173 acres of land under a good state of cultivation. 
He was married to Elizabeth Devault in 1847, born Dec. 29, 1822. 
They have been blessed, with a family of eight children, six of 
whom are living — Lydia, Nancy J., Peter, Sophia, Lafayette 
and Rebecca. Mr. Strausbaugh was previously married in 1833 
to Sophia Grimm, who died in 1845. By this marriage there were 
five children — Abraham, Sarah A., Melinda, Catherine and Esther. 
He was formerly a member of the Lutheran church, but there being 
no organization of that society he attached himself to the Presby- 
terian church, his wife being a member of that church. His son, 



1366 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Abraham, enlisted in the One Plundred and Fourteenth Regiment 
Ohio Infantry, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tenn. 

John Strong was born June 11, 1821, in Meigs County, Ohio, 
and in 1853 came to the town of Wilkes ville, where he still resides. 
He commenced the study of law in 1841, attended school at Ober- 
lin, Ohio, and in 1848 was admitted to the bar of Athens, Ohio, 
and followed his profession in the counties of Athens, Vinton and 
Gallia until 1862. He was married September, 1846, to Miss Ellen 
Edmundson, born in Gallia County, March 14, 1825. They have 
two children, viz.: Phineas, born June 3, 1847, and Flora E., born 
June 12, 1849, now the wife of Theodore Fluhart, of Jackson 
County, Ohio. Daniel Strong, father of the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Maine, Sept. 6, 1780, and died in Meigs County, May 
4, 1866. Our subject's mother, Prudence (Wells) Strong, was 
born in Canada in 1789 and died in Meigs County in 1869, at the 
age of eighty years. They were the parents of eight children, 
viz.: Polly, Harriet, Rufus, Prudence, Daniel, John (our subject), 
Newton and i^ngustus. Mr. Edmundson, the father of Mrs. John 
Strong, was born in Greenbrier, W. Va., in 1802, and departed this 
life in 1831. Her mother, Emily (Lewis) Edmundson, was born in 
New York in 1804 and died in 1878. They had five children, viz.: 
Mary, Ellen, William, Matthew and James. Phineas, son of our sub- 
ject, was married to Anna, daughter of Dr. Strong, of McArthur. 
They have three children — Karl, Pearl and Max. He served his 
country in the late war, after which he engaged in the drug and 
mercantile business in Wilkesville. 

Mrs. Caroline (Oa? r r) Tucker was born in Vinton County, Ohio, 
Nov. 16, 1831. At the age of twenty-two she was married to Dr. 
John Boyd, a native of Ohio. They were the parents of one child 
— J. E., born July 11, 1855, now the wife of Prof. John M. 
Daviess, of Rio Grande, Gallia Co., Ohio. Mr. Boyd died May 22, 
1855, and Dec. 25, 1879, she was married to Josephus Tucker, who 
died May 9, 1882. Mrs. Tucker has lived most of the time in 
Wilkesville. She has carried on the millinery business for twenty 
years, four years of the time in Middleport, Meigs Co., Ohio. 
Her mother and an aunt reside with her in Wilkesville. Her 
mother was born in Greenbrier County, Va., July 4, 1804. She 
was married in 1826 to Cornelius Carr, born in Middletown, Conn., 
Nov. 3, 1801. He died Sept. 6, 1877. They had six children— M. 
P., Caroline S., John, Salina and Angeline. Mrs. Tucker and her 
mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. 



HISTOBV OF HOCKING VALLEY. J3g 7 

£. K mils, miller and carpenter, was born in Vinton Conntv 
Ohio. Sept. 11, 1848. He has always resided in the county wfh 

n Wilkesville Township and commenced the carpenter's trade with 
h.s father, with whom he worked most of his life, his father big 
a carpenter. He was married in 1875 to Jennie McOlnre bo™ 
m Jackson Conntv, Ohio, April 19, 1844, where she lived 11 he 
marriage in 1875. They have two children living-Mary L born 

of Mrs W ll "■" JeWe "' Jl " y 15 ' 188 °- J ° h " ^McOlm-e ,a er 
of Mrs. Wells, ,s a native of Muskingum Connty, Ohio. He died 

S R i r'v 1 ™ 0the '' T cl,ed '" 18 60, and she was adopted by H 

M H U ", y X WllS ° n ' JaCk80n ° J ' OMo - She is » ™«"ber oi- the 
Methodist Episcopal chnrch. Onr subject's father, Agrippa Wells 
was , in Wilt me TownsMp] v . nton 0o 6h . ; Wa WclU 

ZLtnWnr -n ee m ' ''i deHt 0t ' the a0 ' mt >'- His moti 'er ™ 
boin m W lkemlle Township about 1827. Thev were the parents 
of hve children, three still living-Harvey, B.E.and Mary P 
E. is engaged with his father in running a saw and grist-n ill on 
section 14, Wilkesville Township, known as Wells Hi", 
3 Tsaf ^ Umms ' a DatiTC of Mei S* County,Ohio, was born Oct. 
farm tni ■ ™ ^ in '" 8 " 8tive P lace and ™'' k ^ on a 
CW nt "" , e ' S ee " year8 ° f a " 6 ' wllea he we » t t° Mercer 
M ««', i ' , J co,nme " ced "»o blacksmith's trade. On April 

,t c WL-f '," th ° '" te War Servill « ra03t of "'o time till 

20 1864 1 T" e ,™ ak , i " S a CharSe 0D Kennesaw Mou ntain, June 
W t f' n !r '^ ' eg ' and h ' tl,is accident be was in the 

hospital till May 10, 1865, when he was discharged. The follow! 
>ng year April 2,5, he was married to Miss Charlotte G Ranee, 
born ,„ New Fork City, March, 1838. Their children are-Em 
J, born June 24, 1S67, and John L., born June 6, 1878 Mr Will 
>ams was appointed Postmaster, March 19, 1867, under President 
Johnson s admimstration,and has served in that capacity eversince 
besides having a grocery and notion store. He is a member of the 
Orand Army, and ,s Adjutant of Kearney Post. 



VINTON. 



l«f a ArhaU ^ a native of Vinton County, was born Oct. 27, 
184o, and was reared and educated in his native county. He has 
alarm oi hfty-six acres of good land on section 16, Vinton Town- 
sh.p. March 17, 1868, he married Caroline Gregory native of 
Meigs Connty,Ohio, born Oct. 27, 1849. They wereWessed with the 



1368 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

following children — William, John, Mary and Pinkney. She died 
April 17, 1880, and he again married Sept. 6, 1881, Rachel 
Gregory born in Vinton County, June 26, 1848. They have one 
child — Pearl. Mr. Arbaugh was elected Justice of the Peace, in 
April, 1879, and still holds that office by re-election. He has held 
the office of Township Assessor two terms and has also been Town- 
ship Trustee two terms. 

John Blore, born Sept. 3,1841, in Harrison County, Va., where 
he lived till he was sixteen years old. In 1857 he came to Ohio 
and settled in Vinton County, where he has since resided. He now 
owns 290 acres of good land and a residence on section 13, Vinton 
Township. April 4, 1867, he was married to Isabell Trainer, born 
in Meigs County, Ohio, March 27, 1842. Their children are — 
Leslie, born Jan. 7, 1870, and John, Dec. 17, 1879. Mr. Blore is a 
member of the Freemason Lodge, No. 275, Wilkesville, Ohio. 
His father, Jonathan Blore, was born in England, Feb. 14, 1790, and 
died in April, 1874. His mother, Catherine (Domony) Blore, was 
born May 1, 1800, in Brooklyn, K. Y., and died Oct. 10, 1871. 
Seven children were born to them, John being the youngest child. 

John Booth, farmer, a native of Randolph, Va. , born Feb. 21, 
1804. He left his native place in 1831 and came to Ohio, where 
he settled on section 19, in what is now Vinton County. Here he 
remained till 1833, when he settled on his present homestead on 
fraction 25, in ^Vinton Township. He was married March 2, 1828, 
in Virginia, to Elizabeth Radcliff, a native of Harrison County, Va., 
born May 15, 1805. They have six children — Jonathan, Houston, 
William, Stephen, Daniel and Jasper. Mr. Booth has 260 acres 
of well-improved land which is farmed by his son William. 

L. W. Calvin, merchant and farmer, was born in Vinton County, 
Ohio, April 7, 1856. He was educated at Wilkesville Academy, 
and at the age of eighteen he commenced teaching school, follow- 
ing teaching during the winter months and in summers engaged 
in tanning, and when twenty-three years old he was married to 
Almyra Kincade, April 20, 1879. She was born in Noble County, 
Ohio, July 6, 1854. Their children are — John P., born April 13, 
L880, and Carl W, Dec. 25, 1882. Mr. Calvin came to Radcliff in 
1S80, and built the first house in the town. He then commenced 
merchandising and closed his business in April, 1883. John P., the 
son of Mr. Calvin, was the first child born in the place. 

James Downard, farmer, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, 
Oct. 30, 1845, where he lived until Oct. 25, 1881, when he came to 
Vinton Township, Vinton Co., Ohio, and bought 363 acres of good 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1369 

land. Since coming here he lias built a fine two-story frame dwell- 
ing. He was married in July, 1.871, to Mary Simms, born in Athens 
County, Ohio, May 23, 1848. They are the parents of four chil- 
dren—Anna, born Oct. 1, 1872; Electa, Feb. 2, 1875; Samuel, Oct. 
19, 1877; Frank, March 5, 1881. Our subject's father, Samuel 
Downard, is a native of Ohio, born in 1818. He still resides in 
Jackson County. His mother was born in 1816, near Hamden, 
Ohio, and is still living. They were blessed with five children — 
Eliza, James, Mahala, Armeda, Abraham. Elias and Sarah (Nor- 
ris) Simms, parents of Mrs. Downard, were natives of Ohio. They 
died when she was quite young. Their children were — Elias, Frank, 
and Mary. 

Samuel J. Jefers, a native of Carthage Township, Athens Co., 
Ohio, born March 27, 1840,. He lived there till he reached his 
majority, when he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-third Ohio In- 
fantry, October, 1861, serving three years, during which time he 
participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and Holly Springs, 
Miss. He was taken sick in April, 1863, with abscess of the lunge, 
and was in the hospital in the convalescent corps for one year and 
the remainder of the time was in the invalid corps at Washington. 
October, 1864, he was discharged, after which he came home and 
farmed and went to school for two years. He was married May 0, 
1866, to Elizabeth S. Shield, of Meigs County, Ohio. She was born 
May 4, 1846. They have three children living — Myrta, born Dec. 
21, 1868; Arthur P., March 8, 1878; Delmont, Aug. 26, 1881. Mr. 
and Mrs. Jeffers are members of the Christian church. He moved 
to Orange Township, Meigs Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1866 and 
engaged in saw and grist milling. In 1S75 he came to Yinton 
Township wi ere he has since been engaged in farming and stock- 
raising, lie resides on section 17, Yinton Township, and owns a 
farm of 294 acres. He was elected one or the directors of the 
County Infirmary of Yinton County. 

John Murray, farmer, was born in Virginia, Jan. 13, 1830. He 
came to Ohio in 1847, and about 1855 settled on his present resi- 
dence on section 16, Yinton Township, having sixty acres of good 
land. He enlisted in the 100 days' service in the I^ighteenth 
Ohio Regiment in the late war, and after the expiration of that 
time he was employed as teamster for the Government fur two 
years. In 1860 Yinton Township was visited by a tornado which 
demolished his house, and at the same time Mrs. Murray was struck 
in the forehead by something flying through the air, leaving a scar 



1370 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

to this day. He was married April 25, 1864, to Susan E. Burns, a 
iiative of Greene County, Va., born March 22, 1843. She is a 
mm mber of the United Brethren church. 

S. J. Norton, merchant, Radcliff, Ohio, was born in Livingston 
( lounty, N. Y ., Nov. 21, 1820. He left his native town when five 
years old and came to Portage County, Ohio, where he lived till he 
was eighteen years of age. In 1839 he came to Vinton County, 
Ohio, where he has lived the most of the time since. He was 
married at McArthur, Aug. 3, 1841, to Catherine Cottrell, born in 
Virginia, Dec. 9, 1824. They were blessed with seven children — 
Mary, Alice, Cyrus, Catherine, Florence, Del, Elias. His wife died 
in February, 1878, and he was again married in February, 1879, 
to Ann Markon, who has borne him two children — Perry and Seth. 
Mr. Norton commenced his present mercantile business in Had cliff 
in September, 1881. He was appointed Postmaster in October, 
1881, and is still acting Postmaster at Radcliff. He has been a 
member of the order of Freemasons since 1850 and belongs to the 
chapter. 

James Pierce, farmer, was born in Vinton Township, Vinton Co., 
Ohio, then Athens County, Feb. 9, 1821. His father, William 
Pierce, was born in Montgomery County, Va., in 1787, and died in 
Vinton County, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1870. His mother was also a native 
of Montgomery County, born in 1791. She died in Vinton County, 
on the old homestead, July 12, 1874. They were the parents of 
nine boys and five girls, our subject being the seventh child. He 
was married May 17, 1849, to Mahahi Phillips. They have five 
children — Daniel II., Mathias, Thurman A., William and Mary J. 
Mr. Pierce and wife are members of the United Brethren church. 
He owns 176 acres of good land on fraction 31. He has held the 
office of Township Treasurer for nineteen successive years, and 
Township Trustee several terms, and has also been Trustee of school 
and ministerial lands. 

Arthur P. Vale, merchant and farmer, was born in Pomeroy, 
Meigs Co., Ohio, Sept. 27, 1847. His parents moved to a farm 
near Wilkesville where they lived four years, when they came to 
Vinton Township, Vinton County, where his father bought the site 
and built a grist-mill, known as Vale's Mills. He now resides 
on section 5, where he owns eighty-nine acres of good land. He 
has been engaged in the general dry-goods and grocery trade for 
nineteen years. He was married Oct. 5, 1875, to Nancy Trainer, 
born in Meigs County, Ohio, March 10, 1849. They have been 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1371 

blessed with one child— Frank T., born Aug. 16, 1878. Mr. Vale 
was instrumental in having the postoffice at Vale's Mills estab- 
lished and has served as Postmaster there since 1878. His great- 
grandfather, William Parker, came from Pennsylvania to Meigs 
County, and settled on what is now known as Parker's Run, where 
he died. His grandfather on his father's side, James Vale, a native 
of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1818. His father, Samuel Vale, 
died in Ohio, July 17, 1876. The Vale family came from England 
with William Perm's second colony. 

J. Q. A. Vale, miller, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, March 
9, 1851, where he lived till 1876, with the exception of live years 
spent in Minnesota. He came to Vinton County and took charge 
of the saw and grist mill, known as Vale's Mill, May 1, 1876, in 
which he still continues. He has 100 acres of land in Meigs County 
and four acres where his mill stands, in Vinton Township. Nov. 
20, 1873, he was married to Lutie Phette'place, .born in Meigs 
County, March 25, 1852. They have one child — Mamie E., bom 
April 7, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Vale have been members of the 
Laurel Grange, No. 1,030, Meigs County, since 1874. He is a 
member of the Orphan's Friend Lodge of Freemasons, No. 275, 
and is also a member of the chapter. He has held the office of 
Township Treasurer of Vinton Township, two years. 

CLINTON. 

Son. Thomas M. Bay, farmer and stock-raiser, was born July 5, 
1820, in Guernsey County, Ohio. His early life was principally 
spent on the farm, and he obtained only such education as the sub- 
scription schools afforded. In the fall of 1852 he located in Vinton 
County on his present place of residence, where he is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. Altogether he owns 900 acres of land, 
the home farm consisting of 483 acres. In 1849 he married Rachel, 
daughter of John and Lucinda (Graham) Buskirk. Mrs. Bay is a 
native of Ohio. Five children have been sent to bless this union — 
Irenus W., Josephine, Frank H., Sanford H. and Cora. He was 
elected in 1861 and served one term on the Board of Commissioners. 
He was elected Representative in 1871 on the Republican ticket, 
and in 1873 re-elected to the same office. His parents, Robert and 
Phoeba (Lindley) Bay, were natives of Pennsylvania, and he was the 
second white child born in Washington County. His father, 
Thomas Bay, was of Irish descent and served in the war of the Rev- 
olution. Ziba Lindley, father of Phoeba, was of Scotch descent, and 



1372 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

his wife of French origin. Robert Bay served in the war of 1812 
as a Colonel under General William H. Harrison, and after its close 
located in Guernsey County, Ohio, where he lived till 1852. He 
then removed to Vinton County, locating nearZaleski, where he 
died in 1855 aged seventy-seven years. He was the father of 
seven children — Harrison, Eliza, Lindley, Cynthia, Thomas M., 
Irenus and Ann. His wife died when our subject was a child. 

A. A. Cozzens, proprietor Hamden Fleming Mill. This mill 
was built in 1859 by E. W". Rover. It contains two run of burrs 
and is fitted up with modern machinery throughout, and has a 
manufacturing capacitj^ of twenty-five barrels per day. In 1874 
Mr. Cozzens bought out the former proprietors and immediately 
afterward put in the new machinery, and at present is sole pro- 
prietor. He was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1830. He was reared 
in the mill, and in 1855 came to Vinton County and took control 
of a mill at McArthur. He is a thorough and intelligent miller 
in every respect. He is one of the Infirmary Directors of the 
county, having been elected first in 1877 and re-elected in 1881. 
In 1858 he was married to Mandana W. Pierce, by whom he had 
four children — Allie, Mary, William and Maggie. Mrs. C. died 
in 1879. He is an acceptable and worthy member of the order of 
Masonry, and holds membership in the McArthur Lodge. 

S. F. Cramer, harness-maker, was born in Muskingum County, 
Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of William and Drusilla ^Clarey) Cra- 
mer. His father was born in Germany and came to America in 
1806. His mother was a native of Maryland. They were married 
in Muskingum County, and settled one and a half mile west of 
McArthur in 1840, on a farm of eighty acres. Here they lived ten 
years, losing their farm on account of a defective title. They were 
the parents of ten children, three of whom are living in Vinton 
County — Margaret, wife of Voss Hoffhines; Drusilla, wife of Rich- 
ard Craig, Surveyor, of Vinton County, and S. F. Mr. Cramer 
died in December, 1868, aged eighty-four years. Mrs. Cramer 
died in 1873, aged sixty-three years. Our subject was eight 
years old when his parents located in this county. He began 
learning the harness-making trade at McArthur in 1848, and in 
1851 located at Hamden Junction, where he carried on his trade 
till 1857, when he moved away, and returned in 1863. He was 
elected Justice of the Peace in 1878, and was re-elected in 1881; 
was elected Mayor of the town of Hamden Junction in 186S, and is 
now serving his third term. He is a member of Mineral Lodge, A. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1373 

F. & A. M. He was married in 1854 to Theresa Grimes. They 
have six children — Hattie (wife of Charles Denig), Edgar, Allie 
(wife of Gus Gossraan), Frank, Anna and Grace. Mrs. Cramer 
died in September, 1875, aged thirty-eight years. 

John Guard, farmer, was born in Fayette County, Pa., March 6, 
1829. He was reared in his native State, and in 1840 went to Ken- 
tucky, and in 1841 came to Lawrence County, Ohio, where he lived 
till 1858, when he came to Vinton County and resided till 1861, 
engaged in the furnace business. He then returned to Lawrence 
County, and resided there until 1874, when he returned to his 
present place of residence. He has been twice married, first to 
Elizabeth Hale, of Jackson, who died in 1858. His second wife 
was Louisa, daughter of Joseph McKinness, a pioneer of Yinton 
County, whose sketch appears in this work. By his first wife he 
had three children, two living — Osias Scott and Ephraim. John 
A. is deceased. Mr. Guard owns forty- nine acres of well-improved 
land adjoining the corporation of Hamden Junction. He belongs 
to the Methodist Episcopal church. His parents, Jacob and Eliz- 
abeth (Scott) Guard, settled in Lawrence County, Ohio. His father 
was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother in Preston County, Va. 
From Ohio his father removed to Maryland, where he died. 

CoUimbus Johnson, farmer and County Commissioner, was born 
in this township in 1846, and is a son of Abraham and Matilda 
(Pewters) Johnson. His father was a son of John Johnson, who 
settled on section 16 in 1814, where he lived until his death in 
1860, aged seventy-five years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. 
The following were his children — Abraham, Henry, William, John, 
Nancy, Terresa, Charlotta and Sallie. By his second wife he had 
two children — Emily and Christena. Abraham, the eldest son, was 
born in 1816, and married Matilda A., daughter of William Pew- 
ters. After marrying he settled in this township, and in 1857 re- 
moved across the line into Jackson County, Ohio. He was elected 
one of the Commissioners of Jackson County, and while in the 
discharge of public business, in superintending the construction of 
a bridge, a derrick fell upon him and caused instant death, Oct. 19, 
1876. He was a man with fine executive ability and was never de- 
feated when a candidate for office. Seven children were born to 
him — Alanson, Columbus, Clinton, Erastus, Seymour, Sallie Ann 
and Malinda A. Mrs. Johnson died in 1873 at the age of fifty-two 
years. Both were members of the Christian church and took much 
interest in religious matters. He owned 800 acres of good land at 



1374 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

his death; he was also one of the original organizers and stock- 
holders of the Harnden furnace. Our subject was married in 1872 
to Mary E. Buckley. He was elected to the office of County Com- 
missioner in 1880; he has also been largely identified with the 
offices of the township. He owns 256 acres of well-improved land. 
One child has been born to him — Ernest B. 

F R. Kolb, dealer in groceries, glassware, etc., came toHamden 
Junction in 1873, and was first in the employ of the M. & C. R. R. 
as night watchman, in which capacity he served four years. He 
then assumed charge of their telegraph office for one year, having 
learned telegraphy previously. In 1878 he went into his present 
business. He carries a general and complete stock and has one of the 
best stores in the place. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1853. 
His early life was passed in various ways, but principally on the 
farm. Before attaining his majority he began railroading on the 
M. & C. R. R. He lost his right arm on the road while coupling 
cars on a trestle. He is a member of the T. O. O. F., Hamden 
Lodge, JSfo. 517. He was married in 1879 to Miss Mattie Foster. 
They have one child — Stephen F. 

A. L. Lewis, dealer in drugs and notions, came to Hamden, in 
April, 1865, and began photographing, which he followed one sum- 
mer together with silversmithing. He was born in Gallia County, 
in 1829. His early life was passed upon the farm, and he received 
the rudiments of his education in the common schools which was 
developed by a courseof study in a High School. In 1858 he began 
teaching in Ohio. In 1861 he taught in Virginia, after which he 
returned to Ohio and taught two terms. In 1848 he began the 
study of medicine under his own direction at first and afterward 
under the direction of a regular physician. In 1856 he began prac- 
ticing and has made a specialty of chronic diseases. He has been 
very successful in the treatment of such cases, having cured many 
serious cases. In 1865 he removed back to Gallia County, and. for 
three years traveled quite extensively, and returned to Hamden 
in 1868. He now carries a full line of drugs. He owns a good 
property in the village, consisting in a dwelling and business house. 

1. F. McClure, proprietor of Hamden Foundry and Machine 
Company, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, in 1852, and is a 
son of John B. McClure, who settled in Shelby County, Ohio, in 
an early day, and afterward removed to Jackson County, Ohio. 
Our subject began business at Hamden Junction in 1873, by keep- 
ing hotel and livery, which he continued four years. Then went to 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1375 

Cincinnati and engaged in the carriage business, for five years 
traveling for Anderson, Harris & Co. In August, 1882, lie bought 
an interest in the Haraden Foundry and Machine Company and 
assumed charge of the business in January, 18S3. They manufact- 
ure stoves, castings of all kinds, build and repair machinery. 
They give employment to about eighteen men. Capital stock about 
$20,000. Commercial rating of the firm about $150,000. They 
also carry a general stock of hardware. Mr. McClure is a member 
of llamden Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 517; Secretary of the lodge. 
He was married in 1873 to Miss Cordelia Burt, daughter of Hamil- 
ton Burt, of Jackson County, Ohio. They have three children — 
Stanford B., Ethel and Edward Earl. 

S. W.*Monahan, M. D., was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 
1811, and is a son of James and Maria (Walker) Monahan, of 
Maryland, who became a pioneer family in Belmont County. The 
Monahans were originally from Ireland, and the Walkers from 
England. The early life of our subject was passed upon the farm, 
and in the district school he obtained the rudiments of an educa- 
tion which was developed by a course of study in the Coolville 
Seminary. In 1863 he enlisted in the Sixty. third Ohio Infantry, 
of which he was hospital steward, retaining the position until dis- 
charged in 1865. He attended school a part of one year after his 
return from the army, and taught two winters. In 1867 he began 
the study of medicine under his brother, Dr. I. T. Monahan, of 
Jackson County, Ohio, who was his preceptor during his studies. 
He attended two full courses of lectures at the Eclectic Medical 
Institute at Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1870. 
Immediately after, he began the practice of his profession at Ham- 
den Junction, where he has since paid exclusive attention to the 
demands of a large and increasing practice. He is a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Hamden Lodge, No. 517, 
being a charter member. The Doctor was married in 1870 to Miss 
Chassie Burt, daughter of Hamilton Burt, of Jackson County, 
Ohio, who has borne him five children — Ora B., Grace, Francis H., 
Stephen W. and Bertha. The Doctor and wife are members of 
the Methodist Episcopal church of the village. 

B. R. Paine, farmer, was born on the old homestead in 1818 and 
is a son of Lemuel Paine, of whom mention is elsewhere made. 
He received a practical education in the district schools and has 
followed the avocation of farming. In 1878 he was married to 
Alice Wilcox. They have one child — Howard. Himself and wife 



1376 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEr. 

are member? of the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an 
Elder five or six years. He owns 190 acres of well-improved land. 

James B. Pahie was born on the place where he now resides in 
1844. He was reared on a farm and obtained the rudiments of his 
education at the common school. He completed his education at 
the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, which he entered 
in 1867, and graduated in the class of 1871. He then taught three 
months in the university and the twj succeeding years was prin- 
cipal of the schools at Greenfield, Ohio. He then took charge of 
the academy at Hiyesville, Ohio, for one year. He studied law 
and was admitted to the bar of Ohio, and began to practice his 
profession at Jackson, Ohio, which he continued till 18S1. In 1879 
he was elected to the Legislature from Jackson, to fill a vacancy, 
and in 1880 he was re-elected. He is a Republican in politics, and 
takes an interest in all political movements. He is a member of 
Mineral Lodge, No. 517, F. & A. M. He was first married in 1875 
to Fanny Allen, who died in 1876. They had one child — William 
W. (deceased). His second wife was Cornelia Dickerason, who 
has borne him two children — Fanny and an infant (deceased). 
David Paine, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Massachu- 
setts. He came to Ohio and settled southeast of Hamden Junc- 
tion in 1808, where he entered 160 acres, remaining there till his 
death. He had five children who grew to maturity — Lemuel S., 
Dennison, Douglas, Mahala and Caroline. He was a farmer by 
occupation. He served as one of the Associate Judges of Jackson 
County. Lemuel Paine, our subject's father, was born in Virginia 
and died when his parents settled in Jackson County. He was 
reared till manhood on his father's farm, and in 1833 or '34 he 
bought eighty acres on sections 19 and 30, which became his perma- 
nent home. He was prosperous in business and at his death owned 
about 1,000 acres. He served as County Commissioner and was an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Robey who bore him six children who grew to 
maturity — James B., David S., Bennett R., Delia E., William D. 
and Clara M. He died March 24, 1878, aged seventy years, seven 
months and ten days. His wife still survives him. 

Ephraim Bobbins, farmer, is a son of Charles and Nancy (Pratt) 
Robbins. His father was born in Orange County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 
1787, and his mother in Greene County, N. Y. Mrs. Robbins was 
a daughter of Ephraim Pratt, a native of Massachusetts, who came 
from Pennsylvania to Athens County, Ohio, where he lived till his 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1377 

death. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and served under General 
Prescott. Charles Robbins settled in 1819 where our subject at 
present lives. He entered 160 acres of land from the Government, 
on which he lived till his death. He held the office of TWnship 
Clerk many years. He was a prominent member of the United 
Brethren church and took much interest in religions matters. He 
was twice married, first to a Miss Sarah Nevil, near Circleville, 
Ohio, by whom he had six children who grew to maturity — John, 
James, Job, Henry, Jonas and Sarah. His second marriage was 
to Nancy Pratt in 1826, by whom he had four children — Ephraim, 
Charles, Alan son and Lura J. He died in 1867, aged upward of 
eighty years. His wife is living at the age of ninety years. He 
was successful in his business and accumulated a good property. 
Our subject was born where he now lives in 1827. His boyhood 
was passed in a manner common with pioneer boys. He attended 
the subscription and public schools in which he obtained a practical 
education. He was married in 1852 to Nancy, daughter of James 
Ozier, an old settler. Their children are — Mary F., MarthaV., Alan- 
son F., William E., Elmer E., Emma E., Charles H. and Thomas L. 
Mr. Robbins has always lived upon the farm where he was born. 
He owns 130 acres of excellent land, well improved. 

John Robbins, deceased, was a son of Charles and Sarah (Nevel) 
Robbins. He settled here in 1819, when nine years of age. He 
was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1810. His bojdiood was 
passed upon the farm, and his education, though meager, was ob- 
tained in subscription schools. He worked on the construction of 
the Chillicothe canal at $9 per month, saving his earnings and judi- 
ciously investing in land, which is now owned by William Craig, 
where he lived until 1810, when he removed to the farm now owned 
by his son, H. C. He was a self-made man, having begun life with 
no capital save his hands and a willingness to work. His accumu- 
lations at his death consisted of 774 acres of land in this township, 
and about 500 acres in Pike County, Ohio, besides large personal 
effects. He possessed good executive and financial ability, in recog- 
nition of which he was elected Commissioner of the County, and 
was a candidate for Representative. He was also one of the orig- 
inators of the Cincinnati Furnace — now Richland. He was mar- 
ried to Betsey, daughter of Thomas W. White. They had four 
children, three of whom are living — T. W., H. C. and D. W. Jane 
died, aged three years. Mr. Robbins died at Kansas City, Mo., 
April 19, 1S65. Henry C. was born in Clinton Township, in 1837. 
87 



1378 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

His early life was passed upon the farm, and his education was 
received at the Athens University. He was married to Kebecca, 
daughter of William Ogier. They have had five children, three 
of whom are living — Homer B., Auta M. and Earl C. Mr. Rob- 
bins has 774 acres of excellent land, which comprises his father's 
original farm, inherited from his father. Activity in business, 
sound judgment and good executive and financial ability make Mr. 
Robbins a truly representative and enterprising man. In 1875 he 
erected a large commodious brick residence at a cost of $5,000, 
which for style of finish and convenience has no equal in the county. 
He is a worthy and acceptable member of Mineral Lodge, Free and 
Accepted Masons, No. 259. 

William Stanton, dealer in general merchandise, business organ- 
ized in the fall of 1882, carries a full line of goods, consisting of dry 
goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, queen's-ware, and every- 
thing usually found in a first-class retail house. He occupies two 
large rooms, seventy-five feet deep. The house was built in the 
spring and summer of 1882. and is one of the. finest in the county. 
He carries a stock of about $14,000, and does a good business. Mr. 
Stanton was born in Ireland in 1847. He came to America in 
1850, and resided in various places fur awhile, finally locating in 
Berlin, Ohio, where he lived twenty-six years. He was reared to 
the life of a merchant, and has been engaged in that business since 
residing in the State. He has been twice married, the last time in 
1877, to Miss Anna McKinniss, daughter of Charles McKirmiss, 
an old settler of this county. They have two children — Lizzie and 
Leo. 

J. M. Thomas, undertaker and dealer in furniture, Hamden 
Jurfction, Ohio, came to this place in October, 1S59, and engaged 
in the manufacture of wagons and carriages, which business lie 
carried on sixteen years. In 1875 he closed out his wagon business 
and established his present, now carrying a full line of furniture, 
his stock at present consisting of every article of furniture usually 
found in country retail houses. Mr. Thomas is a native of Ross 
County, Ohio, born Aug. 2S, 1827. He was reared on a farm, 
which he followed till twenty-three years old, at which time he be- 
gan to serve a two years' apprenticeship at $6.50 a month which, 
when completed, fitted him to engage in the business for himself. 
He served as Township Trustee from 1872 to 1874, and was again 
elected in the spring of 1883. He was elected first Mayor of Ham- 
den Junction in 1876. He was married Sept. 23, 1855, to Miss 



UISTORY OF HOOKING VALLEY, 



1379 



Harriet, daughter of Frederick Day. of Ross County. They had 
live children, four of whom are living — Mary A., Carrie, Adda M., 
Florence X. James N. is deceased. Mrs. Thomas died May '2 1, 
1881, aged forty-eight years. 

J. ^V. Wallace^ baker and dealer in provisions and musical 
instruments, came to Ilannlen Junction in January, 1S77, and 
carried on a dry -goods and grocery store until 1SS0. lie then closed 
out his dry-goods department and added the bakery and musical 
instruments. He carries a full line of provisions. His bakery is 
carried on under his own supervision, lie has another at Wells- 
ton, Jackson Co.. Ohio. lie was born in Harrison Count v. 
Ohio, and in 1853 removed to Jackson County. Ohio. He was mar- 
ried in IS 75 to Frances L. McGhee. They have two children — 
Earl S. and Lolo F. Mr. Wallace is a member of Mineral Lodge, 
F. & A. M.. No. 259. He received the rudiments of his education 
in the common schools, which was developed by a course of study 
at the Lebanon Normal Institute. He taught one year previous 
to attending Normal, and afterward several vears. 




APPENDIX. 



In the following pages we give a portion of Athens County war 
record and biographical sketches that were unavoidably omitted 
from their proper places. 

ATHENS COUNTY MILITARY HISTORY. 
BATTLES AND MAECHES OF THE REGIMENTS. 

The following military history should have been included with 
that already given in the preceding pages of Athens County 
history, but there being no regiments but what recruited volun- 
teers from several counties, it was at first deemed sufficient to men- 
tion in the county sketches of war services only the companies 
represented; but a different view having been arrived at, the 
regiments which received volunteers, or were made up in part from 
the counties embraced in this work, are herewith entered with the 
record of the noble part they took in the defense and perpetuity 
of the Union in that sanguinary conflict known as the "War 
between the States." 

Men from Athens, Hocking and Vinton were found in a few 
cases in the same regiment, and especially was this the case in the 
most of the regiments referred to in the following pages, and in 
the previously written ones of Yinton County. In all these reg- 
iments Athens and Yinton counties' volunteers were found in 
more or less numbers, and the record of each will be but the his- 
tory of the brave and heroic actions of the gallant men from both 
counties who offered up their lives a willing sacrifice upon the 
altar of their country. There is no record that can be given so 
complete in all its details of the military history of the country as 
that compiled by counties, and had such a work been at once com- 
menced at the close of the deadly strife much now that is forever 
lost would have been saved for the use and the instruction of fut- 
ure generations. 

(1380) 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1381 

THE LINE OF MARCH. 

The regiments in which Athens County was represented were 
the Third, Eighteenth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-ninth, Sixty-ninth, 
Seventy-fifth, Ninety-second, and One Hundred and Sixteenth In- 
fantries, and the Seventh Cavalry. Some of these regiments had 
but few men from the county while Vinton County was also 
pretty well represented. The march of the Third Ohio and One 
Hundred and Sixteenth is given here, while the Eighteenth, 
Thirty-sixth, etc., will be found in the military history of Yin ton 
County. The Twenty-second, Thirty-ninth and Sixty-ninth were 
all in the southern campaign, but their march and battles engaged 
in would be but a repetition of those given and so are not entered 
here, though their reputation for bravery is fully recognized. 

THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH INFANTRY, 

with the exception of two companies, B and C, which were guard- 
ing the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, rendezvoused at Marietta 
Aug. 25, 1862. Companies A, C, D, E and F were from Monroe 
County; companies B and G, from Meigs; companies I andK, from 
Athens; and Company H, from Noble. Sept. 1 the regiment was 
ordered to Parkersburg to watch the movements of the rebel Gen- 
eral Jenkins. On the 6th it moved to Gallipolis, where it was 
armed and equipped. Sept. 18 and 19 it was mustered into the Uni- 
ted States service, except companies F and K, which joined the reg- 
iment at Buckhannon, W. Ya. It was there brigaded with the 
One Hundred and Tenth, One Hundred and Twenty-second and 
One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio. In November, at New 
Creek, the measles raged violently among the troops, prostrating 
one fourth. Dec. 12, leaving 110 men in the hospital, the regiment 
moved to Moorefield, where it was stationed with a section of artil- 
lery. It was here attacked Jan. 3, 1863, and twenty men on pick- 
et-line were captured. From this time it was engaged in constant 
marching, foraging and skirmishing in "West Virginia, Pennsyl- 
vania, Maryland and Virginia, until Aug. 4 it arrived in camp at 
Martinsburg. 

April 29, 1864, it started up the Shenandoah Valley under Gen. 
eral Sigel, and in two brisk charges Piedmont was captured. The 
One Hundred and Sixteenth lost 176 men in killed and wounded. It 
was kept busy in various minor movements for the next few months, 
occasionally skirmishing with the enemy. It lost heavily in mak- 



1382 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

ing a reconnoissance Aug. 26, near Halltown, and at Fisher's Hill 
it maintained its gallant record. It was constantly engaged in 
skirmishing and in guard duty the remainder of the year, and went 
into winter quarters at Aiken's Landing. In the spring of 1865 it 
acted a prominent part in the Petersburg campaign. The regiment 
was mustered out June 14, except companies F and K, which were 
consolidated with the Sixty-second, their time not being out till Oc- 
tober following. # 

THE SEVENTH OHIO CAVALRY 

contained a goodly representation from Athens County. It was 
known as the " river regiment," being recruited from Hamilton, 
Clermont, Brown, Adams, Scioto, Gallia, Athens, Meigs and 
"Washington counties. It was mustered into the service of the 
United States in the fall of 1862, and served three years, in almost 
all parts of the Confederacy. It bore a prominent part also in the 
chase of General John Morgan, following him closely from Tennes- 
see through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, until his command was 
annihilated and he himself was captured. It was mustered out 
July 4, 1865, after an active and brave service. 

THE THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 

was organized at " Camp Jackson," in the suburbs of Columbus, 
under President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 volunteers for three 
months' service. The organization was completed by the 21st of 
April, 1861, and the most rigid drill at once instituted. On the 
27th it was mustered into the United States service. The field orri-" 
cers, who were elected by ballot, were as follows: Isaac Marrow, 
of Columbus, Colonel; John Beatry, of Morrow County, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel; and J. Warren Keifer, of Clark County, Major. On 
the 28th of April the right wing of the regiment was sent to Camp 
Dennison, with orders to break ground and prepare a suitable camp- 
ing place for the regiment. A newly planted corn-field on the west 
side of the railroad was selected, and, without blankets, tents or 
other covering this detachment of the regiment passed its first 
night of field service. On the 30th the remainder of the regiment 
arrived, bringing with it lumber and tools, with which the men 
soon constructed comfortable quarters. Throughout the month of 
May the regiment lay in this camp, and during that time was sub- 
jected to the most thorough discipline and drill, so far as drill 
could be carried by soldiers devoid of arms or uniforms. Near the 



HISTORY i'F H0CKI5TG VALLEY. 1353 

last of May the men wore supplied with an assortment of old arms, 
flint-locks altered to percussion, and a small lot or' blouses and gray 
pants. Before orders for the field arrived a considerable portion 
of the three months' term had expired, and volunteers for three 
years being called for the Third re-enlisted with alacrity and en- 
thusiasm. 

On the 20th of January, LS62, the regiment was supplied with 
arms and uniforms, and ordered to proceed to Grafton, Va.. I 

seal : war. The regiment arrived at Bellaire on the 29d 
of -June, in time to claim the honor oi being the first three years' 
• _ a ei ' ' leave the State. Crossing the Ohio River to the : 
of Benwood, it was supplied with the first installment of ammuni- 
tion. Grafton was reached on the 23d, where the regiment at once 
reported to Major-General McClellau. After two days' rest, the 
regiment proceeded by rail to Clarksburg, where camp equipage 
was supplied, and every preparation made for an active campaign. 
The 25th of June, 1861, the Third Ohio was brigaded with the 
Fourth and Ninth Ohio and Loomis's Michigan Battery, Brigadier 
General Schleich, of Fairfield County, command: 

From Clarksburg the Third Ohio advanced with the army, noth- 
g of interest occurring until the 5th of July, when the regiment 
lay at Buckhannon, Va. Here the regiment lost its first blood. 
A scouting party of fifty, under Captain O. A. Lawson, of Com- 
pany A. was sent out by Gen< S lileich to reconnoiter. They 
had a skirmish with the rebels, and lest one man killed 
tive wounded. En the pursuit of the . nemy after the b i 

of Rich Mountain the Third was carried to Beverly on tin 
July: thence to lluttonsville and Cheat Mountain Summit, w 
the pursuit was abandoned, and the troops commenced fortif 
the passes of the Alleghanies. The greater part of the regiment 
was in erecting a line of telegraph from lluttonsville to 

the port oi Cheat Mountain Summit. On the 4th of August the 
regiment marched to Elkwater Creek, and in company wit:. 
enth Indiana Infantry and Loomis's Battery eommoiv. 
series of fortifications extending entirely across the valley. In the 
subsequent movements at Elkwater Junction and vicinity the 
miotookan active part. Early in October two companies 
scouted as far as Marshall, and on the oth the regiment made a 
reconnoissance to Fig Springs, but found only deserted cai 
With this reconnoissance ended the first campaign of the T 
Ohio Volunteer Infantry. It was a campaign of peculiar hards 
to the new soldier. At Clarksburg the regiment was paid. 



1384 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

The regiment then proceeded to Parkersburg, Cincinnati and 
Louisville, at which latter place it was quartered at Camp Jenkins, 
four miles from the city. Here the Army of the Ohio was organized, 
in which the Third was assigned to the Third Division, General O. 
M. Mitchel commanding. The regiment was then assigned to 
severe drill in winter quarters at Bacon Creek or '-Camp Jefferson." 

Feb. 22, 1802, it broke camp and marched into Bowling Green 
just as the flying rebels left it. Hastening on, it reached the bank 
of the Tennessee River, opposite Nashville, some twelve hours in 
advance of troops under General Nelson, who, approaching by 
water, were really the first to enter the city. From Nashville it 
marched southward with General Mitchel, and took an active part 
in all the events of that stirring campaign, including the capture 
of Murfreesboro and the occupation of Shelbyville and Fayetteville, 
Tenn. It took a prominent part in the battle of Bridgeport, 
where it charged and drove the enemy across the bridge. Then 
followed a period of inactivity, consuming the greater part of the 
summer of 1862. Huntsville was the base of the regiment. On 
the 23d of August, Bragg having commenced his northward move- 
ment, the Third evacuated Huntsville, and marched to Deckerd 
Station and thence to Louisville, which it entered Sept. 25. After 
a brief rest the troops were again set in motion. At the battle of 
Perrysburg the Third stood its ground until more than one third of 
its number had fallen, dead or wounded. Its loss was 215 officers 
and men, and for its bravery it was publicly thanked by General 
Rosseau. It took part in the further pursuit of Bragg, and Nov. 
30 jit again encamped at Nashville. Buell was now removed, 
and the regiment served under Rosecrans in the advance upon 
Murfreesboro and the battle of Stone Raver. It lost heavily in this 
battle. After this the Third was encamped for three months at 
Murfreesboro. 

Early in April, 1863, the Third was detached from the army 
proper, and in cornpauy with the Fifty-first and Seven t}'-third 
Indiana, Eightieth Illinois and two companies of the First Alabama 
Cavalry, was dispatched on a disastrous raidint) Northern Georgia. 
(h\ the 30th of April, while crossing Sand Mountain, the command 
was overtaken and attacked by a large cavalry force. After a run- 
ning tight of ten miles, the column turned and gave battle. A 
severe tight ensued, in which the regiment captured a battery of 
twelve-pounders. The command escaped to Gladsden, unpursued, 
and there destroyed four or five thousand stands of rifles. Tiie 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1385 

raiders then marched in the direction of Rome, but were again 
overtaken, and another battle ensued, in which the Third suffered 
greatly. The Rome Mountain Iron Works, one of the most exten- 
sive and valuable establishments of its kind in the Confederacy, 
was reached and burned, by a selected band of 250, but the main 
body proceeded with great difficulty. On the morning of May 3, 
the ammunition being mostly damaged, and their horses being rid- 
den down, the whole command was surrendered, and the Third 
Ohio became prisoners of war. The men were treated with great 
severity by their captors, and were robbed of everything valuable. 
May 15 the men were paroled, but officers were incarcerated in 
Libby Prison. 

During the summer they were exchanged. They remained in 
Ohio until August, 1863, engaged in quelling local troubles, and 
also taking an active part in the pursuit and capture of John 
Morgan and his raiders. In August it was ordered to Nashville, 
Tenn., where it was again armed and equipped. It marched then 
to rejoin its brigade at Stevenson, Ala., but arrived too late 
as it had already crossed the Tennessee and marched beyond Chat- 
tanooga. It was then for a time engaged in guarding pontoons at 
Bridgeport and in escorting trains to Chattanooga until after the 
battle of Chickamauga. Its next movement of interest was against 
Wheeler's cavalry raid to Anderson's Gap, Tenn. Thence it moved 
down the Sequatchie Valley to Looney Creek, where it remained 
some time, repairing roads and facilitating the passage of trains to 
Chattanooga. It marched to Kelly's Ferry on the Tennessee, and 
thence to Chattanooga, where it performed garrison duty till June 
9, 1864, when it received orders to report at Camp Deunison, Ohio, 
its term of service having expired. The officers of the regiment 
were retained in prison for such a length of time that no effort was 
made to re-enlist the regiment as veterans, and the men were ac- 
cordingly mustered out of service June 23, 1864. After a brief 
•visit to their homes most of the men and officers re-enlisted in other 
regiments " for the war." 

THE THIRTY-SIXTH INFANTRY, 

composed of men from Athens and neighboring counties, 
was organized at Marietta (Camp Putnam) in August, 1861. 
Its first officers were Melvin Clarke, of Marietta, Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and E. B. Andrews, of Marietta College, Major. For 
the position of Colonel it was the strong desire of the officers 



1386 HISTOEY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

to have a man of thorough military education. Such a man 
was secured in George Crook, of Dayton, then Captain in the 
Fourth Infantry of the regular army. This is the same Crook who 
afterward became a Major-General. Before Colonel Crook assumed 
command six companies under the charge of Major A. J. Slemmer 
marched through several counties of Western Virginia to clear the 
country of large bands of guerrillas. Colonel Crook and the 
other four companies joined them at Summerville, in Nicholas 
County, where the regiment remained until the following spring. 
An old saw-mill was refitted, timber in the forest cut and drawn, 
and a large drill-house 700 feet long was erected, in which the regi- 
ment was thoroughly drilled. There was much sickness in the 
regiment during the winter from typhus fever and pneumonia, and 
nearly fifty deaths occurred. May 12, 1S62, the regiment, except- 
ing Company B, which remained to hold the post of Summerville, 
started South via Cold Knob and Frankfort for Lewisburg, Green- 
brier County. Here the regiment was organized into a brigade 
with the Forty-fourth Ohio and a battalion of the Second West 
Virginia Cavalry. With this force Colonel Crook marched 
through the mountains to White Sulphur Springs, Covington and 
Jackson River Depot. .Returning from this expedition the camp 
at Lewisburg was attacked by General Heth, with from 2,500 to 
3,000 rebels, who took position on a hill east of the town and be- 
gan to shell the camp. The Thirty-sixth and Forty-fourth, contain- 
ing in the aggregate about 1,200 effective men, were ordered to 
repel the attack, which was done in a sharp skirmish of about 
twenty minutes. The Thirty-sixth lost in this glorious action 
seven killed, forty-four wounded and five captured on picket. May 
29 the expedition moved back to Meadow Bluffs in order to be nearer 
its base of supply, and there it was joined by the Forty-seventh 
Ohio. In August these, with other troops, proceeded to Washing- 
ton and there joined the Army of the Potomac, where it was as- 
signed to duty under General Pope. During the second battle of 
Bull Run the Thirty-sixth was in the reserve. The next move- 
ment of importance was in assisting to repel Lee's invasion ot 
Maryland. Sept. 14 the regiment was actively engaged in the 
battle of South Mountain, where it made a gallant bayonet charge. 
Three days later the Thirty-sixth was actively engaged in the bat- 
tle of Antietam. After the battle it encamped at the mouth of 
Antietam Creek until Oct. 6, when it was ordered back to West 
Virginia. 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1387 

Here it remained for three months, and then, in January, it pro- 
ceeded to Nashville, Tenn., and joined the army of General Rose- 
crans. Early in June the brigade containing the Thirty-sixth 
marched across the country from Carthage to Murfreesboro, to join 
the main army, and was attached to Major-General Reynold's di- 
vision. On the 24th of June it moved southward with the army, 
through a drenching rain, and had a sharp engagement with the 
enemy the same evening and part of the next day, at Hoover's 
Gap. The enemy were driven out of Tullahoma. The Union 
forces moved rapidly in pursuit, and were kept marching until they 
suddenly found themseves engaged in the battle of Chickamauga. 
In this battle the regiment lost seventy brave officers and privates. 
It participated in the capture of Brown's Ferry, below Chattanooga, 
and Nov. 25 took part in the victory of Mission Ridge, in which it 
lost eighty-three men. 

In February, 1S64, the regiment re-enlisted, and on the 10th of 
March the men were sent home on veteran furlough. At the ex- 
piration of its thirty days the regiment was sent to its old familiar 
camping-ground at Charleston, W. Ya. Thence, under General 
Crook, it started on a raid to Dublin Depot, via the falls of Kana- 
wha, Raleigh and Princeton. This expedition, which was attended 
with some lighting, was successful in destroying a considerable 
quantity of stores. The regiment then joined General Hunter, in 
the Shenandoah Yalley, and for the next few months was occupied 
in minor movements in the vicinity of Staunton, Lexington and 
Lynchburg. They were finally attacked by General Early, and 
compelled to retreat to Charleston, where they arrived in a demor- 
alized and half-starved condition. 

In July the troops again entered the Shenandoah Yalley, where 
they were engaged in skirmishes at Cabletown and Kernstown, and 
obliged to retreat into Maryland. They went into camp at Pleas- 
ant Valley, July 27. Aug. 7 General Sheridan took command of 
the Army of the Shenandoah, and from the 11th to the 26th the 
regiment was almost constantly engaged in skirmishing. Sept. 3 
the regiment distinguished itself in a severe four hours' battle at 
Perryville, and it was also a participant in the battle of Opequan, 
Sept. 19. By the 22d it was at Fisher's Hill, and it took part in 
the subsequent pursuit of Early's army. At Harrisonburg it was 
sharply attacked and driven some miles. The Thirty-sixth remained 
in the Shenandoah Yalley until December following, and then, at 
Cumberland, Md., was consolidated with the Thirty-fourth Ohio. 
It remained in the service in the Shenandoah Galley for some 



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1390 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

mercantile business. In 1S3Y lie relinquished this and removed 
to his father's farm where, after improving the water-power of the 
Hocking River, he built a saw-mill. In 18±2 he built a large grist- 
mill near by, and two years later built a fine woolen mill, the first 
in Southern Ohio. The business proved very successful. In the 
year 1867, his business having largely centered at Athens, he re- 
moved his family to that place, where he still lives. He is uni- 
versally conceded to be the most active man in building projects in 
the county. Since 1837 he has built a large number of stores, 
dwellings, mills and factories, including a large brick woolen 
factory, one of the finest in this section of the State. In later 
years railroad projecting has occupied his mind, and he has figured 
prominently in railroad measures well calculated to develop the 
wealth of the State. In 1850 he commenced to agitate the Parkers- 
burg & Columbus Valley Line, which through unforeseen difficul- 
ties was abandoned. He secured the right of way for the building 
of the Baltimore Short Line and officiated as practical superin- 
tendent of construction. He was a stockholder and director of the 
road until its amalgamation with the Baltimore & Ohio, when his 
interests merged with that company. Mr. Stewart is credited 
with being the prime mover of the enterprise which resulted iu 
the construction of the Baltimore Short Line, and doubtless he 
contributed more time, influence and personal energy to secure its 
successful inauguration than any other one man, having devoted 
tour years to its interests. He was for some years a director of the 
Atlantic & Lake Erie Road, since succeeded by the Ohio Central, 
being largely instrumental in securing its final success. More re- 
cently he has been looking toward the construction of other new 
roads in this part of the State, especially one to connect the great 
coal fields of this and adjoining counties directly with the Eastern 
markets. His enterprise, however, has not been confined to mill- 
ing, building and railroading. Within the county of Athens, on 
the line of the C, W. & B. R. R., his name promises to be long 
commemorated in a brisk and enterprising village of which he is 
the founder. For this village "Stewart" was laid out on his 
land, the buildings put up at his own expense, and by his liberal 
inducements it was soon populated with a prosperous and enter- 
prising people. He has never entered actively into politics and 
has always been disposed to eschew office. He was a Lincoln 
elector in 1860, and was one of his warmest admirers. He has 
filled the office of Justice of the Peace for nearly a quarter of a 
century, and served on the Board of County Commissioners for 



HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 1391 

one term. When be entered upon this latter office the practice of 
" bidding off" the county paupers was in vogue — a method which 
to him seemed repugnant and greatly defective. He took pains to in- 
vestigate the manner in which the unfortunates were treated, and 
lound to his satisfaction that in most cases it was undertaken to 
make the most possible money regardless of human suffering. He 
therefore strenuously urged that an infirmary be secured and the 
poor given comfortable living. Notwithstanding a strong op- 
position from the public, he with the aid of a few others finally 
succeeded in carrying his point. A farm and buildings were soon 
procured and the measure carried into effect, after which the wis- 
dom of the project was heartily assented to by many from whom 
opposition had come. He has acted with the Republican party 
continuously since its organization, and has generally entertained 
decided views on the leading public questions. Before the organ- 
ization of the Republican party he was a Whig of the old line, but 
left the old party to help organize the new. During the late war 
Mr. Stewart supplied means for establishing a sutler's shop, and as 
it required his attention for a time he went South. While there 
his sympathies were enlisted in behalf of the wounded soldiers and 
he devoted his time to their relief. Although a non-combatant, he 
was much exposed to the enemy's tire and often barely escaped 
capture by the enemy. In one instance he was so hard pressed, 
being hemmed in on all sides, that he tookYefuge in a cluster of 
evergreens. Having about $3,000 in money on his person he con' 1 - 
cealed it under an old rail fence, trusting to memory to guide him 
to its discovery again when danger should have passed. He then 
started on foot and reached Nashville in safety. After the lapse 
of several days he returned to the place and found his money in- 
tact. Mr. Stewart has been twice married; first to Miss Sarah 
Carter, April 7, 1836, who died Oct. 16, 1874. He had nine chil- 
dren by this marriage, six of whom are still living. His second 
marriage was with Mrs. M. E. Pearce, widow of the late Dr. T. J. 
Pearce, of the United States army. She was well known throughout 
the war for her charitable work, and afterward officiated as matron 
at the Dayton Asylum for the Insane. Mr. Stewart has long been 
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Stewart's 
Chapel, near his old home, takes its name from him. At the 
present time (July, 1883) he continues in active business, his time 
being fully occupied in looking after his multifarious interests. 
He is an extensive land owner and one of the heaviest tax-payers 
in the county. 






1392 HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY. 

Miakim Hastings Moore, ex-Collector of Internal Revenue and 
ex-Member of Congress from the Fifteenth District, was born in 
Boylston, Worcester Co., Mass., June 19, 1812. In 1817 he came 
with his father to Ohio, locating in Athens County. His early as- 
sociations were such as to develop a hardihood and self-reliance 
characteristic of those pioneer days. He attended the district 
schools of the day, and as a pupil was rated among the most apt 
and proficient. His later education was eminently practical, being 
acquired in the rounds of active business life by intercourse and as- 
sociation with business men. He joined the first temperance or- 
ganization in 1828 and has continued to preserve his interest in its 
welfare and advancement. In politics he was a Whig until the 
formation of the Republican party, with which he has since acted. 
In the winter of 1834-'5 he taught school, alternating with the 
study of surveying under Hon. S. B. Pruden, who, in the spring 
of 1836, appointed him Deputy County Surveyor. In 1838 he 
was elected County Surveyor and re-elected in 1841 and 1844. In 
1S46 he was elected County Auditor and was re-elected continuous- 
ly till 1858, when he declined further service. During the late 
Rebellion he was active and prominent in the measures taken for its 
suppression. When the system of internal revenue was adopted he 
was appointed Collector for the Fifteenth District of Ohio; but his 
political predilections being diametrically opposed to those of An- 
drew Johnson's he was removed. He was for many years a Di- 
rector of the Athens branch of the State Bank of Ohio, and, as its 
President, superintended its conversion into the First National 
Bank of Athens. Mr. Moore has become widely known by reason 
of his activity in the matter of public improvements and the devel- 
opment of the mineral resources of his county. He served some 
years as a director of the M. & C. R. R , and joined in the con- 
struction of the C. & H. V. R. R. as one of the projectors and in- 
corporators. In 1868 he was elected to Congress but declined a 
nomination in 1870. Mr. Moore was largely instrumental in se- 
curing the location of the asylum for the insane at Athens. He has 
served on its Board of Directors and has also beea a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the Ohio University. He was a member of 
the first Board of Education organized in Athens. He married 
Amy Barker, a descendant of an old New England family. Of 
their four children, but one is living — David H., a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and formerly President of the Cin- 
cinnati Wesleyan College, and the present head of Denver Univer- 
sity, the leading educational institution of Colorado. 

8i ' 810, • -' "• 



